tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74631105651117534082024-03-18T04:47:51.610-05:00TrinarrativeTrina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-23279138016440387722023-03-31T06:45:00.000-05:002023-03-31T06:45:09.932-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 31/31: March Coffee Date<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">F<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">or the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 31/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>March Coffee Date</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2022/03/slice-of-life-22-day-28-coffee-date.html" target="_blank">When I wrote a similar post last year</a>, 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.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">************************************</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If we were having coffee</b>, 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. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If we were having coffee</b>, 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 <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Demon-Copperhead-Novel-Barbara-Kingsolver/dp/0063251922/ref=asc_df_0063251922/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564755881819&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2326563590717640321&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019417&hvtargid=pla-1624306687874&psc=1">Demon Copperhead</a>.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If we were having coffee</b>, 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 <a href="https://thewoobles.com/">Woobles</a> crochet kits I adore. I might show you photos of the amigurumi creatures I've made. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If we were having coffee</b>, I would tell you that I recently discovered that the Mr. Mister song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NDjt4FzFWY">Kyrie</a>" 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. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If we were having coffee</b>, 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. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If we were having coffee</b>, 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. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>If we were having coffee</b>, I would hope that I wasn't dominating the conversation and hearing about you! </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-71460932595635798692023-03-30T07:00:00.002-05:002023-03-30T07:00:49.378-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 30/31: Crocheting With Cats<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">F<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">or the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 30/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Crocheting With Cats</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"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.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLch4RmsgjJgNMgwZc0utDgYebyBFmkkoubjT2pWcn7xbD71fjdpyrVBjHEtbVwfavKbR9D9mZPMs2-VVNuSGJ1Qkrq4L01nYkdrxxODMp8vdcgygWYlKQ46WnHRqDf6wrrP3x_KE2HZxP-SGjOGQ1xBCYozVEBycSy8t9IUOBRxBkrA62nkJaHp5/s640/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLch4RmsgjJgNMgwZc0utDgYebyBFmkkoubjT2pWcn7xbD71fjdpyrVBjHEtbVwfavKbR9D9mZPMs2-VVNuSGJ1Qkrq4L01nYkdrxxODMp8vdcgygWYlKQ46WnHRqDf6wrrP3x_KE2HZxP-SGjOGQ1xBCYozVEBycSy8t9IUOBRxBkrA62nkJaHp5/s320/IMG_0776.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"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. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAFrdKz4muTjNNYenuCjdugklyhEeqTDbpvrPLXtryPEglN-MX_m7yScZ7175e2axKYqA3iEZYKtp44dUHVwBjlHoPsh91h0AEMzYOrPULfPJz1zMQqId1PIXgF7ZcDvMRXjcz1Ukg0xDRoU81sEB-4DtkwbLl1eJOVUf6xq-F56aDVIcvjm2RM6q/s640/IMG_0780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAFrdKz4muTjNNYenuCjdugklyhEeqTDbpvrPLXtryPEglN-MX_m7yScZ7175e2axKYqA3iEZYKtp44dUHVwBjlHoPsh91h0AEMzYOrPULfPJz1zMQqId1PIXgF7ZcDvMRXjcz1Ukg0xDRoU81sEB-4DtkwbLl1eJOVUf6xq-F56aDVIcvjm2RM6q/s320/IMG_0780.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"HERBERT! That yarn is mine!" His eyes taunted me. I retrieved my yarn and re-positioned my grip on the yarn. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"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. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwpRnsjdGyd-_iUB5PvxH8stQS3-x1fAC7JEnwDHUb5MJX0fuCzC166kgyi7NY9AKTWK9qFiIkIF2r_6WmuQqTKYGc1DJIvjYTBgutntPZaJeo97byvFl5oc_xMHSCBMAorgrL0iv-wbMIrP4gXLZ9f5-MtA11EQoDYSwbXXzQ7amfOWoUf6u-atj/s640/IMG_0781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwpRnsjdGyd-_iUB5PvxH8stQS3-x1fAC7JEnwDHUb5MJX0fuCzC166kgyi7NY9AKTWK9qFiIkIF2r_6WmuQqTKYGc1DJIvjYTBgutntPZaJeo97byvFl5oc_xMHSCBMAorgrL0iv-wbMIrP4gXLZ9f5-MtA11EQoDYSwbXXzQ7amfOWoUf6u-atj/s320/IMG_0781.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Why was I even trying to reason with a cat? They always win. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-36838831724330502612023-03-29T06:41:00.000-05:002023-03-29T06:41:10.437-05:00 Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 29/31: Spring Hope<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> F<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">or the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 29/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Spring Hope</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Last week <a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2023/03/slice-of-life-challenge-23-day-2531.html" target="_blank">Saturday we had a massive spring snowstorm</a>. 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. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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. </span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Saturday's snowstorm/</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">removed spring hope. Yesterday's/ </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">new growth brightens mood. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XgNJ02nczPlTNqH1DFMJcoaz0d3q9r8faIUPEuSk3xw-zTzR0BxAA80X6iah3Eq6ZT4xJmN9kMEhe14mUpQmOduWTdJtmrifIczfT8wMElNVBf9Jp7P1ilHS6bdVEJr-Ay8siQ_yJgToGO8DeAkKQ27Sy8pUtzhfyb3XVjSdCxwxBAc-6it8T2nN/s640/IMG_0794.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XgNJ02nczPlTNqH1DFMJcoaz0d3q9r8faIUPEuSk3xw-zTzR0BxAA80X6iah3Eq6ZT4xJmN9kMEhe14mUpQmOduWTdJtmrifIczfT8wMElNVBf9Jp7P1ilHS6bdVEJr-Ay8siQ_yJgToGO8DeAkKQ27Sy8pUtzhfyb3XVjSdCxwxBAc-6it8T2nN/s320/IMG_0794.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday afternoon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-tZe3Zx5E0bDGqudJ3mxE6TyIuwHLZbrwYz6nhm-Xoo647LAggNpnzxyKw7HjMNFUPbXzYpU_qpkyGk2bBEwVu6hlOJExWr9wiEJ8lunB8jYVyjOlNgbL6d6SbpGJQcZWifbI1fNSjdjIUqB-MSm0CsrD3iCGMi7NBo7yPDwAx_NNlmQqLOUcfRI/s640/IMG_0808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-tZe3Zx5E0bDGqudJ3mxE6TyIuwHLZbrwYz6nhm-Xoo647LAggNpnzxyKw7HjMNFUPbXzYpU_qpkyGk2bBEwVu6hlOJExWr9wiEJ8lunB8jYVyjOlNgbL6d6SbpGJQcZWifbI1fNSjdjIUqB-MSm0CsrD3iCGMi7NBo7yPDwAx_NNlmQqLOUcfRI/s320/IMG_0808.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monday afternoon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-66195662308156802832023-03-28T06:26:00.000-05:002023-03-28T06:26:33.266-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 28/31: Ten Things I'm Trying To Get To: 2023 Edition<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">F<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">or the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 28/31:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Ten Things I'm Trying To Get To: 2023 Edition</b></span></div><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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 <a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2022/03/" target="_blank">in this post.</a> Reflecting on my list now, I was able to accomplish many of them, but not all of them. