Unofficial Therapy Dog - SOLSC 2021

I read a Slice yesterday by writer who wrote about not being a dog person. I happen to be a dog person. In fact, in July of 2020, my family purchased our (my) Princey-Poo-Poo.

Prince became part of our family at a time when I was struggling mentally after COVID hit. Normal wasn't normal anymore. 

Teaching, instruction, learning, relationships, connections...ALL changed and became so much more difficult.

Shelter-In-Place, quarantining, shutdowns, and masks...ALL became the new normal.

I'm not sure if I consciously thought getting a puppy would help me, but I know I felt strongly about getting one. So, we did.

 

Prince - July 7, 2020 

(Welcome to the Family!)

Having Prince has required a lot of work. But, I am positive that getting him was the best decision we could have made. Ultimately, he did help me. Actually, I think he saved me. He was exactly what I needed to refocus and rejuvenate my deteriorating mindset.

Left: Prince thinks he's a lapdog. But, I don't mind.

Right: "Here Mom. Throw it!"

What is Perfection Anyway? - SOLSC 2021

 

My Current Notebook

I tend to have perfectionist tendencies. I have a need for things to be perfect and remain consistent. I shutter at what I perceive to be messiness.

Let me give you a few examples. When my grade level team and I work on our shared lesson planning template, I want all the formatting to remain consistent...the date, bold words, the font. Even though no one outside our team and administration will see our plans, I will change, correct, these self-perceived errors to meet my self-perceived expectations of consistency.

Until recently, I used to treat my notebook the same way. The pages of my notebook had to be perfect...each page filled, most of the lines written on, well thought out pieces. If I had a thought or idea that I couldn't process through to perfectly fill a page, I would risk losing that idea. After all, I can't have random incomplete thoughts in my perfect notebook.

This past week I gave myself permission to use my notebook to capture whatever MAGIC "my genius" chooses to inspire me with. I choose to not let ideas, thoughts, and memories escape me. After all, I never know, my ideas could be MAGIC for someone else.

The Book I'm Currently Reading

(MAGIC and "my genius" are ideas from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert)

Drawing a Blank - SOLSC 2021

As I started writing with the Time to Write group this morning, I really didn't know what I would write about. It's early, around 9:00am, and besides having worked out this morning, nothing else significant has happened that I would deem Slice-worthy.

So rather than sitting and sulking at the fact that I had drawn a blank, that I seemed to have nothing write about, I decided to write about having drawn a blank.

I showed up to the page to get this thought/feeling out of my head. I let writing be the process by which I processed the moment.

It turns out I really did have something to write about. I did have an idea. I had not drawn a blank. My notebook and this Slice are witnesses to my writing despite thinking I had nothing to write about.

Have A Great Weekend - SOLSC 2021

I'm not sure that there is any greater feeling than the sheer peace of mind that comes with going into an unofficial 3-day weekend completely prepared for the week ahead.

Here are the three things I plan to do just for me this weekend:

1. Whatever I want

2. Whatever I wish

3. Whatever I please

I hope everyone gets to enjoy their weekend as well.

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy - SOLSC 2021

 Today, and most Thursdays, I had the privilege of coaching 2nd grade Scholars in Creative Writing. 

We meet virtually, and I'm not their homeroom teacher, we have bonded as group from the first time we met.

The time we spend connecting, sharing, and writing makes my heart happy, and it makes theirs happy, too.

________________________________

 

This morning one of my writers walked past me as I stood at my door waiting to greet my Scholars. He slowed his stroll a bit, looked my way, and asked, "Are we meeting today?"

"Yes, O! I will see you at 4!"

The other three writers are in same class next door to mine.  The trio delivered a treat (from their teacher) after class started, and in unison expressed, "We can't wait to see you at 4 and write!"

"I can't wait to see you at 4 either, girls."

______________________________________

My heart is happy, because I get to share my passion with these Scholars. But, my heart is overjoyed at their excitement and enthusiasm.

(I smiled the entire time I typed this slice.)

Memories- SOLSC 2021

Memories!!!

I remember riding in a car with no seat belts. I remember playing outside until the streetlights come on, or until your mama yelled your name from the front door. I remember cigar-shaped bubblegum and boxes of candy cigarettes.

I read a Slice about scars today, and it reminded me of a scar I have on my inner left thigh.

During my entire childhood, most of the adults in my life smoked - cigarettes, a pipe, and sometimes something stronger. So, one day, when no one was home. I grabbed a pack of cigarettes - bubblegum cigarettes - and I lit up.

So, I learned very quickly that bubblegum ci the gum melted and dripped onto my thigh in a near-perfect circle. I remember flailing around trying to get the hot gum off of my skin by any means possible.

Of all these memories, I don't remember EVER telling my mother about my shenanigans.

Thank you Erica for helping me laugh again today. I may have laughed more while writing my scar story than while reading yours.

 

Connections Spark Ideas - SOLSC 2021

    Yesterday, after reading and commenting on some well-written slices, I notebooked about how other people's stories can spark ideas. This is, at least, true for me.

    Later, I was reading a #MinuteMemoir posted by a writing friend in a different group, and I was reminded of a similar memory from my childhood.

    As I wrote and posted my memory, I thought about how, as an adult, I refuse to eat the three staple meals my mom used to have on rotation most weeks.

    I shouldn't find it mind-blowing how someone else's experiences can lead to our own memories and connections, but sometimes, my mind is blown when I think about it.