Imagine the Possibilities

I love seasonal changes. They remind me that life is constantly changing and that change and growth are a necessary part of moving forward. I especially love those in-between times, those times when two seasons co-exist, one melting into the other. I wrote about summer moving into fall last October, and the other day I was equally mesmerized by winter giving in to spring. We’ve had some crazy weather lately, warm temperatures in the middle of February that forced the daffodils out way too early, then a significant snowfall in March. Last week a chilly wind was blowing, but spring was just about ready to make an appearance.

The In-Between

white bud-clusters

peek from green jackets

feel the chill

unsure

pink blossoms

eager to greet the world

stay sheltered from the wind

indecisive

one brave tulip

joins the drooping daffodils

beckons more to follow

hopeful

then a day of sun

and a gray-green world

bursts forth in color

unwavering

  The Inspiration: I sit at my computer, hoping for an idea. What have I noticed recently that could become a slice of life on this first Tuesday after the March challenge? My mind wanders through events of the past few days and I think about the Crayola crayon that is being retired – Dandelion, I believe. Then I remember that Amy at The Poem Farm is doing a project where she pulls a crayon at random each day and creates a poem from it. Bingo! I’ll try it.

The Process: Since I don’t have a box of 64 Crayola crayons handy, I pull up a list of the colors, choose a random number, and count down. I land on Banana Mania. I like the name, but what shade of yellow is that exactly? I soon discover that it really isn’t a shade I normally associate with a banana – more of a tan or beige with yellow undertones. I’m not inspired, so I decide instead to brainstorm thoughts and ideas associated with Banana Mania. I come up with monkeys, rainforest animals, nutritional value, how to eat a banana, the banana tree at Longwood, taste, and various recipes that use bananas. Is there something in there I can use?

The Product:

Banana Mania

Bananas in my smoothies

Bananas in my bread,

Bananas on my waffles,

Bananas fill my head!

The Reflection: I will be the first to admit that this is not a wonderful poem, and although I tried to come up with a second stanza, it just didn’t work for me without feeling forced. But it reminded me that this experience plays out every day in classrooms. As we offer strategies to our students, it is important to remember that what works for one may not work for another.  It is a reminder to see each writer as an individual and help them find what works or inspires them. It’s OK to hit a dead end. It happens to writers all the time.

I think I’ll go eat a banana now.

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.

Thirty-one days ago I started this challenge by creating an acrostic poem. So today, I offer another acrostic poem to sum up the month. There were days when I scoured through my notebook, read some posts for inspiration, and wondered as I sat down to write just what would happen. But magically something always appeared, as I knew it would. So, to all of you who sliced along with me, read, commented, and offered just the right nudge, and especially to Beth, Betsy, Deb, Kathleen, Lanny, Lisa, Melanie, and Stacey – this one’s for you.

Thanks, Two Writing Teachers, for

Hosting this special month of writing

And sharing. So many ideas,

Never feeling at a loss for words,

Knowing I could find support from fellow slicers.

You have created a community

Of writers and an ever-growing,

Unending web of friends.

See you on Tuesdays!

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 other day I was watching a news program and learned that a congressman (maybe a senator) left this message on something he was supposed to read: TLDNR (Too Long Did Not Read), and I started thinking about acronyms. Granted, I have used acronyms for years. Back in the 60’s when I was a teenager, SWAK was a popular sendoff in a letter to that special someone. And who can deny BYOB, RSVP, FAQ, and FIY?  When I started sending text messages I specifically avoided using acronyms for words that I could easily type out (it just didn’t seem right). I realize that if you are limited to the number of characters you use, some acronyms may come in handy, but it was years before I figured out what EOM meant at the end of an email message line. Some frequently used acronyms I have deciphered, like LOL and BTW, but sometimes it takes me longer to figure out what is being said than if the person sending the message would just type it out.

I got curious and of course turned to Google and found a site that lists the 500 (yes, 500) most commonly used acronyms. Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order:

CMIIW (Correct Me If I’m Wrong) – No problem there. If I can’t figure it out I will assume you are right. Looks like a Roman numeral to me.

DUCT (Did You See That?) – Seeing this in a text or email would conjure up rolls of duct tape for me.

FOCL (Falling Off a Chair Laughing) – I think there are more acronyms devoted to various degrees of laughing than anything else, many of which involve various parts of the body falling off or on. Really? I also found ROTFLOLWTIME How long would it take someone to figure out that is Rolling On The Floor Laughing Out Loud With Tears In My Eyes?

G2GTAP  (Got To Go Take A Pee) – Just TMI

GR8 or THX – With just a few more letters you have the word!

HAHA – This one was disturbing. It means Having A Heart Attack. If someone sent me this I would assume they were laughing, and that probably is what is means sarcastically, but why take the chance?

PDS (Please Don’t Shoot) – Again, I get the sarcasm , but all I could envision was someone texting the person mugging them!

Just something that I hope brings a smile today, FWIW.