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Here's my list this year, not in any particular order or importance:</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">go tent camping at least once</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">get better at making amigurumi crochet</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">learn how to use an over lock sewing machine</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">incorporate more vegetables in meals</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">learn how to play pickle ball</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">visit at least one new-to-me Wisconsin State Park</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">blog at least once a month during the entire year</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">paint the second story walls on the inside of my house </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">incorporate strength training into my exercise regime</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">learn how to use the grill better</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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).</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What are you trying to get to this year? </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-33621793911647504092023-03-27T06:51:00.000-05:002023-03-27T06:51:25.743-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 27/31: Begin Where You Are<p> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">F<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">or the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 27/31:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Begin Where You Are</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Recently, in the post <a href="http://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/2023/03/solace-and-connection.html">Solace and Connection</a>, <a href="http://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/">Leigh Anne</a> mentioned a book called <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curious-Nature-Guide-Explore-Natural/dp/1612125093">The Curious Nature Guide</a></i>, 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. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>snow, sunshine</span>, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>puddles, </span>mud, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">deer, gnats, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">red-tailed hawk, robin</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3:00 PM, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">March 26, early </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">spring, Appleton, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">WI on a </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">neighborhood walk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">**************************</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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. </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-58464951740066916792023-03-26T08:41:00.000-05:002023-03-26T08:41:15.415-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 26/31: Weekend Coffee<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> F<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">or the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 26/31:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Weekend Coffee</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprywrTKxle6zP27BO2YNTdd20DxQ4SApCt7VQMBKV6680wUt77B-w5YMGWkfzGV7czievXYsiCBq0wqM4EOB4tSP4HWhYaO1N6zJvj0kPcQfA0HLGGK70uIe8aoZc83ltDJoJV5rALAp18nOwLBfn9JyESg1If1al66vBTA2G62EtIVSKI0QZP-du/s640/IMG_0790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprywrTKxle6zP27BO2YNTdd20DxQ4SApCt7VQMBKV6680wUt77B-w5YMGWkfzGV7czievXYsiCBq0wqM4EOB4tSP4HWhYaO1N6zJvj0kPcQfA0HLGGK70uIe8aoZc83ltDJoJV5rALAp18nOwLBfn9JyESg1If1al66vBTA2G62EtIVSKI0QZP-du/s320/IMG_0790.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One of my favorite mugs that a colleague made for me</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">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. </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-42583598131727129232023-03-25T08:10:00.001-05:002023-03-25T08:10:17.336-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 25/31 The Spring Snowstorm<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 25/31</b></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span>The Spring Snowstorm</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">so much depends</div><div style="text-align: left;">upon</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">a strong spring</div><div style="text-align: left;">snowstorm</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">our city street </div><div style="text-align: left;">blanket</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">concealed any new</div><div style="text-align: left;">growth</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6Zr77gzz2MsWYpop8vN01A4uRG-dAASyho-zcHTatmjmnl6zP7nvFgYCmyj8pY14LwVJ6XRSTP0YJCDtGKTwMGKTlWJTtIXfEI9oLZbblZZw-hh1XaG7KkZ1E31PM0WnmZb09b_-4j8GqM0crzBrEvJB8JIPLbruqMGw5yiy9l08uGw9ufIDv_-1/s640/IMG_0782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6Zr77gzz2MsWYpop8vN01A4uRG-dAASyho-zcHTatmjmnl6zP7nvFgYCmyj8pY14LwVJ6XRSTP0YJCDtGKTwMGKTlWJTtIXfEI9oLZbblZZw-hh1XaG7KkZ1E31PM0WnmZb09b_-4j8GqM0crzBrEvJB8JIPLbruqMGw5yiy9l08uGw9ufIDv_-1/s320/IMG_0782.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXv5KGAbvGazY6MOj4uksrGMSovLnAXb2Ol4TOZuc05gz5c0VbH8nbTAlS0hpSRExyr9KJ8X354SwZ5C20vx1d2y0APwZnxgDcexKrWXEzF_ybVTWpgt6Wx1MdWwZvqgF6NaIRljOabJhaSLpDhJaLFPoqNClg_zb_15qrftSJeHYrpKCH5WjEvuv/s640/IMG_0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXv5KGAbvGazY6MOj4uksrGMSovLnAXb2Ol4TOZuc05gz5c0VbH8nbTAlS0hpSRExyr9KJ8X354SwZ5C20vx1d2y0APwZnxgDcexKrWXEzF_ybVTWpgt6Wx1MdWwZvqgF6NaIRljOabJhaSLpDhJaLFPoqNClg_zb_15qrftSJeHYrpKCH5WjEvuv/s320/IMG_0783.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdsPe2CM8wSwlW0D0FXOcLhklrKb19W02fmVXB9a_C-vTiYlh_LwVc6ZOiJM00BCrBONTW4Gq4aTnlaQ8Bl266K62h-2wCxgwMIgUFnCuJm_v2oQ84Li46SammNWRBNcj3cCP5vR82_yA2nnPvnTWKY21aaN9aLkO_y45rZzyLDJ7-mUmMdocuoZN/s640/IMG_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdsPe2CM8wSwlW0D0FXOcLhklrKb19W02fmVXB9a_C-vTiYlh_LwVc6ZOiJM00BCrBONTW4Gq4aTnlaQ8Bl266K62h-2wCxgwMIgUFnCuJm_v2oQ84Li46SammNWRBNcj3cCP5vR82_yA2nnPvnTWKY21aaN9aLkO_y45rZzyLDJ7-mUmMdocuoZN/s320/IMG_0784.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My mentor text was <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45502/the-red-wheelbarrow" target="_blank">William Carlos William's, "The Red Wheelbarrow</a>"</div></span>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-65646354103675599842023-03-24T07:05:00.000-05:002023-03-24T07:05:27.186-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 24/31 Keep Arriving<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 24/31</b></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Keep Arriving</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div></span><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">When I am leading a Literary Club session, we often begin with reading a poem and lifting a line from that poem as a quick write. Thursday's before school meeting was no exception. We listened to author <a href="https://www.whiting.org/awards/winners/marwa-helal#/" target="_blank">Marwa Helal</a> read "<a href="https://poets.org/poem/poem-dream-telling-you-its-time" target="_blank">the poem is a dream telling you its time</a>." The phrase "...keep arriving" really stood out to me. I used this phrase to jump start my writing. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Below is my quickwrite:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Keep Arriving" </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When we finish formal schooling, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">it's tempting to think</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">we've accomplished all we can - </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">as if we're done learning.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Are we ever really done</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">with wonder?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Are we every really done </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">with trying new things?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Are we every really done</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">with striving for improvement?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I never want to be done learning.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I hope to keep arriving. </span></p>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-90134460167794711032023-03-23T06:47:00.002-05:002023-03-23T06:47:58.260-05:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 23/31 Where's Your Shoe?