Learning from our friends

A long time ago a friend showed me how to crochet granny squares. I have forgotten how to start the pattern and don't ask me how to cast off the stitches in the end but, if someone helps me get started, I find the process very soothing.

Many years ago some junior high kids showed me how to make really neat paper boxes out of used greeting cards. The process delighted me so very much that to this day I still make them. I love to use the bitty boxes in lieu of real cards. Many years at Christmas, I make tiny fortune sized messages that I nestle inside atop a bit of fiberfill "snow". When I add the crowning touch of a Hershey Kiss and close the lid, I can't help but smile.

I could go on and on retelling wonderful stories of what I have learned from friends through the years. Just recently I learned that dancing can be fun and that corn hole is fascinating. I've come to appreciate friends of all ages. I believe that we all have something to important to share. Be it a really beautiful ability to remember our friends birthdays or an unbelievable recipe that we are willing to graciously pass on.

Our lives are made richer by those who we come to care for.

I feel so blessed by the kindness that has been shared with me.

I pray that you and I...

That we,

will share our gifts

as we count our blessings.

Tonight and always...

peace to you.

Goodnight

Comfort for Dad

My best and most dearest dad...

(he would chuckle at this,

as he is my "only" dad...)

isn't feeling well.

I ask that if you have a moment to spare,

could you say a prayer for him

and all those we know

who are in need of TLC.

I do not believe that the answer to prayer is always "Yes".

However, I know that, in the end that really isn't the point.

By seeking the arms of Our Maker,

we acknowledge we are not in charge,

that in the end God is,

that we are in His care

and life will go on no matter what happens.

Honestly though,

I'd prefer a smooth path for my dad,

millions to care for my parents in style

and,

while I'm hitting heaven's door with requests...

Can I have a small kitten for my youngest daughter that won't make me sneeze?

Kidding aside,

I'm worried.

Thank you for your help.

Now and always,

I wish you only good things.

Laughter

A chuckle,
a peal,
a rumble...
even a milk spraying,
elementary lunch room belly laugh...

There is nothing quite like the vocal expression of amusement.

We feel better when we laugh.

But,
what if we are laughed at?
Hmmm....
Have you ever laughed at a small child
who ridiculously is refusing to acknowledge they are tired,
when they clearly are about to melt
into a puddle of emotional goo?

The reaction of the bitty one
clearly shows that laughter
can lead to more than just a smiles.

Today,
for the second time in twenty four hours,
a friend chuckled in my direction.

While I know they didn't mean any harm,
I feel a bit weary
and I have a sudden sense
that the next time a dear one does something I find silly,
I will refrain from comment.

Sigh...

yeah...
I do know that I was probably funny...
but,
that
is entirely...
beside the point!
=-)

I wish you happiness and peace.
Now, Always and Forever...
May you be blessed.

Kindergarten Daydreams

Tonight,
I created the beginnings of a new blog.

One that will be used exclusively with my Kindergarten class and their families.

I had to create a new account,
choose a template
and lock it down so that my pictures of my students could be posted.

I am very excited at using this new method of communication
and expression with my class this year.

I created sidebars showing upcoming events
and even included instructions for parents
so that they could gain entrance to our locked photo site.

Since the readers must be invited to obtain entrance,
I sent notes to my curriculum director and my principal.
I can't wait to hear their response.
I'm betting they will be as excited as I am.

Goodness,
I am tired.
I got a great deal done.

...I even picked up the house a bit...
sigh,
I'm very pleased with all I got done.

...now...
let's not talk about my list of things still "to do"...
That list will always be here.

Right now,
I'm going to sigh happily and go find a cup of coffee...
And yup...
quite likely the swing as well...
I wonder if there are clouds tonight?
Tonight and always,
I wish you only good things.
May you be blessed.

playing at camp

This morning
my ladies at camp
were turning cartwheels.
During the course of their dizzy happiness,
they recalled that some teacher...
(mmmm... who could she be?)
knew how to do them too...

Sigh...
yup...
that would be me...
playing
with my crew
at
summer camp!

Meet Google

Today,
in addition to our caterpillar,
that is comfortably resting in our butterfly habitat,
my students found a bitty toad!

We all had to get a good look,
we even showed the "babies" next door,
who were out having a water play day.

With my Principal's normal grace,
she accepted it all as a matter of course,
and we now have a new pet.

I normally would be against capturing a wild critter.
However,
I can keep it safer in our classroom
where it will be looked at
and not repeatedly caught
or squished by the lawn people
like the last toad we found...
(yikes)

Visiting the moon

Today was "Moon Day"!

Of course we had to make "moon" pizza.

Don't try,

like my kids did,

to tell me that the recipe

really contains things

like Ritz Crackers and Spaghetti sauce!

Clearly,

anyone should know,

that moon pizza is made with things like,

star dust and planet shapes!

Yeah...

I know it is silly.

My kiddos love it.

The treats were so very yummy too!

