Imagine the Possibilities

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I sat at the computer wondering what I could use as my slice today. I usually pick out some small detail from my life that I normally don’t think much about, and try to find the significance in it. That’s one of the things I love about SOL – it presents life through a different lens. But nothing was coming to me. Then I remembered the family in the restaurant at breakfast this morning. What was it about them that made me take notice, to remember? And I found my slice.

Allan and I were at one of our favorite places for breakfast this morning. There was a family of four at the table next to us. The children, a boy and a girl, were about the same number of years apart as are my children. I watched them, the little girl in her high chair feeding herself bits of cut-up pancake, the little boy using the jelly packets as building blocks.

I looked at Allan and we both just smiled. I’m sure we were thinking the same thing – that could have been us many years ago. Back then, our conversation might have revolved around our schedules for the week or what summer activities we were planning with the kids. Actually, as I think about it, the conversation wasn’t all that different this morning. We talked about places in the area we wanted to visit on day trips and our upcoming weekend of babysitting our grandson, Alex.

And we talked about the future, since life has a habit of repeating itself. Our second grandchild is due to be born in the fall. We just found out it will be a sister for Alex. Perhaps I was thinking of my son’s family, too, this morning. Past, present, and future.

I have a lot to be thankful for.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I noticed her scurrying toward the door as I was getting out of my car. She wore pink flowered boots and had a matching umbrella to protect her from the steady rain that was falling. A hot pink ruffle of tulle peeked out below the bottom of her coat. By the time I reached the inside entrance to the library, her mother had helped her remove her raincoat and place it in the corner with her umbrella. I casually commented that I liked her skirt.

“It’s a tutu,” she corrected. “But thank you.”

As I unloaded the bag of picture books that I was returning, I noticed other children gathering in the room opposite the front desk. Story time! I craned my neck, trying to see what book the group would be enjoying. I looked for a sign announcing the title, but came up empty. A hundred thoughts raced through my head.

Could I just sit quietly in the back, maybe?

I didn’t see any other adults entering, but so what? Was there an age limit on Story time?

I like hearing picture books, too!

Just as I was packing the last of the new books I was picking up into my bag, the door to the Story time room closed.

Maybe next time I should wear my tutu.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I spend a lot of time in the Children’s Garden at Longwood. While the fountains and architecture with child-sized nooks and crannies are constant, I’ve learned to look around, and especially up, for surprises. Today I noticed two new blooms – one on a philodendron and one on the White Bird of Paradise tree. I might have missed these beauties if I didn’t observe closely.

So, because it’s Friday and in honor of my observations, I humbly offer this haiku:

Bird of Paradise

Exotic blooms welcome spring

Regal evergreen

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

We live only about an hour from Princeton, NJ, yet my husband and I were commenting on the fact that until yesterday, we had never been on the Princeton campus. My niece is a freshman at Princeton this year, so a visit was in order. The campus is as beautiful as we expected it, despite the absence of colors. But we could imagine the promise of spring in the tall trees and manicured gardens. As we walked, we could almost hear the stately buildings whisper words from alumni such as Woodrow Wilson, JFK, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sonia Sotomayor, and Michelle Obama.

As beautiful as the campus is, the best part of the day was spending time with Courtney. Her studies are in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. She loves the law and is a member of the Mock Trial Team (which just placed second in the National Tournament). She, and others like her, hold the promise of the future. And from my standpoint yesterday, it looks very bright.

Thanks, Courtney. We’re so proud of you!

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of              Two Writing Teachers for creating this  supportive community.

I’m always looking for ways to make life in the kitchen easier. So when everyone was talking about the Instant Pot, I decided to ask for one for Christmas. Since January I’ve used it at least six or seven times with varying degrees of success. Once I couldn’t get the lid to secure correctly, and another time I couldn’t get the lid off! Then there was the time the chicken soup started to overflow, and the time the pork loin didn’t seem to be cooked enough, so I ended up finishing it in the microwave. But I think my biggest complaint is the name. Is it really “instant”?

Last night I made jambalaya for the second time in my Instant Pot. The stew itself cooks in 15 minutes, but from start to finish it takes quite a bit longer. There’s the time it takes to measure and dice the food (about 15 or 20 minutes), and make the roux (about 10 minutes). It took almost 30 minutes for everything to heat and the pressure to build enough before the 15 minutes of actual cooking time started. Then I had to let it depressurize for 10 minutes before releasing the valve completely. Everything turned out great and it was delicious, but I wouldn’t call almost an hour and a half from start to finish “instant.

I know cooking jambalaya on the stove top or in a slow cooker may have taken longer, but I still wouldn’t call it “instant.” I propose “The Quicker Cooker” as an alternate, better-suited name.