<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers</a>. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibVBv6SDlz-V1LGwYlBwSKgrWwx3j5lmKGa98lFvXRb3FZJ06NuF0n3qm_rE2ddWISrWZiyFPrFHvHRjZP5gBovlXA6M3QPnOxZyI09VhtyxaNwmvXYvS_Q22yIbKmWn2EGA5R5EbJT1jivd6pJ3DZ5f4Fwno2GRjr1wrJ9nCLS7jxKM7M1UlsNVQF" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 23/31</b></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where's Your Shoe?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did you pack yet? This was a question that I had been <strike>asking</strike> nagging my seventeen-year-old for the past week. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did you check that you have all the clothes you need?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do you have money for meals?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did you check in with your teachers for missing work?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did you pack yet?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did you pack yet?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did you pack yet?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For each request, my son replied in an annoyed tone, "I got this, Mom." I was skeptical, but I let him be in charge of his own packing. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">****************************</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fast forward to Wednesday morning, the morning he left for his school- sponsored robotics competition. He was running around the house, looking for his team competition shirt and clean underwear. It was all a little chaotic.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Are you ready to go?" I yelled up the stairs. 7:10 AM. We needed to leave by 7:15 so I could drop him off AND be on time to be prepared for my first hour class.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Coming!" He yelled. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"I'll be in the car."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Five minutes pass. He's still not there. I am getting more and more impatient. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"What is he doing?" I thought out loud and concluded with a sigh. My daughter rolled her eyes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I dashed back inside the house, leaving my daughter in the car.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I opened the door to see my son balanced on one stocking foot.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"What is going on?"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"I can't find my shoe!"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"What do you mean? You had your shoes yesterday. They couldn't have gone very far." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Someone took my shoes!"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"No one wants your stinky shoes," I offer. I looked around the entry way and immediately spotted his shoe.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Is this it?"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Yes! Where did you find it?"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"Right in front of you."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We both giggled. In the end, my son left the house with both shoes and packed. His idea of packing ahead is radically different from my own.</span></div><div style="font-family: courier; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: courier; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: courier; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-69921574856578841622023-03-22T06:59:00.000-05:002023-03-22T06:59:35.477-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 22/31: Alone<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 22/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Alone</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2023/03/slice-of-life-23-day-2131-things-i.html" target="_blank">Yesterday's post</a> really got me thinking about lists. In my writer's notebook, I frequently write lists. I realized that I process so many things in list format. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;">Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's, <i><a href="https://www.amyludwigvanderwater.com/poems-are-teachers">Poems Are Teachers</a></i>, provides an abundance of mentor texts and suggestions for how to craft different poems. It's a wonderful resource. </span><span style="color: #222222;">When writing a list poem, VanDerwater reminds readers that lists do not need to be ordered by time. She suggested to first list a group of related words, topics, people, questions. She also reminds writers that often list poems end with some sort of change. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTf-0xnS0CYANh9OA3Qhq5bNPJbEbW4OSVmDRynRC1lHhvmQbIIudopeOpBM1S9pOT1wJDnuV50JHDt1TW6twOBl6weIIAzmZdV4ZV1kCKqEXaPM0XZzcKzf1KcklOJj5TQjaZQjbv9uhXq9pRUOP4R_c0SwFp0MARmtQtr1XdQvEDQ_F6xmzhPsr/s640/IMG_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTf-0xnS0CYANh9OA3Qhq5bNPJbEbW4OSVmDRynRC1lHhvmQbIIudopeOpBM1S9pOT1wJDnuV50JHDt1TW6twOBl6weIIAzmZdV4ZV1kCKqEXaPM0XZzcKzf1KcklOJj5TQjaZQjbv9uhXq9pRUOP4R_c0SwFp0MARmtQtr1XdQvEDQ_F6xmzhPsr/s320/IMG_0766.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A mentor poem by Kwame Alexander</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://kwamealexander.com/" target="_blank">Kwame Alexander</a>'s poem is a list poem mentor text in <i>Poems Are Teachers</i>. The repetition of the word alone stuck with me all day. It made me think about when I was a young mother with two small children. Although I cherished spending time with my children, I was often exhausted and barely got a break. Periodically, I fantasized of time on my own. When I first separated from my then husband and had to get used to seeing my kids only 50% of the time, I had to quickly adjust to spending time on my own - something that I had once yearned for. Those first few months were so challenging. After three and a half years, I still have many moments of feeling sad when I am without my kids, but I manage it much better now. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;">Here's a list poem to describe my time when I am alone: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When I'm Alone</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I read,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">crochet,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">linger on walks,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">dance while doing dishes,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">make dinners with black olives and mushrooms,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">watch edgy shows and dramas,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">spend time with my boyfriend,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">blast my music,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">go thrifting,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">and </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">miss </span><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;">my </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">children</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">deeply.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span></div></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-50168915722531029672023-03-21T06:35:00.001-05:002023-03-21T06:35:57.604-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 21/31: Things I Like/Things I Dislike<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 21/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Things I Like/Things I Dislike</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I was feeling a bit stuck for a slice today. Thank goodness that <a href="https://thedirigibleplum.com/2023/03/20/things-i-like-dislike-20-31-sol23/">Elisabeth</a> and <a href="https://brittescribe.com/2023/03/19/solsc23-things-i-like-dislike/">Britt</a> shared a feasible form to emulate. I was intrigued about the origins of this and noticed that it was originally a mentor text of Susan Sontag's. You can read a little more about Susan Sontag's work <a href="https://www.themarginalian.org/2013/04/26/susan-sontag-lists-likes-dislikes/">here</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There is just something about making lists, isn't there? Below are a few of my likes and dislikes in no particular order.