Trinarrative

Friday, March 31, 2023

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 31/31: March Coffee Date

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 31/31:

March Coffee Date

When I wrote a similar post last year, I wrote about how I wasn't very comfortable about going to coffee shops because of the pandemic. However, since last summer, meeting up for coffee has become more normal again. It's something that I cherish.

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If we were having coffee, I would tell you how eager I am for Spring Break to begin. I would complain about how I'm not traveling anywhere warm, but I desperately need a break.

If we were having coffee, I would ask you what you were currently reading. I would record your suggestions and add to my mile long to read list. I would tell you a little bit about the latest book that I am reading: Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you about how I have been focusing more on crochet and challenging myself to learn new stitches and techniques. I would tell you about the Woobles crochet kits I adore. I might show you photos of the amigurumi creatures I've made.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I recently discovered that the Mr. Mister song "Kyrie" has a religious meaning. (In Greek, Kyrie Eleison means Lord, have mercy.) All this time I thought that it was just a fun pop song.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I have been thinking about friendships a lot lately. I would explain that I have realized that sometimes friendships change or shift and the loss of friendships can be incredibly painful, even though not many people seem to talk about this.

If we were having coffee, I would ask about what's giving you joy lately. I don't think that we celebrate joy enough. For me, I know that sometimes it's easier to dwell on all of the challenges I experience.

If we were having coffee, I would hope that I wasn't dominating the conversation and hearing about you!

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 30/31: Crocheting With Cats

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 30/31:

Crocheting With Cats

"Herbert! I'm trying to crochet!" Herbert's paw pounced on my yarn. I gently pushed Herbert out of the way. Within moments, Herbert was back on my lap.

"Herbert! Stop it!" Herbert batted at the green yarn and ignored my scolding. His paws grabbed at my yarn. I pushed Herbert out of the way for the second time.

I adjusted how I held my yarn and attempted to focus on my pattern. Herbert jumped up again - this time he was on his back, the yarn between his paws. He tried to catch the yarn between his teeth.

"HERBERT! That yarn is mine!" His eyes taunted me. I retrieved my yarn and re-positioned my grip on the yarn.

"HERBERT! COME ON! Let me get this row done." I pulled the yarn away from Herbert. He grabbed at my yarn again, causing an entire row of stitches to unravel. This time Herbert clutched onto the yarn so tightly that I needed to pry it from his two paws.

Why was I even trying to reason with a cat? They always win.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 29/31: Spring Hope

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 29/31:

Spring Hope

Last week Saturday we had a massive spring snowstorm. Although the forecast had been around 3 inches of total snow accumulation, we ended up with 13 1/2 inches of wet, slushy snow. The snow would have been beautiful had it not been at the end of March. The roads were terrible. I felt that all signs of spring were erased in less than twenty-four hours. It was so depressing.

To my surprise, as I returned from a walk on Monday, I noticed that a significant amount of snow melted. New growth was emerging. It felt like spring was a possibility again. Here's a haiku I wrote in response.

Saturday's snowstorm/

removed spring hope. Yesterday's/

new growth brightens mood.

Saturday afternoon

Monday afternoon

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 28/31: Ten Things I'm Trying To Get To: 2023 Edition

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 28/31:

Ten Things I'm Trying To Get To: 2023 Edition

Last year I made a list of ten things that I wanted to get to within the year. I like to think of them as mini-goals. You can read about them in this post. Reflecting on my list now, I was able to accomplish many of them, but not all of them.

Here's my list this year, not in any particular order or importance:

go tent camping at least once

get better at making amigurumi crochet

learn how to use an over lock sewing machine

incorporate more vegetables in meals

learn how to play pickle ball

visit at least one new-to-me Wisconsin State Park

blog at least once a month during the entire year

paint the second story walls on the inside of my house

incorporate strength training into my exercise regime

learn how to use the grill better

Like last year, I tried to select items that were manageable to me, both from a cost and time perspective. A few of my items are a repeat from last year (and are in even more manageable chunks).

What are you trying to get to this year?

Monday, March 27, 2023

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 27/31: Begin Where You Are

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 27/31:

Begin Where You Are

Recently, in the post Solace and Connection, Leigh Anne mentioned a book called The Curious Nature Guide, by Clare Walker Leslie. Intrigued, I looked up the book and realized it was on sale through Kindle. I purchased it and immediately began reading it.

At the beginning of the book there is a recommendation to begin where you are. Even if you are only able to look through a window, readers and writers are invited to list six or seven nature observations you see, hear, or feel. I paid attention as I took a mid-afternoon walk yesterday. Below is what I noticed:

snow, sunshine,

puddles, mud,

deer, gnats,

red-tailed hawk, robin

3:00 PM,

March 26, early

spring, Appleton,

WI on a

neighborhood walk

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Nature is a way that I can find solace and connect. Between assessing research papers and preparing for Monday's lessons on Sunday, noticing nature was good for my soul.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 26/31: Weekend Coffee

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 26/31:

Weekend Coffee

One thing that I look the most forward to on weekends is my morning coffee. It's the same coffee that I take to school each day in my travel coffee tumbler- brewed at home using my brother's hand-me-down Keurig coffee machine. On weekends I can linger with my coffee - my fingers wrapped around the mug handle. The warmth of my coffee mug somehow makes me feel calm and safe. I inhale the scent of coffee. I savor each sip.

One of my favorite mugs that a colleague made for me

In contrast, on school days I never have time to enjoy my coffee at home. Three people, including one teenage girl, share one bathroom in my house. It is a frenzied race each day to simply get out of the door so we all make it to school on time. My coffee is transported in my tumbler. Between checking lesson plans, making copies, and updating Canvas is when I take little coffee sips. Often, I am not even sitting down. For me, coffee on a school morning is just not the same. It's still a necessity but does not hold the same kind of magic as weekend coffee.