Quotes and Collages #SOL22

A few years ago, my friend Michelle Haseltine began a Facebook group called the #100DaysofNotebooking. Because I wanted to create a more consistent habit of writing in my notebook, I joined many others in this challenge. 

I am a notebook starter-stopper. I start one notebook, but for whatever reason (excuse) I would never finish it. Then I would start another one, and the cycle would run on repeat. 

That was until I joined this group. For the first time ever, I filled an entire notebook. It took me much longer than 100 days, but I did it.

Filling this first notebook was a great accomplishment, but I also found myself with this feeling of "not good enough." I loved the beautiful pages with artwork and doodles and sketchnoting that people shared. 

I wanted beautiful pages, but I knew I could never draw or create like that.

I came across journal pages using collage from kathrynzbrzenzy on Instagram. But could I tear and paste and create beautiful pages through collaging? 

I began searching and found other paper craft people to follow on YouTube and Instagram, and a collage monster was born. 

I now have a collection of stamps, ink pads, blenders, pads of  paper, washi tape, stickers, digital ephemera, and containers full of torn, scrap paper. 

My journals are now filled with collages and writing.

One of my favorite notebooks is my quote collector. It is a a small notebook with a quote on one side and a collage on the other. 

Creating collages has filled a void I didn't know I had. Ripping and gluing paper is pure joy. Searching for and finding ephemera in antique stores is exhilarating.

Creativity comes in many forms. And yes, even in torn paper.

I would love to add your favorite quote to my collection. Check out yesterday's post with an invitation to a "writing retreat" where you must bring and share a quote!

 

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A Slicer Party #SOL22

For the past several years, I have held a "Slicer Party." I have always questioned doing it because I didn't think it followed the challenge guidelines. But when slicers ask for it, I can't help but NOT host it again.

Yesterday when I was on Diane's blog Newtreemom, I knew I had found this year's party - a writing retreat! Doesn't that sound wonderful? I know I, and I am sure many of you, have found it difficult to find the time or maybe even the motivation to write. I remember reading the first few days, post after post about slicers being in a writing rut and trying to find that rhythm again. Trying to remember the joy of finding stories and sharing them.

So, imagine yourself being with other writers in a cabin tucked away in a world of lush green fields surrounded by beautiful flowers blooming under blue skies and perfect temperatures. 

As the month wraps up and when you need a slice, (and yes, you know it WILL happen!) consider this invitation.  The best part is that you can join the party via your blog anytime during the month. 

Here's what you need to bring.

Writing tools - what writing tools would you bring? Are you a paper pencil and paper writer? A drawer or doodler who needs markers or colored pencils?

Food/beverage - what do you need to sustain your writing time?

Quote - this is actually a hostess gift! I am collecting quotes for a collage notebook (more about this in tomorrow's slice) and would love to see what quotes inspire you.

If I were going on a writing retreat, I would bring my notebook(s). Although it is sometimes much easier to compose on a computer, I would refrain from using it just to enjoy the time spent in nature and with all of you. I also enjoy the sound of pencil meeting paper and the turning of the page, and computers just don't provide that. I would bring a pencil pouch (or two) filled with my favorites - Ink Joy, twistable Crayola colored pencils, Flair markers, and Ticonderoga pencils.

I would bring along Milo's sweet tea and a huge bag of ice to ice it down! I usually prefer salty over sweet, so bags and bags of chips would be on my list.

My favorite quote:  "We rise by lifting others." I truly believe this and spent a whole year with the word RISE and ways in which I could lift others. We need more lifting in this world.

I hope you consider coming to the party some time this month by writing a slice about your ideal writing retreat. Just let me know you have joined, and I will include you on the guest list down below. I can't wait to see who else is coming! Even if you don't join, I hope reading about this retreat will keep you writing this month.

Writing Retreat Guest List:

Terje from Just for a Month

Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum

Rita from Practicing What I Teach

Donnetta from Teacher Reader Writer

Glenda from Evolving English Teacher

Debbie Lynn from Moon Snails, Daisies, and Marmots 

Ramona from Pleasures from the Page

Heather from Writing My Way

Eva from Writing is its Own Reward

Heidi from Thoughts and Musings from Heidi

Christie from Wondering and Wandering

Erika from Ms Victor Reads

Carol from Beyond Literacy Link

Tammy from Tammy's Reading Life

Juliette from Gifts

 

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Habit Stacking Part 2 #SOL22

Photo by Deniz Altindas on Unsplash

I recently read a post on Mrs. Shade's Blog Writing Momentum that led me to some further reading about habits and then led me to writing a post about habit stacking. If you want to start a new habit, then attach it to something you already do, such as eating breakfast, taking a shower, going to to bed.