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Things I Like</b>: coffee, reading books, cupcakes, lap kitties, Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, spending time with my kids, Wordle, snuggling with Steven, the smell of fresh herbs on my fingers, crocheting, sushi, libraries, black olives, mushrooms, doodling zentangles, walks, murals on buildings, walking along the river, hugs from my children </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Things I Dislike</b>: putting away dishes, folding clothes, driving in downtown Chicago, sauerkraut, figuring out home repairs on my own, long staff meetings, arriving late, making meals when it's just me, holidays and birthdays when it's not my turn to have my children, unsolicited salesmen, multilevel marketing companies, cleaning the gutters, products that cannot be fixed when one part breaks down, being too warm when I sleep, pictures of myself </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What are some of your likes and dislikes? </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-65198278437200949462023-03-20T06:59:00.001-05:002023-03-20T06:59:10.233-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 20/31: Longing for Spring<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 20/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Longing for Spring</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">According to our local weatherman, spring is supposed to officially arrive today at 4:24 PM. However, spring seems unimaginable. Snow is on the forecast for the next several days this week. The trees are still bare. Snow and ice cover most of the ground. As I took my morning walk, I was still dressed in my winter gear. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHoAhXJGfzJ0kLcVFBT3rrG3Ki2kErZDkxrDJysfGUPYcdbrKOyN1iwyiOeUKBkJEwgSA6ij2aBx-bvOn616zcFm_3UUq7lWfxfWjgfSKqpdmOUmnHdURJBmFO2mi6cVFjlTztt9vbhjI785xRSbW975OckrIu322PHCEExy5bISHmONBhTL0uC6o/s640/IMG_0684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHoAhXJGfzJ0kLcVFBT3rrG3Ki2kErZDkxrDJysfGUPYcdbrKOyN1iwyiOeUKBkJEwgSA6ij2aBx-bvOn616zcFm_3UUq7lWfxfWjgfSKqpdmOUmnHdURJBmFO2mi6cVFjlTztt9vbhjI785xRSbW975OckrIu322PHCEExy5bISHmONBhTL0uC6o/s320/IMG_0684.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bundled with coat, scarf/</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">on the first day of spring, my/</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">spirit yearns for growth.</span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-334013898165550442023-03-19T09:48:00.003-05:002023-03-19T09:48:40.893-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 19/31: Writer's Block<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 19/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Writer's Block</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mid-March. This is always about the time in the Slice of Life Challenge that I hit a wall. I feel like I have nothing to write about. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This morning I crafted the beginnings of some slices. I began with dialogue, attempting to explain last night's Saint Patrick's Day party. I just couldn't articulate my words. Then I tried a Haiku about how different coffee is on the weekends because I am not in a rush and how I get to savor my coffee. I couldn't craft enough contrast between my first and third line. Finally, I started writing about this morning's winter walk, and how frustrated I am with the sting on my cheeks in this unseasonable March weather. I didn't like how whiny my tone was. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the end, I decided to create a new post and just started writing. This post will need to suffice for today. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyone else with me on a bit of writer's block today? </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-21826656245696693202023-03-18T08:23:00.001-05:002023-03-18T08:23:43.412-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 18/31: Writer's Notebook Records<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 18/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Writer's Notebook Records</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One thing that I love about keeping a writer's notebook is the ability to return to your writing and reread it. I find that it provides me with great insights about myself. Sometimes I jot down lines or poems that resonate with me. Other times I write conversations I want to remember. At times, I even craft rough drafts of what I will write in a letter or card to a friend. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Back in fall, I jotted a <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mary-oliver">Mary Oliver</a> poem in my notebook: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"The Uses of Sorrow"</span> </span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(In my sleep I dreamed this poem)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Someone I loved once gave me</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">a box full of darkness.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It took me years to understand</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">that this, too, was a gift. </span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This poem especially made me think about my divorce and how painful it was. It was as if Mary Oliver wrote that poem for me; I felt like I was given a box of darkness. It took me a long time to recognize some of the good that came out of this heartbreaking period. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before my ex-husband and I decided to separate, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">I was conversing with a friend. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">At the time, my life felt so messy. I felt unlovable with few options. Writing seemed to be the only way that I could make sense of anything. Writing saved me. At one point, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: verdana;">I wrote these words to her: </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did I tell you that lately I think of myself as tangled yarn? You know how when you are in the middle of a project and all of the sudden you have to stop and untangle the yarn before you keep going? Or how sometimes you have to go back to what you are working on and start taking it apart (the knitter's term called frogging)...and in the yarn you never know how many knots there are and what it will take to untangle it (or what I need to cut) or what you have to do to fix it? That's totally me these days.</span></blockquote></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Those words about tangled yarn are dog-eared in one of my writer's notebooks. That notebook is probably seven years old. Although it was (and still sometimes is) an incredibly painful time for me, I am grateful that I have a record of my thoughts and feelings.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What kinds of things do you record in your writer's notebook?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-81603394993485352042023-03-17T09:10:00.002-05:002023-03-17T09:10:55.295-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 17/31: Writing and Learning With Them<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 17/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Writing and Learning With Them</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Each Thursday morning before school I meet with a dedicated, yet small group of writers for our school's literary club. Yesterday I led the group in writing a Rambling Autobiography. I read Linda Rief's example, shared <a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2023/03/slice-of-life-23-day-1631-rambling.html" target="_blank">a past example I had written</a> the day before, and I wrote with the group. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfG59JDP89jfvg0HuUga3aQARstiVdhlFrl6Ou3dfbVt82gdqO1iRN52gHty5FRqM6y_ILcnttCWE71LVyAdTzozwZBWtnvWMeWCAYIdjT2o6VIX8tctZZdl00cbTL5uuDEDeqFWqr9xW9RHjA3jztt3ttLtBEQur9oOCcrBaKNulQwC-7kkl97aU/s640/IMG_0666.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfG59JDP89jfvg0HuUga3aQARstiVdhlFrl6Ou3dfbVt82gdqO1iRN52gHty5FRqM6y_ILcnttCWE71LVyAdTzozwZBWtnvWMeWCAYIdjT2o6VIX8tctZZdl00cbTL5uuDEDeqFWqr9xW9RHjA3jztt3ttLtBEQur9oOCcrBaKNulQwC-7kkl97aU/s320/IMG_0666.