#sol24 Religion Focused Holidays

 

This semester, I messed up, plain and simple. I didn't mean to offend anyone.

I followed the University's calendar.  I checked the dates of school vacations. I double checked dates for Easter and Passover. I even took note of the "fun" holidays of the spring semester (Valentine's Day, Pi Day, Earth Day) as it is fun when I can incorporate some fun into my class focused on school-based assessments!

Yet, I messed up and it was clear to me when one student asked at the end of class, "Do we have in-person class next week?"

Another student chimed in asking to "Zoom-in" as she would be with family celebrating.

A third student responded a bit disgustedly, "We probably have class because it's not a Christian holiday. It's discrimination, if you ask me."

"It's Eid and I will be with my family as we break the fast," another student volunteered, possibly trying to help me understand the request that was trying to figure out if this was just a group intent to get out of a scheduled in-person class. "A lot of us celebrate."

It was late and I vaguely remember reading about NYC schools and Eid. I really was not prepared to either offer a zoom option (which everyone would likely take) or add on a class at the end of the semester, so I promised to look into the matter and clarify through an email within 2 days.

I started exploring as soon as I got home. 

For the first time, Eid, an important Muslim holiday celebrating the breaking of the fast, is a school holiday in NYC; however, it did not make the University calendar, this year.  

As I stalled my decision, I found a recent Gallup Poll suggesting 3 out of 4 Americans identify with a specific religious faith.  68% of those identify as Christian, 2% identify as Jewish, 1% identify as Buddhist and 1% identify as Muslim.  Additionally, 45% of Americans say religion is very important in their lives. 

I made the decision, for this year, to keep the scheduled in person class and offer students the option of a full zoom class the next evening. 25% of my class took the zoom option. It was still the right thing to do. 

#sol24 A Double Rainbow

Last week started with

Storms, water in the basement,

Mopping,

Last week continued with

Serious illness impacting

Those I love,

Prayers.

Last week ended with

A double rainbow.

It might have been

 Light reflected twice,

It was a sign

If you look closely

There is hope.

 

#sol24 April 9 Better Than the Eclipse

 

It seems as if THE eclipse

Was the highlight of the day, 

Perhaps the week.

It really was memorable,

A testament to the power of nature

To create beauty.

Yet,

A phone call made my day, week, perhaps my year,  

We talked and we listened

About people and happenings in our lives.

About wonderful and devastating things,

About possibilities and accepting 

What we cannot change.

We have talked rarely in the last decade,

We've had harsh words, unkind thoughts,

Yet, "old" friends somehow 

Pick up where they left off,

In spite of time, changes, emotions,

Leaving barriers in the dust.

#sol24 April 2 Handicapped Parking

 

"I hate it when people park in those handicapped spots and don't need them," I thought as a tiny sports car  pulled into one of the last remaining spots clearly marked handicapped.  I had already driven around the crowded lot on a gray, rainy morning and class was about to start. I ended up in the outer lot and was a drippy mess when I finally got into class.

The lady who had nabbed that up close spot was already in my gym room, although she was not as far in the preparing for class process as she should have been!  She was slowly taking off her coat and there was a crowd gathering around her offering greetings and clear messages of "I have missed you."

 "I'm doing better, she assured her friends, and I am going to try to do at least part of this class." she smiled. As I glanced over, I noticed her thin shirt hung on her bony shoulders. Then, I saw her slowly raising her arms and adjusting her hair and I just knew she really needed that spot. My guilt level went through the roof.

Clearly, she had already faced a powerful enemy.  

Clearly, she needed and deserved that spot.
Clearly, not all disabilities are visible. 

#sol 24 March 31 SOL2024

Somehow, I wrote everyday,

Encouraged by my best reader, my cousin Kurt,

Connecting with old & new friends.

Somehow, I found things to write about

Within the circle of my life,

Every single day!

Somehow, I had two surgeries,

Resulting in remarkably improved vision,

Empowering me to drive confidently.

Somehow, thanks to vision enhancing technology,

I commented every single day

Reflecting, learning, and growing.

Somehow, those I love and those I care about,

Are coping with challenges and trials,

One day at a time.

Somehow, the cold, dark, rain days

The lone dreary spell is passing,

Winter has given way to spring.

Somehow, the cloud of isolation,

Appears to be lifting,

Proving, again,

Writing every day is powerful!

