#sol24 March 2 An Act of Love

Day 2 of the Two Writing Teacher Slice of Life Challenge

"Do you know Matilda?" she asked confident I would have no idea about the Roald Dahl classic.

"Matilda had just been published when I read it to your Mom," I said reflecting on that week, long ago, when Mono ravaged her Mom's body and I struggled to keep her Mom awake!  My mind wandered to a memory of that read-aloud. 

The little one continued talking about Matilda while my mind wandered to a long-ago after recess read aloud of Where the Caged Bird Sings in Ms. Huber's class. I caught glimpses of that read-aloud as I pushed into sixth grade for reading support; I had to borrow the book as I was as mesmerized as her students. '

I thought of that (last) read-aloud to my Dad, her great-grandfather, who was too weak to hold the newspaper (New York Times, Maureen Dowd). Then, as minds sometimes do, I thought about that last read-aloud to my brother, her great Uncle, who we knew would be gone before my article would be published (Including Matthew: Assessment Guided Instruction).

Those bittersweet read aloud memories were joined by a recent glimpse of a much loved newborn and her grandmother sharing a Madeline.  I could imagine the power of that read-aloud to plant seeds of love that will intermingle with roots from long ago, "...lived twelve little girls, in two straight lines..."

 

I thought about Kate DiCamillo who said something about reading aloud being an act of love.

“Reading aloud ushers us into a third place, a safe room, it’s a room where everyone involved, reader and the listener, can put down their defenses and lower their guard."

#sol23 Learning to Sign Up

There was the obligatory plastic-egg hunt

Followed by the expected separating and sorting.

There was the obligatory deviled eggs

Along with the expected shrimp and antipasto.

Then, there was an unexpected activity

Created by creative emerging writers

Partnering young cousins with adults

Who "sighned up" 

Not in scrip" please

For an adult egg hunt.

That sign up is special in

Learning to be writers ways.

The memories are special in

Post pandemic ways.

 

SOL17 Some assembly required?

I spent a good amount of time attempting to assemble a "toy car" that says, "Some assembly required!"

After 38 years on the market , there must have been TENS of THOUSANDS of these peddle-less cars assembled across this country! I am positive that exhausted parents as well as individuals who can barely read have assembled these. I am certain that some families have assembled more than one! I have an advanced degree in literacy and have assembled IKEA bookcases, a gas grill, and a picnic table!  "I can do this," I thought as I opened the box.

But, it's still wheel-less at one week  I am trying to persist; however, at this juncture, it is STILL not drive-able!

So, it was with trepidation, I opened the other Little Tykes box to find out how bad the other gift, for the other two-year-old was going to be! According to Amazon, it is a NUMBER 1 BEST SELLER!   I assembled it in minutes!  I was so excited.....

But I noticed something interesting as the two sat side by side.  The Cozy Coupe, hard as it is to put together, appears to be made to last a lot longer than the basketball hoop....that I suspect will likely have a life-cycle measured in months!

Of course, like so many life experiences, there may be a message gleaned from all this time with Little Tyke plastic: Things might be a little sturdier, a little more valued, and perhaps more stable if they are a little harder to achieve.  Or, perhaps I am just reading too much into this "some assembly required " Cozy Coupe challenge me during this once-in-a-lifetime-season of toddler birthdays!

Ready to take on this world

I missed this week's 

Slice of Life

Because of him,

But that is OK with me.

He already nuzzles into my shoulder

As if it were an old favorite.

He already gazes into my eyes

As if we were old buddies.

I gaze at him and wonder,

How can I love him 

As much as I love his sister?
As much as I love 

His cousins?

Is he an old soul?

Yet, brand-new, 

Fresh from the oven

Ready to take on this world.

He's still so tiny,

Yet, he's melted my heart,

Rocked my world,

Filled my soul

With scent-of-miracle.

I wonder, as I hold

My miraculous grandchild,

If my Grandmothers felt this way

As they held their

Children's children?

Were they too

Filled with happy tears

As they nuzzled, long ago, 

Each of us?

Then, I smile

As I nuzzle, because

I already know the answer.

Your heart grows 

As they emerge

Ready to take on this world.

SOL#2015 Good Luck: You're Gonna Need It!

Last February, overwhelmed with awareness that our days are limited and determined to find joy in our days, we decided to go on a grand adventure!  We made reservations, promised to remember, and looked ahead.

