Monday, October 5, 2009

a baby sister...

I couldn't help but smile when one of my bitty kiddos drew this picture of himself and his little sister. Quiet and sweet, this little guy is a blessing to have in my classroom. Always offering a cheery disposition, he is a ray of sunshine even on the cloudiest of days.

When we were outside having some free time today writing words, I challenged the children to write things they did not necessarily know how to spell. This little guy stepped up to the challenge and was willing to give his sister's name a try.

When I think of how eager this young man is to learn, I know that everyday I must try my best as well. Learning new things and stretching the mind are two activities best practiced by grown-ups and children alike. So, everyday, just like my young charges, I work on learning new things. Whether it is something in my personal life, some new Spanish word, a new recipe or a new teaching technique, I try to learn something everyday.

Some days I am not so open to the effort, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or discouraged when what we are learning seems "too big" or "too hard". I understand when my young students just want to play. There are days when we must take it easy. The ability to relax and enjoy the moments we are given may actually be a skill that is more important than anything else I can teach or learn.

Life is a gift...
an adventure...
May you and I be given the ability to enjoy our walk...
learning what we should
and taking time to enjoy the beauty we are given.
Now and always,
I wish you grace and peace.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Stand... pause... remember...


The sound of gently falling water..
the sight of drifting leaves...
a place to pause
enjoy
and
leave refreshed.

Blighted Poison Ivy

Though my bottle of Ortho Poison Ivy killer is yet to be opened,
the noxious weed already looks a bit ill.
Perhaps,
I can kill and contain it.
It's nice when nature gives you a head start.

Ninety Five

This afternoon I planted ninety five flower bulbs in my front yard. My neighbor and I chuckled together wondering where the squirrels will replant them. One year I planted a whole box of crocus and only one ended up in my yard. Some were lunch for bitty furry ones while others appeared as if by magic in the yards of neighbors up and down my street. I actually am rather interested to see what they do this time around.

Love in a Mist


A lovely heirloom annual that reseeds heavily,
Love in a Mist escaped from my flower bed.
It's distinctive fern like foliage makes me smile
and it's bitty flowers are a delight.
I admit that when I saw the plants begin to grow I just didn't have the heart to pull them out.
Today, during my fall clean up,
I sighed and did what needed to be done.
I consoled myself
by looking at all the other seedlings in my flower bed
and pulled the wayward flowers out.
It is sometimes hard to do what we need to do.
How like life gardening is...
the ever present mound of clean laundry...
the paper work waiting to be cared for...
Well, at least the garden is tidy.
=-)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Conkles Hollow... Ash Cave


I started my morning making sandwiches in my best friend's kitchen. (My children are with their father for the weekend and I am visiting my "sis".)

About eleven o'clock last night, while reviewing the menu I was planning for my picnic today, I realized that it had escaped my notice to get some veggies for the sandwiches. Although I was completely aware that my companion would not complain, I really wanted the sandwiches to be good, not just serviceable. It mattered to me. So at about 6:30 this morning I was carrying on a conversation with one of the very nice women who work at my local Kroger store. Not eating fresh onions myself, I needed her advice as to which one would go well on a roast beef sandwich.

After securing my desired items, I went back to my sister's house and assembled the meal. Later after hiking the trails in the Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, my hiking partner and I sat together at a picnic bench. I found myself waiting and watching. I felt a bit unsure. I am a good cook but the nice man I am seeing is honestly someone whose creativity in the kitchen could rival many supposed chefs. Just hearing my guy "talk food" makes me hungry. So, though I wanted to take a turn making lunch, I was nervous.

As someone who analyzes a great deal in life,
my new adventures sometimes make my shake my head in bemusement.


I am
more adventurous...
more emotional...
more questioning...
than I ever have been before.

Sometimes I feel...
exhilarated...
worried...
happy...
nervous...
hopeful...

As I listen to my Spanish CD's in the car.
As I think about my first camping trip in years...
As I do lesson plans and ponder my professional growth...
As I pack lunches for a very dear man...

I am learning,
I am living...

I hope that today's adventure has brought you to a place that rests easy on your mind. I pray that whatever you must face, you are given the strength to make it to the other side. ...and finally, that you are blessed with bitty mushrooms by your path, soft sand under your feet and fellow happy hikers who see your smile and know you are someone who will be happy to help make the journey a good one.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Fire Safety Day....

Yeah...
that's me...
go ahead... chuckle... I did.
God Bless,
Have a great Friday.