This has been a LONG week of standardized testing and adjusted schedules, and Friday has been the light at the end of the tunnel. I am embarrassed to say that I have done more than my share of complaining this week about a variety of things, but then I heard “We Didn’t Have Much” by Justin Moore on my way to work. I was surprised to hear it because I usually listen to classical music in the morning, but my husband had used my car and switched stations. It was just what I needed to remind me just how good my life is.

“All we had was us
And had a little bitty house and a lotta love
We had it all when we didn’t have much
When we didn’t have much.”

When I reframe my week in a positive light, I am reminded of just how good my life is. Here are some of the highlights of my week.

• My grandson N. (4.5) called to see if I could “put my coat on” and come to his house.
• My grandson P. (8) called to tell me he leveled-up in reading.
• I finally got fitted for new glasses after my cataract surgery.
• My husband and I talked to a friend in Ohio who we haven’t spoken with in ages.
• I had my favorite garlic and clam white pizza last night for dinner and there are a few pieces leftover.

We don’t have any plans for the weekend, so I am going to be making my way through some chores that have been on the back burner for far too long. The weather is not looking too good for Saturday, so it will be a good day to stay at home and appreciate my “itty bitty house and a lotta love” because I have it all!

Today is Popcorn Lover’s Day (2nd Thursday of March) not to be confused with National Popcorn Day (January 19) or Business of Popping Corn Day (December 2). Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. These days we buy large bags of Skinny Pop at the local big box store, but there was a time we would only use our Hot Air Popcorn.

When I was a young girl, popcorn was made in a skillet coated with oil. Once we started hearing the kernels begin to pop against the secure lid, the giggles would invariably erupt. Full-on convulsive laughter would ensue if, once my mom or dad took the lid off, a renegade kernel attempted an escape and flew across the room.

Loving memory of loving popcorn.

Ankle: Psst! Want to know a secret?

Me: What?

Ankle: It is going to rain tomorrow.

Me: Really?!? I haven’t listened to the weather forecast today.

Ankle: Trust me It is going to rain!

Me: Are you sure?

Ankle: Yes, do you need proof??? Here, I will alert your arthritis!

Me: No! Don’t do that! Please!

Ankle: Too late. Now that you can hobble around and alert all of your friends. I just hope for your sake ankle arthritis doesn’t alert knees, hips, and hands!

Me: Why? Why did you have to…..

Sinuses: Psst! Want to know a secret?

Me: Ankle already told me. So no need….

Sinuses: Great! We will join the party!

Me: Ugh!

Women, we are as unique as snowflakes but as strong as Australian Buloke trees. Today, on what is International Women’s Day, I am especially thinking about the women of Ukraine who are fleeing with their children leaving husbands to fight against the Russian invaders or those who are picking up arms and fighting side by side with military members and citizens soldiers. Where are they finding their strength?

Where do you find your strength when you are faced with a daunting situation? The article “7 Strategies That Will Help You Stay Strong During Tough Times” (https://www.creativehealthyfamily.com/how-to-stay-strong-during-tough-times/) offers the following tips.

Accept that some situations are beyond your control

Allow yourself time to grieve and feel all the feelings

Never be afraid to ask for help

Whenever possible, offer help to those in need

Take joy where life offers it

Reframe your negative thoughts

Learn from the past, live in the moment, prepare for the future

As I watch the situation in Ukraine unfold, I am seeing these strategies being put into play by women and girls, old and young. I pray for their continued strength and safety – for the tearful ones leaving the only life they have known in uncertainty, for those grieving the loss of family and friends, for that little girl finding joy in singing “Let it Go” while huddled up in a bomb shelter, and for the Polish women leaving strollers at the train station. Holy Mother, hear my prayers.

The picture and quote above are from a calendar I have hanging in my classroom. In addition to teaching 7th-grade ELA, I also teach two sections of 7th-grade religion. Currently, we are working on a chapter on miracles. We have studied some of the miracles performed by Jesus and those attributed to various canonized saints in the Catholic Church – many of whom led the lowliest and most humble lives. This is the line from our textbook that I have had my students focus on – “We reach out with compassion to people who are suffering, and we work the “miracle” of kindness.” You don’t have to be religious to work these little miracles; you just have to be kind and compassionate and have faith that your actions are planting seeds of good.

How do we work “miracles” of kindness and compassion?

• healing somone with kind words
• going out of our way to help someone
• doing a hidden act that brightens someone’s day
• helping a friend make the right decision
• bringing an outsider into the circle of friendship

As teachers, so many of us work these little miracles for our students every day. You know the things you do to bring kindness and compassion into your school environment. These past few years have been challenging and exhausting for each of us in many different ways, and I bet we could all use come miracles ourselves. What would it cost us (money, time) if we started doing “miracles” of compassion for each other?

What could these “miracles” look like?

• a couple pieces of candy left on a desk
• a note in a mailbox
• a card sent to a home address
• a bookmark
• a funny meme
• a surprise morning coffee or tea
• an acknowledgement of a great project

I am sure you could add to the list, so feel free to put some ideas in the comments. It could be something small or something larger if you are able or so inclined. March is a LONG month with no breaks at my school. I am going to focus on ways to work “miracles” of kindness for my colleagues. You never know if you will be the one to make a real difference for someone who is having a challenging day/week/year.

We can’t heal the world today but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, and an act of kindness.

