Find Your Marogold

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posted on

August 17, 2023

This school year I have been given the challenge to be a mentor teacher to two first-year teachers. Given my lifelong passion for teaching and the unfortunate increase of our nation’s teacher drop-out rate, I am feeling honored, excited and determined to make sure I guide and support these young ladies towards a successful first year and a rewarding long-term career.

While working on my plan of action a friend recommended an article titled, “Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers”. I loved the author’s overall thoughtful message and I wanted to share just a bit with you, because it’s great LIFE advice for all ages, in any circumstance, at any time.

The overall theme is “Surround yourself with good people”. It follows the Companion Gardening concept where you plant certain vegetables near each other to improve growth and increase protection from bugs, diseases and harmful weeds. The Marigold is one of the best protectors. (I already knew they keep deer away from tasty flowers and repel mosquitoes). If you plant a marigold beside most any garden vegetable, that vegetable will grow big, strong and healthy.

The analogy is made between a Marigold and the people we should spend our precious time with. The ones that make us better people. We may have to seek them out, but it’s worth the effort. Once you find your marigold, keep it close, and if you can find more than one, you will thrive! They’re easy to identify because they will make you feel happy, supportive and hopeful – you feel good around them!

I hope you have found your marigold and if not keep searching! Oh , beware of the Walnut Trees . . .

Keep your hearts open,

Teri

Gather Around the Table!

Growing up on my family ranch, my mother always prepared three complete meals a day. She drove into town once a week to shop and depending on current cattle prices, our living budget was sometimes pretty tight. We ate beef and lamb (and mutton) raised on the ranch with doctored-up canned or frozen vegetables and a simple salad. Nothing fancy, always chicken on Sunday and in the summer my mother rationed out the fresh peaches and cherries, so they would last longer. Once a week she plugged in the FarberWare grill (which had its own permanent spot on the counter), plopped on frozen steaks or chops, and smoked up the kitchen! Whatever it was, we always had nutritious meals as we sat together at our cozy kitchen table. Every meal my mother made tasted good (except for the canned spinach) and I am impressed and grateful that she made do with what we had, and it felt special.Her love for cooking rubbed off on me, and Joe and I have centered our life around family, the ranch and food. It started out with raising two boys who were always hungry and on weekends preparing great dinners became a priority and a pleasure for me.These days I love planning meals! Browsing cookbooks, magazines, and online sites, making a list, checking the pantry, and getting a great meal on the table! I care about how food makes me and my family feel. I usually go for simple, delicious, and usually healthy(ish) recipes. I begin with the BEST grassfed meat and add the freshest ingredients I can find. Yes, I use butter, cheese, salt, whole dairy products and try to avoid processed foods. It’s all about balancing what’s available, what we can afford, and who’s coming to dinner! Even though we sometimes spend hours preparing and hours cleaning up – I think the conversations and connections while gathered at the table is definitely worth it! Eating well is not only about fuel for your body, but sometimes it’s about what you “feel” you need - like gathering around the table and sharing a meal with those you love.Teri

Find Your Marogold

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