I decided to give habit stacking a try this week.

My reading life has been in a slump, and it is not caused by anything negative like the pandemic. I have narrowed it down to two things:  change in bedtime routine and too much phone.

My bedtime routine has changed in the last six months. I am a night owl and my husband is an early to bed, early to riser. This has drastically limited my time reading in bed before I go to sleep because I don't want to keep him awake. I have also been finding myself grabbing my phone instead of a book, which leads to too much scrolling and not enough reading. (I bet none of you can relate to that, right?)

Trying to find a place to stack a reading habit was a bit challenging. I am a nighttime bather and spend lots of time soaking away the stresses of my day in the tub filled with hot bubbly water. I used to read in the tub all the time, but this has also become the place where I infinitely scroll! (I hear you gasping!)

This week, when I grab my towel and pajamas, I have also grabbed a book. And what do you know? I finished a book in just three nights. 

Maybe there is something to this habit stacking after all. Now if I could just stack cleaning my house to something...say like eating!

 

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Five-Thing Thursday #SOL22

 

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It's a Five-Thing Thursday kind of day!

1. We had a March carry-in with yummy food and lots of laughs while eating together.
2. We had an extended day for parent/teacher conferences and suicide prevention training and testing accommodations training (thus the reason for my short slice today!).
3. We had a Theodore Roosevelt impersonator, and he was very entertaining.
4. I have a little time to read slices and read a few pages in my book before I crash.
5. I have one more day until spring break.

Test Day Gratitude #SOL22

Test day: only two students absent.

 

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Honesty #SOL22

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"Mom," she says in one long drawn out syllable.

I knew this wasn't going to be good. She proceeds to tell me that she scraped a car while turning into a parking spot during an out-of-town basketball tournament. She explains that a man walking by, a former police officer, and she does not see any damage.

"What should I do? Should I just leave it? Leave a note with my name and phone number?"

After discussing the situation, she decides to leave a note and goes on to coach her game, which they lost by 20 points. Think her mind was someplace else?

Saturday night goes by. No phone call. 

Sunday goes by. No phone call.

She is really thinking she is in the clear, yet she still feels she did the right thing by being honest.

Monday is President's day, and she is off from school. As she is taking a nap, she receives a voice mail. Uh-oh. The lady leaves her number and asks her to call to discuss the damage.

Turns out there was $2400 damage done to the car. She's owning it. 

But not one thank you for being honest.

Ode to Thin Mints #SOL22

It is Girl Scout cookie time in southern Indiana, which means cookie booths are popping at grocery stores.

I was a Girl Scout and learned many skills along the way. I loved earning badges, wearing my uniform to school, and especially going to summer camps. I met someone with the same name as I had for the first time at summer camp.

As I was walking into a store this weekend, scouts had set up a booth stacked high with boxes of cookies. Three little girls were asking customers as they walked out of the store if they would like to purchase any cookies. One lady stopped and bought some as I was standing in line to do the same. Another little girl asked a couple, and they just walked on by. They didn't say no thank you or I have already bought some. They just walked on by with no acknowledgment at all.

I know I learned many skills as a scout, but I don't remember learning how to handle rude people.

As a tribute to Girls Scouts everywhere... 

Ode to Thin Mints

Oh, thin mints

you take me back in time

to my brown felt beanie,

and sash draped over my right shoulder,

and troop 572 and badges proudly displayed.

I see your sleek silver sleeve

of today's packaging

and taste your mixture of mint and chocolate

crushed on top of my bowl of vanilla bean ice cream.

But why Thin Mints, does your package get smaller

and your price get higher

time after time?

*This was a poem I wrote for a February challenge with the theme of time.

  

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At this hour...#SOL22

At this hour...  

I let out a sigh of relief as I finish the last yearbook pages.

Pork chops sizzle on the grill, "polluting" the neighborhood.

A cold root beer sits beside me keeping me company.

The clouds roll in signaling the rainy weather coming.

A cardinal serenades me, knowing I need his melody.

*Thank you Julieanne from To Read To Write To Be for my inspiration (or copying) for this slice.

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Habit Stacking #SOSMagic

Habits. Things one does on a regular basis that require discipline. Discipline is something I do not have. 

