Haiku-A-Day Challenge #14: Weekend of Busy

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 #14: 
Weekend of Busy 

It's been a weekend. Holiday parties. Girl Scout event. Dance clinic. Ski trip. Transporting a tween and teen to and from each activity. Dog sitting. Plus the ordinary weekend responsibilities, such as cleaning, laundry, meal planning, and grocery shopping. It has not been a quiet weekend, which happen to be my favorite kinds of weekends.

Weekend of busy./

Late evening pick-up. Early/

morning departure.

Rest? Rejuvenate?/

Not these days. Children keep my/

schedule so lively.  

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #13: Connection Reminder

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 #13: 
Connection Reminder

One of my former pastors, Pastor Paola Benecchi, delivered many wise sermons when she was our pastor at The Family Church. I always enjoyed listening to her words and often recorded what I wanted to remember. 

As I prepared to move to a different house, I unearthed many treasures, including a collection of saved notes like this one: 

"If we believe our opinions are
more important than making connections,
then we are on the wrong path." 
Pastor Paola Benecchi

Paola said, "If we believe our opinions are more important than making connections, then we are on the wrong path." 

Indeed, Paola.

This is a precious note that I will hold onto. It reminds me that a healthy connection with people is vital; it is so much more important than proving to be right about something or somehow exerting my opinion over another person or group. 

Unfortunately, I am often too eager to just share my thoughts and I forget to listen to others. I only consider myself. This inevitably puts me on the wrong path. I miss out in the process.

Healthy connection,/

Building strength. Setting aside/

stubborn opinions. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #12: Technology Interruption

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 #12: 
Technology Interruption

When I moved a few months ago, I was fortunate to have my big brother nearby to help me set up my technology. He even loaned me an Apple TV so I wouldn't need to purchase something extra on my limited budget.

Readers, my technology expertise is limited. It takes me a while to figure out how to navigate technology. I'm happy to allow my students to assist me with problem solving or asking one of my children to help me figure out something, especially technology-related.

So imagine my anxiety when I sat down to crochet and watch Mindhunter last night and I got an error message that the Apple TV wasn't hooked up with the Internet. As one of my only go-to's for when technology doesn't work, I restarted the Apple TV, but no luck. 

No connection. 

Of course my son and daughter are with their dad for the next few days. I knew my brother was in the midst of assessing student work. I was on my own. 

After a long exchange of texts from my thirteen-year-old son, including photos and a series of instructions, I finally got the Apple TV connected. (Seriously, when did my kid get so savvy with this?)  

Whew. 

Breathe, Trina.

It's fixed. 

I guess I now know a little bit more about how the Apple TV is set up.

No Network Error:/

Frustration level rises/

son texts instruction. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #11: December Freeze

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 #11: 

December Freeze 

"Mom, I'm SO cold! The Weather Channel says it's below zero outside, but it's like ice in here. I just don't want to get ready!" My eleven-year-old whined as she peeled out of bed this morning. 

She's right. It's a frigid Wisconsin morning. Thankfully, inside our house it is a comfortable 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Can you imagine being outside right now?" I responded, "We are lucky to live in a heated house with enough clothes and warm blankets." 

"I know, but it's just soooo cold. I want to crawl back to bed and snuggle under the covers." 

"I didn't want to get up today either," I confessed, thinking already about how cold it would be just from the walk from my house to the garage and then from the car to school. I had silently wished for a "cold day," but according to the local weather station, I knew the weather was not supposed to reach a windchill of below 35 degrees below zero today for an extended period of time during the school day - maybe only 25 degrees below zero. Not cold enough to cancel school. 

Sub zero. Freezing./

Hardwood floor morning chill. Heat/

blows through register. 

We yearn to return/
to warm, comfortable bed./
Cold unbearable. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #10 Slice of Life Mash-Up: New Stitches

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 #10
Slice of Life Mash-Up: 

New Stitches

"Oh! Look at the progress you have made!" Ellen, my longtime friend, exclaimed, fingering the stitches on a blanket I recently started. 

The single stitch blanket I am currently working on.

"Well, I have had a good teacher," I responded, thinking about how far I had come since I learned from Ellen in October. 

"Now it's time to learn a double stitch. Let's get you started." 

I gulped. I was just feeling comfortable with a single crochet stitch. Could I move beyond this?

"Just watch. Then try. I'll be here to help."

I began my slip stitch and moved onto chain a row of stitches. Hesitant, I began my first double stitch.

Within the first few minutes, I had to pull out and redo several double stitches, but eventually I got it.

Time to move beyond/

Watch. Listen. Watch again. Try/

Stumbling through new.  

My first attempt at double crochet.

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Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #9: Projector Problems

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 #8: 

Projector Problems 

Just before Thanksgiving Break the bulb on my digital projector at school burned out. It hasn't been replaced yet, and I have been told it will not be replaced due to an upcoming technology upgrade. I am not complaining about the lack of technology; it has simply made instruction different for the past week. Without a digital projector, I cannot project documents or examples, easily show videos, or use our HoverCam. 

Unfortunately, I do not have an overhead projector anymore (or transparency sheets or Visa V Markers). In addition, I do not have a chart stand or chart paper. However, I can make photo copies of paper handouts, I have a large dry erase white board mounted in my classroom, a collection of dry erase markers, and my students have Chromebooks (on a one-to-one ratio).  

However, the absence of my digital projector has been surprising. I did not realize how much I rely on this technology in my daily classroom instruction.

Projector bulb out/

limits familiar methods:/

think aloud on board.

Paper copies, use/

Chromebook tools - more of teacher/

preparation here.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #8: Warmth

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 #8: 

Warmth

This past Friday night, as I was on my way to meet with up with a dear friend for dinner, I noticed families gathering in our public library's parking lot. Children scrambled around in a frenzy, singing Christmas carols, giggling, and full of joy. I remember wondering why the children were so excited when the library was closed and imagined their possible destinations.

Following my dinner, I passed back through the parking lot, noting that the families were gone, the lot nearly empty, sans a few people lingering around the nearby public transit station. However, gently wrapped around each parking meter and streetlamp were an assortment of hats and scarves. 

Each tag reads,
"I'm not lost. Please take me to keep warm.
Merry Christmas!" 

Upon closer inspection, I realize that these were not simply hats and scarves lost and found. These were winter items intentionally placed for people in need. I suspect the families were responsible for sharing them.

This gesture reminds me what an amazing, generous community I live in.

Handmade and store bought - /

precious warmth shared for those souls/

who need care, kindness.