Mary Davis

I am participating in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by twowritingteachers.org

I am posting later today because I took the advice of William Wordsworth. Yesterday was a busy day for me, so I decided to take today at a slower pace. These are the things that have or will (before I go to sleep) encompass my Sunday.

REST – these are all things that bring rest to my body, my mind, or my soul.

• allowed myself to sleep in a little later than usual
• enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with my husband who made the delicious meal
• had unhurried phone conversations with both of my children
• attended to tasks that had been hanging over my head, but now that they are complete my shoulders can relax
• got to sip on a cup of tea before it grew cold
• gave myself the luxury of a nap
• watched some NBA games with my husband
• took time to read and write
• completed my daily stretching
• engaged in prayerful reflection

THANKS – these are just a small list of the things I am thankful for today

• waking up this morning – life is a gift not to be taken for granted
• my husband, Chuck, who does countless things for me everyday and picks up the tasks that I cannot physically handle right now
• my children who remain close to us and to each other
• my grandchildren who keep my humble and laughing – they say the darndest things!
• my home which may be small and in need of some work but keeps us safe and protected from the outside world
• my faith that keeps me grounded and hopeful as I try to process the events of the world

Tomorrow I go back to the craziness of school and the balancing act that all teachers are trying to perfect. I hope that each of you carves out some time each day, if possible, but at least each week to rest and be thankful. Take care of yourself, and have a peaceful week.

I am participating in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by twowritingteachers.org.

Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.

Francis Bacon

Tinnitus – the sensation of hearing sounds when no external sound is present.

I wish I could hear
the sounds of silence;
tinnitus makes that
impossible.

When the world around me
starts to quiet down,
the buzzing and the hissing
jump at the chance
to take over.

I use to fight them,
but they only got louder.
The more I fought,
the easier it was for them
to drive me crazy.

Now when they
arrive each night
still – unwanted guests.
I let go and know
the time has come to
slow down and relax

Because it is only
when I hear the
intruders,
does the rest of
the “noise” of the day
fade away.

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge sponsored by twowritingteachers.org.

Dear Books,

I have been in love with you for as long as I can remember.

My first real crush happed when I was around ten, and the Hadigan girls from around the corner gave me about 20 hard-covered Nancy Drew Books. I treasured those books; I actually still have them. From The Secret of the Old Clock and The Hidden Staircase to The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes, and The Mystery of the 99 Steps, Nancy embodied “girl power” and set me on a mystery-loving course.

My love continued during those five summers of Vacation Reading Club (VRC) with Mrs. Den at the Northeast Regional Library in Philadelphia. Each week we a book from a different genre and discussed them. This was my first experience with book clubs. NERL became a second home. I even became a “page” who reshelved books on the children’s floor – especially in the picture book room.

My love of books led me to find the love of my life. High school found me sitting on my front steps reading every chance I could get. I have to admit, dear books, I did cheat on you just a little to sneak a peek at Chuck as he made his way down to Kenny’s house. A sort of “blind date” ensued, and over 48 years later we are still together and reading books to our grandchildren.

In 1996, Oprah launched her book club, and in 2004 I along with three friends from work launched our book club. We would grow to 10 women strong and dub ourselves the “Chapter Chicks.” We just celebrated 18 years of laughter, camaraderie, support, and a little bit of talking about books.

I still love you, books, even when I send you off into the world to be shared by others. You have been at the center of my life always, and some of my fondest memories involve you. You are a constant companion.

Here it is again, March 1st, the beginning of another Slice of Life Challenge. I wasn’t sure I was going to participate this year because frankly, I am not sure I had it in me. I know the pandemic has taken its toll on so many people in so many different ways, but I can’t even begin to explain to those not in the world of education just how difficult these past years have been – one harder than the next.

So many of the teachers I have met through this challenge have been struggling with the same decision and sharing their thoughts on social media. Reading their posts made me realize what I cherish the most about this challenge – the collegiality, the connection, the creativity. I have come to meet writers from around the country and around the world, and reading their stories fuels my creativity, my teaching, and my soul.

So today, I begin once more for the seventh year in a row. I look forward to reading the posts of the other “slicers” as well as the comments readers have about my posts. This may be harder than in previous years, but if it were easy, it wouldn’t be called a CHALLENGE!

I am participating in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by twowritingteachers.org

So yesterday I did this thing.

I am participating again this year in #100daysofnotebooking facilitated by the always smiling Michelle Haseltine (@Mhaseltine). Yesterday I wrote in my notebook, took pictures of my pages, and posted them in what I thought was the private (over 500 writers strong) Facebook group. I then went on to peruse Facebook for a bit.

Much to my surprise, I saw a comment on my post that was from someone not in the note-booking group. YIKES!! I had actually put my collection of thoughts out into my vast world of followers. 😉 For a minute of so I thought I would just go and delete it, but then there were more comments. My OLW for 2022 is EMBRACE, so I decided to embrace my “accident” and leave the post up. I posted this in the comments –

Rita DiCarne I accidentally shared this post. It was meant for a note-booking group I am in with other writers.  I was going to take it down, but I am “embracing” life this year, and this is what life was like today – challenging, but good. 

I couldn’t believe the outpouring of love and support I got from friends and family and my school community. They totally embraced my writing and then embraced me with their kind words.

When I looked at my post this morning and was reading through the comments again I realized I wrote something I had never written before – I called myself a writer! I know that might sound silly, but I have never referred to myself in conversation or in print as a writer. I guess I will just have to EMBRACE my new moniker!