A blog post I read this morning mentioned James Clear and the idea of habit stacking. Intrigued, I checked it out and my vision of forming habits completely changed.

In a very simplistic definition, Clear states that in order to build new habits, they need to be paired with a current habit, thus habit stacking. For example eating breakfast or taking a shower are regular habits. I never thought of those as being habits, but it makes sense when you read the article.

The reason why habit stacking is successful is because we have current habits already built into our brains, and we have had them for many years. By stacking a new habit to something we already do, we increase the likelihood of sticking with the new habit.

The article suggests making a list of  things I already do:

eat breakfast
open my computer at school
take a bath
eat dinner with Dave
wash the dishes

go to bed

What new habit could I stack onto one of these?

• While eating breakfast I could write in my notebook or make a to-do list.
• After I open my computer I could read a bible verse or write
• While taking a bath I could read 10 pages.

One of my favorite examples he gave was to place a book on the pillow after making the bed in the morning, stacking the behavior of reading right before bed. BINGO!

See how this is going? It really isn't about discipline at all. It is about connecting a new habit to one I already have.

Now, doesn't that sound easy? I'll let you know how it goes!

I’m joining an open community of writers over at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. If you write (or want to write) just for the magic of it, consider this your invitation to join us. #sosmagic

EJD Night #SOL22

Most Friday nights for me are pizza and crash-on-the-couch kind of nights. 

But not last night! Last night was EJD night, a night with a few of my high school friends. EJD is an acronym for Eight Jelly Donuts, which is what we called ourselves in high school because of pranks we did with jelly donuts. 

The eight of us have been friends for 45+ years, but are scattered across the country, which makes getting together a rare, but special occasion. The last time all eight of us were together was in 2016 although we have had some small groups such as last night.

When we get together, donuts usually find their way into our time together. Last night we met in a small southern town in Indiana that was a midpoint between central Indiana and Kentucky. This small town just happened to have a bakery that was open 24 hours. How serendipitous!

After dinner, we stopped in to grab a donut and coffee for our two-hour drives back to our separate homes. We needed a picture, so we asked an young girl to take it. As we were "posing" someone said something, and we erupted in laughter. We had no idea that she continued taking pictures.

But she captured the true essence of friendship. It's not the pose, but those small moments in-between. 

The joy,

the laughter, 

the gift.

   

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Jelly Bean Spring #SoL22

  

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Easter has filled the seasonal aisles in Walmart with pastel colored bunnies, bright yellow daffodils, and lots of candy. I have anxiously awaited for this moment since last spring.

Not because of my deep affection for spring. Actually spring is my least favorite season. Although I am always ready for winter to be over, days to be longer, and temps to be warmer, I do not like Mother Nature's hot flashes or bad moods or her inability to make up her mind.

But I do love me some jelly beans. Not regular jelly beans. Troll Sour Brite Jelly Beans. They are gummi crawler goodness wrapped up in the shape of a jelly bean. My favorite! (I may or may not have already consumed these three bags shown here!)

This is the one time I sincerely mean: WELCOME SPRING!

Young Love #SOL22

"Love you," she whispers as she looks up at him with those first-love starry eyes.

Their hands linger a moment, and then they go their separate ways down the hall.

I smile at the sixth-grade romance and fall in step with her. These are my "love birds" as I affectionately call them. He transferred in back in the fall, and their "coupleship" soon became commonplace in our hallways. After reminding them more than once of our policy on public display of affection, now I just smile at their innocent and sweet relationship.

As I walk down the hall with her, she asks me, "Mrs. Eck, have you ever known someone where you have to look up to see someone's eyes?"

I laugh, "My husband is six foot one, my son is six foot two, and my daughter is five foot ten. So yes, this five foot four person has to look up at someone every single day."

She giggles and walks into her next class.

Ahh...young love.

   

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A March Reunion #SOL22

Yesterday was full of unexpected excitement as I scrolled down the Two Writing Teachers call for posts. I saw so many bloggers who I "grew up" with. Some were back for another consecutive year, some were back after lots of hesitancy (like me!), and some were back who I have not seen for a few years. As I clicked on post after post, I felt like I was with old friends. I may have actually been a bit giddy!

It felt a little like a high school class reunion. We were hugging through the Internet, catching up on family and personal lives, and reminiscing about days gone by. 