Just for kicks,

while our convection oven quickly melted everything,

we sang the "Moon National Anthem".

Sung to the tune of our actual national anthem,

it was a,

"repeat after me as I make it up on the spot",

kind of song.

(We even had had motions and a bit of dancing)

Go ahead...

laugh a little...

we did.

purple

Sparkling...
somewhat sticky...
...hey how did dog fuzz get stuck in there?

It wasn't up for debate,
my oldest was in charge.

She decreed I was to have purple with purple sparkles and pink jewels.

I was leaning more toward gold and red with maybe a white crystal.

But,
I wasn't in charge.

I must admit,
our nails look adorable.

I know my little girls at school will be all over them
like a proverbial mouse
on Swiss cheese.

Today at lunch,
when I had my own dollar and seven cents shopping spree,
I found the shimmering jewels and knew they had to be ours.

Isn't it lovely that so much amusement can be had for so very little?

I wish for you,
silliness,
joy
and time with the ones you love.

May you be blessed.
Now,
Always,
Forever!

Anticipating...Nachos... high school... life!

From the windows on this little shack,
yummies of all varieties are served to mostly teen aged humans.

Tonight, as my kids and I walked our local high school's track,
my oldest daughter and I chatted.

Never having been inside her new school,
she can hardly wait to get a glimpse.

I have so many happy memories inside that building.
Though her father and I are no longer together,
most of those memories include him.
With a grin on my face,
I recounted some of the silliness we had found together.
Hide and go seek had to be my favorite.
I arrived before him almost everyday,
and I would hide and wait for him to find me.
It was fun.
Simple things usually are.
Tonight when I saw the snack shack,
I had to smile as well.
Cool evenings,
falling leaves
and
definitely....
most definitely
little cups of hot cocoa!
And...
if you were especially wealthy,
rectangles full of crunchy chips
and cheesy goodness!
Nachos of course.

I am happy to be the age I am.
I would not go back in time if I could.
However,
reminiscing made me chuckle
and my daughter affectionately roll her eyes at me.

It was a blessing to smile over the past.
Like everyone else in this world,
there is so much about my future I do not know.
But,
I am confident
that I am trodding a path
worn well by those who have traveled it before me.
Life is beautiful.
Nachos are yummy.
Memories are for sharing.
May you be blessed,
this evening and forever.
Good night.

Looking up....

Between two rock ledges,

cut so many millions of years ago,

I paused.

Walls of green towered above me,

drawing my eyes ever upwards.

I stood in awe.

my family was not silent...

However,

their chatter and comments

did not subtract a thing

from the beauty around me.

When I am outside,

it is easy for me to be positive.

To believe all the good things I've been taught.

As light filters through the trees,

the defused soft beams are a gift

to all who venture into the glow.

"Real life" is not always as comfortable

as my hike in the rain today.

There are things in my past that are hard to let go of,

People in my present that I find difficult to get along with,

situations that are honestly out of my ability to control.

I am sure I am not the only one to feel this way.

Uncertainty and troubles are part of life...

So,

then,

how am I to handle what I fear?

Do I try my best,

ask for help when I need it

and let the rest go?

Or do I let my past,

my present uncertainty

prevent me from enjoying the positive opportunities

that surround me daily?

I tend to be someone who likes to figure things out...

who likes to know where she is going...

I think there are a great many people who feel this way...

I find it hard to "let go" when it is appropriate...

Yet,

when I do not...

My problems do not go away any faster...

sigh...

chuckle...

Isn't it funny that I still try to hold on anyway?

I pray that you and I

will be able to live that famous Serenity Prayer...

To find peace,

accept blessings...

use our gifts.

The best company...
...a beautiful spot to pause
A wonderful Adventure...

Sharing lunch

My oldest asked to eat in the car...
her reason?
something sensible about not liking soggy food...

So,
I opened the hatch
and standing under its shelter,
made our lunch.
Sandwiches...
PB&J of course.
Graham crackers with chocolate frosting...
Grapes...
water...
Nothing fancy.
simple fare
for
a
peaceful place
While I would happily dine in luxury,
I sincerely doubt there is anything better than a meal shared with those you love...
even if...
especially if...
you are standing in the rain.
I pray that you know what I mean...
that even if you could do without my silly "rain adventure"...
That you know the joy of sharing the basic blessings with someone you love.
Now, Always and Forever...
I wish you happiness and peace.

Sunlight through the rain...

Wandering the paths at Old Man's Cave,
with my camera in my hand...
The rain drifting from the sky,
the sun still shining
somewhere
high above.
Down where I stood,
a glow...
an artificial twilight
reigned.
My camera,
caught the essence of the atmosphere...
The imperfection of the shot...
somehow...
perfectly capturing the mood.

Harmless Hobbies....

