New Challenge (3/31)

  3 of 31 - SOLSC 2021

I approached today's slice without an idea of what I would write about. Optimistic that I would produce something, I opened the Two Writing Teachers blog and clicked on today's post. There was Stacey's welcoming face, and after a moment her voice accompanied her. And now I have layers of dilemmas. Not only do I have to decide what I will slice about, but I also have to decide if I will post written words, spoken words, or a video.

Ugh.

Written words are what I have prepared myself for. Carefully crafting sentences to convey meaning is the challenge I thought I had signed up for. Daily entering the practice of putting words down is the discipline that I need to build. Intentionally making room in my day to write, even when I don't want to, is one of the reasons I commit to this each March.

And now I can make a video instead?! But then I would have to contemplate what I am wearing, my face and hair, background, lighting, sound, etc. [sigh] 

She gave us a third option; an audio recording. An audio recording instantly reduces the list of possible barriers to one. I can manage to get decent sound (even without lipstick). Impromptu speaking has never been a challenge for me. Perhaps this is why it feels like an 'out' from the challenge I have set accepted for myself.

And then I circle around to my OLW; purpose. If the purpose of a video post is to provide a way for readers to put a face and audible voice with the words on the page, perhaps I will have to accept this new challenge - but not today.

Favorite Book? (2/31)

  2 of 31 - SOLSC 2021

What's your favorite book? For me, that depends.

If I am forced to make a quick, as an adult answer, I tend towards The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. It is the only book I have ever read that when I finished the final sentence I immediately flipped back to the beginning and started reading it again. I HAD to. I was compelled to read it again, now that I knew what I had learned. It is a book that follows multiple storylines masterfully woven together. I was curious to re-read the book for all the treasures I had missed as I was trying to figure out what was happening.

Fifth grade is the grade level I have taught the most. When I am asked about my favorite book at that age my answer is Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. My daughter recently picked up my copy from way back then. There were several times a teary eyed girl would show up at my side, needing to crawl into my lap, wondering if the next part was as painful to read because the story was told so well. 

It wasn't very long before she returned the book to me, satisfied. "My mom likes good books," she smiled. Now she is headed there and back again with Bilbo. 

Happy for March. Happy to Slice (1/31)

 1 of 31 - SOLSC 2021

I don't know that I have ever been as happy for a March to begin. Why? Today it is because the Slice of Life March Challenge begins once again. Last year I did not get to participate as we were scheduled to be in remote parts of the planet over Spring Break. (No, that didn't happen, but on March 1st I didn't know how things would unfold.) Slicing this month may be the most normal thing I do since March 8th of last year. (That was the last day students were in the building.)

For those of you who are new here, a special welcome. Even though it was many, many years ago, I remember that first March. Once a week had seemed like pressure so what was I doing committing to ever.single.day for a month?! Especially during a month that can be as crazy as March usually is? But I made it; one day at a time, finding a rhythm that works for what life looks like at the time. Additionally there is the rich inspiration that comes from others writing alongside you. You can do it! Some days you will be proud of what you have written and some days you will be glad you got it done - with lots of days in between. It's OK. You showed up and wrote and commented and as the days accumulate you realize you are closer to April than February and then it's the 31st and you've made it! (And this year the 31st is a Wednesday so there will be a break before the following Tuesday Slice.)

The month stretches before us. A chance to observe and note, watch and write, ponder and reflect. The opportunity to put words down, in first draft form, and be OK with putting them out there. The community of writers who gather together to cheer one another on, both in our writing and our lives. I love being a part of this community.

What I've Read

  

What I've Read This Month...

Kristi's bookshelf: February-2021

Everything, Everything

by Nicola Yoon

All the Bright Places

by Jennifer Niven

Five Feet Apart

by Rachael Lippincott

Stella by Starlight

by Sharon M. Draper

Fish in a Tree

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Orphan Train

by Christina Baker Kline

The Lentiest Lent I Ever Lented

 

Lent has begun; the period of forty days, not counting Sundays, prior to Easter. Traditionally Lent has been a time of sacrifice and introspection. For some it seems to be about giving up something. For others it is about focusing on God.  For me it is about making a change that enables me to better focus on my physical and/or spiritual and/or mental best.

Anyone remember Lent last year? It was the lentiest Lent I have ever lented. (For my Muslim friends it was followed by the most ramadany Ramadan they ever ramadanned.) And it seemed to be more about giving up than about focusing on being a better version of me. In some ways it feels like last Lent is still going on, though over the course of the year I have been able to shift from what has been taken away to what I have been able to add. 

The early days of last week, when I usually finalize my plan for my own Lenten practice, I realized that continuing what I'm doing daily in this season of pandemic is plenty. Surprisingly, I didn't have to convince myself it was enough. Thankfully I didn't feel like I was cheating. These days, weeks, and months have been hard. The habits I have added to my life I am thankful for. There is plenty I continue to give up.

The lenty feeling won't evaporate when Easter arrives this year, but the light at the end of the tunnel will be even brighter than it is today.

Message Sent. Message Received.

SCENE 1: February 10, evening

Brushing my teeth before climbing into bed, I pondered what "This or That?" question to use in the all staff meeting the following morning. Chocolate is where my brain kept taking me. I know I have asked chocolate questions before so what else could I ask? Valentine's Day is almost here is where my brain went next. And then I was back to chocolate. 

SCENE 2: February 11, morning

At the stroke of eight I asked the boxes on my screen, "Flowers or Chocolate?" and sent them into their Breakout Rooms for two minutes. In the magic of Zoom they all appeared two and a half minutes later to find a slide, "♥️ for flowers or 🎉 for chocolate".

As the votes popped up I continued administrative duties in the background and couldn't get to my reactions. "Flowers would be my vote this year, so imagine a red heart for me."

SCENE 3: February 14

During dinner my gaze is continually draw to the 25 roses arranged in the glass vase on the table.

It's Been A Minute

It's been a minute! Anyone who is living during this time does not need me to explain how the usual became the unusual (or nonexistent) and how the unfathomable became reality. This has been my experience in more ways than I probably realize while we are still in the midst of it. 

Last week I thought, "I'll start writing now so that the Tuesdays of February slowly get my blogging muscles back in shape before March arrives." 

And then my internet went out.

Of course I had left the blogging until the last thing I was going to do before I went to bed. I did jot a few notes in my writing notebook and chuckled at how used to things not going as planned has come to be what I expect.

Now it is a week later, barely mid-day, and I am writing a slice and looking forward to commenting on other slices in this community of writers.