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My Quickwrite from Thursday morning, <br />unedited</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As usual, nearly all of our writers from Literary Club shared their Rambling Autobiographies. Yes, they shared their Quickwrites! (No editing or time to process.) These young writers consistently play with words and ideas in the best ways. They take risks in their writing and are not afraid to share their initial drafts or thoughts. Although I knew these writers pretty well already, I was delighted to learn more about them through their Rambling Autobiographies. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As I was thinking about writing with my students in Literary Club yesterday, I couldn't help but reflect that there was a time that I did not write with my students. I didn't make my thinking visible. I did not show my students that writing or reading could be difficult. Back then, I showed students writing that was polished. I didn't share how, even as an adult, I sometimes struggled with understanding a text. When I began my educational career, I thought that I needed to enter the classroom knowing it all and there was no way that I could show my students that I didn't know something or that I made mistakes. As a young teacher, I was afraid that my students wouldn't find me credible. I was taught to be the sage on the stage. This is what was modeled to me from my own teachers and by one of my cooperating teachers. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Around my third year of teaching middle school Language Arts, I discovered legendary teacher authors such as Linda Rief, Kelly Gallagher, Nancie Atwell, Penny Kittle, and Cris Tovani. These writers</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> changed how I approached teaching and learning. I learned to provide choice to students and to use mentor texts as our teachers. Since then I have steadily worked hard to show my thinking to my students - especially through making meaning annotations and in crafting writing. Although it took a while to feel comfortable doing this as a teacher, now I share my confusion with students. Now I share my mistakes. Now I show my students how I continue to grow as a learner. Last year, when I was working on my alternative education teaching certification, I showed my students my process in writing research papers and how I tackled dense educational articles.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When I feel a bit lost or frustrated as a teacher, I return to texts by those legendary teacher authors. All these years later, their work still inspires me and nudges me in the right direction. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In reflection, I think that it is a gift that I have been able to learn and grow as an educator. After nearly 23 years of teaching middle and high school students, I know that I STILL have so much learning and growing to do. </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-38049943687189958612023-03-16T08:38:00.002-05:002023-03-16T08:38:19.321-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 16/31: Rambling Autobiography<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 16/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Rambling Autobiography</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You may be familiar with <a href="https://twitter.com/LindaMRief?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Linda Rief's</a> writing prompt of the Rambling Autobiography. She suggests to write as quickly as you can for two to three minutes. Here's a bit of mine...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I was born in the mid 1970s, a time when bell bottoms and high-waist jeans were in. I often wore my brother and sister's hand-me-down clothes, or my mom sewed dresses for me. I had clothes designated for play, for school, and for church. My neighbor Andrea and I often covered the sidewalks with colored chalk, biked down to the community pool (without adult supervision), and played Ghosts in the Graveyard in the park across the street. One of my childhood bedrooms had one orange wall, three white walls, and blue carpeting. It was perfect for a rainbow themed room. My favorite activity was roller skating; I forever had holes in the knees of my pants for all of the times I wiped out. Our golden retriever, Sandy, was named after the dog in the movie <u>Annie</u>. On weekends, sometimes our family watched a movie in the family room. Mom would lay out a plastic checkered tablecloth on the carpeting, and we had a popcorn and cheese picnic. In fifth grade I made a small quilt for a 4-H project. Later, when I was in high school, I made a twin sized quilt. In sixth grade I wrote a novel on an electric typewriter. I went to church camp most summers and later worked at the same camp as a summer job. In ninth grade a poem I wrote was published in a magazine. I played the piano in elementary school and later the flute for nine years. As an adult, I regret that I didn't continue to play piano or flute. Maybe some day I will pick it up again. I am a teacher who writes. At 46, I am still learning how to write. I am still learning how to teach writers. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Have you ever tried writing a rambling autobiography? If you are looking for a great writing resource to use with students, try <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Quickwrite-Handbook-Jumpstart-Students-Thinking/dp/0325098123/ref=asc_df_0325098123/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312734685832&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8588799117354331475&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019417&hvtargid=pla-571051550145&psc=1" target="_blank">The Quickwrite Handbook</a></i>. It's wonderful. I just realized that Linda Rief has a new book out - <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whispering-Wind-Reading-Writing-Through/dp/0325134170/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1678972097&refinements=p_27%3ALinda+Rief&s=books&sr=1-2">Whispering in the Wind</a></i>. Has anyone read this?</span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-77411139505394044072023-03-15T07:09:00.001-05:002023-03-15T07:09:29.319-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 15/31: Lap Cat<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 15/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Lap Cat</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2023/03/slice-of-life-23-day-1431-cat.html" target="_blank">Herbert and Binx aren't always naughty</a>. Both of them can be sweet and loving cats. For example, each evening, when I sit down to relax, Herbert climbs upon my lap. His presence is calming. He often feels so good that I don't want to get up from my spot! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Blanket arranged,/</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">legs reclined, Herbert climbs on/</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">my lap. His purrs soothe. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rp90H1-hM_OwzF0qKDbbhVXRsW9dOnn03jeY_Ggdg8mQn9HuUIzSAn8ETv1B43mJZFBLe-bHP3PQynMoVUZFCdDEJbmo8WDxYVTnoFio1BY2uVnUPc7yWJ8PAuUNMa7w9yVY792zKlLqoopeY6W2Rbq5pF3GdqBYpgDk5WY5g3hLgdN36GoHuZ6A/s640/IMG_0433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rp90H1-hM_OwzF0qKDbbhVXRsW9dOnn03jeY_Ggdg8mQn9HuUIzSAn8ETv1B43mJZFBLe-bHP3PQynMoVUZFCdDEJbmo8WDxYVTnoFio1BY2uVnUPc7yWJ8PAuUNMa7w9yVY792zKlLqoopeY6W2Rbq5pF3GdqBYpgDk5WY5g3hLgdN36GoHuZ6A/s320/IMG_0433.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-1747808490275936322023-03-14T06:49:00.003-05:002023-03-14T06:49:45.231-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 14/31: Cat Shenanigans<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 14/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Cat Shenanigans</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;">Beginning last fall, two of my cats began causing quite a bit of mischief in my kitchen. </span><span style="color: #222222;">If someone accidentally left out a loaf of bread, they would chew the plastic bag and eat part of the bread. Once they got into a pan of brownies. Another time they got into fresh bagels. As I don't think that it is a healthy diet for cats to eat people food or chew on plastic bags, </span><span style="color: #222222;">I quickly learned not to leave out any kind of food unattended on the kitchen table or on the </span><span style="color: #222222;">counter tops</span><span style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Dear readers, understand that Herbert and Binx are not malnourished. They are well fed and even have a bit of wet food twice a day. However, if they could, they would eat all day. Therefore, food is carefully portioned and served at consistent meal times. </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When I returned home from work yesterday, I came home to a surprise. This time, instead of a mess in the kitchen, it was a mess in my basement. Herbert and Binx got into a new, sealed bag of garden soil in the basement. </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The bag was split open with bits of dirt everywhere. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mtYKSHpV6A07ynbfbIxds1G_lHTlBJjOTHyh04FQAfiGH7UuVAUblGezlRudrrWc_hsOz-fBBA7I1fy3iD5ax6xb5WuUXdx8UYr2SAF_gnkm6DlDR3SF_d-3Onh7O-gIIMZVBzGqhmpSPUQGB2omCuc4V3eBhIF9iyVFwmdREl4160QznYVJOXlg/s640/IMG_0652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mtYKSHpV6A07ynbfbIxds1G_lHTlBJjOTHyh04FQAfiGH7UuVAUblGezlRudrrWc_hsOz-fBBA7I1fy3iD5ax6xb5WuUXdx8UYr2SAF_gnkm6DlDR3SF_d-3Onh7O-gIIMZVBzGqhmpSPUQGB2omCuc4V3eBhIF9iyVFwmdREl4160QznYVJOXlg/s320/IMG_0652.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As I tried to sort out what happened, they continued to try to play in it. (Have you no shame, cats?) </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUpE10b0dCG4ec0kkS_9OoIIdzcTMnmpj4wLtFwlDFTMYL9ziYKjmUZpLt_uVSePfHRSblsFTi2mXmntzOKvV0MqPPspBl0sBRb4XW-Bky0D03GcfctDWPW0qwtmHqliOJLLdAZIGsGi951RibQuJhGP6pOu8qC0jCh7f88uHJ4pUOcdfAPYPPxl5/s640/IMG_0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUpE10b0dCG4ec0kkS_9OoIIdzcTMnmpj4wLtFwlDFTMYL9ziYKjmUZpLt_uVSePfHRSblsFTi2mXmntzOKvV0MqPPspBl0sBRb4XW-Bky0D03GcfctDWPW0qwtmHqliOJLLdAZIGsGi951RibQuJhGP6pOu8qC0jCh7f88uHJ4pUOcdfAPYPPxl5/s320/IMG_0657.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I tried distracting them with a cat puzzle. This occupied them for less than two minutes, and they continued to try to play in the soil.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Since there was already a mess, I planted a few tomato seeds in seed starter trays. Again, Binx and Herbert tried to get more dirt.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPogovTFKiBO5cf-2ivuEjpo7nw4GSCm2exrNnS6Yz1CUF_9zRovxnFJof_7wQ3OmF8vW6SoVtxS_w2HJdWlI3h9IDGIVyuC8EqvhuhMq36kAFAhP7hyh2Y3TrnLt3LDTSek-ebnCCKSvbRqEQKXWiwFtxxRsfat2BRGOLzzKlt7twYke2MtZh0tHf/s640/IMG_0659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPogovTFKiBO5cf-2ivuEjpo7nw4GSCm2exrNnS6Yz1CUF_9zRovxnFJof_7wQ3OmF8vW6SoVtxS_w2HJdWlI3h9IDGIVyuC8EqvhuhMq36kAFAhP7hyh2Y3TrnLt3LDTSek-ebnCCKSvbRqEQKXWiwFtxxRsfat2BRGOLzzKlt7twYke2MtZh0tHf/s320/IMG_0659.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">By the time I was finished planting some seeds and cleaning up the area, I must have shooed them off of the table twenty times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At least the seeds got planted. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06PU7N3L63zsHdmvhiz02rKZiQ26sppAg2y7s9-w7ECRjErwK3bKE_IXeKxchySOvwwZzkMXTkYterb_zofWMDnnoIsa3XK7Jw38TlUlzyWBc8EujDRg0iYLBdSQ6BihubQrO0PrsOQuU7VLhXByiX_SzMkzeiJLLLqjyy8_1QEFdKyQwP1P5EY88/s640/IMG_0664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06PU7N3L63zsHdmvhiz02rKZiQ26sppAg2y7s9-w7ECRjErwK3bKE_IXeKxchySOvwwZzkMXTkYterb_zofWMDnnoIsa3XK7Jw38TlUlzyWBc8EujDRg0iYLBdSQ6BihubQrO0PrsOQuU7VLhXByiX_SzMkzeiJLLLqjyy8_1QEFdKyQwP1P5EY88/s320/IMG_0664.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What kind of mischief happens in your home? </span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-88010079936490147972023-03-13T07:52:00.000-05:002023-03-13T07:52:53.411-05:00 Slice of Life #23: Day 13/31: Life's Little Equations<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 13/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Life's Little Equations</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I first discovered <a href="https://www.whoisamy.com/" target="_blank">Amy Krouse Rosenthal</a>'s Life Equations in her book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Textbook-Amy-Krouse-Rosenthal/dp/1101984546"><i>Textbook</i></a>. I also read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Plus-That-Little-Equations/dp/0061726559/ref=sr_1_1?crid=311W5AM50DGXC&keywords=this+plus+that+life%27s+little+equations&qid=1678661743&s=digital-text&sprefix=this+plus+that+lifes+little+equations%2Cdigital-text%2C136&sr=1-1">This Plus That: Life's Little Equations</a> </i>to my children when they were young. I adore the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal and continue to refer to her books. Last year I played with Life's Little Equations in <a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2022/03/slice-of-life-22-day-14-life-equations.html">this post</a>. Here's <a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2018/03/slice-of-life-2018-day-29-life-equations.html">another post </a>from 2018. </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Based on parts of my Sunday, I created a few Life's Little Equations:</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Eight additional inches of snow in twenty-four hours + Day Light Savings = Crabby Trina</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh8gm8XIUOJ6QaG9gf54I-whdZHj9eJFFjxMjh_7KFHTxrRrDkNgHI03DgmRFfvibz4cPS7AHXwohDthhvgzV8VPL9i9ALCSWRLngw2q7RCJkSjY1bnTeDxrmrNY06Y_e-e5eTM797pFcwkySnl4PGxQSQ20YEwRQU8J8y6cwjua5PSlMZl32fqL8/s640/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh8gm8XIUOJ6QaG9gf54I-whdZHj9eJFFjxMjh_7KFHTxrRrDkNgHI03DgmRFfvibz4cPS7AHXwohDthhvgzV8VPL9i9ALCSWRLngw2q7RCJkSjY1bnTeDxrmrNY06Y_e-e5eTM797pFcwkySnl4PGxQSQ20YEwRQU8J8y6cwjua5PSlMZl32fqL8/s320/IMG_0649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(knocking over a food canister + playing in freshly folded laundry) x scratching on the backside of the chair = mischievous cat. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE9RCeQ_JGzLwsTolD2m3VGdenUhe2vZVVqpRj5OAOOiTDk0yHzQF4AkhX_H5ToEMAFIrrhTVtcAXD506AapbZ3cpEtCzoXrbl6kyPNCz8nldiFqvZwa-6xo9J-ltuq-ZMesHgcClVgyv3zWuGM7kuo805luclJLe-SUQqjSsyJGjsKwdXDLRVCMP/s640/IMG_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE9RCeQ_JGzLwsTolD2m3VGdenUhe2vZVVqpRj5OAOOiTDk0yHzQF4AkhX_H5ToEMAFIrrhTVtcAXD506AapbZ3cpEtCzoXrbl6kyPNCz8nldiFqvZwa-6xo9J-ltuq-ZMesHgcClVgyv3zWuGM7kuo805luclJLe-SUQqjSsyJGjsKwdXDLRVCMP/s320/IMG_0645.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(Lesson planning + posting weekly learning intentions and success criteria in Canvas) X giving feedback on research papers = Sunday Scaries. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEU0zmQKOgKH-4Qbqk4websaSPK1_b6oQkfCjpqxN_XTxlONj87JorvrLrcE1HUMFEI1uJxF5tumETO1aDuaStWN-gacW7bKdsjBOH9BF3g4BkX6WEDbm0P3o4gW4B1AEmwR9lWoXtRApQX-9hWYWB6wrZiP-mt7BkTnjFnb7xsn0W_m5ZHIU7onh/s244/Screenshot%202023-03-12%206.21.16%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="174" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEU0zmQKOgKH-4Qbqk4websaSPK1_b6oQkfCjpqxN_XTxlONj87JorvrLrcE1HUMFEI1uJxF5tumETO1aDuaStWN-gacW7bKdsjBOH9BF3g4BkX6WEDbm0P3o4gW4B1AEmwR9lWoXtRApQX-9hWYWB6wrZiP-mt7BkTnjFnb7xsn0W_m5ZHIU7onh/s1600/Screenshot%202023-03-12%206.21.16%20PM.png" width="174" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What equations have popped up in your life lately? </span></span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-71044800298832797352023-03-12T09:02:00.000-05:002023-03-12T09:02:12.435-05:00Slice of Life #23: Day 12/31: Videos For Cats<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 12/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Videos For Cats</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqPdOIBgaSnmFFy_m4DhdxRG_uiM18-D0gctPkwlLGVMjhADWQB-wO9mPgszuAwYMUkAQ9aIJlquIBLgtoBnPXwohiyNfSPfVYATv6osZfiY1bXYljCKM2yXwdn7EwPf8hacczZMS0LjGd5XI2Fu08tKiceeZDzjBkxOEVJx1yRiAsMmTMMxYm8yw/s640/IMG_0642.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqPdOIBgaSnmFFy_m4DhdxRG_uiM18-D0gctPkwlLGVMjhADWQB-wO9mPgszuAwYMUkAQ9aIJlquIBLgtoBnPXwohiyNfSPfVYATv6osZfiY1bXYljCKM2yXwdn7EwPf8hacczZMS0LjGd5XI2Fu08tKiceeZDzjBkxOEVJx1yRiAsMmTMMxYm8yw/s320/IMG_0642.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Saturday Vibes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Entranced, Herbert loves YouTube cat videos. </span> </span></div></div></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-73201228764484174132023-03-11T08:28:00.000-06:002023-03-11T08:28:24.811-06:00Slice of Life #23: Day 11/31: I Cannot Be the Only One<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 11/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>I Cannot Be the Only One</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Among this community of writers I cannot be the only one who.