On the way to Old Man's Cave,
we took a slight detour down Fifth Avenue
near Cassidy Avenue in Columbus.
You see,
I have a weakness for goofy cement statues.
My mother spied this frog weeks ago
and today was the first time I remembered
when I had the opportunity to check it out.
I chuckled when I saw it.
I took a photo and called my parents on the cell.
I told them the frog was adorable...

The only thing that could have made it better...
would have been if the frog was about six feet taller!

Do you have a hobby that is a bit nutty?
One that your friends smile and roll their eyes about?
Isn't it nice to be accepted for who you are?
...and even better when those you love encourage your happiness...
=-)

Evenings together

Tonight my oldest daughter
and I watched a popular movie called,
"John Tucker Must Die".

With cleverness and insight,
the actions of a high school guy were exposed.

To get what he wanted,
the teenage Romeo
smoothly told the ladies
exactly what they wanted to hear.

A beautiful,
but lonely,
newcomer
sees what is going on
and compares the actions of the young man
to those of losers her mother has dated.
Willingly,
she becomes part of a plot to teach the "player" a lesson.

Poignant and surprisingly deep,
the movie was touching.

Though filed under "comedy"
and rightly so,
the screen before my daughter and I
was full of opportunities to talk about what it means to date.

We had a heart to heart about how important it is to stay true to who you really are.
That although dating can be exciting,
it can also be challenging.
How when we,
like the young lady in the movie,
make mistakes,
we should try and learn from them.
In the end,
the villain is really just
a young man with issues of his own.
If you have a chance...
check out the movie.
Laugh outloud...
eat some popcorn...
Share an evening with someone you love.
May you be blessed,
Now,
Always,
Forever.

Musings from a happy mind...

After about an hour on my swing,
staring at the sky
I am about as calm and mellow as I get.
The two cups of coffee and the conversation with a good friend didn't hurt either.
It is so very nice to know good people.
People who enjoy sharing the stories of their day and hearing our own.
I pray that you are blessed to know some individuals like the ones I know.
The aunt I'll go to the Ohio State Fair with,
the parents who enjoy the silly tales I tell,
the friends who laugh at all the right times
when they listen appreciatively to my stories.
Relationships can truly be a blessing.
Tonight and always,
I pray that you know that you are loved,
that you are a blessing...
that you are blessed.
Goodnight to you all.

August!

It is July.

However,

my mind is somewhere about a month in the future.

Today my boss

handed me the August summer camp calendar

and invited me to fill in the unscheduled days

with fun activities relating to our themes.

I looked at her shocked,

there were only two weeks of August shown.

I knew then that my flash card making

and lesson planning

was probably a feeling

that was akin to birds

knowing when to fly South.

For the last several weeks,

I have begun to feel a pull back to lessons.

I've purchased teacher supplies,

lesson books

and even stickers for grading.

I've been writing out schedules,

interviewing Kindergarten students and yes...

making word wall flash cards.

I can barely contain my excitement.

Today I was writing out my tentative schedule

for the transition week.

My major focus will be on team building

and learning to follow directions.

We'll make things together,

play line up games

and learn my signals for transition times.

There will be a multitude of stickers passed out,

a great deal of constructive praise

and probably a kid or two

who will have to learn about

"the wall"

at recess.

Sigh...

a new start...

Dear ones yet unknown to my heart,

who come to me to learn and to grow...

Who,

for a year,

will become part of my classroom "family".

I pray that as July rolls into August

and my final preparations begin,

that I will be given the gifts needed to lead my unique new students.

Grace to know when a stern word is needed

and the patience to know when a hug is more appropriate.

Like every teacher trying to follow God's path,

I pray for my students and myself...

In the year ahead there will be...

plenty of band aids,

hugs,

books

and

stickers.

Lots of mischief and mayhem...

crazy hats,

silly songs...

happy contests...

bugs to catch!

Sigh...

yup...

I'm excited.

Our "Meet the Teacher" night is scheduled.

A smile is on my face and a plan for a wonderful evening is in my mind.

Full of cookies, handouts and happiness.

May we all be blessed,

this night and always.

Though you may not share my enthusiasm

for sentence strips,

play dough

and field trips,

I know there is something you are passionate about.

Something that lays happily on your heart.

I pray that this coming month,

this year...

your forever...

will afford you many opportunities to enjoy your favorite blessings.

May you find wonderful adventures!

When things don't work out how you've planned

Those of you in Central Ohio
can attest
that our skies were overcast most of the day
and
that the heavens opened up
showering our area with plenty of moisture.

Because of this,
our "I Love Earth" Day
had to be conducted a bit differently.

It wasn't a problem,
we just caused mayhem
inside instead of out.

The high point of the day for me
had to be our Planet Prints
that the kids and I created in Art.

My students covered tables with newsprint,
washed and counted potatoes,
passed out supplies
and listened extremely well.

Using "real" butter knives
(ahhhh.... ooooo.... wow!)
my students learned various ways of carving potatoes to use for stamping.
Using glitter, cut paper and fluorescent paints and markers my students created multidimensional pictures that were honestly really attractive.
Not,
"Oh isn't that sweet my child made me something"...
But...
"Wow!", that is honestly really cool.....

