April 30, 2008

• Between the Stacks

  A much better day today.  Thanks for the kind words and understanding.  It’s good to be back in the coffee house.

   

  Story hour was lovely today.  We talked about trees, what with Arbor Day and all.  Wednesday morning is a particularly imaginative crowd of littlies so it is grand fun always.  It is especially exciting as I begin to implement some of the strategies learned in the Every Child Ready to Read workshops I’ve taken.  While I am not one to lecture or instruct parents, I have no problem at all modeling reading and story telling styles. The parents seem to be picking up on that and are more engaged in the story hours, encouraging their children to participate and actively listening along with their littlies.  It’s exciting to watch this evolve and has been a much needed shot in the arm.  I may avoid story telling burnout for one more year and that is a good thing.

   

  It’s a lazy day in teenager land.  While I object, on principle, to the kids sleeping in study hall, I am all in favor of afternoon naps.  I think we should be allowed to have our blankies and pillows and stretch out on the floor.  I adored the European custom of closing up shops and everyone resting for a couple of hours in the afternoon.  So much more civilized than the torturous eight-hour day.  (In my case those days are often 15 hours long but that’s my fault and my choice.)

   

  In the world of all things that sound stupid….I needed happy music to keep me awake so of course I put on Bare Naked Ladies, a group that always, always makes me smile.

  Your heart’s got a heavy load
  There’s still a long way to go
  Keep your eyes on the road.

   

  There are moments when I should – quite literally – have my head examined.  Someone should open my skull and see if there is anything in there, because right now, I’m fairly convinced it’s empty.  There I was in a sophomore English class, helping with the creation of introductions and I said, “Here, guys.  I’ll write it with you.  You can pick the story or novel and I’ll write a paper also.”  I was quick enough to qualify it with, “I will NOT read Grapes of Wrath or Jack London.”  The English teacher was kind enough to say, “Give her a break and let her write a paper on Kate Chopin’s short story in our book, “The Story of an Hour.’”  Oh cool, thought I.  I have to limit this to a five-page essay.  Really – there is nothing inside the skull.  Due tomorrow – playing catch-up – thesis, introduction, biographical information.  Writing short has never been a strength.  Go figure.

   

  And so it goes.

  • 4:05 pm
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