SOL: Culinary Love

The past four days, I have cooked dinner for several extra persons. Chicken, pasta, salad, forks, plates, glasses.

My culinary arts lack creativity, but my family does not go hungry.

I do not enjoy reading cookbooks, trying new recipes. I prefer the familiar, the tested, tried and true dishes. This choice is not due to my taste buds. Nope, it’s due to efficiency. I am quicker with tradition.

You see, my friends, cooking is not a favorite activity. I wish for a cook more than a maid.

The past four days, I have cooked and cooked and cooked some more … and loved every minute.

Why you may ask?

Story.

My son is home from college.

My Iowan niece and nephew have moved here.

My mother wished for a home cooked meal.

Story.

Laughter and sharing and more laughter has filled our rooms. The kitchen is the central meeting place.

And I listen.

My daughter shares, giggles, reciprocates the humor of her cousin. My sons banter with their father and voice levels range. My nephew wrestles and joins in. Snippets of stories are shared. Slices of hope, support, of family ring in the air and my heart is satisfied.

The past four days, I have cooked and listened and savored. My culinary love calls for their stories and we are nourished.

SOL: Aaa-aa-aa-choo!

Warm weather.

Welcomed sunshine.

Mowers humming.

Aaa-aa-achoo!

Daffodil beauties.

Shorts a sporting.

Breath of fresh air.

Aaa-aa-achoo!

Nose twitching.

Eyes itching.

Medicine taken.

Aaa-aa-relief!

Loving the spring season with the warm sunshine, blue skies, and rejuvenation. Now to get the allergies under control.

 

SOLC: 11:51 p.m.

Last Tuesday, my computer was waiting for my thoughts. I had a kindergarten story to share (Mrs. G, what do you do with a book that is overdoomed to the library?). Yes, I had a cute slice mingling in my mind.

11:51 p.m. was the time I saw heading up to bed on Tuesday. My laptop was still waiting on the table. “Not tonight,” is all I said.

You see, as I was sitting down to write, our college son meandered through the front door. No call. No text. Just a surprise. He began to share what had been transpiring the past two weeks. Decisions had to be made about housing for next year, class discussions shared, and yes, baseball highlights were explained play by play. I felt the urge to go write, but savored the moments with our son instead. (I was secretly writing the conversation down in my heart.)

I have learned this year that when the unexpected “Hello” arises from Wes, I need to stop and listen. The household tasks waited. My schoolwork stayed in the bag. My heart soared.

It’s Tuesday again, and at this moment, our college son is working on a paper at our table. Earlier, his brother and sister were doing their homework around him. That’s not the normal, but they wanted to be close. Laughter rippled between pencil marks and typed sentences. His dad is listening now, reflecting, and sharing ideas. He’s been here since before I came home from school and will probably leave after I go to sleep. I’m just happy to have him here again. My little kindergarten comments are tucked away and will be shared at a later date. For now, I’m one happy mom.

SOL: BONS, I Appreciate You!

The BONS writing group began over two years ago and has been a powerful agent in each of our lives. I’m proud of each of us slicing all 31 days in March!! Whoop Whoop!

Today, I have been thinking of each of you, BONS. Maybe it’s because we are setting dates to meet. Maybe it’s because I’m writing my supportive thesis for my teaching evaluation. Maybe it’s just because thoughts of you brings sunshine to my day.

Ruth, you are exemplifying, real, supportive. Your leadership shines through and lifts me up. I love reflecting with you about school, about writing, about kids. The thousands of words you write inspires me to keep going.

Tam, you are endorsing, loyal, helpful. Your quiet reflection rings powerful through your masterpiece of of memories. I love your sketches, your bits of ideas sculpted into possibilities. Your perseverance and charm nudges new thoughts and makes me smile.

Ruth M (aka: the other Ruth), you are encouraging, insightful, reflective. Your poetic craft spell bounds me – every time. I love the richness of your words, savoring them over and over and over. Your calm perspective ignites ideas and sparks persistence.