This February, overwhelmed with endless snow and care-giving, fully aware of bad knees, crackling backs, aging bodies, and ebbing energy, we could have reconsidered this plan and headed to a pampering spa, instead. Yet, the pull of this grand adventure was stronger than the many reasons to not go.

Those "two little words" reverberated in my head as I got new hiking boots.  I went with beautiful blue ones, rather than sturdy leather ones.  These new books will likely not last a lifetime, but I will likely not be headed on this adventure again.  So, "Why not," I thought.  I went with a bright red day pack rather than use my old gray one thinking, "Why not?"  When I had all but given up hope on the care-giving front, some divine intervention must have taken place and a new care-giver arrived on the scene ready and able to provide mid-week support. "Why not?" I said to myself once again. Even as another ominous storm appears to roll up the coast threatening our flight, there were forecasters assuring us that it would be only 1-3.  So, "Why not?" I said to myself once again

So, when SOL posts pop Tuesday morning, I will be off on a grand adventure. I have those new boots, poles and even a head lamp (my partner in crime says I will need this) packed.  We have water bladders (? seriously), waterproof jackets, ice packs, and knee braces. We'll also pack a few books, because after all we are "Reading Teachers" and that is what we do when we are on "vacation." We're as ready as we will ever be for this grand adventure.  Why not?

It helps to be a bit philosophical about this crazy, grand adventure. "People older than us have done this! How bad can it be?"  "Life is filled with challenges and adventures, the grand and wondrous ones are the most scary and yet the most worthwhile."

As we prepared for this school-break, there was discussion of plans.  Usually I talk about cleaning closets and crafting.  Usually I sigh as I listen to talk of warm destinations and skiing adventures. This year I had plans that were a bit out of the ordinary and so we took a virtual hike!

One young student patted me on the shoulder as he left (probably for a week at Disney) saying, "Good Luck," and then adding, sincerely, with a smile, "you're gonna need it."  I smiled appreciating his concern but thinking to myself, "You have to take some risks along the trail of life if you want to live life to its full potential. Why not hike the Grand Canyon this week?"

PS If I can find the guts to carefully take out my camera along the trail, I'll take some pictures to prove that we make it.  If not, you'll just have to "trust" my stories just like I'm trusting that I'm gonna be fine!  

@celebratelu Forces That Keep Me Balanced

Last week, I never got around to posting. I was busy, stressed, consumed with elder care and trying, hoping and praying that the storm bearing down on us would be easier (on them) than the week before, yet, I thought of how I really had a celebrate post in my crazy life experience! This week, even though there is another storm bearing down on us, things are brighter and a wee bit easier.
So this week , I want to CELEBRATE some of the "forces, inspirations, and caregivers" that make me smile, even when I feel differently, and keep me balanced over the rocky terrain.

• Family and Friends all of FB and Twitter

I joined FB and Twitter, initially, at the urging of family and friends and yet I could never have imagined the power of an image of a great game, a pile of snow, or of a pup napping on a cold dark, dreary morning.  Keep them coming!

• Humans of New York  https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork

I am not sure when these links started showing up on my FB page, but there are stories of teachers, people, leaders and humans that are changing the world one action at a time every day.  It's a reminder that everything we say and do matters.  It's a reminder, to me, to look beyond myself.  

• StoryPeople by Brian Andreas https://www.facebook.com/storypeoplebybrianandreas

I am sure where my links to Story People began (thanks Sandi) and since I love a catchy line, a powerful image created by words, and a good short story, I am grateful for these images and ideas that filter in through FB to make my think and smile.

• Home Health Care Providers like Senior Helpers

At times in our lives, we need a little help.  Asking, accepting, and acknowledging the need are all challenging and I don't think I will be a roll model of what to do when I am lucky enough to get to that stage of life; however, like tests and taxes, aging is part of life!  I am VERY grateful for a new caregiver who has joined my circle of support.  She listens, cleans, cooks, and is there for my mother now.  Everyone is happier and I get to be a daughter, again! 

•  Ruth Ayers http://www.ruthayreswrites.com/ and Two Writing Teachers https://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/

I am very grateful for these writing forums that "give me permission" to take a few minutes and write because even though it took me a long time to practice what I preach, writing really is our link to reading, thinking and comprehension (of our always complex lives filled with many intersecting identities).

