SOL26" March 10: Coxa Saltans

This month I am participating in the Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life Challenge. I started with a ten things post, but then realized this required a different format!  Here is a backwards or Before That slice of life! You might want to just save time and start from the bottom. 

Take a Tylenol, have a hot shower and go easy for a week or so. 

Snapping hip syndrome sounds horrible but it's harmless, probably due to tight muscles. 

"I'm almost positive it's coxa saltans.

It was visit your personal trainer day, so I told her my tail of woe. She listened and smiled.

The pain shot through my loin like a fire cracker, but was gone as fast as it came and I continued my routine, favoring the injured hip. 

That is when I heard what seemed to be my hip popping right out of its socket sending my into panic.

I was feeling pretty smug about my teaching (never feel smug about your teaching) when I might have implored my waterlogged students to kick a little higher from my land perch.  

From the very beginning, there was lots of singing.  When Gladys Night and the Pips started belting out  Heard it on the Grapevine, they went wild.  For some reason, the music got louder as the Isley Brothers bellowed Shout and there were hands waving in the air.

The traffic was lighter than normal and the microphone was working, both small miracles. I was ready to go with 5 minutes to spare. I even remembered my water bottle.

I woke up in the dark, before the first alarm?  I assume I was excited and will be exhausted later.

I headed to bed with a smile on  my face and triple set my alarm because "time change" sleepiness is real in those early days of "springing ahead." 

I was pleasantly pleased when it worked! (Thanks Epson for the unnecessary scare!)

The printer said, "very low on ink," but I held my breath and hit print anyway, hoping it would have a few more sheets of ink left. 

It was after 11pm (after 9pm old time) when pleased with my "lesson plan" and excited about my music selection, I hit "send."  

Taking some cues form a Friday night songfest, I did an AI search for "Motown oldies 120-128 bpm" and had more songs than I needed for the early morning class. 

I was already tired when I agreed to teach The Guru's Monday morning, Aquacise class; however, she sounded sick so I got to work.  It was 9pm (or 8pm old time). 

SOL26: March 9: A Cloudy Slice

 I am writing with the Two Writing Teachers Slice Of Live group this month. As I drove home in the thick fog, I did think, "This is a slice-able moment," and then....

I stepped over the pile of

Filthy snow

Slowly and cautiously.

It wasn't that late, yet darkness
Enveloped my car making it almost

Invisible with a mist,

Cloaking  the windshield; so

I pulled away from the curb

Slowly, cautiously.

The cloud enveloping me was 

Immune to wipers, washers,

Forcing me to open my eyes, 

Open the windows, listen,

Watching for others, moving 

Slowly, cautiously. 

Blankets created almost white out 

Conditions where cars moved

Slowly, cautiously,

I admit to smiling while thinking,

"This is going to be a slice," then,

Realizing my exit had come and gone

In spite of moving

Slowly and cautiously.

SOL26: March 8: After the Show

This month, I am writing with the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Community. 

I went to see one of those groups that perform at State Fairs during the summer and YMCAs during the winter. The Great American Soul Book exceeded my expectations with singing, dancing and laughter. Remember those songs they now play at 8th grade dances like Shout, Heat Wave? 

As I nestled into bed, I was thinking about the performers (thanks Melanie) who likely worked all week and needed a Netflix night more than a show. Yet, they were shaking, sweating, changing sequin outfits as if it was their mission. 

This is what I think they might have said after the show.

"I don't care how long they clap, there is nothing left in my tank. We're good. It's been a long week," the lead singer said shaking her head, hands and kicking off her shoes.

"Get changed quick and don't forget your shoes again. I want to be on the road in 20 minutes. We've got over two hours home," the electric guitarist implored as he shoved wires into boxes.

"These sequins are all over the place but the spandex is glued to me," one of the pretend Supremes said simultaneously ripping off her wig.

"They almost got a real show when my top started to slip. I gotta fix," the other Supreme-like moaned as she shoved all her glittery outfits into a bag.

