It's been months since my last post. My health is good but through the weeks of being bed-bound, I had lots of time to reflect on my life, my committments, the use of my time.
Not sure when/if I will continue this blog. Deleting it seems so final, and I'm not ready to make that step, so I'm leaving it here for now. We'll see what happens!
Thanks to my small group of supporters for encouraging me through your comments. Every writer needs an audience. :)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Catching Up
Where have I been for the last two months? What have I been doing?
January 18-31 I finished the GKCWP newsletter, took it to the printer, picked it up, affixed address labels and mailing tabs. My dear husband took all 100+ of them to the post office.
February 16- 25 I have been studying the patterns in the textured ceiling paint of my bedroom. No, the newsletter did not wipe me out that badly! The month is pretty much a blur, but early Feb. I had this uncomfortable pinching in my left elbow. After two massages and a chiropractic adjustment, I felt like 100% and decided to go ahead and go to the American Writers and Poets Conference in Chicago. I was so looking forward to meeting some the Literary Mama mama's and visiting my sister who lives there.
Thursday was a great day, but Friday morning I awoke in the worst pain I've ever experienced. After spending the morning rearranging my flight schedule, taking a shuttle to the airport, waiting in the terminal, I finally arrived home at 2 something. One x-ray and MRI later, I learned the pain was caused by degenerative conditions in my neck.
March 1 - 13 Now two cervical epidural steriod injections later, I am typing this. I consider it a blessing of undue proportion!
January 18-31 I finished the GKCWP newsletter, took it to the printer, picked it up, affixed address labels and mailing tabs. My dear husband took all 100+ of them to the post office.
February 16- 25 I have been studying the patterns in the textured ceiling paint of my bedroom. No, the newsletter did not wipe me out that badly! The month is pretty much a blur, but early Feb. I had this uncomfortable pinching in my left elbow. After two massages and a chiropractic adjustment, I felt like 100% and decided to go ahead and go to the American Writers and Poets Conference in Chicago. I was so looking forward to meeting some the Literary Mama mama's and visiting my sister who lives there.
Thursday was a great day, but Friday morning I awoke in the worst pain I've ever experienced. After spending the morning rearranging my flight schedule, taking a shuttle to the airport, waiting in the terminal, I finally arrived home at 2 something. One x-ray and MRI later, I learned the pain was caused by degenerative conditions in my neck.
March 1 - 13 Now two cervical epidural steriod injections later, I am typing this. I consider it a blessing of undue proportion!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tyler
Tyler was one of those people who was not cut out for the one-size-fits-all routine of public education. He's brilliant and thoughtful -- quiet and unassuming -- and I'm sure school bored him much of the time because typical busy work (a bane to any student) did not tap into those deep places of his intellect or creativity. A fine arts school would have been more to his liking, I imagine -- a place where he could excel in music and theatre production with like-minded classmates and teachers.
His parents expectations and demands, while well meaning, did not recognize that their son marched to the beat of a different drummer. While I tried to offer him something substantial (as, I'm sure, other teachers did), he didn't always respond to those opportunities. Yet, Tyler is one of my most memorable students.
While in England, I bought a cardboard model of The Globe Theatre and about half-way through its assembly, I gave up on it. When I asked my freshman if anyone would be interested in helping me, it was not until seventh hour, Tyler said, "I can do that for you." I remember the day he stayed after school to work on it, chatting with me freely and comfortably.
It was my good fortune to have Tyler in one of my junior English classes two years later -- still remember smiling when I saw his name on the class roster! That fall he read the part of Danforth in The Crucible with such finesse and expression that I called on him every day to take that part! His skill was beyond his years! And to a teacher who had listened to dozens of teenagers butcher Miller (and Shakespeare) over the years, his delivery was as welcome as a spring breeze on the edge of winter.
Every morning before the first bell during his senior year, Tyler and a group of friends (most my students) could be found in the 900 hall (near my room). Between book bags and long limbs, the 10 of them (give or take) sprawled across the floor. Some were annoyed by having to step over, through or around them, but I was always glad to see their camaraderie, their smiles.
Recently, I found him on Facebook and am delighted to catch up on what he's doing now. God's blessings to you, Tyler, for pressing on through the challenges of high school and family dynamics and for helping make my years as your teacher two of my favorite!
His parents expectations and demands, while well meaning, did not recognize that their son marched to the beat of a different drummer. While I tried to offer him something substantial (as, I'm sure, other teachers did), he didn't always respond to those opportunities. Yet, Tyler is one of my most memorable students.
While in England, I bought a cardboard model of The Globe Theatre and about half-way through its assembly, I gave up on it. When I asked my freshman if anyone would be interested in helping me, it was not until seventh hour, Tyler said, "I can do that for you." I remember the day he stayed after school to work on it, chatting with me freely and comfortably.
It was my good fortune to have Tyler in one of my junior English classes two years later -- still remember smiling when I saw his name on the class roster! That fall he read the part of Danforth in The Crucible with such finesse and expression that I called on him every day to take that part! His skill was beyond his years! And to a teacher who had listened to dozens of teenagers butcher Miller (and Shakespeare) over the years, his delivery was as welcome as a spring breeze on the edge of winter.
Every morning before the first bell during his senior year, Tyler and a group of friends (most my students) could be found in the 900 hall (near my room). Between book bags and long limbs, the 10 of them (give or take) sprawled across the floor. Some were annoyed by having to step over, through or around them, but I was always glad to see their camaraderie, their smiles.