#sliceoflife2015 Why Not?

It's late in the day and I've been thinking of the many slices of my life I COULD write about since 4:45 AM (16 hours ago).  I could write about sliding down the steep slope we call a driveway and vowing to move BEFORE next winter or I could write about the slow, accident plagued trip to work (AGAIN) today.  It's been a tough stretch weather and commuting wise!

I could write about my wedding anniversary (today) or about the fact that while we are both grateful to NOT eat CYO hotdogs this year (we did that for about 5 years straight long ago), there were no flowers, no jewels and not even a card.  I did, however, restring some pearls that I hope to pick up soon and there was a wonderful hot meal of sautéed salmon and fresh green beans along with a smiling face to greet me when I finally got home, late.  

I could write about my insane schedule at work or the student who smiled, finally, today as we did a second grade style retrospective miscue analysis (second grade style).   "I did really good," he assured ME long before I could assure him! (I  think APPR would call that highly effective!)

Instead, I am going to share my Two Little Words that have been lurking for a while in my psyche.  I am NOT abandoning JOY as it has served me well.  I'm keeping that in my "backpack" and building on it rather than discarding it.  This year, I hope to find greater balance in the many intersecting identities of my life and to more effectively balance faith, friends, and family.  Rather than chose balance as my one little word (OLW) I am taking my TWT friend Terje's perspective (she chose WHAT IF?) and going with a phrase that is really a question, WHY NOT?

My life has been busy and full but not always balanced.  In order to help me find the balance between work, chores, responsibilities, and personal time, I will use the phrase WHY NOT?  For example, WHY NOT hike the Grand Canyon?  My knee is not likely to get better!  WHY NOT go out to celebrate a friend's birthday?  You could do that paperwork tomorrow!  Why not go to a movie?  You will never catch up on laundry anyway!  WHY NOT blog tonight? WHY NOT have a little fun?  Life is short and our days are fraught with challenges.  WHY NOT make the choice to smile and to find the JOY in each day? 

Life is Like a Dagwood Sandwich!

Sometimes, life is like a Dagwood Bumstead sandwich!  Lately, that's the way it has been around these parts.  Our days, evenings, minds and hearts have been filled to the brim contributing to a life that has many delicious, wonderful, busy layers!  It's been frenetic and hectic, but filled with joy that I could not even have imagined when "they" picked a date figuring they would "save" on decorations (lol)!

The holiday season is always a busy and stressful time, and teachers, along with everyone else, packs as much as we can into those "days" off.  We start making those lists of must-dos, should-dos, want-to-dos, hope-to-dos, and need-to-cleans long before we get "out" of school. We start with piles of gifts to wrap and follow that with stacks of returns and bargains that "need to be" gotten. We schedule visits, play dates, game nights, skating, movies, puzzles, and then stay up way late into the night, knowing that the alarm will not ring, working on that stack of books we want to read!  This year, we "sandwiched" a wedding between Christmas and New Year's Day!

In retrospect, focusing on the big picture, JOY, was the real gift this holiday. There was "environmentally friendly" wrapping paper (Amazon boxes), but there was no less JOY in giving. There was last minute altering of dresses, but there was great JOY in watching them swirl around the dance floor.  There was last minute tying of tags on pine cones, but there was intense JOY knowing that each one was tied with love. There was concern, worry and stress about what mother nature would send our way; yet, somehow she must have collaborated with the ghosts at the Hotel Bethlehem to provide us with the mildest weather imaginable!  She also collaborated with a host of guardian angles to assure the Feast of the Holy Family would be filled with the happiest celebration with the wildest dancing, sandwiched-between-the-holidays/ We were all reminded of what really matters in this life: finding joy, holding tight to family, embracing our faith, appreciating friends, and celebrating the miracle of love.  Like Dagwood has said for years, there is no JOY greater than a "full" plate. I'll take my plate filled with family, friends, faith, love, and JOY.

PS So glad I chose JOY as my OWL:)

#celebrately2014 It will come without packages, boxes or bags.

This week, I could feel the stress building in the kids as the immense potential for food, family, time and gifts associated with Hanukkah, Christmas and a looming two week vacation converged in their minds. 

I could feel it in the office and hallways as my colleagues bemoaned the need to file report cards, shop for gifts, clean homes, bake cookies, and prepare end of the year budgets converged into the reality of the date.

