Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Untitled Advent Poem


The prophets have set the stage
over and over.
They were listening.
They tried to prepare us.


Mary & Joseph are trudging
over hill and dale.
90 miles is not an easy walk
and one of them is pregnant,
very pregnant.

The shepherds have no idea that they
will soon be illuminated - 
in the night
and in their hearts.

The magi are always seeking,
yet not yet following The star
that leads to The One!

Where do I fit into this story?
This story that was first told ages ago

and yet is told again and again each Advent 
as the Church starts a new year
This story that still has a place for me.

Am I listening?
Am I journeying?

Shall I allow the Light in?
Will I seek The One?


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Happy St. Nicholas Day



At 91 my grandmother needed assistance with her shopping, but when it came to purchasing Hallmark cards for everyone all she needed was a ride to the store. On this particular outing we passed Santa in the mall. "I've never had my picture taken with Santa" she happens to mention. Well, I couldn't let that go! She has been gone for nearly eight years now. Stopping to take this picture is something I am so thankful for (and she'll never know that I have cropped myself out as she couldn't possibly sit on Santa's lap without me - ha!)

Happy St. Nicholas Day everyone!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Question To Ponder

Sitting around the table, having apple pie, a friend asked, "What are your five favorite shows you've ever seen?" 

Wow. That is a HARD question for show fanatics like those in my household. If you are a theatre geek at all, I will give you a moment to think of yours. It could be anything about the performance that puts it on your list - the story, the music, the costuming, the setting, etc.

The first two were easy, popping out before I had stopped to really think. The others took days of pondering. I am now ready to answer.


This is my all time favorite show. The music engages me. The storyline always takes me on an emotional ride. I was fortunate enough to see it twice on Broadway. Due to its long run I saw it nearly ten years apart; February of 1998 and June of 2008. Wilson Cruz was Angel the first time I saw it and the final cast included Renee Elise Goldsberry. A very easy choice for the top of my list.


Not too much further down the list comes "Les Mis". I am not sure how many times I have seen it live, but it is at least three. Again, this is such a major work of art with a stellar soundtrack, moving story lines, and every time I have seen it there has been fantabulous costuming and dramatic staging.


What came next too pondering. How "A Chorus Line" came to hold a spot on the list has to do with my childhood. I grew up listening to show tunes - cast recordings on LP and cassette tape. This show was one I had completely memorized before I was eight. I had (I thought) figured out exactly how the storyline went, based on my deep understanding of the lyrics - and then I saw the show twenty some years later. It holds a place for the relearning that took place as I, for the first time, understood that there were several characters telling their story during "At The Ballet". And how can you NOT love seeing "One" fully staged (on Broadway, nonetheless)?!


February of 1999 I was working in Manhattan. I made a deal with myself, I couldn't see a show every night. I saw on and off Broadway productions, some I had heard of and some that were of what happened to be available at Twofers. This is a show I stumbled upon. (Funny story, I got lax in 'dressing' for a show as the month went on. I could claim my northwest culture overtook me, but I remember being particularly 'comfortable' for this show.) I could have seen this show over and over, day after day. You might recognize lots of the music, but to see the Fosse choreography by amazing dancers. This show was not about ritzy sets, fancy costumes, or complex plots. It was all about the dancing and it was an evening of wonder.


"The Lion King", on the other hand, was all about the set and costumes. From the opening number the costuming held me in rapt awe. For me, seeing this show was all about the visuals of staging and costume design. No wonder they won the Tony for best set design, costume design, lighting design, sound design, and puppet design.


Yes, this is the sixth on my list as I am certain that one day this show will replace one of the above. When I finally get the chance to be 'in the room where it happens' I won't be able to contain my joy or tears. We shall see which spot it holds, once the day arrives.

Monday, November 28, 2016

It's Monday - What Are You Reading?


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 
It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!
Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.



