Thankful for Now #SOL24 Day 18

Last week we spent a refreshing week on 30a in Florida’s Gulf Coast doing many of my favorite things. I loved my time away! It was a chance to recharge and get my body ready for the final push of the school year. Something about the ocean hits the reset button for me. It’s a bridge from the cold winter in Indiana (although mild this year) to the hope of spring.

Upon returning home, I am always grateful for the comforts I typically take for granted. Today, I’m noticing the everyday things around me that brings me simple joy. (modeled after Todd Davis’ Thankful for Now poem)

Thankful for Now

sitting in my spot with my tall, pink mug in hand
the one that fits the perfect amount of coffee X 2
completing my morning routine
devotions, poetry reading, writing
the comfort of the cushion forming a soft ridge around me
and the familiar sight of the dog snoozing beneath my feet

fixing homemade oats 
in a kitchen where everything is in its logical place
using the 1/2 cup measuring cup with the broken handle
the bowl that never boils over in the microwave
and finding all the ingredients, even the ground flaxseed
my stomach welcoming this nourishment that fills me until lunch

restocking the empty fridge
with staples from a familiar place
quick swipes up and down aisles
referencing my list and adding a few nonessential sweets
each beep of the scanner 
checking off the chore for the week

nestling into my soft bed
the pillow wrapping around my head just so
sheets and blankets cuddled up to my shoulders
the dog filling up the space below me
a deep breath in to relish the rest that is to come
this is what they mean by "Home, Sweet Home"

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Harvesting Ideas #SOL24 Day 7

Today I will spend the day reading fellow slicers blogs and sharing ideas that I find! Hopefully, this will me if I’m searching for a topic on a challenging writing day. Hoping to edit this and add a few more as I check in with more posts this evening.

• Write about an interesting place you’ve visited…perhaps an egg vending machine like Stacey Shubitz visited. I’ve never heard of an egg vending machine, but you can be guaranteed I will be looking up where the nearest one is to me. Such a fun, whimsical post!
• Try a True/False list like Denise Krebs. I love thinking about all the ways this could be used at school! As an identity activity with students, or possible a review at the end of a unit of study in science or social studies. Excited to try this one!
• Think about a memory that comes full circle, as in Steph’s interview day. I love the vivid memories she shares of her campus visit.
• A descriptive observation of a body part and it’s different uses throughout the day. Britt’s post on hands has me thinking which body part I might choose…
• A play by play of your morning routine, or lunch routine, or weekend routine. I love Becky’s minute by minute morning schedule.

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Dear Adriene, #SOL24 Day 6

You are part of my morning routine. A grounding presence each day to get my body moving and my mind centered. In addition to scriptures, prayer, and writing, your yoga videos have cultivated healing for me at a most difficult time in my life.

As I step on my mat, take my first deep breath of the day, and exhale, I begin to awaken my body. Your fluid words guide me through stretches and poses. I build flexibility and strength with each move. It’s been amazing to see how 20 minutes every morning can compound. Movements that once were challenging, are now articulated with minimal effort.

I look forward to each month’s calendar, an open invitation to move and breath with you. Even though we are separated by many states, you occupy my living room each day before the morning light has risen. I appreciate the generous gift you have given your viewers. And I know there are thousands out there like me, who look forward to their morning Yoga with Adriene 💕

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How did we get here? #SOL24 Day 5

Kate marched down the hallway playing the melodica. (One week ago, I had never even heard of a melodica!) The office staff followed her clapping and singing. Songs like, “If you’re happy and you know it” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Teachers’ faces registered a look of confusion at first, but then most broke into a smile, some even laughter. Now, how did we get here, to this point of utter silliness in the name of bringing joy to our building?

It began with a book. (Don’t most good things?) Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad. I wrote about her book here in #SOL22. This book had a tremendous impact on me. As a cancer survivor and someone who loves words, reflection, and especially the combination of the two, I could relate to many parts of Suleika’s journey. I have been tempted to reread this book, as it has so many nuggets of truth sprinkled throughout the memoir. My officemate, Kate, also read this book and was deeply impacted by it.