Thank you to all who stopped by,

sharing comments and friendship.

Thank you to all at Two Writing Teachers 

for this powerful way to support wanna-be

writers like me.

 

#sol24 March 30 Prepare For It

I stopped by, early,

To drop off overdue books,

To pick up a request.

It was windy and cold,

In spite of the late March sun.

There was a line!

I expected one at the bakery,

Not one at the library!

It took a few seconds,

Then,

I remembered the give-away,

"Prepare for it," they say.

"It's coming!"

April 8, 2024

A solar eclipse!

#sol24 March 29 Good Friday's Memories

Good Friday has almost always been a day "off" from school and for me, it spurs many, diverse memories.

Last year, I was happily cleaning and cooking for an extended family gathering at my house. All of my grandchildren were to be gathered under my roof and I was as excited as a Meme could be. I made Easter pails for all of the children and listened to Bruce Springsteen as I prepped our desserts. I had so much to celebrate.

Two years ago, I was boarding a plane for a long awaited trip to Italy to eat, drink and celebrate that tiny part of my heritage, wearing a mask, and worried sick about each and every Covid test we took. There were many! Yet, we left JFK filled with excitement, sitting in Business!

 

Four years ago, I was beyond sad, confused and depressed. There really wasn't anything to celebrate. I went to my son's house and walked around outside without hugging or being close to anyone.  It was so weird. Schools and churches were all closed.  I watched Shark Tank all day long.  I am not sure, but I  think I cried more that once.

Nine yeas ago, I was  doing crafts and making decorations for the holiday ahead of us with my nieces who came for a "play date" while their parents worked.  Soon, most of my immediate family would be gathered in my dining room for what would be the last time at that table, in that house, or as that family. It was a good thing we did not know what was ahead as I remember a wonderful, joy filled day with a table filled with flowers made by my nieces. 

Twelve years ago, we went to Little Italy to buy fresh pasta, delicious pastries and the rest of the supplies for Easter dinner.  We put everything in a cooler and then we walked the High Line, all of it.  We went to St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC for mass that was long and afforded lots of time to think, reflect, pray, and hope.  It was late and we were starving when we finally got home, but we were energized and hopeful.

 

Twenty years ago, I spent the day cleaning as my house was out of control dirty.  I was back in grad school and my my kitchen was filled with the paper evidence of my research and dissertation.  I spent the day sorting data into the drawers of an old dresser I took from one of my children's rooms. I was thinking of Easter dinner and headed at some point to the store but I was also planning for a soon to be college graduation. We had no idea that life would soon change and colon cancer would emerge, again, and change our family.

Many, years ago, I was sewing an Easter dress for my toddler while my husband and that toddler made an Easter Rabbit out of snow that covered our yard,  I was clearly expecting a second child and  we were going to be hosting my family in two days. The house needed to be cleaned. There were dust bunnies everywhere.  I think I was as happy as a human can be!

Many, many years ago, one of my siblings found my mother's secret stash of Easter candy in her closet. Candy was not usually part of our world and so it was a chance to eat our way into a candy coma. We ate our weight in candy that night. That was the end of the Easter Bunny for us!

#sol24 March 28 I Took a Deep Breath

I took a deep breath as I answered the phone, not sure of the reason for the call, but pretty sure that any call from a doctor on a Sunday afternoon was not good news,  I am not quite sure I ever had a call from a doctor on a Sunday afternoon, so to be honest, I have no idea why I have such a thought about such a phone call.  I was pretty sure he was going to cancel my surgery or tell me some horrible news about my recent scans.  The best case scenario, in moments of my mind flying out of control with anticipation before answering the phone call was that my surgeon was going to cancel tomorrow's procedure. 

"Hello?" I asked slowly, because I really had no reason not to answer.  

"Hi," he answered quickly as if he was expecting me to be awaiting his call. "I hope you are having a good weekend.  I just wanted to check on how you were doing and how you are seeing before tomorrow's appointment." 

I took a deep breath as I tried to construct a verbal response while wondering  why an esteemed eye surgeon was even thinking about my eye surgery the next day?   But, somehow I managed a response and engaged in a sincere discussion about what I was able to see and what difficulties I still had. After a few minutes, he thanked me for my time and I thanked him for his time.  "I just want to make sure of  the best outcomes," he responded. " See you in the morning!"