My students really got into the process.
Both crews cleaned and washed up.
The little kids were especially excited
because their group went first
and they could leave their potatoes
for the "big" kids to use.
One of the older kids
was sincerely disappointed
in their print
and happily used
his little sister's potato to try again.
Needless to say...
she was overjoyed!

Sometimes in life,
what we plan
does not turn out
the way we hoped it would.

But,
thankfully...
The adventure that comes from a detour
is generally acceptable in the end.

Although in teaching
I am not too shaken when I must alter my methods midstream,
I must confess
that I really do not like change in my life.

It is hard to know how things turn out...
to trust that it is all ok...

If you find true change a bit unsettling,
hold on..
Find a friend,
say a prayer...
share a cookie...
(yeah... cookies are usually part of my solutions)

May you be blessed.
Now,
Always...
Forever!

The great outdoors...

Today is "I love the Earth Day" at camp.
Baring rain...
my students are not coming in all morning.
There will be morning recess outside.
...morning snack..
outside...
Library time...
outside...
Art time...
outside...

Yeah...
you get the idea...
sigh...
I'll let you know,
how it goes..
God Bless...
Have a great day!
After all...
you do live,
on the best planet there is!

just playing

Throwing popcorn at my youngest daughter...
catching some of my own....
just to show off...
Our Popcorn Olympics the other night were a big hit.
Yeah....
I have a picture of me too...
one with a piece about to be neatly caught...
I almost posted it...
til I realized how silly it looked...
with a crystal clear shot of my mouth hanging open!
My baby dear doesn't mind...
so I posted her happy blurry photo instead...
If you're in the mood for some silliness,
pop a bowl full of entertainment
and have at it!
If you do it outside,
you won't even have to clean up!
This evening and always...
may you be blessed.

Storming Heaven's Gates

Whether it be on your knees beside your bed.
Shaking holding hands in a hospital room
or
smiling and full of happiness
standing holding the hand
of your dearest one before God and family,
most of us have prayed at one time or the other.

I know without a doubt
that is the prayer of my loved ones
that has brought me safe thus far.
There is a rich history of prayer.
And I believe that God listens.
Our prayers
are not always answered
in the way we wish.
But,
God listens
and he cares.

Last night,
speaking with one of my dearest friends,
I learned that they had just lost their job.

Suddenly my own dating questions seemed trivial.
I felt literally sick for my friend.
This morning,
I ask you to pray with me.
For my friend
and for everyone
in need of employment.
That God's grace with see them through.
...I of course will beg for immediate job openings...
the best of everything for my friend and their family...
peace... joy.... chocolate...

But,
honestly...
I just pray that whatever my friend must do,
that he is given the strength to do it.
That whatever he must face,
that God will hold his hand as he walks this dark path.

I pray for all us...
That we can trust our Creator...
Now, Forever... Always....

Blissful Chaos

Picture thirty children

now add a few more.

Imagine a teacher calling roll.

Kids are answering automatically.

The one or two more mischievous kids

are prompted to speak by their teacher

and then the task is complete.

Now close your eyes and picture something else.

The same thirty odd kiddos

all wearing name tags

bearing a name other than their own.

As attendance is called,

they don't all remember who they are supposed to be.

They are prompted several times before,

with a gasp or a giggle

they are nudged

and happily recall the silly daydream

they are a part of at summer camp.

Today's "Star Day" was a hoot.

Although we did talk about burning balls of gas

that shine brightly in the night sky.

The most fun...

The true monkey business

was the chaos that ensued

from allowing the students to choose

new names for themselves.

After all,

being famous...

is often referred to as being a "Star"....

And if you are a star,
it can be exhausting

and some days,

you just want to relax

and be someone else.

My co- teachers and I had new names too.

I was Ms. Sam,

my friends?

Ms. Oprah and Miss Purple!

The entire day we refused to answer if we were called by our "incorrect" names.

At lunch we ate starburgers

and

after a zany romp in our empty adjacent field,

the students who found the star stickers hidden among the waving forest of Queen Anne's Lace became our kid crew leaders for the day.

They were our line leaders and were asked to make all decisions for their group that required camper input. There was no group voting today!

What gleeful nonsense.

What a blessing to have a boss who laughs

and goes along with the fun.

sigh....

I do love my job.

I do not know what kind of day you had.

You may have had a hard day.

Perhaps someone was unkind.

Maybe your day was enjoyable.

It is possible you were bored.

Whatever happened today...

I hope that tonight,

you have found a happy peaceful moment.

The world is better because you are in it.

Thank you for what you do...

for who you are.

May you be blessed this night

and always.

I wish you only good things.

(and comfort in times that rotten things come your way instead!)

=-)

Happy in the dark

I put my children to bed

and made myself a cup of coffee.

