Magnolia Preparatory Academy

UPWARD SPIRAL: There was an estate sale in the neighborhood today. There were the usual items (Christmas ornaments, kitchenware, and garden tools), none of which we needed. But stacked on a shelf in the living room we discovered a gem - a "new" Spirograph. Incredibly the 50 year old set was complete, right down to original papers and pens. 

The kids test drove it straightaway once they got it home.  No surprise, the ink in the half century old pens was dried up. However, the rest of it was good to go.

 The kids started with some of the simpler designs. 

It took a bit to get into the groove (literally) of the art tool. Playing with it sure brought back fond memories for me!

YOU SAY POTATO: A few weeks back, Bee planted her Martian (yes, really, in a way) potato. In this BREAKING NEWS announcement, the Earthbound potato is growing. The signs of life above the surface are about the size of a dime. 

Stay tuned for further developments.

BACK TO THE BARD:  Come Monday, we'll be checking out Shakespeare's First Folio at Seattle Public Libraries' Main Branch. Given that, we brushed up a bit more on the Bard today by watching a couple of videos. 

We started with good ol' BrainPOP, which the kids always love. https://youtu.be/uxPVVEq0E5I

We also checked out a video, "Draw His Life," posted as part of a school project by ErikHFilms on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/WK1YVRlOowE

PAROLED: Looks like an airport gate waiting area, doesn't it? In my case, it ended up being a ticket to nowhere - "it" being the juror pool holding bunker at the King County Courthouse.

I call it a bunker because it's completely devoid of any windows, skylights or natural daylight of any kind. And it's full of bad carpet and upholstery and 'inspirational' posters.

I spent hours and hours here this week, along with hundreds of other fellow citizens. During that time, only 20 were called to potentially be jurors. The experience (which paid a whopping $10 a day, which is ridiculous) left me wondering how long it's been since anyone did the math regarding how potential juror pools are summoned. 

Anyway, we did our part and won't have to go back again for another year, at the least. Happy to serve, truly, but not happy with the process, whatsoever.