Only this time, no one cared how much how much weight I have gained or how many gray hairs I have. No one cared whether I was wearing the latest style or whether I brought my husband or came with my group of girlfriends. Instead of sitting around tables looking at yearbooks, we sat around computer screens sharing words.

Todays' post is my 800th post. When I started this blog back in 2013, I had no idea where it would take me. I have grown as a writer in so many ways, thanks to the inspiration and the mentorship of other bloggers. I have been given opportunities to write professionally, to present at conferences, and to meet some incredible people in real life who have become dear friends...all because of this little space.

I have never been a big fan of class reunions and have regretted going to the two I have attended, but I have never regretted started this blog and joining a March reunion.

Cheers to the "class of March 2022"!

   

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More Advice from a Slice #SOL22

It is March 1st and once again, I have convinced myself to participate in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge for the ninth year in a row. 

I will say, it took a little bit more convincing this year. My life is slowly transitioning back to normal with less stress. But my writing life is still stuck in a rut, and I need something to pull me out of this hole I have been wallowing in.

If a slice could talk and tell me why I needed to complete this challenge, what would it say?

For my last slice of the 2021 challenge, I wrote a post titled "Advice from a Slice." The post seemed to have resonated with many people. As I reread it to begin the month's journey, I decided I needed to repost it to remind me just what this challenge is all about. 

It's not about the prizes, it's not about a competition, (see Terje's post) and it's not even about people reading my stories (although community a BIG plus to anyone's writing!). It's about creating a habit. It's about writing for me. It's about finding and telling my story because no one else can tell it...

...but me.

 Advice from a Slice

Find the ordinary.

Capture the small moment.

Look for the unexpected.

Look everywhere.

Keep a notebook.

Write from the heart.

Tell the story.

Warn your friends and family.

Silence the critic.

Tame the fear.

Accept grace.

Just hit the publish button.

Celebrate.

I hope this slice gives you a bit of encouragement as we begin another month of writing together.

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Just to See Them Smile

Teaching middle schoolers is always a challenge. Their emotions run high, hormones explode, and day-to-day problems escalate at a rapid pace. Add a pandemic with regular routines constantly changing and top it with mask wearing, and teaching middle schoolers enters a new level.

Last week we had a welcomed change. Our district and our state lifted COVID restrictions. A feeling of relief and excitement was felt, but I was most excited about seeing their smiles.

Smiles are broadcasters. When I can see students' faces, I know who is having a good day. I know who just got braces. I know who enjoys walking down the hall with new friends. I know who enjoyed my class or the other classes in the wing. I know who told a funny joke. I know who has a new crush. I even know who farted. (Remember, it's middle school!)

Students have been hidden behind masks, leaving teachers to decipher what they are thinking and feeling and what is going on with their I-don't-know-how-to-handle-this middle school life.

Yes, it was nice just to see them smile.

I’m joining an open community of writers over at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. If you write (or want to write) just for the magic of it, consider this your invitation to join us. #sosmagic

The kind of writer...

 

The kind of writer I want to be. This question has been swirling around in my mind since Ruth posted it last week. If I were to be honest, this prompt lead to my thinking about who I write for. "Do I write for myself or do I write for others?"

The answer to this question is directly linked to the kind of writer I want to be.

Writing for myself is a path to discovery of who I am and who I want to become. It's a way to sort through the emotions of living in this big and complicated world. Writing for myself is a way to reflect and solve problems that seem so much bigger than I am. 

I want to be the kind of writer who writes for myself.

Writing for others is a way to share my story. Sometimes, when I read others' words, they are just what I needed. It may be words that cause me to reflect, to learn, to dream, to cry, and to laugh. I want to do the same for others. I love sharing my teaching practices, my literacy life, and my life in my classroom. I never know when I share a story just how much someone else needed to know they are not alone.

I want to be the kind of writer who writes for others.

Today, I read a poem by Fran Haley on her blog, Lit Bits and Pieces. It was inspired by Kobe Bryant's poem, "Dear Basketball". Fran wrote about writing and her life as a writer. The whole poem is beautiful, but these words lingered just a little longer in my heart.

You will outlive me. 
You are my record.
You are what I leave behind.

Let it be the best of me.

So, what kind of writer do I want to be? I want my words to be a record of my life and a discovery for others. I want my words to bring hope, to show love, and to share my story. I want to be the kind of writer that is the best of me whether that is for myself or for others.

Because I don't know if the two can be truly separate.

