What I've Read This Month...
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Where's the Confetti? (31/31)
31 of 31 - SOLSC 2021
Where is the confetti? I feel like arriving at this point in the challenge there should be confetti flitting down on me. And hooting and hollering with yelps of glee. Anyone else?
For those of you who are with us for the first time this year, do come back on Tuesdays. It is the same lovely bunch of people and yet you have an entire week (nearly. for the first Tuesday) to sift through your brain for that moment you can't wait to put down on virtual paper. Or you could put it on actual paper and post pictures of your notebook. (It's what my friend Erika does. You can check out her blog here.)
Speaking of friends: Erika, that I was just mentioning, we met in this space. We've yet to meet face to face and still, across years of reading about one another's lives, sharing comments (and even being in a Voxer group together inspired here) I do not feel it is a stretch to call her 'friend'. She is not the only one I could say this about. Friendships are born here, and then you find yourself in the same physical space and the relationship continues.
We need one another. The practice of writing is hard. This community brings encouragement, accountability, and acceptance. Here is where we can share drafts and know we won't be judged for trying things. Thank you to Stacey and all the co-authors of Two Writing Teachers for the countless hours you pour into all of us throughout the year with your planning, sharing, and leadership.
See you on Tuesday, even if there's no confetti.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Out for a Walk (30/31)
30 of 31 - SOLSC 2021
"Come with me," I said, taking my daughter's hand and leading her down the stairs.
"Put on some shoes."
I opened the door and we headed down the driveway. As we approached the sidewalk I asked, "I'm walking you. Which way do you want to go?"
Barely looking at me, she pointed to the right. I could tell she was concerned about what was happening. She knew she had made a poor choice.
About half way down the block I said, "I'm walking my daughter."
A few steps later I continued, "The purpose of walking a dog is often so they have the opportunity to get something out of their body."
Barely looking at me, she pointed to the right. I could tell she was concerned about what was happening. She knew she had made a poor choice.
About half way down the block I said, "I'm walking my daughter."
A few steps later I continued, "The purpose of walking a dog is often so they have the opportunity to get something out of their body."
A look of understanding crossed her face, yet the furrowed brow showed she wondered where I was going this this.
"I'm walking you to get the grump out," I continued.
She tried to contain it, but was unsuccessful and the giggles spilled out.
Phew! I thought. I wasn't sure this was going to work, but I had to try something. I had finished a meeting and gone downstairs quietly, as she had class. I rounded to the corner and found her not in her call.
"I'm walking you to get the grump out," I continued.
She tried to contain it, but was unsuccessful and the giggles spilled out.
Phew! I thought. I wasn't sure this was going to work, but I had to try something. I had finished a meeting and gone downstairs quietly, as she had class. I rounded to the corner and found her not in her call.
"Are you going to class?" I asked.
She burst into tears and stomped upstairs, flopping herself onto her bed.
"Your daughter is skipping class," I messaged my husband.
Sighing I went back to work. When the clock told me class had ended I decided to take her for a walk.
She burst into tears and stomped upstairs, flopping herself onto her bed.
"Your daughter is skipping class," I messaged my husband.
Sighing I went back to work. When the clock told me class had ended I decided to take her for a walk.
Monday, March 29, 2021
New Toolbox (29/31)
29 of 31 - SOLSC 2021
Zoom link: click
Open link: click
Join with video: click
I see twenty some squares; one teacher, lots of students - some with cameras, some with pictures, some with images.
I hear a student reading classmates possible solutions as shared in the chat box followed by a discussion about patterns students notice across the responses.
And then I notice that the teacher is in a passenger in a car. Not only is she in a car, the scenery outside the windows is changing.
I think she must have had something come up.
I no longer hear her nor do I see any movement coming from her square. This is followed a deafening silence. I later realized it might have been one second, two maximum.
Clicking unmute to vamp, my brain is tracking with her and continue the directions she had been in the middle of sharing, hoping I am on track with her plans.
A chat appears from the teacher, further prompting us down the path - and then she's back.