I thought about the conversation with the doctor who just wanted to make sure we were on the same page as I got ready for bed and several times in the days ahead.  It's crazy that any call from a doctor we expect to be bad news!  It's also crazy that any call parents get from teachers is usually bad news. We really should be working together to do the best we can to make sure of the best outcomes!

#sol24 March 27 Seniors Just Wanna Have Fun

 

Today's post was spurred by

Kim who wrote about that Ahh feeling

Over at Two Writing Teachers SOL

I have observed that Ahh feeling of clear happiness and total enjoyment of the moment many times in my life.  There are the images of my newborn grandchildren and of my children holding on to those special babies. There are images of celebrations and birthdays and graduations, too. 

Yet, sometimes random images from life can give me that Ahh feeling, like the gray-haired couple who pulled up beside my aging gray sedan at a stop light on the first sort-of-spring-weather day.  Honestly, it was still much too cold for a top-down-car day and I suspect they both were wearing long underwear and gloves in order to survive the experience.  Yet, their bright-blue-brand-new-appearing Beemer seemed like it was itching to be out on the road, still covered in winter's gray residue. 

She had a bright yellow headscarf with a tail flapping in the breeze as well as smile as wide as the Mississippi. I could not possibly hear what she was saying to her red-baseball-hat-clad partner as the music was blaring, Brown-Eyed Girl and the engine was roaring to go as soon as the light changed.

They were a colorful sight that not only caught my eye, but also brought me indirect happiness. 

I've thought of them in the days since, a reminder that gray-haired seniors just wanna have fun!

Stock photo, not a real image of that moment.

#sol24 March 26 To Be A Dog Walker

"It was Career Day," he said excitedly, "and I was a Rock Star!  J was an astronaut, B was a baseball player. V was an author. L was a doctor and K was the night guard at the library."

"Sounds like a great day," I smiled thinking there clearly was some creative thinking happening in nearby homes.  

"My teacher brought her stuffed dog to school and let us pet her," he continued. "She is going to be a dog walker."

"Sounds like an exhausted and creative teacher," I thought thinking about the endless demands on teachers as well as the endless stream of dog walkers I see traipsing through nearby neighborhoods each day. The dog walker who walks several dogs near me drives a brand new BMW SUV.  

I'm guessing it's a lower stress job with good (better?) financial rewards than to be a teacher?

I'm hoping someone wanted to be a teacher? 

#sol24 March 25 Here We Go Again

 

I had surgery at the beginning of SOL,
I'm headed back, today.

Two eyes + two cataracts = two surgeries.

This time, 

I know about all the things,

I know about all the drops,

I know to bring a blank check,

I know to bring the sun glasses.

This is a quickie.

I'll likely be home before lunch.

I'll likely have lots of time to read and comment.

I'll likely see your words better,

I'll certainly see the smudges on the walls,

I'll definitely be annoyed by the cobwebs, 

I'll be able to watch the dust bunnies multiply!

#sol24 March 24 One That Haunts Me

 Yesterday, would have been my Aunt's 101st birthday.

This is a memory that haunts me.

When you have been healthy for well over 90 years and eschew even Tylenol, those powerful pain relieving drugs they pump through your veins when you have a broken femur send you soaring.

And they sent her flying higher than a kite. In her most lucid moments that day, she shared stories of growing up as the 9th of 10 in a big Irish family, I think the stories she told that day were real, and yet I never will  know for sure it they were or were not. For the nurses who came and went, the stories were entertainment, I suspect.  I only wish I had taken the time to write them down. But, there was a constant flow of people in and out and to be honest, we never know there won't be more time.

Thus, from my memory, I will try to paraphrase one that haunts me.......

"We really did love each other," she began softly and my ears perked up because she had never been married and to my knowledge, had never dated. "Oh yes, he was special and so kind to me. But, we had to be secretive because his mother did not like me at all. He would hitch a ride to meet me in Middletown and we would go for sodas. But, his mother would not let him marry me because I was not Methodist.  So we went our separate ways. I moved to the city and he went to war. He never came back. We didn't realize there wouldn't be more time."

#sol24 March23 I Might Go Back

Went there on a few dates, long, long ago.  

As a teenager, I was not a fan.

Took my kids there, a couple of times.  

They were not fans.