Tammy, you are energizing, creative, heartful. Your stories bring out laughter and emotion. I love your adventurous spirit and welcoming friendship has taught me to stretch beyond myself. Your enthusiasm spreads and your conversations are the best!

We all bring laughter and stories. It’s contagious. Our BONd keeps us fueled for the daily writing or idea-mulling treadmill. The celebration is the key. It’s in celebrating the bits of nothing and somethings that’s at the heart of the BONS.

 

SOLC: Reflection: Being a Risk-taker

The Slice of Life Challenge is about committing to writing each day. It’s a commitment to think, reflect, prioritize. It’s a discipline of yourself to focus, notice, and take time. It’s a community where you can parallel posts, listen, and support. Because of the SOLC, I have learned to be a risk-taker with words. I play with words during SOL Challenge and on Tuesdays throughout the year. It’s the one place I will try something out and not be reserved.

Just like an artist, I’m in my fourth year, my fourth year of developing. Some of my friends create mentor texts for me (unknowingly) as they thread words together into an exquisite, priceless written tapestry. My work is a simpler cross-stitched piece written with pride, pleased with where I am and focusing on where I can go.

I have learned:

• to notice nature, like the sky and moon, and connect to it
• to upload pictures to spark interest
• to manipulate structure like others
• to play with alliteration, a seesaw text, and points of view
• to take one audible thought and create a something fun with a repeating line
• to highlight a day with short phrases (and even add in numbers)
• to brighten someone’s birthday with the power of words
• to show my thoughts, a sentimental moment, or something funny
• to reflect deeply on teaching from someone’s post (and then take a simple paragraph and change it into a more poetic genre)

Thank you, Ruth and Stacey, for hosting Slice of Life Challenge at TwoWritingTeachers.

Thank you, slicers, for your encouraging comments. Christy, LeAnn (aka: elsie), and Linda, I’m in your fan club and so appreciate your many comments.

Thank you, BONS, for your daily thoughts, as we are growing together (can’t wait to see you tomorrow)!

SOLC: Transformation

Our college son spent time with us this evening. We were finalizing scholarship applications and although we did a little “work”, it was still nice having him home. Wes attends Grace College, which is about a 12 minute drive from home. He’s learned a lot taking care of his own room, managing his time, and living the dorm life.

As we were talking, he mentioned his two roommates were gone for the weekend. Only a few guys were on the floor for the weekend due to an extended Easter break. Friends had come over and played a evening of XBox 360. “Yeah, there is 3 pizza boxes and trash on the floor that I didn’t even order. Eddie is not going to be happy,” Wes stated. His one roommate is super organized and clean (even organizes his sock drawer by colors). The other roommate could care less and leaves items everywhere. Wes, he’s in between, usually leaving clothes on the floor in his area and his desk isn’t as organized for my liking, so he tells me.

Being on spring break, I offered, “I could come help you clean up your room for an hour tonight if you’d like.”

With a smile and a nod, Wes agreed quickly. “Are you sure?” he asked hesitantly. I returned the smile and nod.

Let’s just say, the room that I had not seen since he moved in had a transformation come over it. My swifter picked up more dust and found several missing dirty socks. Clothes were tossed in a laundry basket and trash was removed. After vacuuming, Wes took some pictures and sent it to Eddie. I can just imagine a surprised look coming over his face.

Me – I’ve transformed over this year too. It’s been hard having my son leave, make decisions on his own, and not but in. I’m still here and maybe I won’t offer to clean his room again, but I did appreciate him allowing me to help this time.

 

SOLC: I Finally Did It!

I finally did it!

After the many push ups and slide downs,

removing it and replacing it,

I finally did it!

No more holding something afar or

moving even closer.

No more nudges from concerned friends.

I finally did it!

The appointment was made.

I caved.

The inconvenience cause too much frustration.

I am done.