A chat appears from the teacher, further prompting us down the path - and then she's back.
I marvel at how smoothly it all happens. She continues to teach, from the back seat of vehicle making its to and from who knows where, not missing a beat. The teaching point slide appears on the screen followed by video clips that push our thinking with their examples. Teachers are a wonder - and now they have a whole new toolbox mastered.
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Size of the World (28/31)
28 of 31 - SOLSC 2021
"Have you ever read the picture book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?" I inquired.
"No, but we watched the movie," she responded.
"I suppose the 'even in Australia' line doesn't land quite the same when you are Australian."
"No. It doesn't."
This got me thinking.
"Outer Mongolia" no longer seemed far off when we considered a job offer in Ulaanbaatar. Timbuktu isn't unimaginable when you have friends who live in Mali.
"No, but we watched the movie," she responded.
"I suppose the 'even in Australia' line doesn't land quite the same when you are Australian."
"No. It doesn't."
This got me thinking.
"Outer Mongolia" no longer seemed far off when we considered a job offer in Ulaanbaatar. Timbuktu isn't unimaginable when you have friends who live in Mali.
The world is so small when you are an expat. Not only have I walked a mile with lots of different people, I have heard the stories of even more.
The world may be small, but when borders shut down, flights are grounded, and airports cease to operate the miles stretch once again.
And then technology shrinks it again. I am so thankful for chats and emails, video calls and messaging. This year would have been much more difficult without it. (Forget about school and work for the moment.)
The world may be small, but when borders shut down, flights are grounded, and airports cease to operate the miles stretch once again.
And then technology shrinks it again. I am so thankful for chats and emails, video calls and messaging. This year would have been much more difficult without it. (Forget about school and work for the moment.)
What about air mail? There were times that even mail became difficult because flights were not operating, therefore cargo was impacted. With the Ever Given blocking the Suez we are reminded that ships still contribute to the movement of goods, though I don't know of any mail that travels via ship any more.
I am comfortable with ambiguity; the world is small and extraordinarily large - all at the same time.
I am comfortable with ambiguity; the world is small and extraordinarily large - all at the same time.
Saturday, March 27, 2021
The Perfect Quote (27/31)
27 of 31 - SOLSC 2021
Lamenting with a friend who has been in her house, with kids spanning multiple age groups, for more than a year. Her husband's work schedule has had her very isolated and at times it has been extraordinarily hard.
We have found solace in knowing that one another are both choosing the cautious path, even as others have made more social decisions.
"Will you be going home for a visit this summer?" I asked.
"The expense of it is way too much for all of us, with flights and mandatory quarantine. (If we can even get flights as they are limited.)"
"Any chance of someone coming to visit you all?" I inquire, hopefully.
We have found solace in knowing that one another are both choosing the cautious path, even as others have made more social decisions.
"Will you be going home for a visit this summer?" I asked.
"The expense of it is way too much for all of us, with flights and mandatory quarantine. (If we can even get flights as they are limited.)"
"Any chance of someone coming to visit you all?" I inquire, hopefully.
After explaining the extended circumstances with the summary being that it isn't possible. She tells me, "Anyhow, it is what it is."
I am thinking that it is all pretty crappy and I feel awful for her as she keeps a positive from on the tough situation that doesn't seem to end. "Even in Australia" is the line that comes to mind. I catch myself as I start to type. The line, though so fitting, doesn't apply here. Why? She's from Australia.
I am thinking that it is all pretty crappy and I feel awful for her as she keeps a positive from on the tough situation that doesn't seem to end. "Even in Australia" is the line that comes to mind. I catch myself as I start to type. The line, though so fitting, doesn't apply here. Why? She's from Australia.
Friday, March 26, 2021
Night Lights (26/31)
26 of 31 - SOLSC 2021
Lights twinkling
Spirals and spots
One cream, climbing trunks
Spirals and spots
One cream, climbing trunks
wrapped from base to fronds
The other piercing brilliance
The other piercing brilliance
penetrating the darkness
lighting the courts
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