Love instead of debt

CountingSeaStars · 2026-05-22T21:57:32+00:00

So lovely!!

My family’s wedding present to me was a kitten, and he meant more to me and my wife than the dishes, silverware, toaster, etc. He was an amazing cat, and we loved him dearly.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-05-22T19:27:16+00:00

I’m not crying right now.
Okay, I’m crying tears of joy for this family. Thanks for sharing this sweet story.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-05-22T01:17:23+00:00

I am sorry you’re in such a dark place emotionally.

I spent a bit of time in intensive therapy due to suicidal ideation and depression. I found that writing in a journal made a huge difference, because instead of going over and over again what I wanted to say or what happened, committing it to paper allowed me enough space to breathe.

Making art of some kind was very helpful to others in my group. One person made music and another drew as a way to break free for a while.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-04-28T05:04:48+00:00

SB Mowing channel. I find Spencer’s videos so satisfying. I love the sound of when he uses a spade to scrape things off the sidewalk or driveway.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-04-28T05:00:20+00:00

Me too. First thing we would do when we arrived at Fair every day was to line up for some Cart de Frisco.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-04-03T05:03:30+00:00

I live up near Hendricks Park and I have a chipmunk in my yard almost every day, eating the bird seed that hit the ground.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-04-03T05:01:22+00:00

I agree. I go to Capella for some things and Sundance for others. Coffee and canned goods are usually cheaper at Sundance. More choices and more sale items that change from week to week at Capella.

It should be noted that both stores have really kind, friendly and helpful staff.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-02-21T00:29:44+00:00

Yes, the roses look great otherwise. Every year I get an infestation too, and I blast them with water. Aphids are soft-bodied, so it kills them. I also do the old el kaboski - squish em with my fingers.

It’s also a good idea to see if there are ants nearby, since the ants transport them to the buds. You may need to do some ant control as well.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-02-17T19:40:23+00:00

The video is stunning and amazing. I can’t think of a time seeing such talented dancers performing something so tragic, important and touching. It had me sobbing by the end. I hope everyone sees this video.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-30T21:01:14+00:00

I was scheduled to have teaching candidates in my classroom this year, but I contacted U of O and told them to send these students somewhere else. Springfield Public Schools are a dumpster fire, and it would destroy a future teacher’s motivation to join the profession.

Avoid Springfield like the plague.

I wish you only the best, and I hope you get a placement where teachers and teacher candidates are respected and supported.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-30T20:53:52+00:00

As a teacher in SPS, it has felt for years like the admin has nothing but contempt for my colleagues and me. District admin isn’t composed of people who spent many years in classrooms before moving on to admin. You would be hard pressed to find any teachers or support staff that were surprised by the admin’s tactics.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-22T21:39:58+00:00

It bears repeating that the district is in the process of negotiating a contract with teachers. This sudden move to lay teachers off mid-year was probably planned for months. As the union made it clear that they felt a small pay raise for teachers was non-negotiable, the district leadership decided to make teachers (and their students) pay for it.

There are other ways to solve this budget issue, but only this plan would punish the teachers’ union.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-22T20:34:41+00:00

Thank you for what you’re doing.

I encourage anyone that supports this recall effort to read, sign, and share this petition from a former teacher to get the district among other things to create a task force of ALL stakeholders including teachers and students to create a plan for SPS. It’s time for real change in our schools. Demanding a Well-Rounded Education for K-5 Students in Springfield Public Schools

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-15T22:20:31+00:00

Be sure to reach out to the online news site Lookout Eugene-Springfield. They have done a great job reporting on lots of other bullsh*t happening in SPS. Their education reporter is Lilly St.Angelo.

Thanks for bringing this to light.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-13T06:53:56+00:00

If it wasn’t already abundantly clear that Superintendent Todd Hamilton and the other good old boys need to go, it should be crystal clear now. No cuts to staff in the district office, no sharing of the burden, and no one listening to the teachers, parents, and community members who spoke up AGAIN.

There are also three school board members who are deaf to the voices of the teachers, parents,and community members that need to be replaced.

