Today Felt Wonderfully Normal

 Today I met my dear friends Laurie and Annmarie at Six Mile Cypress Slough for some nature listening and writing.  I was inspired by Richard Blanco before making the trip, and used the end of his poem "American Wandersong" for my format.

For now: Gorgeous day -- low to mid 70s right now and breezy. Dew point in the 60s.

For now: Deep gratitude that I am in this place to take this time. Felt impossible over the past many weeks.

For now: The breeze ruffles my hair and I hear my friends' gentle laughter.

For now: Thinking about the Days of Mindfulness I spent here, and thinking how Julia Cameron calls it "heartfulness."  Distant hawk calls. The breeze wraps around me. I can hear the traffic on the other side of the lake and rookery.

For now: I've come to understand the water is higher than it should be and this is upsetting the ecology. Must be why I'm not hearing the nightly frog chorus. Off to the southwest I hear a whistling bird -- Laurie says it sounds like a creaking playground swing.

For now: An alligator draped across the log, limp, tail curled to catch the sunlight; hawk calling out across the Slough.

For now: A Limpkin picks his way through the water, lifting his legs high and pacing in between the trees.

For now: White feather floats in the clear water, bright green salvinia touching its edges.

For now: I came. I listened. I wrote.

Not Dead Yet (7 Lines/ 7 Days #41)

 #108Weeks

 

February 21-27, 2021

 

My writing group was so fun! "We're not dead yet!"

Sunday actually moved slowly.

I am vaccinated.

I still remember the day I saw a note Joni Mitchell put on her Clouds album that said she thanked her 7th grade teacher who taught her to love words. I think since that moment this has been my secret ambition, but it has been a long time getting there. Well...I'm closer, anyway.

Wednesday was good, good, good!

I read though what Julia Cameron had to say about Morning Pages in her book The Listening Path, and I couldn't have agreed more. I realized in many ways the Morning Pages have kept me going this very strange school year. It is when I'm fresh in the morning, dumping on the page, the answers come. Julia says, Pages nudge us toward action...we are faced squarely with the question: What are you going to do about it?

Different kind of morning today, listening to jazz. Thanks again, Joni.

Good News First (7 Lines, 7 Days #40)

 #108Weeks

 

February 14 - 20, 2021

 

 

 

Got the call! Scheduled for 2nd COVID vaccine shot this Monday.

Purchased tickets for the Van Gogh Experience at the Dali Museum. So excited!

Today is the second last Write Around the Corner meeting. So grateful for this group.

This school year continues to grind on me -- although there are occasional moments of relief.

Starting to think it might not be a bad idea to take a day or two off. I've been in the classroom every single day since the beginning of school. A little time away is not a bad thing.

Finally decided that recess days need to be my break, too. We are now going out at the beginning of class, and then coming back and reading. Works like a charm, and I got nearly halfway through a book!

Attention. Attention. Attention.

Making My Way (7 Lines/ 7 Days #39)

 #108Weeks

 

February 7-13, 2021

Reviewing data and asking my students what they need has put me on a solid trajectory.

I sat on the lanai with a glass of wine and sketched out a sequence for my units.

"You need to start where people are."

AC is a problem again, draining me by the end of the day -- kids are complaining.

I must video my lessons religiously. Speaking all day in a mask in a warm room is torture.

Everyday...water flowing around the rocks...making my way.

Hoping to have a lot of rest and relaxation this weekend.

See Clearly (7 Lines/ 7 Days #38)

 #108Weeks

 

January 31 - February 6, 2021

 

 Feel renewed

The key is always to see clearly

Just focus on one thing at a time

I wrote a poem for Wendy who is taking a job at the district, and got to read it out loud to her. 

Still so much to figure out

The Reading Reasons lesson made an impact

For the first time in weeks, I'm feeling excited, not overwhelmed

Current Wisdom (7 Lines/ 7 Days #37)

 #108Weeks

 

January 24-30, 2021

I am grateful Iris came to town and pulled me out of myself for a bit.

In reading Instructions for the Cook, I realized that in creating my lessons from scratch, I'm applying current wisdom, not following someone else's recipe.

Got my first vaccine shot.

I am so proud and happy with my 5th period. I didn't need to worry about the kids returning from Home Connect -- they have totally mellowed out the class.

It was a perfect day for recess--humidity in the 30s. Unheard of!

Yesterday I discovered that all my old docs are still on my podium computer. I've been mourning their loss on my laptop. Was able to get the important ones moved to a USB.

I figured out how to use Jamboard. I think I just found a way to reach more kids and liven up some lessons.

4th Eagle (a monolith)

 Yesterday I saw my fourth eagle within a month -- two this week alone!

This is a monolith about yesterday, a day I resisted, but that set me on the right path.

I came out of a bit of confused

darkness yesterday, when I

allowed myself to get in the

car and drive out of this

county, not all that far away,

and enjoy a shrimp and

crabcake lunch with a 

friend, celebrating her new

book of poems published,

and clearing my mind from

the dross that had been

clogging it, allowing me to

see clearly my direction,

and experiencing joy at

seeing an eagle fly.