These 13¢ goldfish are getting expensive.

New air pump - $21.82
Aquarium plant bulbs - $3.57

Subtotal - $25.39

Over the course of the school year, I show my 8th grade classes the mini-series Roots. Every time I see a used copy of the book, I pick it up. I hope to have a classroom set sometime within the next five to ten years.

The Great Train Robbery is an excellent, excellent book set in Victorian London. I'm hoping to use it when we develop our Victorian England unit for the 7th grade, later this year.

I got both of these at my favorite used book store, for very little money.

Two Used Hardcover Books - 2@ 25¢ = 50¢

My 8th Grade Advisory (we call them Magnets) and I held our first Tasting of the school year, yesterday. The ginger candy and - surprisingly - the fermented tofu in chili oil were hits.

Pandan Coconut Candy (Vietnam), Fresh Rambutan, Ting Ting Jahe Ginger Candy (Indonesia), Fermented Tofu in Chili Oil (China) - $14.01

I have a eBay alert me when an item comes up for sale having to do with Deerfield, New Hampshire - the town where I teach. I used to be able to pick up vintage postcards of the town pretty cheaply, but as dealers and collectors have started to realize how awesome these things are, the price has gone up considerably.

So when one becomes available for a reasonable price - ESPECIALLY if it actually contains a message - I pick it up for potential, if unspecified later use in my classroom.

Front Message: "Deerfield Center, NH"

Rear: To: Miss Ruth Doe, #344 Park St., Dorchester, Mass.

"How do you like my pets? Just a flurry of snow on the ground to remind us of winter. Nov. 24th. - H.C.M.



Vintage Post Card, purchased on eBay - $9.24, including shipping