"Do you ever watch American Idol and wonder how far you would have made it?" the trumpeter asked the drummer who was sweating more now than during the show.

"Do you ever wonder what will happen to those souls who get sent home?  Some of them are really good!" the keyboardist joined in the discussion as the stage was cleared before the crowd, remembering proms, savoring friendship, and holding onto their long-ago youth slowly headed home, just like in 8th grade. 

SOL26: March 7: Hold On

 I was recovering from Theo of Golden and too exhausted to start a new book when Netflix offered The Wedding Singer, nearly 30 years old, new to me. I can fall hard for a sappy love story in this chapter of being alone, and I "hung onto" the words as reminders to hold onto those you love. My Nonet has the chorus at its heart. 

Real
Tears found

A way out

As the words struck

A hard-to-hear chord

Reminder: hold tight

Wanna make you smile when sad 

Will carry you around when your 

Arthritis is bad, I wanna grow 

Old with you, he crooned, a promise

We all intend to honor 

As we start uncharted 

Paths, full of hopes, dreams, 

Working, living,

Together

Till we're

Old

SOL26: Day6: That Sweater

This month, I am linking with Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life group sharing bits and pieces of life. A few days ago, Julie shared about an old jacket that stirred memories, and while I was putting away a sweater purchased many years ago, the memories came flooding back to me.  Julie's post 

Why we went there?

On a rainy spring afternoon,

Six months after the accident 

Altering the direction of their lives.

After a long ride, plenty of laughs, some tears,

We found the last stop for J Crew clothing,

Odd sizes, strange designs, bizarre colors,

Some uglier than you can imagine.

Under flickering flourescents,

Nestled in a sea of pants, coats

We found this a sweater that 

Looked like grandma had pieced by hand.

She went from  high school to college, 

Spent years earning a doctorate until

Stretched like the famous Mitten

She retired to my closet.

Threadbare and blessed with holes,

She waits for days when 

I need a hug, or to

Savor the memories.

SOL26: March5: You Deserve Flowers

 This month, I am writing with the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life community. Today's slice is a Before That Poem about dreaded appointments. I tried several forms before I settled on this one!  

"Onto the next appointment," I sighed wondering if my luck would hold, while holding my tulips tightly in the bag where I keep my notebook, hopes and dreams.

"You deserve flowers," I thought as I skipped out of the building grabbing some yellow tulips near the door.

"I looked over all the lab reports and data from the last year. I have to say you are stable,!" she smiled before she added a few ifs, ands and buts about returning....

"My blood pressure is going to be through the roof," I thought as I waited for what seemed to be an eternity but really was just the status quo for doctors' offices. 

"Show me the way," I told Google Maps and headed to the appointment, thinking about every possible excuse I could and dreading the imminent scolding.

"I'm thinking spring," I thought as I donned a light weight top, even though it was snowing last night, hoping the cheerful colors would brighten my mood!

"I'll take that appointment," I said very reluctantly to the person inquiring when I was going to come back to see this doctor, as I was overdue.

"I hope time will help," I steamed as I exited the glass monolith, not agreeing with her, in my opinion, aggressive, plan. 

"I don't see any way around it," the doctor said shaking her head. "You are going to have to have to at some point, but take a few weeks to think it over!" 

SOL26: March 4: I'll Need Gas

This month, I am writing with the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life community every day. Yesterday, I decided to stop for gas even though I did not "need" it. If you live in California, please skip this post about gas prices you would consider to be bargain!

I've driven cars with a focus on gas-mileage since the Arab-Oil-Embargo when most of you were not even born. Compact, sub-compact, standard-transmission, and even diesel cars have been parts of my personal fleet over the years even when prices were less of a consideration. "It's best for the environment," I believe.

Yesterday, I drove by my usual station in gas-friendly-New Jersey and decided against stopping as I was still half full. But I did note the (still) user friendly $3.09 price.  This morning, as I raced to an early morning class, I noticed more-than-the-usual-number of cars at the station. I also noticed the price had risen to $3.29.  