I smiled as I realized

that I don't really need cream,

it is honestly only sweetener I'm after.

It's funny,

but I don't even know why I started putting cream in my coffee.

I don't know if I needed it at one time

or if I just assumed I did.

It's odd that sometimes

we carry on routines

and don't even know the how

or the why behind them.

While the origin of my coffee add ins may remain a mystery,

my trips to my swing are not.

My swing,

is the place I go to wind down,

to consider my day.

As I sat there tonight

and looked at my piece of the world,

I had to smile.

My son was peaking from his window

and as I peered up at him,

I felt happy.

This evening,

as my family sat watching a movie,

my little son sat beside me.

His looked at me and kissed me.

I asked him if he was my little guy

and he enthusiastically nodded and signed yes.

The entire night he sat

and cuddled,

laughed

and giggled

and just generally

wanted my attention.

He's been sleeping a bit better

and today

when his sister beamed him in the head with a plastic fish

and was punished,

he grinned.

He looked at her with such a typical sibling look

it was,

for a moment,

hard to imagine

that he wasn't just a normal pesky brother

happy his sister was reprimanded.

From my swing I watched him,

sitting in the darkness,

letting my mind wander...

above my head there was a streak of light

and for a moment,

just a moment,

I almost thought a shooting star had passed me by.

Then my eyes realized what I'd really seen,

and I smiled

and mused about catching a few of the blinky bugs

that were gracing the evening sky.

Now here I sit,

looking at an Eiffel Tower tattoo on my arm,

a prize for a successful scavenger hunt at the local art museum today.

I realize,

as I think over the things that concern me,

that some of my worries are different today

than they were a year ago

while some remain the same.

More to the point...

I will always have things to consider.

That is just life.

But,

here I sit,

with a tattoo,

a tummy full of coffee,

a yard full of flying starlight

and I know...

yes I KNOW...

I am blessed.

This night,

think with me,

count the wonders that surround you,

just for a moment set down your burdens.

I pray that in the week ahead,

that you and I,

that we,

will be able to keep the calm peace we feel in our personal refuges.

...Better yet,

I pray that we remember that the One

who made those twinkling bitty bugs...

will always love us...

will always walk with us...

He is better than my swing...

You can run to Him when it is raining...

and your seat won't even end up wet!

May you,

be blessed.

This night and forever.

My choice from our Dollar Tree stop!

Back home after Adventure Day...
I tried on my choice from the Dollar Tree...
On our first stop,
Everyone had received a dollar and seven cents
to choose any one item from the store.
My youngest daughter chose sour gummy worms,
which she shared with her sister and I.
My oldest kiddo's choice?
lip gloss with lip liner.
I chose these stylish glasses!
I'm wearing them for "Star Day" at camp on Monday.
I laughed as my son's caregiver took the picture for me.
My students are going to be so amused.
What fun.

Hiking at Blacklick on Adventure Day!

Splashing in the water

Our picnic spot

A sand castle buffet...

We saved some popcorn from our picnic.
We worked together and built an amazing sandcastle.
We put the yummy treat in the middle of our finished restaurant and stood back.
Moments later our feathered friends flew in for a bite.
Sigh...
Adventure Day rules!

A historic place...

The girls have heard tell
of a day so long ago
when a sister jumped into a pond.
When a mother
with a small baby sister in a snugglie pouch
had to splash in after her...
And how everyone ended up..
drippy...
muddy...
and
NOT
fresh smelling!
Today,
my girls and I revisited that lovely spot
and laughed
about a day that only I remember.

Driving home...

On our way home...
Of course we stopped at Speedway...
But,
this time,
instead of Sprite,
instead of water,
my oldest asked,
to try...
Iced Coffee!
=-)

Adventure Day...

My daughters are still asleep...

they don't even know it yet...

It's an Adventure Day...

We have a caregiver for my youngest for eight hours...

We are going to use every moment...

I feel bad that my son can't come...

He might enjoy the whirlwind,

or could decide two stops in that he was done...

So,

sadly,

it's home for him...

and the open road for us...

I have games,

treats...

lunches already in my car

and sneaky ideas in my head...

Now I must hit the shower,

grab extra batteries for the camera and wait for my girls and the babysitter.

On tap for today?

... I'm not telling yet...

that would be cheating!

Have a great day and God Bless!

Stop or Go?

What does following God's path mean?
Does it simply mean that we should not do objectionable things?
How do we decide what exactly is objectionable?
There is so much disagreement among those calling themselves Christians.

If we ask ourselves WWJD? (what would Jesus do)
How do we know if we are right?
Does Jesus care what kind of cereal we eat for breakfast?
...And don't forget Jesus was considered a rule breaker by so many.

Beyond just behavior...
How do know what to do in a given situation?
What does "Letting go and Letting God" really mean?

Clearly we were given minds to think...
Where is logic in all of this?
sigh...
I shake my head and am glad for God's mercy when I think that with my trouble following map quest and other forms of direction...