Took my kids there for birthday parties, 

A few times. Always complaints.

Loud, confusing, boring, frustrating.

Went there today, oh my it has changed!

There are no more tally cards.  

There are not more smelly shoes.

You set up your game on a computer.

Efforts are displayed on a giant screen, 

With an instant replay!

Had my best score there ever, 81,

Thanks to bumpers you add

With the flip of a switch!

It's still noisy.

It's still hard to do.

I need those bumper guards.

It's no longer a cheap date!

 They now serve cocktails and salads.

It was better than I remembered,

I might go back, there!

I cannot believe I am saying that!

#sol24 March 22 Can You Be Inclusive?

A little about me: 

I am a special education teacher and literacy specialist, 

I spent my career working with learners who struggle;

Now, I work with teachers who are or will be 

Working with students who struggle.  

Yesterday, I was part of a workshop about adapting instruction, on a college level, to meet the needs of diverse students. It was 90 minutes immersed in recognizing the need for and learning ways to adapt materials, instructions and assessments to make higher education learning available to all.  There were teachers on the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

I was interested on multiple levels. I embrace the diversity of learning and the roles of all learners.  Recently, some of my graduate students have identified themselves as having IEPs, and or needing supports and modifications. 

I teach classes in awareness of, assessment of, and differentiating of instruction to meet diverse needs.  THUS, while I really did not learn anything new at this workshop, in those 90 minutes, I was reminded of level of discrimination that persists in education and the need to embrace a Universal Design for all.  

I left the workshop aware of the need for all teachers, on ALL levels, to be aware of how to adapt instruction, projects and assessment to be more inclusive.

Can you teach from a wheelchair? Of course you can.

Can you teach while hearing or visually impaired? Of course you can.

Can you teach while having a learning disability? Of course you can.

Can you teach if you are identified with dyslexia? Of course you can.

Can you teach while having and ASD diagnosis? Of course, you can.

Can you teach when you are blind? Of course you can!

#sol24 March 21 Springtime Visitors

 

'Twas 8:01, on the first full day of spring

They descended upon us, ready to do their thing.

Dressed in protective gear from head to toe,

Even their eyes were covered as they started to blow.

With noisy tractors, loud motors and 

An old-fashioned rake,

They seemed to know just what it would take.

It was noisy and dusty and clearly not fun,

Then, I turned and noticed that they were done.

The leftover leaves and bountiful sticks,

Were all gone and loaded into their yard-waste mix.

It's a privilege to have someone 

Do my spring yard clean,

When they finished,

The grass even looked green!

#sol24 March 20 Intermingled

 

As I walked through the park bursting with pink buds and golden blossoms on the first day of spring, the sun was bright and yet the breeze was as cold as it was in January. Determined to complete my three miles, I pulled gloves from my pocket and tightened the scarf around my neck just as the first flurries surrounded me. For a moment, frankly, I was mad at the sun for luring me out into the cold for this walk. Then, as the sun and the occasional flurries intermingled, I settled into a good pace and some serious reflection.

Frankly, I have found it hard to be a fan of meditation, but I go, sometimes, in hopes of quieting the little worry monkeys in my head.  Usually, my mind wanders to problems I plan to solve or the problems I cannot solve; however, sometimes, the mediation does seem to "stick" because I think of the message of the meditation when I am walking or swimming. 

Today, the message of a recent meditation (which I am paraphrasing) intermingled with the sun and flurries this morning.

"Like the seasons of the year, that mingle and mix," she said, "your personal seasons are interspersed with the people and events that are part of everyone's life.  

During your winters, there was certainly days of heartbreak, loneliness, and illnesses that made you sad and tested your faith in things becoming better. 

Then, without fail, you find yourself with signs of spring where there were opportunities for new beginnings and hope for the future. Yet, you surely found that the cold winter breezes joined you even as you welcomed spring. 

When you least expected it, you would find yourself in a summer season where there were many distractions and everything was happening so fast you could hardly catch your breath. Yet, there were times when that sadness of winter still found its way into your days.

For each of us, there have also been many falls when we reflected on our successes as well as our failures and pondered our next steps. Fortunately, even during the days of deepest reflection, the voice of spring will often pop through the clouds and offer reminders of the hope for new adventures in the future. 

The personal seasons of life are ongoing and intermingling throughout our lives, just like the seasons of each year are ever changing and intermingling."