I could feel it in my grad students as they begged for one more day to finish an end of the semester looming assignment.

I could feel it in my family as the reality of shopping, packing, and preparing for a major-life event seemed to get closer and closer every hour.

I could feel it in my heart when I realized I needed to do a time-consuming alteration (because I had rushed even though I know better) and when I decided I was the only person in North America without a tree or decorations (just kidding, I know I am not and I know that I feel this feeling every year). 

So today, even though I should be cleaning, shopping, sewing, and decorating, I am taking a moment to write and reflect.  Today, I am celebrating what I know in my heart, the words Dr. Seuss so powerfully penned:

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” 

I am 100% sure that the Theodore's central message generalizes to Hanukkah, holiday events, unfinished craft projects, unfinished baking, and even weddings; however, we all need to remind ourselves of this (at 15 minute intervals) in the days ahead! 

#sol2014 The offering from Nordstrom

"I was in Nordstrom's picking up my dress and I saw this potential dress," I began cautiously knowing that even if the Fashionist sitting in the chair was a bit frail, she still had STRONG points of view about clothes! I purposely did not pull it out of the bag.  Instead, I waited for her response (knowing full well the potential of wait time to soften a response)!

"It has to be a good dress or I won't go.  I know just what I want.  I want long sleeves, all the way to here (points to wrist) but they cannot be tight.  They can't be all loosey-goosey either.  You know, with those sleeves like you have that make you look like you have thunder-thighs on you arms," she said confidently as if she had long ago decided my own propensity towards loose sleeves was a plan to make my arms look more flabby.

Meanwhile, my mind was racing.  How long WERE those sleeves? How loose were they?

"I am not shopping on that computer like you suggested either, so don't bother to go get it.  I want to see and feel and try things on to see what I look like," she added.  I haven't bought a dress in years!" she said sadly. "You got me that blue polka dotted dress for your father's funeral and I got rid of that a long time ago."

"I want a good-for-me neckline, not a low cut plunging one. I do not want to look like an ol' prude either.  I am not wearing pants or a pants-suit like Hillary Clinton!  I want a dress that is easy to put on without raising my arms above my head. I want a color that will make me look alive, but no red.  I'd really like it to be blue like this (pointing to a nearby blanket).   I'm not going to be able to wear heels, so the dress must cover my shoes, but it can't be dragging 'cause I don't want to trip on it. I'm not going looking like I'm old but I do not want to look like a lady of the evening either!" she said sternly.  "I really want to get out and look for dresses myself because, don't take this the wrong way, but you really are not a stylish dresser."

But," she added sadly, "I can't walk that far so I am not going to the mall. Where is this Nordstrom place of yours?"  

I listened to her requests, smiling to myself as I thought about the dress in the bag.  It was aqua blue, not sky blue, and I thought it might even be comfortable, but I wasn't sure I was even going to open the bag at this point.  Then, my mind raced to how I would hypothetically do a Google search for a dress with her requirements!   I suspect too many moments passed as my mind raced and I prepared, at least mentally, to exit with my potential offering.

"So, are you going to show it to me?"she asked.

I slowly pulled it in all its aqua loveliness from the bag.

"That is not going to work," she responded confidently. "Those sleeves, the top, they are all wrong."

I slowly returned the aqua Nordstrom offering to its bag,

"I'll try it on tomorrow," she said confidently, "when I am less tired."

"Ok," I said, surprised, but not surprised at the same time.  Meanwhile, my mind was wondering aabout how many trips to Nordstroms were in my immediate future?  

#celebratelu: I Celebrate Advent

Long ago, when my kids were young and the the hype-stress-frantic pace of the holiday season got out of hand, I put four candles on a plate and surrounded it with some greens from the shrubs in front of my house. It was not fancy, the candles were the wrong colors, but it worked magic, in my home, refocusing our energies on the season (such as fighting over whose turn it was to snuff out the candles) rather than on its "accouterments."  For some magical reason, it didn't matter that the house was not decorated (it wasn't, it's not) or that the presents weren't wrapped (or even purchased, not now either) or that the tree was not purchased or up (it wasn't, it's not) or that there were still papers to be graded (there were, there are), if the wreath was found (it was always found, but sometimes we started with a substitute wreath or candle).  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were busy days spent on the road and filled with family celebrations.  Usually, although not always, our tree was up by then and the presents were wrapped ready to go.  But in our little house, in the weeks leading up the the main event, our nuclear family prepared by lighting our mismatched candles of Advent whenever we were lucky enough to be together.   