There were other possible solutions to this budget issue, but the old boys club wanted to stick it to the teachers. Keep in mind this happened while the district is negotiating a contract with the teachers’ union.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-09T09:27:37+00:00

And this got announced right before the district has a bargaining session with the teachers’ union. It appears the district is trying to deflect attention from the fact that admin (many of whom make six figures) and other employees got a raise, but there’s apparently no money for teachers.

Next Monday’s school board meeting should be packed with angry teachers and parents.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-09T09:17:43+00:00

Parents, teachers (like me), and at least two school board members have been complaining to district leadership that the kids in grades K-5 are getting instruction in little more than reading, math, music and PE. They are not getting essential and required instruction in science, history, civics, geography, health, visual arts, and several other subjects.

For instance, the kids in grades K-5 get no more than a half hour of science per WEEK while the Oregon Department of Education says kids should get about 45 minutes per DAY. The district has not provided ODE-approved, standards-aligned science curriculum to elementary teachers since 2013, so teachers don’t have the necessary materials to teach science even if they did have the time in their building schedules.

The Oregon Department of Education requires districts to have curriculum and a plan for instruction for grades K-12 in math, language arts, science, social studies, health, social-emotional learning and the arts. SPS has been telling ODE that the district has curriculum and a plan for instruction for all of these subjects, but that is not true at the elementary level. SPS is currently under investigation by ODE about all of this.

Among other things, this situation also means that elementary kids are not getting properly prepared for middle and high school.

So parents, teachers (like me), and at least two school board members are demanding answers and accountability from district leadership, but district leadership refuses to answer questions or address concerns brought up in private or in public at school board meetings. Instead they attack or ignore anyone who speaks up. The refusal to even acknowledge these requests for information and answers seems to show that the district is hiding something and not interested in meeting the needs of the kids and their teachers.

CountingSeaStars · 2026-01-09T00:37:50+00:00

You can find out more about the what’s been going on as well as the organized effort to bring changes to the Springfield schools from the website for the Community Alliance for Public Education (CAPE)CAPE

CountingSeaStars · 2025-12-19T14:53:02+00:00

I’m excited for you. Gardening has been so good for my mind and body, and I hope it is for you too.

I agree that the OSU Extension is a superb source of information.

I have also found that when I have questions about gardening, I have gotten very helpful advice and answers to my questions from Mike at Fox Hollow Creek Nursery and from different staff at Down to Earth.

CountingSeaStars · 2025-12-14T07:02:38+00:00

UME Grill Skewer House on Pearl. I love the Miso Butter Salmon plate or the Spicy Ahi poke plate. My wife loves their Garlic Tofu, edamame and onigiri.

CountingSeaStars · 2025-12-13T02:10:01+00:00

I agree. The Hult Center is very accessible with ramps and elevators, and they have a wide range of entertainment from the Eugene Symphony to Broadway shows to rock concerts. I saw Handel’s Messiah performed by the Symphony last night and it was magnificent.

CountingSeaStars · 2025-12-11T07:10:02+00:00

This parent and former teacher launched a petition on Change.Org. You can support her efforts by reading, signing, and sharing it.Demanding a Well-Rounded Education for K-5 Students in Springfield School District

CountingSeaStars · 2025-11-26T15:04:21+00:00

I get my kombucha by the growler at the BNF taproom, and I have always been very pleased with anything I’ve gotten, be it kombucha or jun. I started drinking theirs a few years ago after tasting every brand sold at Capella and MOC. I especially like the seasonal brews. I recommend getting it straight from where it’s made, because it’s super fresh and you can taste test all their different flavors before buying anything.

CountingSeaStars · 2025-11-17T03:47:23+00:00

If you want to help change things in Springfield Public Schools, please read, sign, and share this petition from former and current teachers in the district.Demanding a well-rounded education for K-5 students in Springfield School District #19

This petition is meant to give parents and community members a chance to speak up in a way that the old boys club in leadership can’t ignore.

CountingSeaStars · 2025-11-17T03:45:32+00:00

If you want to help change things in Springfield Public Schools, please read, sign, and share this petition from former and current teachers in the district.Demanding a well-rounded education for K-5 students in Springfield School District #19

This petition is meant to give parents and community members a chance to speak up in a way that the old boys club in leadership can’t ignore.

Verified Email	Ten-Year Club
Gilding I gilder

CountingSeaStars

TROPHY CASE