It should honestly be no surprise...
that I have so many questions about following God's way.

So...
since St. Michael hasn't shown up to let me know what to do,
I will walk my path today.
I will try to do what I know is right.
I will try to trust God.
Maybe..
just maybe..
I'm not supposed to hold the map.

But,
darn...
I really like to know where I'm going!
=-)

Beautiful

Anybody home?

Can you see the tiny slivers of nut shells that tell a bitty critter lives inside?

tiny surprises

Stopping on the way home from Chestnut Ridge,
we got the usual drink at Speedway.

What my kiddos weren't expecting
was that I had little cups
and an ice cream scoop stuck in my adventure bag.

Along with the drinks,
I picked up a pint of ice cream
and some spoons.

Out in the parking lot,
feeling a sense of history,
I passed out little cups of happiness.

A smile played on my lips
as I remembered
the many times
my mom did similar things for my brothers and I.
What a blessing to have had such a happy childhood.
What a gift to be able to pass on the tradition.
I pray that you are able to recall a happy tradition
and that you are able to create it anew
with loved ones
who will carry the memory happily into the future.
May your days, your nights, your forever...
be blessed!

Wet

Located in Hillard Ohio,
Homestead Park is a ideal location
for a sunny afternoon romp.

Today our Camp went to play!

We ate sandwiches in the grass.
If you go,
you could sit on the many picnic tables....
We sat in the cozy grass.
(Hey, our kiddos were starving after all
and the grass was closer than the picnic tables!)

Then the games began.
One crew went to the massive "dry" playground.

It has:
...an underground culvert to run through
with a peek through grate to the topside.
....climbing structures... everywhere...
...nooks and crannies to hide in...
and all the traditional playground joys as well...

The other kiddos were splashing and playing in the water fort....

It was so fun to see the children drench each other using the stationary sprayers
and the multiple taps to fill their
cups or squirt toys!
Eventually the crews reunited

and the teacher's joined in the fray.
Yup...
I got a "little" wet!

We played for hours...
all for free...
If you like water,
children,
playgrounds and mischief...
You just have to check out this park!
Go to: http://www.wtwp.com/parks/homestead.asp

Kindness

Librarians...

so much has been said about them.

Portrayed as dedicated,

often mousy bookworms.

Yet,

in truth,

they are the unsung heroes of so many.

The kind person helping a child find resources,

when they have no one else.

The one leading the local ESL classes,

passing on English literacy.

The ones who smile and greet everyone

regardless of what they look like or who they are.

My library is full of such people.

Like the quiet seemingly stern woman

who gave me an interview

when I was in a Children's Literature class getting my license.

...Sharing, with me,

for about an hour,

the wonders that the library could offer me.

You and I both know

she had plenty of work to keep her busy...

yet she took the time.

Yesterday I met two more such librarians..

They spotted my crate of books and inquired...

then offered me an educator's card on the spot...

There was no reason for the them to go out of their way,

to ask me why I had so many books.

...no reason for them to offer me a card...

....no reason for either one of them to just enter in the information into the computer when they could not find a form.

I am grateful they did.

...their actions were a blessing.

Aren't kind and generous people wonderful?

Standing in a line

Being part of a group makes us all feel special and secure.My kids gathered together in front of the penguin display making room for each other. They tied each other's shoes, explained how to open chips at lunch and held hands to make sure I didn't have to fill out any incident reports explaining lost children.

It is delightful to help children help each other.
What a very nice group of dear ones I had today.

So close...

So close that they could have touched it,
stood that kangaroo!

They looked.
They didn't touch.

They listened to the kind zoo worker.
They asked intelligent questions.
Yup, my kiddos are the best!

Dangerous snakes!

A bitty one being attacked by a very dangerous snake! Of course everyone had a turn!

silliness

Our feet at the zoo!

Looking

"Wow, look one of the flamingos is sitting down!"

"They're pink because they eat shrimp Ms. Susan."

"When are we going to the aquarium?"

Laughing,

watching,

enjoying each other's company.

I was chaperon to ten children today.

It was so much fun.

A gift from a friend...

Doreen from http://doreensminitures.blogspot.com/ sent me this award.

It was sent to her by a friend who found her blog to be a blessing.
She in turn passed it on to several blogs that she found helpful.
I am supposed to share it with five other blogs that give light to this world.

I must confess that I only follow Doreen's blog...
though sometimes I surf about by following links from her site..
I do not know any blog but hers to give it to..

So,
instead,
I pass it on
to you
as a challenge.
Join with me,
Together
let us try
each day
to make the world
a little better.
To share our blessings...
To be content...
To find and share peace...


I was supposed to finish the sentence below.
I did.
How would you finish the thought?

I am a light and want to illuminate...

I want to share my flashlight when it's dark...
I want to be:
a hand to hold...
a giver of Bandaids and hugs...
a maker of cookies...
a sharer of love...

I want to illuminate my world
to share the good things I have been given...