Then it transitioned into following Suleika’s life through her weekly newsletter, The Isolation Journals. If you don’t receive this, I highly recommend signing up. Suleika shares her heart in each letter, along with a writing prompt from a guest author/creator. In the last year, Suleika’s leukemia returned, and she writes of this, along with many other topics in her emails.

Through the Isolation Journals, I learned that Suleika and her husband, John Batiste, were working on a documentary. American Symphony chronicles John’s endeavor to compose an original symphony while Sulieka learns that her cancer has returned. It is a beautiful story full of love and creativity.

You may ask, what does this have to do with marching in the halls with a melodica? Well, the events continued to unfold. We learned John would be in concert in a nearby town. The office staff made a night of dinner and his concert. We had the most amazing night! John is a brilliant entertainer. He sang everything from R & B to Pop to Rock and Roll while playing the piano, drums, saxophone, guitar, melodica, and more. The pinnacle of the show was his encore…John entered the audience playing his melodica to sing along cover songs. He even made it up to the balcony playing “Strumming My Pain with His Fingers.“

So that, in a nutshell, is how we got there! Kate jumped on Amazon and purchased her very own melodica. She is learning new songs everyday. It is quite a hit at school. Now, if only John could see what an impact he’s made on us and our whole school!

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6 Word Memoirs Weekend Edition #SOL24 Day 4

• Coffee with cream, add a book
• A pizza, a brew, a date
• The last fire of the season?
• Vegging out with a Netflix show
• A room full of yoga energy
• Feels good to check off chores
• A night with life long friends
• Film fest movie about National Parks
• Best burger in all of Franklin
• Sourdough with avocado, egg, and sausage
• Singing praises to my faithful Lord
• Remember that pizza, reheated to perfection
• Heat off, windows open, fresh air
• Washing the windows feels like spring
• A long walk in a tanktop
• Necessary errands on a mild day
• Long chat with a dear cousin
• Coffee with cream, add sun
• Fish tacos, beans, rice, good company
• Said Netfilx show, each episode cheesier
• Bath, clean sheets, lights out, smile

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A Saturday Treat #SOL24 Day 2

The owner of a quaint bookshop in a nearby town introduced me to the author Margaret Renkl. I became an instant fan when I read Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss. Margaret writes about nature, life experiences, small joys, childhood memories, etc. Her books are little slices of her daily life in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her most recent collection is titled The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year. She writes of observations from her own yard throughout each season. There is a weekly entry full of description and wisdom that the plants and animals share with her.

Every Saturday I look forward to spending a little extra time in the morning savoring one of her entries. I’m eager to start the spring section…only a few more weeks.

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Me By the Numbers #SOL24 Day 1

A lot has happened in a year! Here’s an update by the numbers…

• 29 years of teaching elementary school
• 5 of those years as an instructional coach
• 4.5 inches of hair growth (I was at zero inches one year ago)
• 1.5 years cancer free
• 2 yoga classes taught at Zen Wellness Company each week
• 15,000 dollars funded in my Lilly Grant, “Namaste in Nature”
• 7 road trips in our new to us RV, Miss Tilly
• 1 Florida getaway
• 5 staff book club gatherings
• 4 amazing concerts: Indigo Girls at the Ryman, Natalie Merchant, John Batiste, Yacht Rock Revue
• 1 year closer to retirement for my hubby
• 2 years of rocking it as a 4th grade teacher for my daughter
• 1 year until graduating with an exercise science degree for my son
• 14.5 years with my best dog, Josie
• 15 days completed in #SOL23

These topics may pop up as full posts in my #SOL24 entries. Although I only made it through 1/2 of the challenge last year, I am hopeful to complete it all this year. But, if I don’t, I will celebrate each day I am able to write, post, and comment on other blogs. Happy Slicing to all!

