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 shop at several different grocery stores depending on what I need, where I am, and sometimes the time of day. Each has its pros and cons. The one closest to me is not my favorite, but it’s fine, especially if I want to get in and out in a hurry. That is, of course, if I can find a place to park. This particular grocery store is in a very busy shopping center where there are many eateries and small businesses whose customers all vie for the best parking spaces. So you can understand my frustration yesterday when I was continually blocked from parking by a reserved sign! This particular store seems to boast quite a few that you don’t even notice until you have already pulled in!

I totally understand parking spaces that are reserved for people with physical disabilities. When I had knee surgery last year I had a temporary permit which helped tremendously. I’ve come to accept spaces reserved for “Expectant Mothers” and “Customers with Small Children.”  They weren’t around when I was eligible to use them, but I know I certainly would have appreciated them. But it’s the other reserved spaces that I just don’t always get. Associate of the Month? Employee of the Year? I’m sure these people would gladly give up their spot to make a customer happy. After all, good customer service is probably how they earned the title in the first place.

How about reserved spaces for:

Grandmothers

Parents With Teenagers (they have enough stress)

Preschool Teachers (or teachers in general)

Surgeons (surely they need to get in and out quickly)

Cars with Dogs

People Who Love Books

Customers Buying 10 Items or Less

We are all special in some way and we all deserve a good place to park.

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.

Answer: This ritual happens in many homes across the country every evening.

Question: What is watching Jeopardy!?

Answer: I receive this several nights a week right after the Final Jeopardy question                            appears.

Question: What is a text from my daughter?

Answer: This professional development superstar, author of The Book  Whisperer and Reading in the Wild, was once an answer on Jeopardy!

Question: Who is Donalyn Miller?

I was saddened this week to learn that the host of Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek, is battling cancer. Only a few days ago (while watching Jeopardy!, of course), I had remarked to Allan that I didn’t think Alex would ever retire. Jeopardy! is one of those universal events that so many people can relate to. I am never surprised when I hear someone talking about watching Jeopardy! every night. I’ve heard it from friends, co-workers, even celebrities. I know many people who know someone who has appeared as a contestant on the show. Last month we watched to see the son of a college friend of ours compete. We all can hum the Final Jeopardy tune, and there have been any number of references to the show on other TV shows.

Both of my kids are Jeopardy! fans. As I mentioned before, Ann will quite often text me the Final Jeopardy answer before it is revealed. Brian records the shows so he can watch them at his convenience as well as fast-forward through the commercials. It’s just one of those things that stuck from their childhood. Both of them, as well as Allan, are quick with their answers, and I am always amazed at their accuracy. I often need a little more time to think.

I know so many of us wish Alex well, and will keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

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.

The Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest and longest-running event of its kind. It began in 1829 by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society. Every year there are a variety of garden displays, demonstrations, competitions, and vendors.

I hadn’t been to the show in several years, but yesterday I had the opportunity to attend. The theme this year is “Flower Power.” The displays explore the range of emotions and messages that flowers can convey. I wasn’t really expecting to see so many references to the “flower power” of the 60’s, but peace signs, old VW buses, flower headbands and jewelry, and tie-dye themes were on full display- perfect for a 60’s girl like me. My friend and I spent several hours delighting our senses as we explored the convention hall to music like “Let the Sunshine In.”

All of the displays, of course, were beautiful, but I was particularly drawn to those with a recycling theme. I so admire people who can make something from nothing. Yesterday I saw gardens growing in old cut up tires and blooms peeking out of the tops of cement blocks. Old film canisters and reels were spray painted and used to create wind chimes and other garden décor.

Now I can’t wait to get out in my garden!

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.

Ask yourself this question in the morning when you wake: in a world of possibilities, today, what will you make?    (from Be a Maker by Katie Howes)

There are birthday parties for babies and grandpas and everyone else in between. I’ve even been part of birthday parties for pets, houses, and cars. But one of the best celebrations is a book birthday – the day a book is released for sale.

Last night I attended the book birthday of Be a Maker from author, Katie Howes. I met Katie last year at a conference and was excited to join the birthday celebration of her third book. Be a Maker challenges readers to consider creativity, imagination, and purpose in the choices we make every day. It’s about considering possibilities in a world where everyone can make a difference.

Like most birthday celebrations, book birthdays have certain requirements. First, there must be an enthusiastic author ready to read aloud. I loved watching Katie share her labor of love, her passion for words and story clearly displayed. Bonus points if the illustrator can also be part of the celebration. (Be a Maker’s illustrator, Elizabet Vukovic, lives in San Francisco, so she wasn’t able to attend.)

Second, there definitely should be kids. Kids ready to interact and listen, kids ready to cheer and clap and laugh in the right places. Kids ready to warm the heart of the author and anyone else who happens to be listening.

Of course balloons and snacks are a must. After all, it is a party. A planned activity or craft is a nice touch. Last night we made bracelets from pre-cut measuring tape strips and decorated them with bits of colorful foam shapes.

I left with books and a little swag – bookmarks to help spread the news about this wonderful new book, and a button proclaiming that we can all help make the world a better place by being a maker.

It was a great way to spend an evening!

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.

One of the things I love about participating in the March Slice of Life is that it often gives me the opportunity to think a little deeper about my every day, ordinary activities. I go about life perhaps a little more aware, a little more present. Yesterday I enjoyed a trip to my neighborhood nail salon. Years ago, when I first started using a document camera in professional presentations, I became self-conscious about my nails. As a result, I started to have manicures on a regular basis. I’ve had tips, pink and whites, or gels done at the same nail salon for about ten years. And for much of that time, Ann has been my go-to technician.

Ann was a part-owner of the shop at one point, but has since sold her interest and now just works there part time. She came to this country from Vietnam in the mid 1970’s after the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnamese War. She settled first in California, then traveled east and raised her family in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She returns to Vietnam from time to time to visit relatives, although she doesn’t like to fly.

Over the years I have gotten to know Ann. She is friendly, gentle, and caring. She always asks about my daughter and daughter-in-law whose nails she has also done. Ann has an eye for color, often suggesting a shade I didn’t consider, and it always looks great. She and I both have one grandchild, so we always swap stories about our grandkids. I am grateful to have learned about Vietnamese culture and traditions from her.

Yesterday, as I sat chatting with Ann, I realized that she is more than my nail technician, more than just a passing acquaintance – she is also a friend. We have known each other for quite a while, and I look forward to our visits.