Over time, there were some magnificent wreaths gracing our table, with three fresh purple and one pink candles (the way it is supposed to be).  To be real, most years, like this year, Advent sneaks up on me and I am filling in with whatever candles, in whatever colors, in whatever level of freshness happen to be in the house!  

Fortunately, I've realized that the colors, length and freshness of the candles as well as the "realness" of the greens really doesn't matter at all.  It it the opportunity to take a few minutes each day to say a prayer, make a wish (even when you don't see a shooting star) and to prepare my heart.

My perfectly good, even if totally imperfect (like me) wreath.

(This year, it's three old reddish brown candles,

and one faded, light green candle,

nestled in a recycled "faux" wreath!) 

#sol14 Let's go for a walk

"Put on your sneakers.  Let's go for a walk," he said hurriedly waving his hand towards the door as if I were a puppy awaiting his arrival and my walk.

"I'm almost done with this closet," I frowned surveying the piles of winter-ready wool still on the bed and the floor. If the weather turned cold, again, I wanted to have more than a cotton sweater to put atop a summer skirt!

"It's gorgeous outside," he assured me, "turning on his heel and looking pathetic, "but if you want to stay in and clean, I will go out and blow some leaves around."

The practical, organized and perfectionist side of me looked straight into the embrace-this-moment-of-life-that-you-can-never-get-back-a-sort-of-date, love-a-good-walk side of me and I joined him halfway down the driveway.  I suspect, after all these years, he knew that the desire to be organized and ready for the week ahead would give way to a crisp fall afternoon's potential.

We headed down to the "pond" and trudged through the piles of crunchy leaves, mostly in silence, looking at the newly fallen branches.  After all these years, we both knew, on some level, what we were looking for.

About halfway around the pond, the sun leaned into the horizon and cast an orange shadow that nearly ensconced the entire pond. It seemed to be saying, "I'm glad you came to stopped by to visit in these hours before hunting season begins in earnest in the morning."  This time, quietly acknowledging the darkness that takes over in minutes this time of year, we decided to head home.

"I was remembering," I began.

"That time when we got lost in the woods, back when the kids were little," he finished.

I didn't need to respond as we were in a silent-symphony as we trudged home in the fading light of day.  The clothes were not straightened out this weekend, but I was absolutely grateful for the "afterglow" in my muscles and peace in my heart that follows a brisk walk through crunchy leaves on the edge of the "don't walk in the woods season."

The next morning, the temp was close to 60 degrees, a clear reminder I had made the right choice to let go of preconceived notions about what "needs" to be done. Truth be told, I "needed" that walk filled with the sights and smells of late fall far more than I will ever need a sweater!    

#sol2014 Kale Sticks

Throughout much of time, most dogs, of most breeds, of most ages, in most parts of the world, have chased sticks. Sometimes, the game is referred to as "fetch" and other times it is called "get" or "retrieve the stick". The game is simple.  The human tosses the stick and the dog runs off excitedly to get the stick and return it to the awaiting human.  Most of us have watched it even if we have not done it.

In our more sophisticated society, dogs (and their human friends), especially those who strive to eat healthier and live more purposeful lives have altered this age-old game.  Rather than randomly chase a boring, leafless stick, they are taking kale sticks and purposely, systematically, and methodically, fetching, getting, and retrieving kale sticks.  Yes, those tough as nails stems of the fall-friendly kale plants can provide entertainment, nutrition and fun for diverse dogs who in the past would have waited days or even weeks for a boring stick.  Now, every night of every day that humans eat kale for dinner can be game night for our dogs!

PS Who would have ever guessed the value of defoliated kale sticks?

PPS I do think there is a marketing possibility in this:)

#celebratelu2014 Breathing, Reading and Treating

Another week is coming to a close and thanks to Ruth's urging, I am linking up to "Celebrate This Week" and thinking about how amid the stress and strife, there really are things to celebrate!

