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Poppies in Italy

I took this picture in either 2013 or 2016 while touring Italy. I have been fortunate to travel to this beautiful country multiple times with students and it never fails to excite me. I do love poppies, so. And just look at that landscape! Sidebar: The Wizard of Oz is my all-time favorite and it was only recently that I even realized it was a Poppy field that the witch used to put them all to sleep.

Approaching Fall – 3 things…

From the best florist I know.

Fall…the start of another school year and a chance to try again. Funny, January is supposed to start things anew, right? Waaait a minute! It’s spring. Yea, that’s the one! That’s when things are really new as we come out of a long, cold winter of bare trees and long naps. everyone is twitterpated and finding new love.

Dang, no that’s not right either. Every teacher knows that as June approaches we feel the end is near, so that must be when we shout from the rooftops….ah, a new me, like a phoenix rising from the ashes! (No, I am not delusional, I just wanted to sneak some Tina Fey in there.)

Hmmm… wait, so when is the beginning of change? which season?

How about they all are? Whoa….aren’t I clever? Every season is the start of something new!

Wait just a minute – I just thought of something even better! How about this idea – how about,every single day is a new day!!! Oh me oh my – and a new opportunity! Yes – now we’re cooking with oil.

Now this , this is big. Are you ready? Are you sure? Because this is a totally new concept no one else has ever thought of before and it will totally blow your mind – every single breath, every single moment is new! Whoa – mind blown, right? Who knew that we have a choice every single moment to see the next moment as an opportunity or the next problem; to see the cruelty in the world, or to add to the kindness; every moment one can complain about what’s missing or rejoice for what’s not missing .

Every moment we can choose our own perspective or choose to see someone else’s point of view, have empathy, tolerance, compassion; show grace and accept grace. No matter the circumstance, we can choose to find the joy.

None of this is new information and I am truly sorry for the mansplaining. I am, however, filling in for Captain Obvious right now, so – there’s that, too. (Wow – mansplained WITH a bonus dad joke. I am working on so many levels, right now.)

For real, though, these are just my thoughts this evening as I gathered these little gifts from God and my garden, and I placed them in my favorite tiny milk glass vases. The sunflower is actually from my birthday bouquet a few weeks ago. OMG – another new beginning. I could do this all night!

Flowers start dying the moment you cut them. (long, long, long pause – picture that voice on Sponge Bob that say “a few hours later”). You can’t tell because this is a blog post, but I had a pause there because I was trying so hard to wax poetic about death, starting anew, then God’s beauty – you know, mansplaining the meaning of life and death in this little, silly post. And might I also say – rambling post. Did I mention that I answered a minimum of 868 questions today in my middle school classroom?

Perhaps tomorrow I will have the brain power to have original thought and hay – maybe even poetically profound ones, too. After all, it will be a new day, a new opportunity, and a new chance to make a difference. Adieu.

3 things I am grateful for: the beauty of outdoors and nature’s ability to rejuvenate; my little garden; that there were only 868 questions bc 869 would have been my tipping point.

Thanks for reading!!

#3things #gratitude #choosejoy #fieldsofpoppies #thepoppyshop #mamabirdpublishing #theraybonpublishingcompany #babybirdpublications #charsheart

Good morning! And what a good night.

I had such a fantastic day yesterday! When I got home from work (oh yea, and the dentist) I did not sit down.

Sitting down, or really – it’s the removal of the shoes – just tells my body and mind ” ok, you’re home, shut down and rest”. This really happens on my days when I am overstimulated and need to shed everything down to a loose tshirt and sweatpants and stare into the abyss of the television. But yesterday I did not do any of that. I ran my first workout for a couch to 5k. I felt like I was barely lifting my feet when I jogged, and a stride? What’s that? But I started and that’s what matters.

Today I am grateful for that hot shower in my house that feels like lava; I am grateful for the job that gives me health insurance and that I have access to doctors, and dentists, and physical therapists, and chiropractors, and …you get the idea; Today I am grateful for clean sheets and the washer and dryer in my home. Oh I’ve done the laundry mat. I am incredibly grateful. (And those sheets felt so good after that hot shower! )

What are you grateful for today?

#choosejoy

#gratitude

#3things

A New Day…Everyday

Life challenges us; we all know that. Sometimes I forget to be grateful for this life I have. I focus on the things that bring me worry and anxiety and the big one – FEAR. Let’s name it. Fear…fear that I’m doing it wrong, making mistakes, missing something. Afraid to make a move, paralyzed. Well, as I sit in my car about to dive to work and teach middle school, I needed to pause and show my gratitude for another day. Another day to try again. I get another day in this profound, confusing, joyful existence. I will not take it for granted.

I am grateful that this morning I remember that I am brave. I am grateful for my old friend Anne, who without even knowing it, reminded me a little bit of who I am. I am grateful for this new day that I have to challenge myself, find joy, and make a difference.

#gratitude #choosejoy #3things

May 31, 2024

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

It’s one of those nights that finds me awake for no reason at 1am unable to go back to sleep. The mind can get dark during these late night restless hours. I decided to fight off my thought demons with my three things of gratitude for this day, at this time.

One: I am grateful for a friend’s successful surgery and another friend’s successful delivery. Modern medicine isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty damn good.

Two: I am grateful for my career as a teacher and that I was put on this path to help others. It can be incredibly difficult but it has given me direction and connection; purpose and joy.

Three: the last few days I experienced the anniversary of my father’s passing and the anniversary of my marriage. Although I don’t have my father or my marriage anymore, and I grieve them eternally – I am so grateful for all that life has given me and try really hard to focus on what I have and not what or who has been taken away from me. I don’t always win that battle. Anyone who has suffered loss knows that grief is not linear. I lost mom in 1993 and still have bad days now and again grieving her. But I am grateful, too, that I feel my feels so I can heal – even if they are lifelong wounds. These feelings tell me I am alive and I am human. I am grateful.

#3things #choosejoy #gratitude

Spring 3 Things

May 29, 2024

So blue. So bright.

My first Hydrangea bloom, ever.

When I was a very little girl my granny would ferociously protect her hydrangeas like a mama bear. I remember hiding from my brothers once in the big beautiful plants. I also remember her fury that followed and the shame I felt.

I never understood her love of these plants that seemed to grow effortlessly around her home. I never understood her not protecting me just as ferociously. They were as tall as her trailer. I had no idea. No idea. Why didn’t I matter?

I understand the love – the dedication to the beauty and the growth of this charming and spectacular bloom. I just wish she could have seen my budding bloom – how spectacular my blossom.

I wish she would have shown me that I am more precious than any other thing in the world. Alas, she did the best she could.

I love the worlds of Maya Angelou: do your best until you know better – then do better. (Something to that effect)

I always tried to make my own children feel important, feel like they were enough – stood in awe of their magnificent bloom. I hope I did better.

I am grateful for my granny and for who she was; I am grateful for my children and who they have become; I am grateful to this first bloom that reminds me that most folks are doing their best…even me. #choosejoy #gratitude #3things