Slice of Life/Teachers Write: Feeling Strong.

Friends.  It's been almost two months since I've linked up with Two Writing Teachers for Slice of Life!  I've missed you!  Hooray for time to write in the summer!


I've also been participating in Teachers Write this summer as well.  One of yesterdays' exercises is linked here:  http://www.katemessner.com/teachers-write-7-13-15-mini-lesson-monday-with-liz-garton-scanlon/


So I wrote a poem.  I think.  (Read:  I'm learning and stretching myself so much in Teacher's Write!)

The heart could have gone cold.

She realized she was getting old.

She knew she was strong. 

She set out to prove the naysayers wrong.

She ran and worked into the night.

She would then wake up the morning light.

It was hard, it was long.

She knew she was going to prove them wrong.

She remembered to have fun. 

They caught her dancing in the sun.

Then she realized she wasn't cold.  

She had learned life was something to behold.  

Joy!
Kendra

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (The Summer Edition)

Hi Friends.  

Yes.  I'm going to make a graduate school reference, again.  Sorry.  But now that we are done for the summer, watch out!  There will be plenty of time to share thoughts and blog away!

In the middle of the studying, we did take time to make stops at the library and book stores.  

My purchases so far this summer (from Indies please!):

The Most Magnificent Thing and What Do You Do With An Idea? are books I've used before.  I'm starting at a new school in the fall, and wanted to make sure I had my own copies.  

I've also made time to read a few books for me.  In true fashion, I'm in the library more, so I'm picking up recommendations from all of you!

What I've Read So Far:

And Finally, my TBR pile from the library:

Have a great week!  Happy Reading!

Joy!

Kendra

Celebrate! We did it!

On Wednesday night, I turned in my last assignment for a full time load of graduate classes this summer.   I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  My friend and I have been approved to graduate in December.  

WE did it.  

No, I didn't cheat.  :)

But I didn't do this on my own.  

My family was literally by my side this summer as I spent up to 5 or 6 hours a day working.  When you are 6 and 10, that is BORING.  They were amazing, even when I forgot they were.  (Also, I think Mamas and Daddies or any Caregivers should get extra GPA points.  Not to undermine the work for anyone, but to type a Leadership Model for Teaching with this kid jabbering his thoughts in my ear???  Well...it did take some extra effort.)  :)

I have a Super Colleague by my side as we go through this journey together.  The funny text messages, the encouragement.  Oh Yeah, and the getting us to graduate in the Fall!  Super Indeed!

I celebrate my friends who sent great texts like, "You got this" at just the right moment.  It did not go unnoticed.  

My husband, who went right out and got wings and pizza and cracked a beer open for me as soon as it was over on Wednesday.  It was just such an act of love at that time.  There's no one else I would have wanted to be with at that moment.  

1 class left. We did it!

Joy!
Kendra

Teachers Write! My Monday Morning Warm Up.

Read all about Teachers Write here.  Then sign up and join us!  

Never mind that graduate work off to the left.  If you've been around, you know I keep referencing it.  Sorry about that.  I'm in my last week for the summer semester.  And there is writing coming on the heels of turning everything in on Friday regarding graduate school.  (Whew!  This Mama is tired!)

Jo Knowles offers a Warm Up today.  Here is mine:

Grandma shows up A Lot when I sit down to write.  

Did she like school?

What about her cousins?  

When did she read?

Did she set reading goals?

Did they all have Faith or did that come later?

This is about the story of my family.  

Did she ever just rearrange her book shelves just because. 

The How to books.  Cookbooks.  Crafting.  Guitar.  Those are here.

The need to know my family.  The inklings I get help me understand.  

I think she would have had a blog if she was middle aged in 2015.  

Once I wrote a comparison and contrast piece on my two grandmas.  

It's funny because I thought my writing would have more education in it.  Best practice.  Classroom arrangements.  Or faith-based reflections after I read and study.  

But it was Grandma who kept surfacing to the top.  Who am I to tell her story?  Will it be her story, or part of mine?

But she's there!  

I can't wait to see where this goes!  

Joy!
Kendra

Celebrate and Blow off the Dust!

Dear Friends, Every week Ruth Ayres provides a space to link up and celebrate at www.ruthayreswrites.com.  Join in and link up too!

Ahem.  Never mind that sound.  It's the sound of a mound of dust being blown off this blog.  New job, Full-time grad student, I'll spare you the details.  It's just good to be back.  I cannot wait to see what you've been up to!  

So what would make me wake up early to celebrate with you after all this time?

My Grandma.  

Do you have someone in your family, immediate or otherwise that you can spend time with and get to know?  Do that.  Ask them every question you can think of about their dreams, their thoughts, their life.  

I'm so thankful that I had the time I did have.  But images like this have me wishing I could have just a little more time.  

Just one small stack from a collection of books from "The Farm House."  I had no idea she had such a book collection.  

Grandma totally would have been in The Nerdy Book Club, yes?  

Imagine the conversations around books we could have had.  And now I know where my book hording collecting comes from.  It's a family trait.  :)  

You guys.  There were boxes like this.  Boxes.  And I can't even begin to tell you how cool it was.  We opened up the covers.  We looked at copyright dates.  We admired the way Grandma (and other family members) wrote their names in the covers.  

But the whole time I kept thinking, I knew that Grandma loved to read, I had no idea it went on for a lifetime.  

What did she think about as she read?  Did she set reading goals on her own?  When did she read?  

I smile and feel connected when I look at this picture.  

My only regret is not spending more time with her talking about books.  That would have been awesome.  

Call Your People today.  Family or otherwise.  If you aren't sure what to do, say "Hi" and then ask them what they are reading.  

Joy!
Kendra