POETRY FRIDAY

Today is Poetry Friday. My first poem is inspired by the book Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran. This was one of the Top Ten Books featured at the Summer Institute. My second poem is taken from the morning walk Murphy and I went on this morning. ENJOY!

My Roxaboxen

by Kathy Douglas

Did you have a Roxaboxen?

A place that was magical?

Mine was in a dirt driveway

Filled with stones, pebbles and dirt.

I'd lay out my house

The rooms,

The doorways,

The closets.

My Roxaboxen.

Do you have a Roxaboxen?

A place that is magical?

Mine is a pond hidden away.

The dirt approach is perfect

Plenty of stones,

Plenty of pebbles,

Plenty imagination.

Here's the front door,

The window overlooking the pond,

The patio stepping into the woods.

My Roxaboxen.

IDENTIFICATION

by Kathy Douglas

Large brown placemarkers in rows

Each sitting by a driveway

All facing the same direction.

No fancy calligraphy of names

In silver, blue or gold.

But, with x-ray eyes

You can see identification.

The trash inside tells

Who lives here...

What's important here...

Why do they live this way?

SUMMER HIGH

Have you ever had a moment, a week or a day that was filled with such joy, so many pleasures that you don't want it to end? You don't want to let go of that feeling? You continually go back to it in your mind and try to savor the feelings you experienced. You can't let it slip away.

That is the way I feel now. I just got home from the most amazing summer institute. I spent two and 1/2 days in the company of energetic teachers, inspiring speakers and wonderful friends. Just when I thought I couldn't gather any more feelings into this body, this mind, another experience or speaker filled me with more sensations. Kirsten said, "I am on overload." I think that is exactly what was happening with me.

It reminded me of running a marathon. I would look forward to the race for weeks and months, practicing, training, preparing. Then the time would come and I'd put my whole effort into the race. I would spend every bit of energy, every muscle. I would hold nothing back just to finish that 26.2 mile race. When it was over, I was depleted. The next day I would think about running again and I couldn't do it. I had to give myself permission to rest and reflect on the race behind me before I could go on to conquer other quests.

That is what I am doing now. My brain is exhausted. I am going to spend the next few days just reflecting on the experiences, the thoughts, the emotions that those two and one half days brought to me. I don't want to lose that feeling. I don't want to lose that excitement. I don't want to lose those memories. And I won't because my teacher friends, the books I bought and the notes I took won't let me.

I'm already looking forward to next year. I'm already looking forward to how I can share my knowledge. I'm already looking forward to new experiences. Enjoy, Relax, Reflect. I only hope this was as great an experience for others as it was for me.

My FIVE'S

I've been tagged! Here are my 5's!

Five Things I was Doing Ten Years Ago:

1. Running marathons! No kidding!
2. Taking Murphy to dog class. He was the star!
3. Teaching second grade: Douglasville!
4. Shopping with my mom. I still miss her.
5. Baking. I never do that any more.

Five Snacks I Love:

1. Popcorn
2. Snickers
3. Ice Cream
4. Pizza
5. CHOCOLATE

Five Things I'd Do If I Were a Millionaire:

1. Build a new house
2. Travel to Ireland
3. Get D. a Harley
4. Get D. a corvette
5. Get a heated pool

Five Things I'd Never Wear Again:

1. Tights
2. Two piece swim suit
3. Size 9 shoe
4. Knee socks
5. Footy p.j's

Five Favorite Toys:

1. Cabbage patch Doll
2. Stuffed animals
3. Clifford dogs
4. Barbies
5. Treadmill

Five Things I Like to do:

1. write
2. read
3. walk with Murphy
4. run Peachtree
5. Meet with my teacher friends

Five Bad Habits:

1. Sneak Snacks
2. Buy books
3. Drink too much pop
4. Eat a whole bag of microwave popcorn
5. blog, blog, blog!

There you have my "5's". Thanks to NYC teacher! I am tagging Education Blather and Annie's Attic!

Let's Have a Tea Party!

When was the last time you went to a tea party? When was the last time you had a pretend tea party? Yesterday I went to a Bridal Tea. My step daughter is getting married this summer and since I hate showers I refused to do that. So, instead we had a tea party!