For me, the most valuable mediations appear to be intermingled with walking and colliding seasons.

#sol24 March 19 She Played Pickleball

The first message was that she was in the hospital. 

Yet, she had been at pickleball the day before and the day before that and the day before, too. Donning one of her many pickleball approved skirts, talking softly on the sidelines while awaiting her turn to bat the ball back and forth a few times. She was clearly an icon in the pickleball community. She had also been at the Stretch and Flex class as well as Meditation. The next message was that she had passed away. 

We sighed deeply while tears fell softly. She played pickleball right to the end.  She knew how to spend her retirement years doing what you love. She kept busy and happy right up to the end. at 89.  She was a casual friend, but a serious role model. She will be missed.

 

#sol24 March 18 I Needed Potting Soil

 

I had not been there in many, many years; yet, I needed potting soil, seeds, an 8 X 8 pan, and tissues and the prices would likely be better.  So, I parked and headed towards the entrance of the great big, in person version of Walmart.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a windswept empty cart was headed my way. It was either stop it or it would do damage to someone's car!  So, I braced myself for impact and stopped the wayward cart taking my breath away if only for a moment.

I turned that cart around and headed towards the entrance.  I was not yet inside the store when I felt a sharp pain in my ankle that was certainly someone else's shopping cart. It took my breath away, if only for a moment.

I headed to the crowded outdoor area, but on the way there, I noticed a great price on an organic vegetable broth, and grabbed 2 boxes. Then, I saw a great price on paper towels and grabbed a package along with a roll of parchment paper. I made a short detour towards greeting cards and bought quite a few for upcoming events. I picked up a package of markers and one of construction paper and eyed the brand new porch rockers. I debated. They were new and shiny but I certainly did not need them.  Mine would be fine with some fresh paint. 

Finally I reached the outdoor area and loaded a small bag of potting soil into my cart. I walked over to the huge seed area. There were so many to choose from and my mind wandered to four years ago when there were no seeds to be found anywhere! When I returned to reality, my cart was gone! Nowhere around! Certain someone had wandered off with my cart and then abandoned it, I search with no luck. This made me mad, for more than a moment.

I headed all the way back to the entrance to get new cart, seeds in hand. I was almost all the way back to the cart area and there was my very own cart with the potting soil, assorted loot, and my distinctive Stew Leonard's shopping bag! This led to me taking a very deep breath before I headed to the nearby check out.

"I think I should stop while I am ahead, " I thought to myself confident the trek to find tissues and an 8 X 8 pan would lead to more unnecessary purchases and new challenges.

 

#sol24 March 17 No Flix

 

"I cannot get to Net Flix," she said sadly, "after that wind storm. Do you think you could help me?"

Now, to be honest, I am a technology novice who embraces, but struggles with this foreign language. In years past, I would just defer to my techno-savvy spouse.  Now-a-days, I bravely attempt to solve problems with computers and cables. Not too long ago, I reactivated a Gmail account for a friend and that action earned me a problem solver status among peers that to be honest, I do not deserve!  

I stopped by the home of the No Flix friend and did what I have learned to be the Holy Grail of technology: turn off and then turn on.  I did it three times. It did not work. Then, I talked to a Verizon Representative who had no idea of how to solve my problem. Then, I unplugged and re-plugged, again. Finally, I searched You Tube trying different wire combinations and configurations. 

On the plus side, I got in a lot of steps going up and down those stairs as her internet source was in the basement!

On the negative side, she still has No Net Flix and I will no longer be known as the problem solver, a moniker I did not deserve anyway!

#sol24 March 16 Thanks, Google

 

The rainy weather gave way to warmer temperatures this week and for the first time in a very long time, some of my grands came to play outside (or pass the time waiting for their mom to return from a far away trip).

I have been outside to bring in the garbage cans and walk in the neighborhood, but not to carefully survey the damage the long rainy winter wrought, until today.  I picked up a huge pile of sticks and pulled a huge pile of weeds while we embraced the warmth and sunshine. Then, as their vehicles rapidly traversed the chalk driveway drawn roads, I noticed the homebuilding activity in the rafters stopping me in my tracks.  