</b>..</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">has a cup of coffee at home BEFORE going out for coffee,</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">is satisfied by the sound of ice cracking on a sidewalk,</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">eats the toppings off of pizza before eating the crust, </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">tells the cats to have a good day before leaving the house,</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">reads more than one book at a time,</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">loves the smell of basil on her fingers, </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">learned how to play some video games to connect better with her kids, </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">has several UFOs (unfinished craft projects),</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;">loves to thrift,</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;">plays a little ukulele, </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">yearns for the smell of campfires,</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">and visits the library at least once a week.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank you to <a href="https://amyjuengst.wordpress.com/">Amy</a>, <a href="https://huizarc.edublogs.org/2023/03/10/i-cant-be-the-only-one/#comment-187">Lit Coach Learnings</a>, and <a href="https://thedirigibleplum.com/2023/03/08/i-cant-be-the-only-one-8-31-sol23/">Elisabeth</a> for this inspiration. </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-86188131209377965282023-03-10T07:45:00.000-06:002023-03-10T07:45:25.246-06:00Slice of Life #23: Day 10/31: Ten Observations<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #2288bb; font-family: courier; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">a slice of my life</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: large;">, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlCIP3WnhIuLpLX2oZ83miLwsgosePQMM7Rg1AL7du84t9TZX9pPCUavccM0QqKAnailksk2K6t3E-M0NGKiZ2VFMD5gG2A3kY_kSMJYEtgTdg6zmOpEMQ5sjDg5byRttZ3ENNeDwuTBJdSUHDyximpOEMj8OrIKhORxHqX9ADQ0KZ8as_lJV-EQaE" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b>Slice of Life #23: Day 10/31: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><b>Ten Observations</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Today is the tenth consecutive day of slicing and publishing. After my year long writing hiatus, it feels good to write daily. </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">One of my favorite poets and authors is Georgia Heard.One of my favorite writing resources is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Toward-Home-Tales-Lessons/dp/0435081241" target="_blank">Writing Toward Home</a>. I adore how Heard reminds writers that powerful writing often begins with what you notice. In fact, Heard encourages writers to record ten observations a day without commentary. </span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Since it is my tenth day of slicing, I decided to write ten things that I observed yesterday at school.</span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">As she stared at her phone, she slyly smiled. </span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Mr. __________ pronounced my last name incorrectly (despite that I have corrected him before).</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A discarded blue detention slip rested on the carpeted classroom form.</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">As I watched two students work, their feet swished and rocked underneath the desk. Another student's knee bounced up and down.</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A student offered spearmint gum to another student. No conversation happened during this exchange - just eye contact.</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A group of girls recorded a Tik Tok dance video during lunch</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A student who picked up a wrapper on the floor (left from the class before him) and threw it away without asking </span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A teacher kneeling next to a student, helping him with his research paper</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A high school senior sipping water through a brightly colored dinosaur cup</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A stack of papers three inches high on my desk, begging to be sorted. </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">What did you notice today? </span></div></div>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-62418909948265620882023-03-09T06:53:00.000-06:002023-03-09T06:53:21.324-06:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 9/31: Currently<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span>For the month of March, I am writing and posting a </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/challenges/">slice of my life</a><span>, hosted by </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" target="_blank">Two Writing Teachers. </a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqF_lBqYutvfuBzEBs6cgH4Ui1mFxs2K30Tm7SanffhHhw9kEcTZAoD-UzVcYlmR84qcc9Nb1tZYWIiHx-2zlpG4cBfyZceH625fdBDM8XqHH_ZRx4xcuoksIXlGHn8n5JScqwki53c8uEsyv_lRQ6G1GrEWcAKXfyNRf5I7aLx3RQhGGLcVZQaoU/s850/slice-of-life_individual.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="849" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqF_lBqYutvfuBzEBs6cgH4Ui1mFxs2K30Tm7SanffhHhw9kEcTZAoD-UzVcYlmR84qcc9Nb1tZYWIiHx-2zlpG4cBfyZceH625fdBDM8XqHH_ZRx4xcuoksIXlGHn8n5JScqwki53c8uEsyv_lRQ6G1GrEWcAKXfyNRf5I7aLx3RQhGGLcVZQaoU/s320/slice-of-life_individual.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 9/31: </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Currently</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Currently...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'm <b>watching</b> <i>The Last of Us</i>, <i>Slow Horses</i>, and <i>Shrinking</i>. I only watch <i>The Last of Us</i> and <i>Slow Horses</i> when I am together with my boyfriend, Steve. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>I'm <b>reading</b> <i>Grown</i> by Tiffany D. Jackson, <i>Before I Met You</i> by Lisa Jewell, and <i>Real Happiness at Work</i></span> by Sharon Salzberg. I am ALWAYS reading more than one book at a time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'm <b>thinking about</b> next year's teaching assignment. Today I was notified by Human Resources that I was awarded the position that I applied for. Instead of a .6 in Alternative Education and a .4 in English, I will have a 1.0 in English. Instead of preparing for four separate classes and toggling between two different departments, I will only have seniors for English next year. While I will miss working with students in an alternative education setting, I am excited for this change. I need a better home/work balance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'm <b>listening</b> to an audio book on Hoopla - Pam Jenoff's <i>Code Name Sapphire</i>. I have also been listening to Kate Bowler's <i>Everything Happens</i> Podcast. I also listen to music often. Lately I have been listening to the <i>Once</i> soundtrack. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I've been <b>researching </b>about crocheting and gardening. Lately I have been making amigurumi. Now that it's March, I am thinking about how I want to plan my vegetable and herb garden this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'm <b>grateful</b> for my teenage children, a loving boyfriend, my clowder of cats, a stable job, health insurance, a house, and having enough. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank you to <a href="https://thedirigibleplum.com/2023/03/06/currently-6-31-sol23/" target="_blank">Elisabeth</a> for inspiring this post. </span></p>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-17082942385633917112023-03-08T07:02:00.000-06:002023-03-08T07:02:15.063-06:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 8/31: Season of Change<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span>For the month of March, I am writing and posting a </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/challenges/">slice of my life</a><span>, hosted by </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" target="_blank">Two Writing Teachers. </a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqF_lBqYutvfuBzEBs6cgH4Ui1mFxs2K30Tm7SanffhHhw9kEcTZAoD-UzVcYlmR84qcc9Nb1tZYWIiHx-2zlpG4cBfyZceH625fdBDM8XqHH_ZRx4xcuoksIXlGHn8n5JScqwki53c8uEsyv_lRQ6G1GrEWcAKXfyNRf5I7aLx3RQhGGLcVZQaoU/s850/slice-of-life_individual.