Not yellow ice I hope! 
There was a little gentle melting of the ice yesterday and I expect by this afternoon it will be all gone.
See the change in the colours when a shaft of sun fights its way through. (Below) It was reasonable yesterday. No damning wind. When it is calm any amount of cold can be tolerated. 
Though it was not even too cold. When the day is a little warmer Jude comes rocketing screeching out of his corner to follow us about. He is very easily sidetracked and Ton is driven quite mad trying to keep up with him.
When it is very cold he pokes his head out and shakes it, curls his body up in disgust and retreats back into his hot box. Not stupid!
I have enrolled in a twelve week course of study to qualify as a teacher of English as a Second Language. TEFL. (Americans love to use letters instead of words). Teaching English as a Foreign Language. As you all know I love to teach and have been haunted by a need to help the refugees who are arriving here with nothing – not even words. Then confronted with such a negative environment.
I hope this qualification may enable me to help out a little in the immigration communities of Chicago. I am not sure exactly where this pathway will lead but I can also teach online and this will help the family finances with John stopping work.
I feel good about this. The courses themselves are not cheap but this one is with a Chicago school ( brick and mortar) and is certified, accredited and recognized, with good teachers and support. I have done a lot of research on this, trying to find my way to involving myself in helping the children.
Winter is the perfect time for study. The Airbnb closes for the winter and siesta time can be study time. Much of the course can be completed online. And I love to learn. And I love to teach. I feel this is a good step forward as I feel my way into getting involved. Just gasping in horror at the tent cities of imprisoned South American children is not enough.
I did my final telephone follow up with the school yesterday and the next course had one spot come available so not wanting to wait for next years enrollment I put everything on my credit card and I start Monday!
I hope you have a lovely day – we have a few warm days ahead which makes everyone’s lives easier ( and wetter but never mind).
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
55 responses to “JUDE EATS ICE”
This is so cute! Too much to handle 🙂
This organization, TESOL, used to be good for teachers of non-English speakers: https://www.tesol.org
It’s not just Latin American speakers, locally we have refugees from multiple regions and the last time I checked there were over children spoke 100 home languages outside of school. I worked with these populations on the ground, with publishing to try and get solid materials in the hands of educators, and in research.
Sympathy and empathy is wonderful but what these kids need is solid determination to get these kids moving into the mainstream. They get quickly discouraged.A farm mom like you will have the instinct to see what they need (just get the credentials and then do what you know they need – as you do on the farm) One of the biggest problem is that most of these kids – especially for the secondary ones is that they have had little or no education so they are illiterate in their own language (except verbally). People must realize that. Another surprise to many is that while most speak Spanish – there are many variations/types of Spanish – that can be a bump in the road trying to teach them.
ESL is much more effective than bilingual. They must learn English (and will become the translator for the family in so many situations)
Kids are tough. The little ones have a real chance, the older ones – it depends on the attitude of the adults around them..their road is much more difficult, they get frustrated with life here not as expected, and the gangs are a source of comfort and community.
One thing though, you might be surprised how many non-speaking English kids in ,multiple regions/states are native born….we need to help them, too.
You starting a great adventure. You have the right stuff. The farm will help you keep perspective and protect you from becoming emotionally overwhelmed. You must take care of yourself and be able to step back – in order to be what these kids need.
Online opportunities sound like a great option!!!
Go, Ci, Go – with heart and open eyes.
(We are also on the edge of retiring husband’s business …should have done it sooner, but the uncertainty of the economy and life makes you wary)
Hello from North Carolina (soon to be Georgia)!
I just wanted to check in and see what life on your farm has been like recently. (June feels like so long ago.)
And oh my goodness – you have the cutest little piggie!! I wish I could meet him, he sounds way too fun. The teaching course seems like it will be quite a challenge to balance -I hope it all works out well. That could open some exciting doors. I miss you, John, and the animal family. Stay warm this winter. Brr!
~Valerie
Off to Georgia – how wonderful! Good luck with your adventures darling! Keep me up to date!
Good luck with the course Celi … you would make a fabulous teacher
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