Falling Through the Cracks on the Porch

 

On Sunday, a friend and I were sitting on the deck practicing for an upcoming interview. It was getting pretty warm sitting in the direct sun, so I scooched my chair over by the door to get some shade. I guess one of the legs of the chair just happened to end up on the edge of a weak board and it started to break through as I was in the middle of trying to seriously answer one of the questions. My friend watched in horror as I slowly went down, rolling out of the chair, laughing hysterically. She said, "you know how accidents feel as if they are happening in slow motion, what happened was actually in slow motion."

My left side is bruised but I am ok. I contacted the landlord and he put a piece of plywood over the broken plank. I love that deck. I hope he replaces it with one I won't have to worry about falling through the cracks.

Just a Teacher Who Loves Books

The Word Collector

What do you do with an idea?

The Bad Seed

Brave Enough for Two

Save Me a Seat

The Dark is Rising

The Relatives Came

Knucklehead

Connecting

 

Today, a friend from my past messaged me with a picture of my 8th grade class when we were on a trip to England. I printed it out and put it up for my 8th grade students to see. It was quite a challenge for most of them deciding who I was in the group but it led to a great discussion about the drama that takes place at this age no matter if it was in the 1980's or now in the 2020's. Girls still compete over boys and best friends betray each other for attention. Everyone looks like they feel uncomfortable having their picture taken. The cliques are strong until someone is outed and then you have no one to hang with. It was a great day of connection with my students.

Day 31

 

In 31 days I have learned...

I use "I" too much in my writing. I've also learned that if you want to have interesting things to write about, you must get out there and do interesting things. Rushed writing is challenging.

My thoughts are mostly about my children and what they are going through right now, the emotional struggle I am having with them getting older, and how do I parent them in the phase of life they are in. 

The writers who share slices have taught me so much in which I am terribly grateful. This is the first time in a long time that I have committed to and done something for 31 days in a row. There are so many things to learn and in so many ways to grow and I hope someday I will be a good writer. 

I am a better teacher by having more experience to share with my students.

Thank you "Slice of Life" for all of your work. Thank you,my two mentors, who commented on every post.

Not a Little Boy Anymore

 

windy baseball day

he is always on the bench

supportive you must

want to ask questions

about what is happening

in his swirling mind

I wish I could scoop

him up and tell him it's go

ing to be ok

Sunsets and Cold Pillows

 

There are so many things to be grateful for - 

Driving home into the sunset 

after spending a few hours visiting with friends 

out in the beautiful weather 

watching baseball

Having a house 

to come home to 

with electricity and hot running water 

to wash and prepare food to eat.

A son who opens up 

and shares suprising things 

in suprising ways

My cat

even though he bats at my feet

when I am half awake

in the early hours

of the morning

A really cozy bed

with a ton of pillows

so I always have a cold one

whenever I want

I Dodged a Bullet

 

Do you know there are people in this world who only eat when they are hungry? And that they only eat foods that are healthy for their body? And when they do eat a treat, it's a suitable portion instead of the whole freaking thing?!? Why am I not one of those people? Why doesn't my brain work like that?

I LOVE food but if I never had to eat in order to survive, I wouldn't put a bite in my mouth. I don't know who out there is going to understand this but it is true. If I don't ever have to start, stopping wouldn't be a problem. 

You know those famous chocolate peanut butter eggs that come out every Easter  - they come in a pack of six. Well, everyone knows how much I love them and I keep getting them as gifts. This year I am choosing not to eat any because I know that if I attempt at opening a package for just one, I can't guarantee that I won't eat half the package in one sitting. 

When I went in the house after work on Friday, I left all the sweet treats I got as gifts, in a plastic bag in the truck and the warmth of the sun melted everything into one gooey mess. I guess this is one problem solved.

A Baby Calf

 

Traveling the back roads home, you will see all kinds of farm animals - horses, cows, alpacas, pigs, donkeys, a variety of goats, ducks, swans, and geese. Sometimes I drive this route a few times a day and today was one of them. 

The first time I passed the large field of cows, I noticed one close to the fence near the road while the rest of the herd was further out. It looked like it was not doing well. I don't know exactly what was wrong but its back was somewhat arched, head facing straight ahead and eyes glossy. It was only for a few seconds that I focused on the bovine but you could tell something was off.

A few hours later, when I passed the spot again, there was the same cow with her newborn calf. I did a double take and almost stopped but there was another car behind me. What a sight!

Enjoying a Break

 

What I am excited for during Spring Break is sleep. Ah that feels so boring and lame but I can't help it. Snoozing in bed until my body is ready to get up is blissful.

 My son has baseball games Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so sitting out in the sunshine will be wonderful as well.

After that, I think I might rent a car, pack a bag and hit the road for a couple of days. Not sure what direction I'll head yet but the Grand Canyon has always been a place I'd like to experience. 

Maybe I'll go to the movies.

Or drive up to Tahoe and walk on the beach.

Read lots of books

Do some extended writing.

Knit a blanket for my niece.

Just be in the moment.

Listen

Listen more and talk less. People who are struggling want/need to be listened to and heard, your input not necessary. Working on being present when listening is a challenge at times - especially when you're in your head trying to figure out what you can say in response - even though they are not even finished speaking yet. There is freedom in being present. Worry doesn't exist in the present, neither does regret.  

Work

 

I love to work with and along side people who also love to work. Right now working with students is a gift. They love to read and write and converse. They are an inspiration each day that they show up to try everything I ask of them, no matter how hard or scary it feels. I wish the other teachers on either side of me also wanted to work. What is happening in the world is affecting people in all kinds of ways and I am working hard at being understanding of where they are at. The struggle is real. And so is the lonliness of doing what's right by myself.