January 8 Protests

It's been a long time, but the image of National Guards firing on students at Kent State is still seared on my brain. It is a message of the danger of escalating emotions when the "topic" is emotionally charged. Violence and death have sadly been part of protests many times in the past 55 years, including 5 years ago at the Capital and yesterday in Minneapolis. 

Protest is one of the hallmarks of American freedom and one of the ways we make our collective voices heard. Violence and deadly shooting have no place in the demonstration of our collective voices. 

Search Results

Search Results

Search Results

January 7 Investments

 

This year, it was pricey to bring home a tree for the two week holiday window.  I know costs have gone up and so I swallowed hard, dismissed falling needles and invested in the shortest tree I have ever had! "I love a real tree," I pondered hoping the magical scent was worth the cost and the mess!  

I knew some towns collect trees after the holidays and turn them into mulch; however, I now know that goats love and actually need our old pine trees! The needles are nutritious and an antioxidant rich snack! Our old pine trees even act like a natural dewormer!

So if you are local, bring your pricy old tree to Rockland Community Farm Network where some friendly goats including my favorite, Baby Mocha, will put your investment, and mine, to good use!

SOL26 January6 HOPE

 

I am writing with The Two Writing Teachers today where many are sharing OLW (One Little Words) for this new year.  I have been thinking.....

In many ways, I am one of the "lucky ones."  I have reached a stage of life where I can embark on adventures, embrace new interests, and enjoy a well earned semi-retired status. I have friends and family who encourage me to exercise, interact, and enjoy life. Yet, as this new year begins, I feel anxious, worried, and adrift.

I have friends and loved ones fighting formidable foes and there is little I can do to support their battles. I live in a town where food insecurity is happening on every street. I watch profound confusion about the "best way" to assure all students become readers in spite of generations of research that prove without a doubt that students need strategies (phonemic awareness and phonics) as well as background (vocabulary and comprehension) and opportunities for meaningful practice in books they enjoy (fluency).  I live in a country that has forgotten that 5 years ago a mob attacked our Capital and normalized bombing and invading. I live in a world where it has become "normal" to marginalize all of us who look, act or think different from those who are "in power."

I am sad and afraid; however, I remember the message from Pandora's box. While sickness, greed, and suffering are part of humanity, it is only in HOPE that we might find the resilience to endure and persist against evil. 

For now, I am going to hold onto HOPE because otherwise, I am not sure I can face a new year with a smile!

January4 The Sun Came Out

For some, the New Year is a time for resolutions; for others, it is a time for reflection and focus.

It was not lost on me when the sun came out strong and bright on the first day of this new year in spite of powerful winds and snow. Light is a sign of hope throughout the year and in those early hours of the new year, the warmth of the sun lightened my shoveling load. I wondered if light might be my OLW (one little word)? 

Yet, the sky was heavy as I processed the sad news of a young life lost to cancer. I could only hope and pray her family might find a way to temper the horrific loss.  I wondered if there was even a word that would light the way out of such grief?

There did not seem to be much light at all as I read about an early morning invasion of another country and the capture of its leader by my own country. I listened and tried to understand, but words like imperialism kept popping into my head. I can only hope that there is a plan going forward to move towards a world of empowered, self-governed people.

For now, I'm holding onto the hope fostered by that bright first day of this year. I hope that cancer research and treatments may offer hope to all who suffer.  I hope leaders and decision makers on the local, national, and international level may begin to think about the impact of their actions on others. I hope that I can remain hopeful even on the days when the sun does not seem to come out. I hope it will be easier to be hopeful in the remaining 361 days of 2026.

SOL25 December 30 I Wish

It's the last Slice of Life in 2025. I could write a deeply reflective post about learning and growing this year; however, this is a slice capturing the magic of a winter storm, perfect hills, and the right kind of snow.

I wish I was brave enough to glide down one of those hills with a mega bump in the middle.  The kind of bump that sends you airborne for a moment or two and causes your lunch to lurch from your stomach. The kind of bump that forces you to soar above the saucer for a moment or two and land with six times your weight on your tailbone.The kind of fast ride that forces you to scream to your friend as you celebrate ages old winter entertainment. The kind of exhilarating trip down the mountain that you can't wait to do it again, so you trudge up the very long icy hill, risking your life and limbs as you dodge those flying down. 