In addition to the books listed, I also read the 44 episode "Blue Babies Pink: A Southern Coming Out Story"



Thursday, November 10, 2016

Search for Equilibrium

In trying to find my equilibrium I have had some success. One that I didn't expect was by watching the Tony Awards acceptance speeches by the cast of Hamilton. I had forgotten about Lin-Manuel Miranda's sonet. 

My wife's the reason anything gets done.
She nudges me towards promise by degrees.
She is a perfect symphony of one.
Our son is her most beautiful reprise.
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they're finished songs and start to play.
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
That nothing here is promised, not one day
This show is proof that history remembers.
We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger.
We rise and fall, and light from dying embers
Remembrances that hope and love last longer.
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love;
Cannot be killed or swept aside.
I sing Vanessa's symphony; Eliza tells her story.
Now fill the world with music, love, and pride.


Just as fitting today as it was in reference to Orlando.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

At A Loss



I am at a loss for words. I am genuinely frightened as I look at the future that is very possibly before us. How can people vote for hate? How can I look my daughter in the eyes and explain this to her. I pray dawn in the U.S. somehow brings more than just light. I pray for peace of hearts and hope to all.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

No Longer Invisible



Thankful to be on the ground in my destination city after a day of travel and really ready to be at the hotel, grab some dinner, and get some sleep. As the traffic both zipped and crawled along the path of pavement my mind wandered. The vehicle came to a rest and my gaze shifted from the front to side window and I was taken aback to find a man staring at me.

At that moment several thoughts passed through my mind...

Wow! He is looking RIGHT at me, as if he can see me. I am no longer invisible.

Oh! I am not in my truck with the windows tinted as dark as possible - he CAN see me.

Note to self - this is how most of the world lives. Most of the world lives with the ability to look at one another. Most of the world can choose to acknowledge every person they pass by at least looking in their eyes.

Monday, October 31, 2016

It's Monday - What Are You Reading?


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 
It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!
Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Here are my October books:

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Day of the Week Math



How is it that
the weekend takes at least ten days 
to roll around each week?
Yet Tuesday,
Ah, Tuesday,
You show up about every third day.
My day of the week math
is off,
yet again.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

A Service I Provide


There is a day each year where both students' and parents' anxiety is high. In order to alleviate the stress and concern I have taken to providing a service. A week or two prior I explicitly explain to parents what I will be doing. On the day of I share this information with my students and let them know that I have already told their parents of my services. They then line up, alphabetically by last name, and we silently pass through the halls until we arrive in the designated location. The nervous tittering commences as they wait. I position myself, ready to act, and the photographer calls for the first student.

What is this service? I ensure that no stray threads or fluff adorn any child. I check that there are not wrinkles or funny lumps in outfits. All stray hairs are smoothed or moved. Finally, standing over the photographer's shoulder, I entice a true smile from each child. (Culturally a true smile is not always encouraged for photographs. This is taken into account and at least a pleasant look is cajoled.) Ultimately we all feel great relief that we have succeeding in our task, be it in front of - or behind - the camera.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Racetrack Engineer


My jaw hit the ground - or at least what remained of the carpeted floor that still showed amidst her engineering marvel. I gazed at orange racetrack strips elaborately joined in various paths around her room. The more I gazed the more amazed I was. She didn't just set up a racetrack, she had created a masterpiece with interwoven tracks. Some were triggered by a car passing on another track. She had incorporated a loop-de-loop, a jumping ramp, and a banking turn UNDER her bed. Utilizing the space under her bed was not her only strategy for creating more space, she had also put a track through the door of her doll house. I was stunned by all the details. My seven year old had shown her depth of thinking and creativity in the past hour of alone time and didn't want to come down for dinner because she was enthralled. I tried to take a picture, but the scene before me was too vast - I had to utilize an app to piece it all together.


"Mommy, can you help by pressing this button over here? I can't reach to start both cars at the same time, and that is how it is supposed to go."