Evening falls...

Winter's dreams fulfilled...

tiny seeds... dormant plants... time...

seeds planted...
flowers moved...
given time...
sun and rain...

they
are
beautiful...

How about...
you and I?

just imagine...

small things of beauty

tiny beads...
bits of string...
happy children...
smiling me...
small pieces of the rainbow...
riding on our wrists...

Dreaming in color...

Summer feet

Turning golden in the sun...
Playing,
jumping...
having fun.

How I love the summer grass,
I wish this time would never pass...

Frozen at the height of bliss...
little more that I could wish...

I hope for you...
I wish for me...
years of time
to just be free...

Welcome home...

Walking through the forest,
my favorite thing to do is look for beautiful flowers and evidence of the creatures that we so rarely see happily ensconced in the suburbs.

With camera in hand,
I lay on the path,
creep nearer to odd objects
and frequently cause my eldest to wonder
if she could steal my camera in my sleep without retribution.

I have always enjoyed imagining who lives inside the nooks, crannies and holes along the way. Wouldn't it be fun, to be shrunk down just for a moment to see what really is down those holes or be able to fly up and peek inside the tree trunk hole?

Now, I don't want to be eaten or harmed,
so on my imaginary journeys,
I seem to always be safe.

This morning I read Hebrew's chapter 11
just like my good pastor has assigned.
(yup... she gives homework...imagine that)

The chapter talks about faith and trusting in what we do not see.

I read and read thinking, "man... yay for these people... apparently they are much more faithful than I am..."
and then... then I saw Abraham's name and laughed! Yup! I laughed because Abraham doubted God's plan for descendants enough to do some seemingly yucky things.
It was then I smiled... I figure if Abraham was listed as faithful and he saw angels who he just couldn't trust their message. Then... well... then if I have just a tiny bit of faith... if I allow God to use me... Ahh... I'll be all right.

So,
today...
May you be blessed with the faith you need for life's adventure.
May a smile find its way to your lips
and may you know you are a treasure.
.. a light...
someone special.

You are loved.

Captured Calm

As I glanced into my rear view mirror,

on the way back from our favorite Metro Park,

I grinned.

There,

on my middle child's face,

was an expression that made my heart glad.

Our hike,

through the massive trees

and down near the pond

had been well received by all.

I picked up the camera from the cup holder,

instinctively turned it on and held up the camera to my mirror.

Cross my heart their was no one behind us

and my eyes,

after checking this fact,

never left the road.

Back at home,

as I looked over the pictures,

I had to let out a sigh

and send up a prayer of thanks.

I was glad that I had agreed with my oldest daughters plea for an adventure.

All afternoon I had worked on paperwork that has been piling up.

I made it through the whole pile with only a few loose ends to tie up.

I thought while I worked,

I thought about words of wisdom I had heard today.

The first were from Pastor Angie's sermon this morning

when she talked about her own path to accepting the phrase,
"Bloom where you are planted."

I think about my life, it is not what I expected,

and yet there are so many blessings,

so many opportunities

that I think I need to do a lot less fretting

and more enjoying the life I have been given.

The second wise words I considered came from my dad who loves me enough to call it as he sees it. I was whining about my mountains of work which, though I freely admit were my fault, never -the- less were getting me down. My father assured me I wasn't the only one in the world who felt that way. Sigh... parents... useful critters...

At dinner time

when my dear ones had an itching for an adventure,

I knew it was a good idea.

So off we went joyfully and appropriately leaving our cares behind us.

We enjoyed each others company,

found bugs,

admired flowers,

saw a heron fly in and land looking for food...

Happy moments to treasure.

My life is good.

I am grateful.

May your day,

your night,

your week...

Be blessed with happiness.

May we all,

"Bloom where we are planted"!

I don't claim it was a blockbuster...

With a bowl of peanut butter popcorn
and a "B" movie,
my oldest and I spent our evening together.

I laughed silently to myself at her outrage...
She's seen a Megaladon fossilized jaw at the Smithsonian...
apparently it's only a little taller than me...
With a, "Mom there is no way that shark could have really snatched that airplane from the sky"... my amusement was complete.

Truth be told,
I knew my girl would react this way.

I was honestly counting on it.
Her outrage was as much fun as the mindless movie.

If you rent the movie,
please be warned that it has exactly one suggestive scene.
It is a "B" movie after all and not everyone watches them for the same reasons I do. Still the action is off screen, brief and not the point of the movie.

The plot was...
simple...
the conclusion
inevitable....

The experience
of sharing my daughter's first "B" movie...
Priceless...

But,
I must be truthful,
do have a weakness for monster movies.

:-)

Thunderstorms

Yesterday afternoon,
I got an email from the Hike Ohio Meetup group I belong to.

It was a reminder of the hike today at Battelle Darby Park.

I had yet to RSVP and it was reminding me.

Knowing I had child care for Saturday,
I clicked "Yes" and decided in a moment to attend.