Clearly, it would be amazing to do it one more time like that gaggle of kiddos who are savoring their first big snowfall coinciding with winter break! 

I am thinking there is some reason moms and dad watch, grandparents stand safely to the side; however, with some extra padding and a front team clearing the way, I might fly over the snow, enjoying the miracle of sledding one more time? Perhaps a short ride on just part of the hill? 

December 28 This Week***

This week wedged between Christmas 

And New Years is fragile.

It's days are dark even if the lights are bright.

It's quiet after the frenetic preparation

Even if there is shopping, errands.

It's the week we lost my special niece,

My precious sister-in-law, my adored Aunt,

Four beloved mothers of loved ones. 

The darkest of days seemingly incongruous 

After a holiday celebrating light.

It's the week we had a grand celebration

In Bethlehem where we gathered

For a celebration of family.

We could not have known the great sadness

Yet the greatest of joys that would follow.

It's also a birthday celebration for a loved one

Who gives generously of time and love

Always making this world a better place.

It's endings, beginnings

Time to stop, to reflect, 

To remember what matters,

To embrace the day.

SOL25 December 23 Why?

 

Why do I need to clean, mop

When no one is coming?

Why did I buy each of my grands

Matching pjs when I never

Did that for their parents?

Why did I agree to teach the last

Aqua-cize class when

Eating has eclipsed exercise? 

Why do I still have

Unwrapped gifts,

Unbaked cookies?

It's all part of holiday

Magic, that comes whether or not

You clean wrap, or work t

To the last minute!

December 22 Ethical ELA I Am From***

This morning, Ethical ELA asks us to consider the I Am From poetry format. I have struggled with this format that is, for me, a powerful reminder of the change that is inevitable in family-based celebrations as well as the people who are no longer with us.   

I am from 

A trailer-home, 

One present appearing 

After Christmas Eve services

Starched dresses, 

Happy Birthday, Mom,

Your gift, with a pink bow,

Before carols in harmony.

I am also from

Calendars that become towels

Crocheted mittens, 

Knitted doll clothes,

Patent leather shoes

Slicked with petroleum jelly

Carols, in harmony, around the piano.

I married into

Vats of soupe de pesce,

Platters of cookies,

Dishes till dawn,

A plethora of people singing

All the carols while littles

Waited desperately for 

Piles of presents, 

Wrapping paper for miles,

On Christmas Eve,

I am now

Filled with memories,

Back to Christmas Eve services

Alone, but not lonely.

Holding ornaments, moments

In my heart, silently.

Watching my own children

Creating for their littles,

Their Own I Am From Memories

December 21 Ethical ELA Holidays and Love are Messy

This morning's Ethical ELA asked us to write haikus (5-7-5 syllable poems). I came downstairs and put the lights on my newly decorated tree and noticed the needles still waiting the vacuum. If you look carefully, you will also see half the lights on my tree do not work. Fortunately, there are too many decorations and all that led to my poem about holidays, which in my opinion, are not about perfection.

Nude gingerbread rest
Beside a tiny, stuffed tree 
Memories, treasures.

Flour mimics snow

While shepherds appreciate

Battery bright trees.

While flour, sugar, 
Mix in a rusty relic,

Can we decorate?

Hot tea, warm cookies

I sit amongst the needles,

The love, mess, linger.

I am full of peace,

Reminded that holidays 

And love, are messy. 

DECEMBER20 Ethical ELA: Seize the Moment***

This morning, Ethical ELA asks us to write a poem based on a historic photograph, an ekphrastic poem. I started with some wonderful old photos, but while I was lap swimming, I started thinking about an old, if not historic photo of a snow-bunny!

Sometimes, somewhere

Frosty comes on cold

December mornings

When mittens are new and

Hot chocolate is waiting

Near brightly lit trees

Like in the books, movies.

Other times, most years,

The snow will come in April

Mismatched mittens in hiding,

Spring on calendars

Easter Bunnies, tulips

On our minds.

Remember to seize the moments

All of them, even if incongruent 

With your plans, Pinterest,

Take the time 

Make the Snow Bunny

Your story.