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What Stress Does
Lately there have been many stressors that give me migraine headaches, make me want to stay in bed all day, and steal my inspiration to do anything productive or necessary. Oh stress, I hate you so much. Why is it that some people sail through tough times with a smile on their face, while others…
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A Right of Passage
My five year old grandson has an older sister who has known how to ride a bike for awhile now. He would watch in eager anticipation wishing for the time when he could do the same. So my son got him out on the blacktop at the local elementary school to teach him to ride…
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To Improve a Community
Grocery prices prohibit many households from putting nutritious food on the table. One way to provide healthy options is to start a community garden. It would require land that is designated for growing a variety of plants, possibly an unused, donated plot. Volunteers would bring tools to prepare the soil and build fencing. Tending the…
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A Gift of Hope
I was gifted a print of my friend, Suze’s mandala. She titled it “Finding Peace.” It contains the colors of the flaq of Ukraine. Each one of Suze’s mandalas are works of inspiration and creativity. She gifted 6 prints, and I was blessed to be the first recipient. I went to her house to pick…
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What Makes Me Happy?
I have been working on being more positive in my thoughts and actions. It’s odd that I use the word “working.” Sometimes my thoughts go to the dark side so it does require effort on my part to shift to a better way of looking at things. Susan David said, “Don’t believe everything you think.”…
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Our Trip to Oahu
For my husband’s birthday, I used airline miles to get us to Oahu. A friend from our surf club told us about a condo we could rent and connected us with the property manager. So I had the flight and accommodations sorted. All we needed was a rental car. A trip to AAA took care…
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Needing Aloha
For my husband’s birthday I used airline miles to book a flight to Hawaii. The last time we were there we both enjoyed the kindness of the people as well as warm ocean water. Everywhere we went we experienced serenity. It seemed the perfect gift to give my husband (and selfishly, myself). So we will…
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Saying Goodbye to Future Teachers
I have been an online instructor for a university for ten years. Each term, I change my course based on what I feel would enhance the learning of my students. I learn so much from them. I love sharing my experiences and insights. This last term, I decided to try a new course. I sent…
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Hang In There
Some holidays are difficult. Especially now that my kids are grown and are off living their lives. The house is quiet, too quiet, and there doesn’t seem to be any point in cooking a big feast or even a little one. It’s those times when thoughts of the past seem to hold me in a…
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Move On
I’m not sure if it’s the pandemic or the recent tragic devastation from tornadoes across six states that reminds me of how fragile our time on earth is, or maybe it’s old age, but I have been dwelling on mistakes I’ve made that can’t be undone. It hurts to know that one moment in time…
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“I Wish You Happiness”
Try this. I just might change things…..
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Journey to Mindfulness
I have heard and read about mindfulness, but never really practiced it. There always seems to be a thousand things to think about, do, or plan. I ignore the most basic of elements, the right here, right now. I attended an online group to learn more about quieting the incessant brain noise, to be in…
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Little Library
As retired teachers and avid readers, my husband and I decided that we would put up a little library so our neighbors can find a book, leave a book, and know that it is an option in our part of town. I sit in front of my living room window and watch people walk their…
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Time-Out
As I sit in my chair looking out at the ocean, I dream of faraway places I have only seen in magazines, or saw once in a movie. I watch the choppy waves and wonder how a cruise ship manages to get the passengers safely to their destination amidst such an angry sea. I need…
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I Miss You, Mom
I had a conversation with my mother before she died. I asked her if she would let me know that she is alright when she passes. I joked and said, “Don’t smack me in the head, just three taps on my shoulder.” She assured me she would, but I still made her promise. I spent…
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This and That
The day I became a grandmother I began evaluating my life, or I should say reevaluating it. I realized that this beautiful child is not mine and I am a part of a much bigger picture, yet only a part. What part do I play? As a retired elementary teacher I know the joy of…
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Special Education is Special
I started my teaching career as a Multiple Subject Elementary Teacher. When I moved to the Central Coast, the only teaching job available was in Special Education, which meant I would need to acquire a second credential. I could have waited for a position in general education, but I was asked if I would consider…
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Re-routed
The farthest I have ever traveled was to Zurich, Switzerland. Unfortunately, it was not planned. Nor was I able to actually see Switzerland. I was traveling to England to see my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters. There was a blizzard and my plane was re-routed to Zurich. When I arrived in the airport, it was packed…
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Art and Writing
I like to incorporate art into most subjects, especially writing. Reluctant writers respond well to drawing or painting their ideas first, then transforming their thoughts into words. So often students appreciate the opportunity to have a choice in how they express themselves. I generally encourage students to write about their art, which has inspiired creativity…
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Old Ramblings
A hummingbird landed in an old oak tree It hovered awhile and was a sight to see The tree knew the hummingbird could not stay But enjoyed his presence and started to pray God, let this hummingbird find peace in its flight May it come to this old tree And bring it life. © DW…
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Beach Life
So many tourists visit our little town, and not just during the summer. The roughed coast of California offers sights that visitors from other areas seldom, if ever, see. I live in a place that is an escape for many. Being a desirable vacation destination means it gets unusually crowded with tourists on holidays. The…
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Name Calling
Children will own the names you call them. Choose your words carefully. This is good advice for teachers, but especially important that parents know this too. They are a child’s first teacher. Call them scholars, call them friends, call them writers, call them mathematicians, call them scientists, call them teachers, call them helpers, call them…
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My Advice to Parents
I did not do my best with my own children in regards to parenting. It has been through years of higher education and many years as a teacher that has shown me the results of both good and bad parenting. I am committed to being a good grandmother. Although I cannot change the past, I…
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A Wise Man
My great-grandfather was a very wise man. He was my step great-grandfather, but I didn’t know it until I was an adult, nor did it ever matter. My great grandmother was a widow raising three children when she met him in Los Angeles. He worked as a secretary in a large steel company until his retirement, when he…
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When Life Gives You Scraps…..
