Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #17: Slice of Life Mash-Up: CSI

For the last three years, I've intentionally spent time writing and sharing a Haiku-A-Day for the month of December. The first two years I exchanged a daily Haiku privately with willing friends, mostly through text and email. Last year I wrote and shared each Haiku on my blog. Throughout this process, I've discovered that the practice of noticing and reflecting through writing a Haiku grounds me, provides with with a certain kind of peace, assists me with better practicing gratitude, and helps me better navigate this "hurry up" world. This year my goal is the same as last year: to pen and publish a daily Haiku on my blog throughout December. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #17
Slice of Life Mash-Up: 

CSI

As a co-leader of my daughter's Girl Scout troop, I've been able to participate in some amazing experiences. This past Saturday was no exception. We visited Fox Valley Technical College's Public Safety Training Center where our girls earned their Special Agent Badge and explored careers in law enforcement and STEM. My daughter learned about fingerprints, DNA, the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement, and crime scene work. 

We also got to visit the impressive village within the Public Safety Training Center, complete with an airplane, hotel/bar, bank, gas station, and two houses. In one of the houses there was even a simulated meth lab and hidden rooms in the basement. 

Mind blown. I couldn't believe how detailed and sophisticated this is. 

Although this was a visit geared at middle and high school students, I'm certain that I learned just as much as my daughter. Overall, this leaves me with a deeper appreciation for the different levels within our local law enforcement and public safety. Our community is so fortunate to have a facility such as this. 

Exploring science/

through real experiences-/

lasting impression.

Lifting fingerprints,/

sketching crime scenes can inspire/

curiosity. 

Dusting for fingerprints

We lifted hand prints!

A hidden room inside of one of the homes of the safety village.

Sketching out a crime scene

Although this Saturday was a busy day, I am so grateful that my daughter and I got to experience this. 

****

Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community? Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome! 

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 12: Frozen

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

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 12: Frozen

"Please bundle up. Grab your hat. Winter coat. Mittens." I nagged. We were on our way out to sell boxes of Girl Scout Cookies late last week.

"Moooooom. I'm fine," My ten-year-old insisted. It was 33 degrees Fahrenheit, and she donned a t-shirt under a thin zip-up hoodie - her green Girl Scout vest on top. A true Wisconsin kid.

"I'll bring a jacket, but you can't make me wear it." 

Dear Lord. Did my kid really just say that? 

"Can you at least wear your hat and mittens?" I pleaded. 

Reluctantly, Alaina put on a fleece headband, but no mittens. A jacket did not accompany her.

We walked through our neighborhood for over an hour, ringing doorbell after doorbell and pulling our wagon full of Girl Scout Cookies.

Our Girl Scout Cookie sale en route.
Note the snow still on the ground and my daughter's poor choice of warm clothing. 

Around sunset, temperatures quickly plunged. I was freezing in my winter coat, hat, and fleece-lined mittens, but I kept quiet about warmth. 

"Last house," I said as we stood outside the blue colonial. I remained on the sidewalk as she ventured to ring the doorbell.

"Would you like to support my Girl Scout Troop and buy some cookies?" Alaina inquired.   

"Of course! What ya got?" 

Alaina steered the wagon closer to the house, displayed the available cookies. I patiently watched the cookie exchange from the nearby sidewalk.

"Thank you so much." 

"Before you leave, I have a question for you," the neighbor said. 

"Would you like some mittens? Your hands must be frozen." 

Alaina slowly nodded and quietly added, "I can bring them back tomorrow." 

The neighbor shook her head, "No need. I don't want them back. Just stay warm." 

The neighbor's gift of mittens

Let me tell you, it took remarkable restraint not to tell my daughter, I told you so...you should have listened to your mom. I am also quite surprised that I did not tell the woman (as I desperately wanted to) that I asked my daughter to dress properly and she refused. Instead I replied, "Wow! That was nice of her to share mittens with you, Alaina." 

"We live in a great neighborhood, don't we, Mom?"