• My mother has not been doing well. She's been struggling for every breath and often tired of the "fight" to live. Then, she tried the Prednisone her doctor suggested, and as is possible with the magic of pharmacology, her breathing eased and her talking increased.  The women sitting in her chair last night, looked and sounded like "my mother."  So, I celebrate  Arthur Nobile and the Schering Corporation.  
• One of my struggling beginning readers joined me on the journey to becoming a reader yesterday.  He turned the page, confidently and began.  "Mmmme..mmy..lllllll..little...dd..dog...llll.likes to s.s.s.sssleep with me. My little dog likes to ...get..e.e.eat with me...."   I watched him point to each word (a first) without me urging (forcing) him to do so.  I glanced at his mouth "getting ready" for each word by making the sound of the first letter. I looked at his confidence as he looked at pictures, read ahead, tried again and literally "wrestled" each and every word to the ground.  Perhaps it was because he was dressed as Captain America, or perhaps it was just his "time" to put those strategies to work  Whatever it was, I celebrate assessment-guided- differentiated instruction and a great B level story! 

 

• Last but certainly not least is this:  Yes indeed, teachers (but not parents) are celebrating that THIS Halloween was on a Friday.  They MIGHT just come back down to earth by Monday.  

Garlicky in Saugerties

Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to believe what an exciting life I live!  

Just this weekend, we were at a GARLIC FESTIVAL to replenish "seed garlic." 

Supposedly, there were 50,000 crazy, garlicky smelling folks 

hanging out in the hot September sun.

We spent a lot of time at the garlic lectures!  

Seriously, there were people talking about the "botany" behind garlic growing 

as well as the science behind garlic cooking!  

Garlic vendors, from great big farms and family gardens at the side of the yard, 

from all over the Northeast, stood side by side. 

If you were adventurous, you could also buy cheeses, farm raised ostrich or deer!
I can assure you I did not come home with them,
but SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, who is hopefully working outside,
by themselves,
is eating Habanero pickled eggs and pickled garlic this week for lunch! 

It was near the end of the hot day in Saugerties,

when we came upon Mike and Dave, the mushroom men

Selling kits which would allow all of us 

to grow mushrooms on a log right on our kitchen counters.

Weird, different, call me crazy,

but I think it might make an unusual holiday gift for someone!

#celebratelu Date Night at the Depot

Thanks to Ruth Ayers, I am reflecting on the small celebrations of my week:

* Students, even the ones who struggle mightily, have not only recovered their "summer slide" but also soared ahead assuring me, once again, that good foundations for reading and writing hold up through the summer!

* My mother, who had taken to her bed just a week ago and assured us all that she was "done," decided it was time to get her hair done the other day assuring me, once again, that a good hairdresser will carry you through many of life's adversities!

* I spent the morning with a dear friend sharing memories, stories, lives, and books.  Our lives were bonded by our shared love for reading, writing, our families and books.  Things haven't changed one bit even if I only get to see her a few times a year assuring me that real friends share a bond that surpasses distance and time.

* Then there was "date night" at the Depot in order to pick up a water heater!  This week, my husband will go beyond the "requirements" of his "job" but will certainly make this world a better place when he installs it for someone who really needs it!  

* As we pulled into the "Depot" parking lot, a fireworks display, in the distance, was there to mark the occasion.  I know that they did not do this for "him" but it somehow assured me that good deeds, no matter how small, do not go unnoticed.  http://poughkeepsiejournal.com/ http://pojonews.co/1phGUzt
  

#SOL14 When your best friend no longer answers

She was a classy lady,

Who loved kids,

Yet had none of her own,

Living next door,

To our trailer

She and my mother spent many a day

Drinking coffee, talking endlessly, sharing, stories,

Mornings, afternoons, nap-times, cocktail-hours

Deep in talk

Until we all moved away
Our lives drifting in different directions.

Then, 

She moved to Florida

Where it's always warm

Where it's OK to age

Drinking grown-up drinks on Saturday afternoon

They continued to share,

Complaints, pains, aches, hopes, memories.

Now, she no longer answers her phone.

Now, my mother has no one to call

On Sunday afternoons.

We'll all miss her

A bushel and a peck

And a hug around the neck

We'll all miss her

But, only those who have lost a BFF 

Know the emptiness my mother feels.

Repost: End of the summer birthday

Some birthdays were easier to celebrate

Mom was born on Christmas,

There was always a celebration,

Her presents were wrapped in birthday paper.

His Mom's day was the Fourth of July,

There was always a celebration,

Blueberries, watermelon and hamburgers.