I finally made my eye appointment.

Bifocals are a necessity.

Frames chosen.

No line lenses.

One week.

I can’t wait to get my new glasses!

SOLC: Full Moon

Wink. Good morning Indiana.

Did you see it? It was sparkling and brilliant and oh so full. It’s perfect circumference stoically stood at attention.  Did you get a glimpse of its beauty? Yes, the full moon. It was spectacularly beautiful this morning. Yes, this morning. Last night, the moon arose with a gorgeous glow and lasted until this morning to say ‘Hello’.

Driving to school, the moon’s brilliance danced onto my view. My first thought was, “Last day before spring break PLUS a full moon – this will be an interesting day.” Although the moon is an ordinary, everyday site, its effect magically touches children. You know what I mean. Kids seem to metamorphosis into squirrelly creatures, energy bouncing like an electron inside skin.

The scenery framed the moon is picturesque beauty.

I dug deeper in my thoughts and found a memory attached to the moon. A smile spread across my face, remembering how comforting the moon was. You see, I lived in the Dominican Republic for two years prior to email. Snail mail took around a month or longer to arrive in my hands. Phone calls were outrageously expensive. Communication with my family here in the United States was limited. So I would look at the moon. I knew my family and friends could see the same, beautiful white sphere I was viewing. The moon connected us.

I love the silhouette of the trees in the moonlight.

Then another memory caused me to giggle. I was remembering a teenage moment with friends, scampering out at night with the moonlight to lighten our way. We were quiet. A cemetery hide-and-go-seek game was inviting us to play. Only did that once, I do believe.  I’m not very brave.

I was thankful the moon was awake with me this morning, sharing its beauty. The brilliant moon brought forth a smile from me and nature around.

SOLC: The Ordinary becomes Spectacular

From Two Writing Teachers, Ruth Ayres posted

Lessons from a Chairmaker

Powerful.

The Ordinary becomes Spectacular!

It’s moments

like these

in the classroom and in my home

that make life

so enormously special.

PASSION

drives excellence.

Where

is my passion? How

can I spark

passion? Passion

fuels the energy to keep going.

In moments of passion,

my heart thrives… reflects… adjusts….

In the moments when the ordinary becomes spectacular,

my heart soars.

How can I keep

the passion going?

When I’m tired,

am I passionate? Does

my passion weary?

I must not!

Love Ruth’s post!

Great meaning

for each day of teaching,

writing,

living.

SOLC: Handwritten Notes

Today, a friend had left a handwritten note in my teacher mailbox. I recognized the author from the script of my name. Her handwriting is gracefully fluent with an artistic swirl. Her note is precious; the message uplifting. Her words will be cherished, reread I’m sure, and treasured in a special nook. It’s a memory I can relive over time.  As much as she appreciated my kind act, her words mean so much to me.

Last week, I received a postcard from dear friend, Tammy. She’s delightful, thoughtful, and so special! Her words were  encouraging and carried more meaning than just the literal. Tammy had taken the time to paint the delicate bird, thought  of me and reflected on my writing. Her handwritten note encouraged me and made me smile. Her masterpiece is displayed near my desk to uplift me every time I notice it.

A month ago, another friend penned a simple thank you. The front of the note is simple, yet dynamic as well. Although we see each other regularly, her kind words of appreciation conjure up sentimental feelings. The note is a constant surprise present. I’m thrilled looking at it each time.

Two years ago, Ruth gave me a note. She scripted a beautiful quote on the front, personalized the decor, and wrote words of truth on the back. This note is displayed next to my desk. I don’t even have to read the words to know encouragement is there. The visual reminder provides added encouragement throughout each day.

Although blog comments aren’t handwritten, the time each of you take to form a response is special as well. Each are cherished, reread, and tucked away as a silent fan club of encouragement.

Handwritten notes are a treasure. Think about notes you write to students, friends, and family members. Your written word pens the power of encouragement. How awesome is that?!