As best as I can determine, the first reference on the Internet to my grandfather, a man that I know far too little about, is this one. 
    My given name, Edward, is/was/will always be his, too.  (Bud, the nickname that I’ve used for everyone except substitute teachers and bank tellers, is/was/will forever be my father’s father’s name.  I was named for both of my grandfathers.)
    I’ll be offline much of this week, with family in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where I used to play in my Granddaddy’s amazing garden.

    I’m going to be offline for much of the week as I’m headed off to spend some time with family.  I’m planning on posting lots of convention reflections when I return, as well as some thoughts on ARG’s and their potential in schools, a podcast from my NCTE presentation, and plenty more. 
   I hope all y’all that I met in Nashville are up to good things, or enjoying a well deserved break, and that your travel home was safe.  I hope all the rest of you are keeping busy with good and important work and family and life.
    Happy Thanksgiving to all, whether or not you actually celebrate the holiday.  There’s lots to be thankful for, isn’t there?

    We safely returned from the Atlantic Ocean and are about to head into the Colorado mountains for a week or so of fun.   Meanwhile, most everyone else is at NECC.  While I’m bummed to miss that conference, I’m feeling good about taking some time to spend with the family. 
   Luckily, I know the good stuff will make in into the blogosphere.  Take good notes, y’all.  I’m counting on a full report waiting in my aggregator when I return.

  Mission Accomplished 
  Originally uploaded by Bud the Teacher.

She loved it.  So did I.  More to explore.  So little time.

  DSC03241 
  Originally uploaded by Bud the Teacher.

Now that the conference is over, I’m off to have some fun.  My family will be reuniting on the East Coast to spend some time with our feet in the sand, listening to the surf. 
    The best part?  I’m going to be introducing my little girl to the ocean, and seeing the waves and the sand and the water again for the first time. 
    Back in a week.  Gone exploring.