Barbara's day was earlier this week.

The memories are bittersweet,

We used to celebrate our days-apart-birthdays together.

It's easy to lose other birthdays,

As we engage in the busy process of living.

My Son was born at the peak of summer vacation,

It was hard to organize a friend-party.

My Daughter was born in the middle of field hockey,

Parent teacher conferences and hurricanes!

His day,

Is at the tail end of the summer,

After a month of many birthdays,

As football and other fall-family passions peak,

During his softball championships,

At the edge of the very busy first days of school,
It's hard to have a "full-on" celebration,
When your birthday is "misplaced." 

 

Yet, they are all special,

Commemorating the traversing of life's gauntlet,

Not to be forgotten or taken "for granted"
They are a time to do what brings us peace,
To celebrate life,
Even if there is no one else around,
Even if they are "misplaced." 

 

#sol2014 Walkway Over the Hudson Edition

We sat and watched,

Longer than we had planned,

Looking up through the maze of steel,

Watching cotton puffs that filled the sky,

Drift ever so slowly past

The old rail bridge spanning the Hudson.  

 We focused on the glass box,

It groaned under the stress of bikes and people,

Then it crept up and down those cables,

Ever so slowly.

Smiling people loading and unloading.

"Wanna try it?" he asked.

We entered slowly, cautiously,

Doors locked, the ascent began,

Past strong legs 

Planted in the Hudson,

Long ago transporting trains,

Connecting people.

 We went 21 stories in 90 seconds.

Right into those puffy clouds.

Emerging victorious

As if we had 

Conquered 

The biggest roller coaster on the Boardwalk

 Some worried when they talked of 

Restoring the old rail bridge.

"The costs, the risks, the dangers," 

They predicted.

 "The views, the history, the exercise,"

Is what we have.

Perfect for walkers, bikers, hikers, 

Accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, 

Entertainment for the young and old,

Available to the rich and the poor,

A magical, surreal Slice of Life

In the Hudson Valley

Walkway Over the Hudson State Park

 http://hikethehudsonvalley.com/walkway-over-the-hudsonhttps://www.facebook.com/walkwayoverthehudson

• The first train crossed Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge in 1888. 
• At the time, it was the longest bridge in North America.
• It was the first bridge across the Hudson River between Albany and New York.
• It carried freight trains and people, including students and shoppers from New Paltz to Poughkeepsie's famed Lucky Platt’s!
• During World War II the bridge was painted black to make it less visible in the event of an attack. 
• The fire that destroyed the tracks was probably started by a spark from a train’s brakes on May 8, 1974.  

/

So, what do babies need?

I was putting the finishing touches on a Powerpoint presentation about early literacy when this image popped into my social media feed.  I smiled at the image of this teeny-tiny reader (not just because she was reading a book I gave her) who is already well on her way to being a literate member of our society.  Just a couple of months ago she was a teeny-tiny preemie figuring out how to coordinate breathing, eating and sleeping; however, now, as she sits nestled in her Momma's loving embrace, she is reaping the benefits of the gift all babies need no matter what the circumstances of their birth: parents (and grandparents) who talk, sing, and read with her.  

The list of must have's for new parents is a long as the Mississippi and the controversies as to the best way to clothe, feed, diaper, bathe, entertain, train, sleep-train, potty-train, educate and otherwise care for little ones have fueled not only Great Debates among parents but also epic Mommy and Daddy Wars! Yet, there is one thing we can all agree that all babies need!

  Parents and Caregivers Who

Talk, Sing, and Read With Them

• Early learning experiences are a critical element in life long learning for all of us.  
• Early book reading experiences lay the foundation for enjoying stories and learning.
• Early book reading experiences  lay the foundation for concepts about print, grammar and syntax.
• Children born "too soon" as well as children born "on time" need caregivers who not only talk and sing with them but who also read and write with them.
• It is never too early to start reading with children!  If you did not start before they were born or have not yet started, start today! 
•  While your newborn may not understand the words, hearing your voice stimulates an interest in sounds, talking and the rhythm of language.  
• The images and colors in books stimulate the brain.  
• Later, reading stimulates imagination, language, and communication skills. 
• Repeated readings of favorite stories helps children internalize a sense of story.
• The interactions between the child and the reader is critical to getting the most our of the experience.
• Talk about books before and after reading.