There it was, at least a foot long, nestled in the highest eaves of my house. There it was, a hive of busy activity with guests leaving and arriving within seconds. There it was, busier than Newark and Kennedy Airports combined.  There is was, a clear home to a growing and expanding clan of some sort of winged insects that was not going to mesh well with warmer weather and living on my patio. There it was, a hive of epic proportions that was going to need a professional removal.

I went to make a call appealing for professional help when I realized I did not know what kind of insects these were.

"I think they are bees, but ask Google," the grand suggested.

So, I asked Google describing the huge umbrella appearing nest with clear layers and the intense activity. 

"These are wasps," Googled responded immediately without ever coming to my house or seeing first hand what was going on in my backyard.

I called. The pest removal company answered. They needed to know if it was wasps or bees.  I explained my Google research.  They were clear of an estimate and a plan and will be here likely before you read this.  

Thanks, again and again and again, Google.

#sol24 March 15 Brighter

March is a busy month 

For daylight expanding daily,

For buds becoming flowers day by day,

For trees that bloom and re-leaf, every year,

For confused seasons colliding and changing,

For parents with afternoon practices multiplying,

For Slicers who squeeze words out every day,

Perhaps it's the combination of sunshine, flowers, and words, 

Perhaps it is all the cleaning I am doing, but

The world seems a lot brighter!

SOL24 March 14 Clean Enough

 

It has been a dark and rainy winter and to be honest, my place was "clean enough."  I had been on a serious schedule of aquacise, Zumba, and yoga at the Y; thus, there really had not been many days when the sunshine begged me to wash smudges from the walls and cabinets. I washed the sheets and ran the vacuum when needed. Plus, I live alone and there are very, very few people who ever enter my home; thus, my place was "clean enough." 

But then, the sun came out in all it's springtime glory about two weeks after I had surgery that has improved my vision dramatically! The surgery must have caused dirt, cobwebs and dust bunnies to appear everywhere. My switch plates suddenly became smudgy and the kitchen tile looked as if no one had cared for it in a long, long time.  Don't even ask about what was happening inside my oven and fridge!

Yes, my great vision transformation has resulted in a need to do serious spring cleaning because now, my place is no longer, "clean enough!"

SOL#24 March 13 If You Give a Child a Story

I was going to reflect on the Dawn of the Pandemic,

But this real life slice begs to be told, today.

"Again?" the little girl implored.

"Yes, we can read it again," her Mom smiled as she turned back to the cover of If You Give A Mouse a Cookie. The little one leaned into her Momma clearly finding joy in the rhythm and rhyme of the classic. 

Meanwhile, I was playing Sudoku on my phone as I had left my Kindle at home. I had not expected a crowded waiting room or a long wait in this Post-Covid era where the classic People magazines have disappeared.

Again?" the little girl begged as they finished the second read.

"Of course we can read it again," her Mom sighed, clearly having put this book on a regular, waiting room-auto-read.

I wanted to hop across the seats and join this reading experience. I didn't. Clearly, this was reading a partnership that valued the captive season of waiting rooms.

Without staring, I observed the duo through a 3rd read. The Mom's phone dinged softly, suggesting she was getting texts or emails from someone. Yet, the duo became one as they embraced the moments waiting, together.

As I write this, I do realize I could end this SOL here.  But, there is a bit more to this story.

Not too many years ago, that experience would never have happened!  Not too many years ago, little ones diagnosed with Downs Syndrome were sent to institutions at birth.  Not too many years ago, this little one and her mom would never have known that If You Give a Child a Story, They Will Ask For More

#sol24 March 12 I Wish I Had

 This month, I am participating in the SOL Writing Challenge.  

I'm reading some incredibly reflective posts.

I find myself growing increasingly reflective.

1. I wish I had begun taking better care of my body when I was younger. I let the demands of my family and career dominate and did not put my needs first, ever. I got up early to iron and clean rather than exercise! I am doing much better in this area, now, but it's much harder with achy joints!

2. I wish I had taken more trips learning first hand how others live and work rather than just reading about life outside my own.  I did not advocate for first hand explorations. I am doing better in that area as well, but it too is much harder with achy joints. 

3. I wish I had enjoyed every day of baby snuggles, toddler tantrums, and teenaged angst. It went by in a flash and while the memories are powerful, those days disappeared while I vacuumed and cooked. I have tried to soak up as much as I can with grandchildren, but they have their own busy lives, already.

