#108Weeks
March 20-26, 2022
Brunching with friends
Catching up on writing projects
Uncovering my natural gifts and creative approaches
Exploring art and books and Asian food in St. Pete
Planning my trip to Ohio in June
Making decisions about my teaching life—all good
#108Weeks
March 13-19, 2022
I made the decision to stick it out for three more years and retire in 2025.
Saw my first Swallow-Tailed Kite of the season.
Big beautiful teacher moments: having a student hand me a $25 gift card at Costco, and receiving an invitation to be a guest of honor at the Lehigh Senior High Class of 2012 Reunion Breakfast in May.
I’m on a mission to get my Creative Writing classes back.
We are updating our lanai furniture. Takes lots of work to get it ready!
Talked to Mike about the Creative Writing classes. No guarantees, of course.
Getting back on my bike makes my whole body feel better.
#108Weeks
March 6-12, 2022
Discovered a great show on Apple TV called Dear…
Really enjoyed reading How High We Go In the Dark
Drinks after work with Kara was much-needed time together
Thinking a lot about people I know who are suffering
Creative Writing Club was cool—an hour of writing stories from a photo
Fantasy story writing in the classroom made me feel alive again
4 more school days until spring break
#108Weeks
February 13-19, 2022
Getting a firmer grip on everything and feeling positive change.
Finally reading Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and loving it.
Starting to count the days to spring break and musing what I might do with that time.
My Global Perspective kids made paper towers and had a blast. The highest was 4 foot, 4 inches.
Got Thursday’s Wordle in two!
On Friday I was able to connect with a young teacher I don’t really know and have a conversation about common issues.
My creativity is rising and it feels great.
(The paper tower challenge—kids were given 20 pieces of copy paper and had 2 minutes to plan and 10 minutes to build. The structure had to stand long enough to be measured).
#108Weeks
February 5-12, 2022
This week I had a hard time finding lines to write for this project, as things are going extremely well. I almost thought of giving up. I kind of hate to do that, though; I'm on week 91, which means I just have 17 weeks to go.
Then I remembered that Creative Writing Club met this week, and one of the things we were doing was making found poems from pages of old books. I had highlighted a lot of phrases from Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, and so I thought, hmmm, maybe there is something there.
Sure enough! This is what came together.
(P.S. Thanks for all who actually read this each week. I appreciate your loving support.)
Note: italicized text is from the book. The rest are my words linking the thoughts together
The most annoying thing in the world is a room full of crazy young teens who want to do anything but what they are supposed to do
It often tests my self-esteem and sanity
But on Friday, I was in a particularly good mood
As I sat on my raised chair up front, my sacred perch
To tell you the truth, I was kind of surprised I was not annoyed
That I was pretty tranquil for a change--it was the coolest part
There. I can live with that.
#108Weeks
January 30-February 5, 2022
Taking care of myself is priority #1.
#108Weeks
January 23-29, 2022
A visit to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary got the week off to a good start.
I'm beginning to understand that the underlying feeling in everything these days is grief.
Daily WORDLE is so much fun!
I wrote a referral on a disrupting student, only later to find out his family is currently living in their car. :-(
I've suddenly become a big Bill Withers fan.
Pulling out a lot of favorite activities in class I haven't used in ages. This is the best I've felt in 2 years.
It was a good week. :-)
#108Weeks
January 16-22, 2022
Best movie in a long time: The Tender Bar.
Real laughter is the best way to breathe (Thanks, Natalie).
Everything out of order with my classes is mind-boggling. Glad they’re now back on track.
And reading out loud to them is so fulfilling!
Thich Nhat Hanh, who taught me so much about BREATHING, has left the planet. His teachings will never die, as they are vital to our existence.
Happy surprise when a few changes made one class take off— and on a Friday, no less!
Every morning Wordle gives me a great challenge. Love it!
#108 Weeks
January 9-15, 2022
Enjoyed reading Wayfaring Stranger by Emma Johns, as it took me to a part of the country I know and love so well.
My walk at the Slough was awesome. It felt good to be there. And I got a good piece of writing out of it.
Received news that Doug is in hospice.
School resumed on Wednesday with many new students. Starting over.
Doug transitioned about 3:30 am Thursday morning.
Had success in the classroom with some new things I tried.
I got a kick out of photos Doug’s middle school girlfriend posted from their 8th grade year. So 70s! So fun! Godspeed, Doug. Love you.
#108Weeks
December 12-18, 2021
Crystal Bowl Meditation removed all the knots in my neck and shoulders.
On Monday, I had a hard time feeling any love or joy at work because I had gotten all wrapped up in the numbers.
I’ve decided I can’t be a Read 180 fascist.
Found a way to lift a student’s spirits and belief in herself, and that felt good.