"Sure!" I responded, carefully making my way to the designated station.

"3, 2, 1, GO!" Came the launch command. I pressed my button and my jaw dropped again.

"Daddy!" I hollered. "Will you please come take a video?!" There was NO WAY I could capture this solely with a photo, no matter how many shots I took or put together.

Parts didn't work the way she had envisioned and as she tinkered my husband and I smiled at one another across this glorious mess of creating wonderment. After a couple more trials we brainstormed a bit, tried a few things, and before it was time for lights out there was success. 

Pulling her soft purple blanket up around my daughter I mentioned her being a racetrack engineer.

"No, Mommy, I created her own makerspace!" she proudly told me.


Monday, October 3, 2016

It's Monday - What Are You Reading?


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 
It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!
Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Here are my September books:

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Adults and Students Alike


Melia's mom falls under the spell of not knowing what to write in If You Were A Writer by Joan Lowery Nixon. It is a spell we can all relate to, adults and students alike. As I have pondered what slice of my life to write about for today's post I find myself coming back to not only breaking that spell, but the need for an audience. 

I am reminded that it is a need for all of us, adults and students alike. As we were working on what makes a great book recommendation I told my students they would be sharing these with their classmates and beyond. They were surprised until I asked what good was a book recommendation if they were the only one to see it, they already know that they like the book. 

The same is true with my motivation for this post. 

Last week I was excited to be back on the horse after my summer hiatus. I felt really proud of my post and had work to craft it well. In addition it was close to my heart. I had it up and posted with LOADS of Tuesday left for those in the States. I even had my link up on Two Writing Teachers as soon as I had posted and then spent time reading and commenting on other blogs. Yet I had zero, yup none, nada, zilch comments on my post. 

Wow. Crusher.

I am forcing myself to get something up here and remembering two things. It is about the the exercise of sitting down and writing. I have done that. My students do that. Sometimes that is not enough to get us to want to do it again - let alone again and again and again.

What am I going to do this school year to ensure my students feel that they have a genuine audience and true feedback? Thanks to all of you who didn't comment last week to help me remember this lesson.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Birthdays in Heaven



Today is was Hymnbo's birthday. This is his first birthday in heaven. In heaven I'm sure he doesn't care - neither age nor days hold any significance. Needing to feel special and be honored are no longer important either since they are always true, truer than we can ever imagine. 

I'm pretty sure there are no birthdays in heaven.

For those of us on the earthly side, the calendar turns to August 30th and he is my first thought. The tears well up. My next thought is of others who are no longer with us and all of us sudden the tears swell even more; not only is this our first year without him, but he died on my brother's birthday. My brother's birthday that we've had without him twelve times. 

(Side note: His dying on David's birthday was a comfort on the day he died. We figured they were off climbing mountains together. Grief does that; the same thing that makes us smile can also push our mourning.)

On top of all of this, last year on Hymnbo's birthday we had no idea it was the last one. His diagnosis came a few weeks later. As we sat around the table that afternoon, swelling with food and family fellowship, we planned a birthday cruise for a future birthday of his - a birthday that won't ever happen.

I miss him. 

It all happened fast.

I turn my thoughts back to the fact that he is in heaven - "hanging out with Jesus" as we have explained to my daughter as she first had to understand death a few years ago - and then none of the rest matters. Heaven is a pretty good place to be.

I sent my mom a message this morning. It was his birthday here, but not yet there (due to the ten hour time difference). I wanted to check in, but with her response any concern I had of the day being full of sadness vanished. 

Hymnbo LOVED ice cream. It's a great idea. Guess what we'll be doing after school.


Monday, August 29, 2016

It's Monday - What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 
It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now...you just might discover your next “must-read” book!
Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children's literature - picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit - join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Here are my August books. I made my #bookaday challenge for vacation! An average of two per week is pretty typical during school. With that being said, my students did the math and figured out that I read about 150 books a year!