A drive down memory lane

My husband and I spent the weekend visiting his parents and other family in southern Indiana. We moved from the area 34 years ago, but drive back to visit several times a year.  We found time this weekend to drive around a bit and look at places from his childhood and our dating years that we had not seen for a very long time.  Memories and stories were savored.  Some places were much the same.  Others were almost unrecognizable.  Do you remember...?  Did I ever tell you...?  My grandpa used to...?  Oh my, what happened to...?  Were the questions we asked on our drive down memory lane.

Twas the night before Break

Twas the night before Break and all through the house
Were sounds of the children finding their  clothes
And packing and stacking of those
In suitcases and totes and anything close.

As families work to prepare
For a week without school,
A week without care.
A week of vacation both here and there.

Twas the night before Break and all through the town
 And all the places near and around
Parents were making a list, checking it twice
Because forgetting something just would not be nice.

"Pack your jeans, t-shirts, bathing suits, pajamas,
Sandals,sneakers, and sweatshirts," called the mamas.
"Ipods, Ipads, and Kindle Fires, too
Earplugs, cellphones, anything you need to do."

Twas the night before Break and all we could hear
Were the sounds of students giving a cheer:
"Spring Break is near.  Spring Break is here!"

Planting trees

 "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."
                                                                               Nelson Henderson


Isn't that what teachers do?  Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, we work with kids helping them learn to read , write, solve problems, or whatever content we teach.  We work to teach them to think critically, to collaborate, to research, to dream.  We work with kids because we hope to make a difference in their lives.  We try to lead by example, teaching our students to get along well with others, to write their name, to take pride in their work, to never give up.  We teach because we love kids.

Happy planting!

3 days till Break

How is it that some days seem to last longer than others?  Days that we anticipate often seem to take a long time to get here, but then fly by?  We have three more school days until Spring Break.  The days are dragging and seem to last forever.  I think the snowy cold weather makes this worse than usual.  It's cold.  It's snowy.  Winter seems unwilling to leave and Spring feels a long way off.  Just 3 days till Break.

Voices

I am really not much of a fan of reality shows, but the one show I really enjoy is The Voice.  There is something about the blind auditions that appeals to me.  The chance to be coached by an award winning performer is quite a prize.  Even if you are not chosen as the big winner, you may get several weeks of coaching.  It doesn't really matter if you are young or old, thin or not, or what you look like.  The competition is all about your voice.

We are in the middle of planning for this year's Young Author's Conference. It is my school's turn to host the county-wide event. Each year our students are encouraged to enter the Young Author's writing contest.  Each school selects two students as their writing contest winners.  Any student who registers may attend the conference, but the winners are recognized up on stage the night of the conference.  The winning entries also are published in the newspaper.  This is another case of being chosen for your voice.

memories of Palm Sunday

The morning news reported that today is the 48th anniversary of the Palm Sunday tornadoes.  If you live in northern Indiana like I do you have heard a lot about the Palm Sunday tornadoes over the years.  If you are old enough and live in the right area it is burned in  your memory.

 I was a third grader that spring.  We had just moved into a new house around Christmas that my dad, with the support of many friends and relatives, had built.  Our new house had a finished walk in basement.  That day my parents heard the tornado warnings on the radio or TV and had called all of us into the house and into the basement.  The sky was this weird gray color and the air had a strange stillness.  My dad walked outside to see and hear what he could.  All of us kids were crying, worried about our daddy.  I remember begging him to come inside where it was safe. I wanted him next to me, holding me.

All of a sudden, it sounded like an enormous train was coming through our house.  Daddy ran inside and we all hid in the back corner  bedroom.  It was in the part of the basement furthest from the door and big windows.  After an eternity, the sky and the sounds returned to normal.  Our neighbors swing set was in our yard and there were lots of fallen trees, but things around our place seemed pretty normal.

A couple of miles north there was a lot more damage.  A lot more loss of life and property.  A few days later my dad took us on a car trip around the country to see the trail the tornadoes left.

Every year on Palm Sunday I recall that train sound, the fear for my daddy, and the damage we saw.

Saturday

It's Saturday
I can roll over again
It's toasty and warm
And quiet.

It's Saturday
No need to get up so early
It's a day to catch up
A day to relax a bit.

It's Saturday
A little luandry
A little dusting
Run the sweeper.

It's Saturday
The library
The bank
They don't open till 9.

It's Saturday
A slower pace
Time for coffee
Time to post early

It's Saturday!