4. I wish I had been more respectful of the challenges of aging with relatives and friends. I remember being tired of talking about illnesses and pains. I remember how upset my mother was when I forgot her 48th wedding anniversary. It was the last week of school and all, but I really could have called! I am trying to be a more compassionate friend and relative now that my own discussions focus on health and my calendar is filled with appointments!

5. I wish I had known when I was younger, what I know now.  Life will be filled with bright sunshiny moments followed by sharp turns that knock you out of your seat. Life will be filled with happy days and many challenging days. Life is amazing but does not turn out the way you thought it would. 

6. I wish I had been less judgmental and more open to diverse viewpoints. Religion, politics, lifestyle choices, living arrangements. Now I know that the only value that matters is caring about others, even if they do not know of or care about you!

7. I wish I had known how much I would miss those who have gone from this earthly life. I wish I could take back those years of stress and name them what they really were: an opportunity to give care.

Hold on tight to those you love as the days are long and the years short.

I wish I had known we grow too soon old and too late smart!

#sol24 March11 Water, Water, Everywhere

 

I grew up under the influence of a Rachel Carson embracing civil engineer who found his niche in protecting our water supply.  Water was not something we took for granted. We knew those man made "lakes" in upstate NY made NYC possible!  

We learned early to turn off the water while we were brushing and to take environmentally responsible showers. We heard tales of a bathing just once a week and learned to take only the amount of water we would drink!  We knew early on that watering your lawn would prevent the grass from developing the deeper roots it needed!

It seemed that every year we were in some sort of drought emergency and water was being rationed. It seemed like brown, burnt lawns and dirty cars were just a way of life.

As I listened to the rain and the bone chilling winds the other night, I was pretty sure my basement would once again take on water.  It did.  Something about the water table being too high, they say.  Mop and bleach again, I say.

I still take short showers and only use water to rinse my teeth, but I sure wish my dad was around to see how much water we have now!  

this picture was from earlier this winter, but the scene was the same

waterfront property, again

#sol24 March 10 Years Younger

 

I wore glasses most of my life; although, I did wear contact lenses for a few years. To be honest, my image of myself is with glasses and I reach for them even when I awake in the middle of the night and when I look at myself in the mirror. 

Yet, all of a sudden, thanks to the miracle of cataract surgery in just one eye, I no longer need glasses to drive or walk through life!

To be honest, I have been concerned that I look much older without my glasses that I thought hid my wrinkles. I have been concerned I look much older without mascara (which I must give up for a few while). To be honest, I have been missing my glasses and my old life, until today.

"You look 10 years younger," she began, "with your bright eyes dancing free of your glasses."\

"Are your serious?" I asked, as I felt old, naked and exposed in this new format of me.

"Oh yes, she added," you look great without glasses!

In my desire to be honest, I will likely be wearing glasses again to work on computers, to see up close, and to circumvent parts of my world.  

Yet, today, a friend made my day!  

Too bad that she too needs her eyes fixed!

SOL24 Marc 9 Aqua High School

 

I've been out of the pool for the last week as my eye has been healing from surgery.  I miss my friends and the exercise,  But, today, I saw an ardent aquacise enthusiast. 

"I have to tell you this story," she said smiling with an urgency I had never seen before. "SO, I was at aquacise and this newer person to the class was in my usual space," she began, "and so I moved to a spot behind her.  Then one of the regulars came in and told her she was in their spot. Moments later, they were splashing and attacking each other with pool noodles. It was a splash fest for sure. I decided to be the adult and moved between them stopping their fight and getting my hair wet. What a day!

"I muss aquacise so much," I smiled. 

As we  went our separate ways, we simultaneously responded, "It's like high school all over again!"

#sol24 March 8 Family Games: Oh My

Long ago, when I was growing up, we played lots of card and board games. In those days, there were no soccer or lacrosse practices to fill our evenings and weekends. Sometimes we played with parents, but often Scrabble, Monopoly Cribbage and Canasta marathons took place with siblings and friends.

As my own children were growing up, there were some, but fewer card and board games. Those bed time extender games of Candyland and Crazy 8 are memories that make me smile; but, the options to watch a movie or to play sports sucked up lots of those potential game playing hours.