Recently, I found him on Facebook and am delighted to catch up on what he's doing now. God's blessings to you, Tyler, for pressing on through the challenges of high school and family dynamics and for helping make my years as your teacher two of my favorite!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Laughter
Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." This verse came to mind throughout the past week, beginning with an incident at Wal-mart.\
I was in the restroom there when a stall door opened, and a little boy and his mom stepped out. The boy (about 3) had a big yellow smiley face sticker on the end of his nose. I couldn't help but smile at him. He acted like it was the most natural thing in the world! Wish I had had my camera!
I've been trying to write more about my years as a teacher, and these two memories popped up:
One hundred years ago teachers did not keep their grades on a computer. Instead, we kept a grade book. When it was grade card time, we had to hand write the grade cards. One particular quarter, the staff was directed to put our students grade cards in their first hour teachers' mail box, as cards would be distributed by them. (As I write this, it makes no sense. Why didn't each teacher hand out her own cards?) Anyway, I had dutifully made a note to remind me to get those names, and at the end of first hour, I walked to the front of the room and said, "I need to get the name of your first hour teacher." The kids burst out laughing, and for a second, I didn't see why. Then I realized what I had done -- and laughed with them.
Apparently, I am always slow on the upbeat: Here's an even more embarrassing moment. Upon returning to school after a couple of sick days, I found a mechanical nut on my desk. I thought nothing more about it until sixth hour, when for some reason, I asked my journalism class, which included three or four football players, "Did any of you lose a nut?" They all burst out laughing --howling, really. They were such a rowdy group anyway, and I was a bit irritated by their behavior. So, I said, "Well, did you or didn't you?" Of course, that set them off even more! Suddenly, I realized why they were laughing! All I can blame it on was that I was about 8 months pregnant.:)
I pray that if your heart is troubled today, God will give you something to lighten it. If your heart is merry, I pray you will share that joy with someone.
I was in the restroom there when a stall door opened, and a little boy and his mom stepped out. The boy (about 3) had a big yellow smiley face sticker on the end of his nose. I couldn't help but smile at him. He acted like it was the most natural thing in the world! Wish I had had my camera!
I've been trying to write more about my years as a teacher, and these two memories popped up:
One hundred years ago teachers did not keep their grades on a computer. Instead, we kept a grade book. When it was grade card time, we had to hand write the grade cards. One particular quarter, the staff was directed to put our students grade cards in their first hour teachers' mail box, as cards would be distributed by them. (As I write this, it makes no sense. Why didn't each teacher hand out her own cards?) Anyway, I had dutifully made a note to remind me to get those names, and at the end of first hour, I walked to the front of the room and said, "I need to get the name of your first hour teacher." The kids burst out laughing, and for a second, I didn't see why. Then I realized what I had done -- and laughed with them.
Apparently, I am always slow on the upbeat: Here's an even more embarrassing moment. Upon returning to school after a couple of sick days, I found a mechanical nut on my desk. I thought nothing more about it until sixth hour, when for some reason, I asked my journalism class, which included three or four football players, "Did any of you lose a nut?" They all burst out laughing --howling, really. They were such a rowdy group anyway, and I was a bit irritated by their behavior. So, I said, "Well, did you or didn't you?" Of course, that set them off even more! Suddenly, I realized why they were laughing! All I can blame it on was that I was about 8 months pregnant.:)
I pray that if your heart is troubled today, God will give you something to lighten it. If your heart is merry, I pray you will share that joy with someone.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Grandma
Yesterday was my maternal grandma's birthday anniversary. She lived to be 94, and though she's been gone 14 years, I still think of her often.
She taught my sister and me to play Spoons and Old Maid. When she went shopping, she'd always bring us some little something -- a toy, a scarf, or a book. She delighted in her grandchildren, and like a true grandma spoiled us as much as she could.
This time of year I always think about her culinary talents. The kitchen is where she shined. She made everything from scratch -- from lemonade to chocolate cake. She was, in fact, rather famous for her chocolate cake. She took that cake to every pot luck dinner she ever attended. At one point, she decided maybe people were tired of it, so she switched to a different recipe. It wasn't long before others were asking, "Where's Stella's chocolate cake?"
She was always in charge of the pies at Thanksgiving, and while I have her recipes, I can never quite duplicate the taste of these pastries. Part of the problem stems from her measurements: one heaping spoonful of flour. Spoon refers to a serving spoon, and heaping means "not level, but not too much either." She always had just the right amount; just the right touch.
I'll make a pumpkin pie for Thursday, and it will taste good. It just won't be as good as grandma's.
She taught my sister and me to play Spoons and Old Maid. When she went shopping, she'd always bring us some little something -- a toy, a scarf, or a book. She delighted in her grandchildren, and like a true grandma spoiled us as much as she could.
This time of year I always think about her culinary talents. The kitchen is where she shined. She made everything from scratch -- from lemonade to chocolate cake. She was, in fact, rather famous for her chocolate cake. She took that cake to every pot luck dinner she ever attended. At one point, she decided maybe people were tired of it, so she switched to a different recipe. It wasn't long before others were asking, "Where's Stella's chocolate cake?"
She was always in charge of the pies at Thanksgiving, and while I have her recipes, I can never quite duplicate the taste of these pastries. Part of the problem stems from her measurements: one heaping spoonful of flour. Spoon refers to a serving spoon, and heaping means "not level, but not too much either." She always had just the right amount; just the right touch.
I'll make a pumpkin pie for Thursday, and it will taste good. It just won't be as good as grandma's.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Having a Mary Heart Request
This post is for Debbie, who wanted to know where to read my posts about Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.
Click here to visit my old blog: marmee's musings and, Debbie, thank you for your encouraging words. I am thrilled that you like my writing and visit here often!
Click here to visit my old blog: marmee's musings and, Debbie, thank you for your encouraging words. I am thrilled that you like my writing and visit here often!
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