Hello Manters!

It's a very, very rainy day here in Boise... it reminds me of the storms I've witnessed back East (minus the lightening and thunder). Hope everyone is doing well. I'm hoping to come back for a visit soon and look forward to seeing everyone!

Love,
Karen

Post Halloween thoughts...

I cannot believe how long it has been since posting here. I guess we are all "snowed under" with the fall. Many times I have thought of connecting or responding, but it never makes it to the top of Grandpa's desk...the old roll-top that sits in my office at Curry College. His desk is a source of wonderful family presence in my professional life -- and gets lots of comments! I am only to happy to regale anyone willing to listen about our Grandpa who, fresh from his BS degree at New Hampshire University began teaching at UConn. Times have changed indeed. Anyway, I had heard that Alex is settled at Williams and that Larry has traveled East to visit -- but I'm not sure. I would love to hear how he's doing! Aunt Alice, I wanted to say how proud I was that you wrote a letter to Sasha and Melia -- which is something I might think of doing -- but you actually did! Deb I know I owe you a phone call but never seem to pick up the phone. Carol and Mark continue to amaze me with your energy and bottomless capacity to create adventure. I won't say anything to my brother since he has never contributed to this blog, but maybe this slight will prompt a response!

I just want my dear family to know that we are doing what we do, driving back and forth to school, trying to combat ignorance and anxiously watching the health-care bill traveling through Congress.

What are various plans for Thanksgiving?

love to all!

Happy Fall & Happy Halloween!

Greetings to all Manter's from a Boise Manter!! I thought I would include this picture I captured a week or so ago on historic Harrison Blvd... although the "City of Trees" does have some beautiful areas of town where the colored leaves decorate the streets, sidewalks and lawns... it's NOTHING compared to the displays out East. Oh how I wish I could have done a fall trip this year, but it just hasn't been the right time. I do so love this time of year, enjoy the change in weather and find those who complain about the weather are, well, just complaining. No matter how strong willed one may be, no will is match for Mother Nature! I embrace the change, at it signals the beginning of the holiday season! A time for laughing, getting together with family and friends, great conversation, special holiday moments and sometimes, slipping an extra splash of burbon to Grammie's "egg-nog"... Hi Grammie!! ;) (tee-hee!) Of course, it also signals the ending of a year and the start of a fresh beginning! I hope that this posting finds everyone happy, healthy and loved!

Happy fall!

Hi all,
Sorry I haven't been blogging, but being a teacher, September is the worst month for me! After teaching fifth grade special ed for over 20 years, I switched to working with 3rd and kindergarteners this year. What a learning curve! They are cute and I'm having fun coming home and teaching Mark some creative K songs. I go into three different classes and am getting to know the teachers' styles. It's been challenging, but fun.

Mark and I enjoyed our time in three National Parks late in August. We hiked over half way down the Grand Canyon and back in a day. I had very sore legs to prove it. Also enjoyed Bryce and Zion and would highly recommend visiting them.

Mom continues to amaze us with her stamina. I don't know how she does the things she does. She's very social and doesn't turn down an invitation.

Hope all is well with everyone. Love, Carol

Greetings from Binghamton University!

Hello everyone! I've been reading the posts and decided to take a minute and contribute today. I am currently on my break between psychology classes during my first day at Binghamton University :) It's been a difficult couple of weeks preparing for my new school and I was a bit anxious walking into my Social Psychology class of 130 students this morning. I am technically a junior but I feel like a freshman walking around campus and staring at the large buildings with awe. This is such a change from the community college I have been attending for the past two years.

It sounds like everyone has had a nice summer. We have had a very busy one here in Binghamton. My mom spent hers teaching summer school and mine started off with a fun tonsilectomy and then work, working out, and the weekly lazy coffee hour with grandma :) I got to learn the ins and outs of a commission job selling tools and fitness equipment. This crash course into the world of tools and men (and sometimes men who are tools) has been fun and I'm thankful to have a job.

The last week of my summer before college my mom and I visited Belmar, NJ. It was beautiful beach weather and we got to try parasailing which is an AWESOME experience! I attached a picture of us getting dunked by our very cool parasailing guides off the shore of Asbury.

I hope everyone is doing well and in good health. Good luck to all of us who are starting off new years and semesters in school (teaching and attending) and everyone else in the family!

Love, T

Talking about grandkids...

Talking to Debra last night, we were sharing stories about the little persons in our lives. Miss Alexa and Jaka, both in their third year, seemed destined for great things. Alexa may become president and Jaka a poet laureate. Whatever else they may become, right now they are pure entertainment. All our babies are wonderful, but here is a picture Carlye sent with a story created by Jaka. Unfortunately the print doesn't show well in this size, so here is the easy-to-read version: Mississippi Mrs. Sipp

"Tell me a story,” I say to Jaka one evening. "Ok,” she says. "This story is about... Mississippi Mrs. Sipp.” "Mississippi Mrs. Sipp!” I exclaim, "what a fantastic name!” "Yes,” says Jaka. "So tell me,” I ask, "what is the story about Mississippi Mrs. Sipp?” "No,” Jaka says, "she doesn't have her own story. She comes into other people's stories.” "Other people's stories?” I ask. "Yes,” she says. "She comes into stories through newspapers, milkshakes, and,” she cups her hand around her mouth and whispers in my ear, "PEOPLE'S NOSES!” We laugh, and Jaka continues. "She goes into ghost stories that love to paint and make pictures to make up a story. At the end you paint something that looks like the ghost's teeth..” "I don't understand,” I say. "Of course you do,” she says. "Just take a deep breath, close your eyes, and count to ten.” I do, and when I open my eyes again she is gone. Hiding. A few seconds later she comes running back.. "So, how does Mississippi Mrs. Sipp come into stories through...” She laughs, interrupting me. "People's noses is silly.” She explains. "Yes, it is,” I agree. "When she comes in through noses she jumps in, and when she comes in through milkshakes she is sweety and milky too. She just walks in through newspapers by painting a hole in them. But she doesn't like getting milky because then she gets sour.” "I see,” I say, "I see.” The End.

Manters in Myrtle

Went to Myrtle Beach with the family for 6 days. We had great weather and a wonderful time! 14 of us stayed in a 6-bedroom condo. Debra ate a lot of clams and oysters....while Greg chose to stick with land cuisine. Grandpa taught Miss Alexa how to use a boogie board while baby Christopher just ate and slept peacefully in a tent on the beach. We arrived a day later than everyone else and had to leave a day earlier due to the race schedule, but 6 days was plenty! Debra took her new laptop, concerned that she wouldn't be able to work while she was gone. When we arrived, there were three other laptops already hooked up! What on earth did we do before computers? We took one afternoon by ourselves to go to the Ripley's Aquarium. Dad Manter would have said, "It's choice." On the way back, we stopped at The Seafood Shack (shack was appropriately descriptive). The food was amazing and we loved the atmosphere.... shells on the floor...the beach outside...and everyone in flip-flops and beachwear! Fun! We are back to reality now, but looking forward to next year's trip!