My sewing room is my happy place. It serves as my craft room as well as my office. It’s cooler downstairs, so on hot summer days I often go to my sewing/craft/office to relax. I am an avid follower of crafty blogs that repurpose fabric and findings to make interesting objects of beauty. My most…
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Moments
I have had lots of time to reflect. The urge to get away to faraway lands is stronger than ever. I remember being asked as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up. I always answered, “an airline stewardess.” I wanted to see the world. My life took another direction and I…
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Shout Out
I thought this needed to be said loud and clear. If you can put one foot in front of the other, and smile while doing it, you are a champion in my opinion. These last two-plus years have been horrendous. It is not only the pandemic, but the atrocities occurring daily in Ukraine. There have…
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Random Thoughts
The day I became a grandmother I began evaluating my life, or I should say reevaluating it. I realized that this beautiful child is not mine and I am a part of a much bigger picture, yet only a part. What part do I play? As a retired elementary teacher I know the joy of…
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Saying Goodbye to Future Teachers
I have been an online instructor for a university for almost seven years. Each term I change my course based on what I feel would enhance the learning for my students. I learn so much from them. I love sharing my experiences and insights. This last term I decided to try a new course. I…
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“I Wish You Happiness”
Try this. I just might change things…..
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Stop and Be Still
I learn so much from my grandchildren. They teach me how to enjoy the moment. They teach me to be still and absorb sights and sounds that I have taken for granted. I have learned to see nature through their eyes. It fills me with optimism and hope that the new generation will not take…
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Oxygen
I spent eight days in the hospital with covid and pneumonia. Despite being fully vaccinated, my age and being vulnerable with a pre-existing condition contributed to covid finding me. I found myself unable to breathe and completely exhausted. A trip to the emergency room resulted in my admission to an isolation room for covid patients.…
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Move On
I’m not sure if it’s the pandemic or the recent tragic devastation from tornadoes across six states that reminds me of how fragile our time on earth is, or maybe it’s old age, but I have been dwelling on mistakes I’ve made that can’t be undone. It hurts to know that one moment in time…
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Thinking Out Loud
Son of My Son I was still a teenager when I had my son. I had no idea how to raise a child. I only knew that holding him was the best feeling ever. I knew that loving him would be easy. I had the luxury of staying home and caring for him while his…
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What If?
I teach an online course for future teachers in a master’s degree program. I was grading journal post last night when I read a student’s journal entry detailing her fears about interacting (or failure to interact) with parents. She was candid in describing possible scenarios. “What if a parent had a horrible school experience and…
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Girl Power
I would replace shoes with tools. Traditionally girls have been limited in which dreams they could pursue. The changing landscape no longer relocates girls to secretarial or caretaking jobs (unless they choose such). I was pleasantly surprised when my granddaughter shared her dream of being an astronaut. Education has opened new possibilities for women, releasing…
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Early Morning Turtle Watching
Here are some of the best places to take your kids or grandkids to see sea turtles on the island of Kauai: Poipu Beach — Great for kids because even waders can spot sea turtles hanging in the reef shallows while snorkelers can see them swimming in the clearer depths. Kuhio Shores — Though a…
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Wanderlust
When I was a little girl I wanted to be an airline stewardess so I could travel all over the world. As it turned out, I became an elementary teacher with travel limited to summers and books, where I can let my imagination take me away. I’ve had incredible trips to England, France, Spain, Italy,…
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Adventuring
This year I decided to join my daughter’s family in Wales for Christmas. Yes, during a pandemic, with a new variant waiting for its next host. I am triple dosed with the vaccine, have a pile of masks and will do may best to avoid crowds (in an airport?) I decided to reframe my thinking,…
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Hang In There
Some holidays are difficult. Especially now that my kids are grown and off living their lives. The house is quiet, too quiet, and there doesn’t seem to be any point in cooking a big feast, or even a little one. It’s those times when thoughts of the past seem to hold me in a vacuum.…
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Slow Your Roll
I need to remind myself that I don’t need to take on more than I can handle. I see stress on the faces of people everywhere. Rushing here and there to get things done. Always haunted by a mental list of what they must do to be whole. To be satisfied. Worry lines seep into…
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Stay Weird
I was hunting in my closet for something to wear. At one point in time my closet was organized so all clothing of a particular color were together. It has now returned to a multi-colored mess. As I reached for a white blouse I thought, “No, it’s past Labor Day, I can’t wear white.” Who…
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Welcoming The New
For six years I have taught an online course for a university. I enjoy staying connected to education by instructing teachers who are earning a Master’s Degree. So far I have only taught one course on Literacy and Reading and enjoy it very much. Today I was asked to teach an additional course on The…
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Rest
It’s good to take an inventory of how you’re doing physically, mentally, and emotionally. Taking time to rest is an opportunity to recharge our batteries. If we don’t get enough sleep at night, we need to rest during the day. That’s a luxury that most people don’t have. It takes determination and commitment to stop…
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