The snow and hail were demanding my attention on the way home, and I blinked to make sure I was reading the sign correctly, but yes, the price was even higher, $3.41. I stopped because, let's face it, I would need gas before prices came down. 

I can only imagine the impact on petrol prices in California, Sicily, Iceland where even these higher NJ prices would be considered bargains???

SOL26: March 3: Jolt of Joe

During March, I write daily with the Two Writing Teacher Slice of Life group sharing bits and pieces of my life. Sometimes, the "slices" are really "sips."

I stopped going to Dunkin regularly a while ago; however, every once in a while, after a fitful night or after an intense workout, my car finds its way into the lot seeking a Jolt of Joe.  Yesterday was one of those days and the fact that I found 4 singles in an old purse headed to the trash seemed to justify my actions. 

There was a customer in front of me pawing through her purse. I assumed she was in search of a means to pay for her coffee but there was a panic in her movements suggesting something more was at stake. I must admit I felt a bit of annoyance in the moment before my Lenten promise to do "acts of kindness" stopped that annoyed sigh in its tracks.

"I've got it," I said to the cashier putting my found-cash on the counter.  "We've all forgotten our wallets," I chuckled to take away the tension. She nodded her gratitude as I ordered my own cup, this time whipping out the Visa card. 

She was still standing there as I prepared to leave, so I queried if she was ok. That created a watershed moment where the tears rolled and I suggested we sit down in in one of those comfy plastic chairs designed to be easily disinfected. She was quiet for a minute and then whispered, "He called to tell me he was being deployed. I'm a mess." 

The headlines flashed through my mind as I reached across the table, mom-to-mom. There were no words needed. There was nothing I could do to make the situation easier. However, I am sure we both needed a Jolt of Joe, at that moment, in order to get through that moment.

SOL26: March 2: Piles of Crocs

I am writing as part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge to write every day in March.  Here is a slice of my day, yesterday.  

I started the afternoon in a large, windowless gymnasium where guests and grandparents were sent to await the "big event" that was, of course, running behind schedule. 

There were lots of boys clad in competition swimsuits and team-logo caps tossing every kind of ball imaginable along the floor and in the air. Those who could not find a ball, tossed balled up socks, bags of chips or their Crocs! The sounds of excited eight year-olds playing air and floor hockey, volley and basketball, as well as boy-in-the-middle echoed off the walls. Some of the rowdiest took to frenetic games of jumping over swim bags or piles of Crocs! The noise was deafening; yet, the boys and those parents assigned to protect them from serious injury seemed as if the scenario was a normal part of a swim meet delay. 

To be honest, to me it seemed like an absolute worst case, after a month-long indoor recess scene from a teacher nightmare! Then, in an instant, they were silent and bouncing down the stairs to their destination where all that energy was put to good use!  They smiled and talked softly to each other as they waited patiently for their turn to jump into the pool, and swim back and forth with all their might! I even overhead that at least some of them were tired after they located their Crocs and headed home.

SOL26: March 1: I'm Excited

Today is the first day of Two Writing Teacher's Slice of Life Challenge. During the month of March, I'll be focusing my writing on bits and pieces of life. This first slice is about me.

I'm excited to be "slicing" again, year fifteen,

To "meet" new slicers and reconnect with "friends,"

I'm ready for the reminder that we are all inspired

To write more with comments from our readers.

I'm anxious to exercise my writing muscle and become inspired

To work on unfinished, masterpieces littering cyberspace.

I'm concerned about the state of our country and the world, holding on

To a belief that both our environment and the "good guys" will prevail.

I'm an avid consumer of paper, kindle, kid, books, news, dreams, I hope

To make this world a slightly better place for all those I meet.

I'm thankful for my busy agenda with students, meets, museums,  

To be teach, share, catch Broadway shows.

I'm grateful to be living this chapter with lots of coffee, aquacise, music,

To have the honor of watching my grands grow, explore their world,

I'm living my best life with lots of bruises, some apprehension, gratified

To have faith, hope, and people I love.