The four mile hike was just what I was looking for to leave the week behind.

To soak up the solitude that I can only find outdoors.

This morning I could smell the rain on the wind.
I could feel the moisture in the air.
I decided to trek across town anyway.

By lunch,
it was raining....
actually storming...
but,
my resolve was set.

With a last minute email saying the leader would be there "just in case",
I headed out.

Characteristically,
map quest and I didn't get along.
Add in that I wasn't sure which park entrance to use.
(feel free to sigh and shake your head here
all you non directionally challenged friends...
I really don't mind.)
I ended up almost fifteen minutes late.
As I entered the area,
I saw several vehicles leaving and I figured
that I had probably just missed my hiking buddies.

I was correct.
There was no "Hike Ohio" sign,
no friendly faces waiting.

Thinking about this as I rounded the parking circle,
I pulled into a parking spot and stopped my car.

With a sigh,
a chuckle,
and an acknowledgement to myself of how crazy it was...

I decided to hike anyway.
In the downpour...
all by myself...

I saw a heron fly as I dallied by the water's edge.
I saw a thistle blooming with a delicate purple hue.
I became increasingly wetter.

I marveled at the way Virgina creeper and poison ivy can take over a tree trunk...
and I decided that I would definitely carve my name on a tree someday.

It is just something I want to do...
even if I do it...
all by myself.

While I freely admit that hiking solo is not an amazingly brilliant idea...
I had a talk with God while I was walking and beseeched him to have pity on me...
to get me back safely from my hike... even if it was a silly thing to do...

I am back home typing,
wrapped in my robe,
drying out.

Feeling the peace and silence of the forest,
still wrapping me in calm.

I am thankful for the time today,
to relax,
to step away from the world,
to set the issues of my life down for a while...

I pray that you and I...

That we will find happiness in the blessings around us.
My heart is filled with gratitude for the drenching rain that soothed me today.
I pray that you are given what you need as well...
even if you'd prefer your "peace" delivered in a drier method!

Thinking... yet again....

I sit and I type.
Thinking over recent events.
Pondering the reasons for the choices in my life.
Considering what path to take next.

I am sure you have all been here...
a proverbial crossroads...

Our choices change us,
leave us different.

So,
we must decide
what it is we want.

What is most important to us.

And figure out if our actions
and our deepest desires
are in harmony or discord.

What is it we say we are seeking?
Do our actions reflect this?

Are we willing to be patient
and work toward our good and worthy goals?
Or do we,
like my silly kiddos waiting for the play to start today,
think we are simply never going to have a "payoff".

Are we afraid that our dreams will never come true?
I know that I am sometimes like Abraham of old,
wanting to trust my way instead of God's plan.

Anybody else ever been there?

I pray that you and I are blessed with wisdom and patience...
Neither is guaranteed to bring gratification...

But..
hands up...
who'll admit,
their own way sometimes leaves them sad as well?
Goodnight.
Peace to you always.

Secret Pirate Cookies

Today my students built a Lincoln log style tower
more than six feet tall
with "pirate sticks"
...(carpenter pencils)

We searched for our missing breakfast
and discovered the food
and another clue
outside in the back parking lot.
("How could I have put it there? I was with you all morning")

Deciphering the clues,
we were directed to our Principal's office
where yet another mysterious brown note
suggested we head to the front of our property
and pay a visit our daycare's front office.

Happily chattering,
more than twenty children
went on a merry hike
to visit a highly cooperative administrator.

Left,
in a box,
was our missing afternoon movie,
an apology,
and a peace offering
of crackers,
margarine
and a pack of Hershey bars.

The note suggested we make a secret pirate recipe...
Pirate cookies!

We did....
Later we made eye patches, hats, parrots....
Played pirate reading relay games...
as well as a strange game of follow the leader where students were "lashed" together with friend and had to do everything I did or risk being disqualified...
(yeah, like that was going to really happen!)

We even made up a pirate song!

I laughed so hard trying to sing it,
the kids did too.

It was the kind of day that leaves me deeply satisfied.

I love teaching.
I love summer camp.
yup...
I love my job.

Tonight I give thanks for working somewhere I love.
Somewhere I can use the talents I have been given.
I pray that you are able to find a way to use your gifts.
You are a blessing to those around you.
Your smile can make the difference to those having a rough day.
Your call, your card, your prayers...
can help those you care about.

May YOU know that you are loved,
that YOU are prayed for,
that YOU are a blessing.
That you are blessed.
Now, Always and forever...
I wish you peace.

Pirate Day!

Tomorrow morning my campers will be very sad.

Their breakfast is going missing!

I've heard pirates are coming to steal it!

I'm going to make some "Walk the plank"
and
we're going to go on treasure hunt.

I've heard they'll find cookies!
yum...

I pray that your day is just as exciting as mine promises to be.
... except...
maybe your breakfast won't disappear!

Today, Tomorrow...Always...
May you be blessed!
You are loved.