I am participating in the Slice of Life month long writing challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Redefining Relaxation #SOL23 Day 15

After some recent health issues, I have found restrictions abound. Some of the restrictions are minor and short term, while others will need to be a change in lifestyle. Alcohol being in the category of the latter. Not that I have ever been a big drinker, but I do enjoy a craft beer at our local pizza spot and a glass of wine as I’m cooking dinner or winding down on a Friday night.

Luckily, alcohol free drinks are rising in popularity. At a our last book club gathering, a local hotel restaurant had a whole menu of alcohol free mixed drinks. I had the Pink Lady. It had Lyre’s Orange Sec and Dry London Spirit mixed with cranberry juice, lime juice, and a twist of lemon. Overall, a pretty decent drink, and gave me the sense of celebrating our recent book.

I’ve scouted out some options at our grocery store. So far I’m finding beer to be an easier sell than wine. The hops in beer give your palate that familiar beer flavor. Especially with the rise in IPA style of beer. I’ve found the Athletic Brewing Company to have several I enjoy. I’m a big ran of Free Wave and Run Wild. I also recommend the Sam Adams Hazy IPA. The citrus style, hazy IPA is a great option.

Wine is not quite as easy to replicate. The alcohol is actually taken out of the wine once it is produced. I’ve only tried a Rose because wine options are not as abundant. It seemed like flavored water, although, it does provide that feeling of relaxation and winding down. I think drinking less alcohol is a good thing for all of us, even those without health concerns. Reframing what it takes to relax is also a good practice. Instead of seeing it as a restriction, I’m trying to enjoy the exploration of new things!

I am participating in the Slice of Life month long writing challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

When little Things are Really BIG Things #SOL23 Day 10

I pulled into the parking lot. I could see the big red bullseye on the building. My eyes began to well with tears. Five months ago going to Target would not have caused this reaction. I found a parking spot. I had to count them on my fingers…November, December, January, February, March. Yes, it had been five months since I had entered a store without a mask. The tears flowed.

I had a positive visit with my oncologist today. She lifted several of my restrictions. I can be in public places without a mask. I can participate in group exercise classes. I can go to large group gatherings. I’m making progress on the road to recovery. Next up will be removal of my port and one final CT scan. I’m getting closer to the finish.

It seems these little milestone are pretty emotional. Cancer takes more of a toll than one realizes. I’ve fought hard and well. A return to normalcy has been my finish line. As I take these steps, I am thankful. I know so many don’t get these last steps. Many don’t get a return to normalcy. I don’t take mine for granted; I’m forever grateful.

I am participating in the Slice of Life month long writing challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

We are all writers #SOL23 Day 13

“Not everyone sits down to write a book, but everyone is a storyteller, in one form or another.”

Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake

I recently finished Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. (I recommend it if you are looking for a book to read!) As I read the author’s note, I was struck by this quote. Isn’t it so true? We all have stories to tell. Most people would not say they are writers, but they would love to tell you a story about something in their life.

This was so evident at our last staff meting. We did a version of “Think-Pair-Share” that we called “Mingle-Pair-Share.” (More about this in a post I wrote earlier this month.) As teachers partnered up to share about a picture on their phone, you could see a change in their facial expressions. Their eyes got brighter, their faces softened, and their shoulders relaxed. As they hunched into each other sharing pictures and stories, you could see joy emanate from them. As they shared photos of a meal or recipe they loved, I noticed family dinners, or decadent desserts being displayed. The anecdotes shared and laughter that rolled throughout the room showed a love for sharing these details with each other. When friends shared pictures of their favorite places, something that makes them smile, or a favorite person or pet, they all become oral writers sharing a part of their history. The next step would be writing down or recording these accounts to preserve them for the future.

As the activity wrapped up, I prompted teachers with this thought, “If I asked you to write about any of the pictures you just shared, I’m sure your pencils (or computer keys) would be moving quickly.” Talking can be a portion of the writing process. It can be a valuable part of brainstorming or prewriting. Something good to remember as we teach students who often struggle to get started on a piece. Maybe find pictures to prompt ideas, encourage students to talk out their thoughts or both.

I am participating in the Slice of Life month long writing challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.