The Blessing of a Snow Memory

We had our first snow day of the school year this week. My husband took the day off to spend it with my daughter and me. Before the day started its descent, they decided to take a walk.

As they shut the door, I sneaked to the window to watch them. Dad was several steps ahead while Megan fell behind by walking in the drifts.

How did the time slip by so quickly?

They returned in about an hour, stomping the snow off their boots before opening the door. Prior to that I heard them out in the front yard, laughing just like they did 25 years ago.

Where did the time go?

This morning as I made my way to the mailbox, I saw the footprints spelling out her name at the end of the driveway. And I heard the laughter again. 

I pictured that four-year old out with her dad in the first snow of the year,  

her red snow paints swishing as she walked,

her red and navy Land's End coat with the elastic hood that kissed her head and only exposed her almost-frozen bangs,

her feet double-socked and stuffed into her black snow boots stomping her way through the snowdrifts so high that her boots could hardly be seen,

her eyes squinting from the brightness of the snow and staring with complete admiration of the most important man in her four-year old life...

hollering, "Wait for me, Daddy!"

Isn't that the blessing of a snow memory?

I’m joining an open community of writers over at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. If you write (or want to write) just for the magic of it, consider this your invitation to join us. #sosmagic

The Shape of Words

This week in the #100Daysof Notebooking Facebook page, Cathy Hutter shared this poem from Sean Thomas Dougherty on her notebook page. 

Why Bother?

Because right now there is someone

out there with 

a wound in the exact shape

of your words.

~Sean Thomas Dougherty

It made me wonder if our words could be shapes, what would they be? What would be their purpose? This is my thinking and my hope that our words can heal, bring hope, and offer peace.

The Shape of Words

May my words 
be a circle
to wrap around you

and hold you tight

during those times

you are falling apart,

a squiggly line
to remind you to laugh
on days you want to cry,

an arrow

to gently lead you 

in another direction

when you may have lost your way,

a semicircle

to encourage you 
to open your arms 

and welcome the invitation

to breathe,

to love,
to live.

I offer you my words;

may they be the shape

you need

in this moment

of life.

I’m joining an open community of writers over at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. If you write (or want to write) just for the magic of it, consider this your invitation to join us. #sosmagic

#MustReadin2022 Challenge Book List

 

I love reading challenges even though I am not always successful at them. But I guess that is why they are called "challenges," huh?

My #MustReadin2022 list is comprised of books that I have on my shelf or in boxes at home. And of course, this list is only part of what is in those boxes or on those shelves!

I have narrowed my list down to twelve - some new, some old; some adult, some middle-grade; some fiction, some nonfiction, but all unread.

Brave in the Woods by Tracy Holczer

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Linked by Gordon Korman January 17th

 

Greenlights by Matthew Mcconaughey

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig  January 8th

Unbroken by Laura Kilenbrand

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker

Pony by R.J. Palacio

Up for Air by Laurie Morrison

The Captive Kingdom by Jennifer Nielsen

Rivals by tommy Greenwald

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Titles from #MustReadin2021 that I did not get to yet still want to read.

Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly

The Fountains of Silence by Rua Sepetys

Code Word Courage by Kirby Larson

We Had to be Brave by Deborah Hopkinson

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Captured by Alvin Townley

My one little word for 2022 is invite. I know I need to invite reading back into my life, and I am hoping this challenge will inspire me to pick up a book instead of my phone. I invite you to do the same!

#MustReadIn2022 Round-Up

 

Does this picture look familiar? Are your book stacks tumbling over or piling up?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you might want to join us for the #MustReadIn2022 reading challenge. For this challenge, you take a look at the books you wanted to read in 2021, but for whatever reason, did not get to them.  You then make your own personal list of books you want to commit to reading in 2022. 

The best part about this challenge is that there are no rules - just reading for fun and tackling titles that are tumbling in your stack. There is no set number of books to read, and books can be published from any year, in any genre or format, and in any category. 

We all know these books will not be the only ones we read this year but will be the ones included in our personal challenge.

I will round up the initial posts here on my blog, and Cheriee at Library Matters will host the update posts on hers at the end of April and August. I will end the year with the round-up post in December, but remember update posts are always optional.

If you would like to create and share a book list, click on the link-up below to add your blog post. Feel free to use the graphic above to include in your post, too. Don't forget to check back regularly to see the reading plans everyone has made - you might just find ANOTHER great title to add to your own list. The link is live until January 31st, so take your time and share those great books!

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