Something shifted and I’m back in teacher mode. Wasn’t sure when or if that would ever happen.
On Friday I discovered how vulnerable I am, and it sent me reeling for hours. Fortunately it took place in a safe space, and I’m so grateful for wonderful friends.
If nothing else, I needed this week for everything to settle in, and to see once again how resilient I am.
#108Weeks
December 5-11, 2021
I have not even thought about Christmas, and haven't even gotten my music out, let alone any decorations.
On Monday, feeling positive and strong.
On Tuesday, trying to recover from all the Monday irritations.
On Wednesday, trying to recover from a fight in my classroom.
On Thursday, I was feeling sad and edgy.
On Friday, I reflected on an unexpected conversation with my 3rd period.
On Saturday, I knew I had made it through and all is well in my world.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, who reminded me to just "begin again."
Written during Write Around the Corner meeting 12/4/2021
The opening lines of "Eagle Poem" by Joy Harjo inspired this piece.
#108Weeks
November 28-December 4, 2021
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| Orchid Bee photo by Kara Vereen. 2021 |
I dreamt of crystals again -- this time they were buried in sand
This week was a new beginning
I'm doing well keeping loving attention
I started privately giving "orchid bee" recognition to learners showing "productive brilliance"
My bottom line: I am a reading teacher who will stick with what she believes no matter the horrible curriculum sent her way
I realized (from journal entries) that the day I saw the two eagles on the roof was the beginning of this part of my journey -- it was October 5th, the day of my first meltdown
Friday tried my patience, but my goals for the week were met, so I am happy
#108Weeks
November 21-27, 2021
This is the week I have finally come back to studying the text of A Course in Miracles, something I first studied 30 years ago. It is about time I got the message going in my life. I am grateful.
All the quotes (italics) are from the book.
Each day should be devoted to miracles.
The choice to judge rather than to know is the cause of loss of peace.
You are not at peace because you're not fulfilling your function.
All things work together for good.
I can slow myself down and look for the genius.
I need to bring the creative writing teacher in me to the reading classroom. That is my truest self.
I walked the labyrinth asking how to love God with my whole heart, soul, and mind.
#108Weeks
November 7-13, 2021
There is a way, and it's called Surrender to God.
I spent most of the week with little energy.
This quote from a young adult novel* I was reading stopped me in my tracks: What if the whole world is actually powered by secret rage?
My spiritual landscape has been made anew.
I have faith I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
I read an essay** by an elementary educator in Alaska and she came to the same conclusion I have come to: We must be the joy we want to see in the world. No one is coming to save us.
Saturday I woke with a return of my energy. I am grateful.
* Of a Feather by Dayna Lorentz
**Anyone who knows or cares about teachers should read this blog post: https://jenabenton.com/2021/10/21/its-time-to-talk-about-whats-going-on-in-school/
#108Weeks
October 31-November 6, 2021
The only thing I know is that I don't know
Obstacles will come like waves -- keep coming and coming -- you must learn to surf with unshakeable peace
The most beautiful form of courage is to be happy (Jeanne Lohmann)
Don't quit before the miracle
Beauty is the target -- spread joy or be destroyed
All my young readers are created in God's image, too. Little Godlings
I cast my faith forward as a light on my path
#108Weeks
October 24-30, 2021
I am fearless
In survival mode
Physically drained
Barely making it through the day
Demoralized
The writing is on the wall
#108Weeks
October 17-23, 2021
Be present. Notice. Celebrate.
There was a dead dragonfly outside my classroom door .
I dreamt of snow, and the interpretation means going through challenges successfully.
There was a rainbow in the clouds as I drove to work.
In the night I woke up laughing -- a spillover from laughing in my dream.
I am willing to be unfinished, unpolished, and in a state of change.
Today I keep hearing a hawk calling.
#108Weeks
October 10-16, 2021
Every choice is a chance
Started the week physically worn out from an active weekend
The intensive reading classes are averaging 60% on the interim
By Wednesday I was feeling better—wore a bright dress and a smile
Books save lives!
Finally got my classroom library arranged so we can find what we’re looking for!
The new Santana album Blessings and Miracles is both. Love it!
Inspired by "The Poets" by Evan Boland
Thank you, Dana Herman, for bringing this to us during our writing circle.
Lion in the stars
you are brilliant and alive
Poets try to name you -- they can't
for you are without words
even as your form
comes and goes in our vision
Lion in the stars
the "jewelled beast"
I found you along the Blue Ridge Parkway
eyes in the headlights
alerted me to your presence
And then...
you were gone
Lion in the stars
you are the sun of my life
you have lent me strength
more times than I can count
To find the lion in me
takes the courage that lifts
that soothes
that connects
that roars.
For a while I have been finding it difficult to get myself to this blog. I will write entire things out in my journal that I think I want ...