So, looking ahead to the pending Easter holiday where I will not be gifting my grands candy, I've been exploring newer card and board games that I could gift wrap in big yellow bows. Most of my grands are approaching peak game playing (in my opinion) age in an era where endless video options are a click away.  It has been an interesting and frustrating search 

I have not, yet, ordered anything!  

(these are real games)

Perhaps, I will go back to the "older games!"

#sol24 March 7 I Can't Read

 I was pretty nervous and frankly looking forward to the one who would be administering just a wee bit of that happy juice.

 "What is your part time job?" he asked looking at my chart where I had shared that I do a lot of personal as well as professional reading for my part time job. 

"I work with beginning teachers sharing strategies to support struggling readers and writers," I smiled confident he was just making small talk and could care less about what I "did" when I wasn't dressed in a shapeless gown

He was quiet for a moment before sighing deeply and sharing softly, "I'm 73 years old and I have had a successful career. I went to Ivy League colleges, and these days I also work part time, but I really can't read." Then he looked me in the eye asking sincerely, "Do you think it is too late for me?"

"What do you mean?" I asked thinking about what a "non reader" might do in med school.

"I read very slowly, syllable by syllable. It takes me double or triple the time it takes others. I've tried a few programs like Evelyn Woods, but I still read slowly."

I shared a few strategies to support fluency, but if I am honest, my mind was thinking about the burden of this now shared "secret" and the energy it took to complete his education. I wondered if teachers planted a seed of reading incompetence? I wondered if an overreliance on fluency as a measure of reading was the root of his issues? I thought about those readers I have known whose comprehension far exceeded their fluency. I thought about how he should be a model of perseverance for struggling readers everywhere. 

I haven't stopped thinking of him.

#sol24 March6 Inside, Again

I have spent a big chunk of my life inside elementary schools. I  was "that" teacher who created lessons to address diverse needs and IEPs based on data. I did the required bus, lunch, and class coverage duties with a smile and while I did not enjoy rainy mornings, I loved the chance to see students in diverse settings. I served on committees and volunteered to work on school based projects. Even in "retirement" I am lucky to support teachers to be all they can be, but from afar.

Rarely, these days, I find an invitation to be inside a school again, but when I do, my heart swells three sizes (like the Grinch) and I am invigorated by the energy of learning and growing students. Over the last few years, I have been a reader in a preschool class, a part of writing celebrations, an observer of sporting events, and a consumer of orchestra concerts. Now, I can add science fair visitor to my list of accomplishments.

While I must admit I do not like the politics that infiltrate school buildings and districts, I am very lucky to have spent so many hours inside of schools. Today I felt that quiet energy that emanates from teachers, learners, musicians, and athletes doing the work if learning and growing that happens inside schools.  It really felt good to be back inside.

I am sharing a picture of a science fair, nestled temporarily inside a school gym, waiting for the energy of students and teachers. 

SOL24 March 5 For the First Time

 

I remember the day each of us eager kindergarten students went eagerly down the hall and were screened for hearing and vision concerns.  It felt like an honor to be chosen to show off what we could do,  I thought I knew all the letters and clearly I didn't realize it at the time, but I failed both tests.

I went to the ENT and had surgery not long after.  I also went to the eye doctor, soon after, and got my first glasses thanks to that mandatory screening. While I did wear contact lenses for a portion of my adult life, my glasses have always been part of who I am. Until today.

"It's 20/20 for distance, perfect," she said in a way that suggested she expected that results, "throw those glasses away.  By the way, you are also are approved for night driving but, your close up vison will need support. To be honest, I suspect you will just need reading glasses."

"But I NEED  my glasses," I exclaim

"Often long time glasses wearers, like you, feel like they need gkasses so they wear bifocals with clear lenses on top, because wearing glasses is what feels better. Ultimately, it's your choice," she smiled, "and I suggest you wait a few weeks to make your decision. I promise you are going to adjust to perfect vision."  

It felt weird and strange, but I drove home without glasses, for the first time ever.

#sol24 March 4 After Winter

Day 4 of the Two Writing Teachers SOL Challenge

The sun was bright, temps climbing,

After 22 hours of cold, dreary rain,

Donned a hat, found the sunglasses,

After a day of cold, dreary rain,

Headed outside

After a day with Netflix.

It appeared everyone felt the same,

After the day of darkness,

Walking through the late winter park

After days stuck inside.

They were nestled near the brook

A clear sign of spring & hope,

After a long gray season.