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="849" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqF_lBqYutvfuBzEBs6cgH4Ui1mFxs2K30Tm7SanffhHhw9kEcTZAoD-UzVcYlmR84qcc9Nb1tZYWIiHx-2zlpG4cBfyZceH625fdBDM8XqHH_ZRx4xcuoksIXlGHn8n5JScqwki53c8uEsyv_lRQ6G1GrEWcAKXfyNRf5I7aLx3RQhGGLcVZQaoU/s320/slice-of-life_individual.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 8/31: </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Season of Change</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://trinarrative.blogspot.com/2023/03/slice-of-life-challenge-23-day-731-act.html" target="_blank">As I sliced about yesterday</a>, I proctored the ACT exam for a large chunk of the school day. Prior to testing our staff was provided with strict instructions while proctoring:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Wear soft-soled shoes</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">No drinks or food in the testing room</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">No lesson planning</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">No reading a book</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">No correcting</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">No cell phones</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course students could not have their cell phones or any kind of a device that could transmit information. They could not read a book when they were finished testing. They could not even use their own scrap paper. All of the ACT was on their Chromebook.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I read the testing instructions verbatim. Students quietly followed directions. They took the test. Since the juniors were the only students in the building, school was eerily quiet. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aside from proctoring the test, there were few interruptions. Unlike a normal teaching session, I did not have to stop class multiple times to ask a student to put away their phone. No email notifications chimed. It was mostly silent. Most kids were on task taking the ACT. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the forced quiet time yesterday, I reflected back to my first year as a full-time teacher. I was a middle school Language Arts teacher. That was nearly twenty-three years ago. The more I thought about my first year, the more I couldn't believe how we did school back then. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back then, I didn't have a cell phone. There was not even a landline telephone in every classroom, including mine. There was a telephone across the hall in the teacher lounge and in a few colleague's classrooms. We only had fire and tornado drills - intruder and <a href="https://www.alicetraining.com/our-program/alice-training/" target="_blank">ALICE </a>drills were not a thing yet. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most information was communicated through announcements on the loud speakers. When you needed to get in contact with the office, you used the intercom system (and <i>everyone</i> in the class heard). My first year of teaching was the first year that staff email was required in my district, but many of my colleagues were hesitant to use it. Information for staff was often posted on a bulletin board, fastened with a tack in the teacher work room. We also frequently had handouts printed off and placed in our mailbox or taped on the table in the staff lounge. Short meetings after school were often scheduled to discuss upcoming important information - there were no email reminders so I had to take copious notes! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was no digital method to take attendance. We took attendance on paper/pencil. I also kept records in a hard cover red notebook. The daily first hour and eighth hour attendance was put on a clip outside of the doorway. Student helpers collected attendance slips from all of the classrooms and delivered them to the office. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We did not have Smart boards or even dry erase boards. I mainly used my chalkboard and my overhead projector. Due to a slim building budget, we had to ask for a transparency sheet one at a time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Discipline was punitive. We had a school-wide points system (an honor level and reward system) that was unfair to many kids. They received infractions for forgetting a pencil or chewing gum. I am horrified to admit that I was proud of my quiet classes, even if my students weren't engaged. There was little emphasis on building positive connections and getting to know students.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">School is so different now. Technology has played a huge role in this. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">What has changed since you first started teaching? </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463110565111753408.post-61276553328084111732023-03-07T06:36:00.001-06:002023-03-07T06:36:50.771-06:00Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 7/31: ACT Testing<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> <span>For the month of March, I am writing and posting a </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/challenges/">slice of my life</a><span>, hosted by </span><a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/" target="_blank">Two Writing Teachers. </a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqF_lBqYutvfuBzEBs6cgH4Ui1mFxs2K30Tm7SanffhHhw9kEcTZAoD-UzVcYlmR84qcc9Nb1tZYWIiHx-2zlpG4cBfyZceH625fdBDM8XqHH_ZRx4xcuoksIXlGHn8n5JScqwki53c8uEsyv_lRQ6G1GrEWcAKXfyNRf5I7aLx3RQhGGLcVZQaoU/s850/slice-of-life_individual.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="849" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqF_lBqYutvfuBzEBs6cgH4Ui1mFxs2K30Tm7SanffhHhw9kEcTZAoD-UzVcYlmR84qcc9Nb1tZYWIiHx-2zlpG4cBfyZceH625fdBDM8XqHH_ZRx4xcuoksIXlGHn8n5JScqwki53c8uEsyv_lRQ6G1GrEWcAKXfyNRf5I7aLx3RQhGGLcVZQaoU/s320/slice-of-life_individual.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Slice of Life Challenge #23: Day 7/31: </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">ACT Testing</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Today is ACT testing, a mandatory and standardized test for all juniors. It is officially one of my least favorite teaching days all year. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Although I had ACT training about two weeks ago, yesterday I spent a significant amount of time prepping. I reviewed the expectations for proctoring the exam, reread the student expectations, and re-watched some of the training videos. I removed all the posters that may provide the student with an unfair advantage on the exam. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">New this year, any students who are not taking the ACT (freshman, sophomores, and seniors) have a virtual learning day. This means that teachers needed to create a virtual learning assignment for students not taking the ACT. After I finish proctoring the ACT today, I will need to assess virtual work, as the completion of this assignment is tied to attendance. I will likely not have any time to plan for Wednesday's classes. I know that I will be thoroughly exhausted by the end of the school day.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Of course, some students will arrive today with heightened anxiety. Other students will not care or try their best. This test won't phase some students. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">There is so much emphasis on this one test. Results from this test are a large factor of our school report card. It can be a determining factor for scholarships and acceptance into higher education institutions.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I wish that our education system wasn't set up this way. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I will be so relieved at the end of the school day, when ACT testing is behind us. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Trina http://www.blogger.com/profile/11258005874121223921noreply@blogger.com6