Don’t Forget
Tuesday: In Which the Magic Princess and the Universe Collide
My time at the convent felt like stolen time. There was much to do at work and at home. We are not eating rice and beans, but finances are not what they have been and the trip was certainly a luxury. I felt guilty about taking the time and uncertain as to what I hoped to find there in the quiet. Direction. The next step. I am always wanting to know what comes next. I rarely am given that privilege, that burden. Read more…
Sluggish
The past two weeks have been pretty busy. What was supposed to be eleven work days in a row turned into nine plus a sick day and one last day of work. Friday was the start of Freshgrass, the bluegrass festival hosted by one of my favorite places – MASS MoCA. The bears weren’t too sure they would have a good time, but both enjoyed being outside and I may have caught more than one of them dancing a little. Read more…
A Glimpse
At the heart of all of this outside-time. Underneath all of the effort and intention to get out there with the sunshine and the wind and the smell of the dirt. Wrapped around every leaf and insect and passing thought is a much larger daydream. It has been there even before I wanted to be outside and, in that time, made little sense at all. I have known since I was small that I wanted to walk the Appalachian Trail. Spend days and days on it and come to the end of it strong and weary and new. I had no idea how that was going to happen without being outside. Silly me. The universe knows better.
In the middle of week twelve, I tell my students to keep showing up. It is all that is required of them. The learning will happen if they keep showing up. I think this dream is like that. I keep showing up. I keep walking further. I keep learning more each adventure. I listen to the stories of those that have gone before.
Last week we walked past a message board for the trail. My heart raced. Just a peek. Just a glimpse of what is to come.
This week, these arrived and with them our adventures truly begin. Walking, learning, listening, being. It is not such a bad way to spend the time.
Saving for Later
Ladybug has begun to write her own books. The first one is called I Can Read! She is very excited about it and plans to donate it and its sequels to her school library. She has also used this opportunity to learn how to use the stapler. So far we have only stapled paper. Lots and lots of paper.
The second book also has a catchy title.
We are all trying hard not to make jokes about this being like reading tea leaves, but it’s terribly difficult to resist. I think we’ll just save this for when she is older and will understand why we’ve all been laughing so much the past two days.
Never The Way I Plan It
I am supposed to be at Meet the Teacher Night. That didn’t quite work out.
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Today’s stop on the Massachusetts State Parks Tour was the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. We walked just over four miles, making this the longest walk for me yet! We noticed something good on the trail. Every one we passed smiled and said hello. This is in stark contrast to our usual New England experience and I was glad to find it. Now home with tea, my quilt and short ribs nearly done in the oven. Hello, Fall. I’m glad you’re here.
Things I Love: Carefully placed objects
Smallish bear placed by smallish bears.
{this moment}
Playing along with Soulemama this week. In her words:
{this moment}
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Breathing
Last month, I took a few days and went to a convent in Connecticut. I did my very best to recapture some of that stillness this evening. Just breathing today.
Naming Mountains 