We were all dressed in our best party dresses. Even 5-year old Shelby had on her darling pink dress, lacy socks and white shoes with the strap across the front. We piled in, arranged our gifts and then Shelby had to try on the hats. She settled for a white one with a big flower on the front. It only came off long enough to eat.

We were treated to a delightful table laid out with fancy folded napkins, an assortment of dressings and plates full of food. We had sandwiches made with the most delicious bread. Then came the hot tea and desert. The cake was angel food with whipped cream topping. Everything was just as we had pictured it.

Angie opened her gifts: a tea pot and cup and a picture album with a heart front. Shelby was delighted with her Bridal Barbie and the heart shaped bracelet and necklace along with heart shaped sunglasses. We took loads of pictures, had lots of fun and enjoyed Angie's gifts.

As the day was winding down, we put the hat back in the box, gathered our gifts and headed for the door. It was fun pretending to have a tea party once again! Thanks to the Maple Leaf Inn for a wonderful afternoon.

Summer For Teachers!

Have you ever heard someone say, "Boy, I wish I had a job with the whole summer off?" People even think we get paid for the days we are not in school over the summer. After all, we get a pay check, don't we? This week I have been attending the summer institute our district provides. The amount of teachers attending is amazing. Yes, they do get paid, but not enough to give up a beautiful summer day. These teachers are sitting in those classrooms working, listening and gathering all the information they can get. Why? They are wonderful educators dedicated to their careers.

I have heard things like: "It doesn't even seem like summer has begun yet, does it?" "Are you going to the All Write!!! conference next week? I can't wait for that, can you?" "I've been reading all kinds of professional books to get ready for next year. I'm excited about a new class."

Yes, I know. That is not what the public thinks teachers are like. Maybe some aren't, but the ones I've been around this week and will be with next week ARE like that. Tomorrow I am meeting with a group of teachers after our class just to discuss a book we are all reading. Will we get paid? No way! Is someone making them do this? No way! They are just hungry for information to make them better teachers, to help them reach kids.

The next time you see a teacher this summer sneak a peek in their beach bag and I bet you see a book...a professional book, too! Thanks all you wonderful teachers out there who inspire us and keep us as educators excited about learning!

Personal Policies

I have been tagged to leave my personal policies. I didn't even know I had any. Boy, these girls sure make me think. And it's summer when I'm not supposed to think! I thought. Oh, this is getting too complicated. Here goes:

1. I have to live with a dog. I have had dogs in my life since I was born starting with a Scottie. At one time we had three dogs at home. Every time my dog had puppies we would have to save one for us. Now I have a spoiled golden retriever. He is smart and loveable. The only problem is he is getting old. We will have birthday party next month.
2. I have to be active. I can't just sit for very long...unless I am reading. My passion is running and walking. I love to be outside doing something even in the winter.
3. I have to be reading. I usually have about three or four books started. They are in different genres and different types but I am reading!
4. I have to have some sort of trip in the planning. This year it is to Atlanta for the 4th of July and then Gatlinburg for my son's wedding. After that I will start planning again. Maybe New York this time.
5. One of my most important policies is my faith. Everything I am revolves around that faith. I believe I have a purpose in life and that is to touch as many lives as I can and make a difference in those lives. The difference comes from the God I believe in so strongly.

There you have it folks. Those are my personal policies or at least the ones I can think of right now!

An Old Dog

An Old Dog

by Murphy Douglas

My days of romping are getting shorter.

I seem to be sleeping more these days.

Still new friends,

Old friends,

Or friendly people

Inspire me to

Wiggle,

Whine,

And try to jump to give them a kiss.

Time is now spent

Dreaming of catching that rabbit,

Instead of running to try to catch it.

My greatest pleasures are:

To follow my master,

To walk in tall weeds,

To roll in fresh cut grass

And to gobble any kind of treat available.

I'm an old dog,

But a loved dog!

Murphy will be 11 years old next month. He has been a Visiting Dog since he was two. He has his Canine Good Citizen title as well as his CD title. He loves to meet people and play with his girlfriend, Lucy. Murphy is loved by all the children in the neighborhood and loves them right back!