I spent my life with 6th graders. We built community and learned a great deal. I designed, programmed, and published elementary grade book software, The Pretty Good Grading Program, for thirty years. Ruth taught primary grades. The last 11 years of her career, she was a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader. Teacher Leaders train Reading Recovery teachers. Reading Recovery Teachers work with the bottom 20% of first-grade classes. Reading Recovery has gone out of favor in California. I believe the problem is that RR depends on teacher knowledge (and training) rather than a “program” sold by big publishers. Ruth loves to dig in the dirt.

Brought my dad’s wheelbarrow to Graestone

I started my life in a canyon, and we purchased an old stone house in a canyon in 2011. It seemed like a good way to finish. The place is beautiful and was named Graestone long before we came along.

I write every day. I love to play the piano, and not playing makes my fingers long for the keyboard. Life is good.

Ready to Go

We drive a 1974 GMC motorhome that is tricked out. To this day, folks comment at service stations and campsites. It seems many have a story about one of the 13,000 coaches made. Others want to know who is making it and are surprised that it is 50 years old. If you are interested, our personal website, Graestone.org, tells about our adventure and other Old Iron I fiddle with.

We are Methodists, and the ColfaxUMC is a wonderful congregation. The church is part of a three church parish and I lead worship several times a month. Ruth and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on August 8, 2020.

 2,291 total views,  2 views today