One of my favorite 7th-grade writing assignments is inspired by Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Students brainstorm words about themselves and things they love on an ABC grid before writing their entries.

Yesterday was drafting day, and my first section of students had a double ELA block – 110 minutes.  Class began with the daily free write and checking homework.  Next, I reviewed the writing assignment instructions, put on some instrumental guitar music, and set the timer for 30 minutes. Then something amazing happened! The room fell silent, and EVERY student was engaged in writing for the ENTIRE 30 minutes.

When the timer went off, there were groans because the students didn’t want to stop writing!  Far be it from me to upset their writing mojo.  They wrote for another 35 minutes and spent the last ten minutes of the period sharing their writing with a friend.  

I wonder if they noticed the HUGE smile plastered on my face?!?

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DAY 5

A few weeks ago, this peculiar word caught my attention, and I had the idea to make it my OLW (One Little Word) for 2025 – the word that would guide me through the new year.

Now, those who know me know that my skeletal challenges make traveling uninviting for me. But what if I looked at traveling in a broader sense? What does it mean to travel? My online search of the word coddiwomple was quite thought-provoking. It led me to synonyms for “travel,” such as journey, progress, roam, wander, and ramble, as well as other definitions and examples. Here are some of the insights I found and want to remember.

“Coddiwompling doesn’t mean lack of direction; quite the opposite. A coddiwompler has peace of mind because she’s not waiting to “become” someone or for something else to happen. She’s comfortable getting lost because she knows that’s where the truly worthwhile opportunities and aha’s are to be found.”  Awakin.org April Rinne

In a post on viningcenter.com, the spiritual journey is described as pilgrim vs tuorists. “Tourists set their course and agenda; pilgrims simply launch the boat and expect to be led. Tourists stay in control; pilgrims abandon control. Tourists are committed to a destination; pilgrims are committed to the journey itself.” In order to live like a pilgrim we must be

• Open-hearted. Less attached to the destination. More willing, less willful.
• Humble. Not so certain that I know what I need or even want. More ready to ask for help.
• Trusting. Looking for the unexpected opportunities embedded in every failure or plan-gone-awry.

What if I applied these thoughts to all areas of my life – personal – professional? What if I focused less on the “goal” or end result and more on all the little things that happen along the way?

Yes, coddiwomple will be my 2025 OLW! I can coddiwomple through my life this year. Stay tuned for the unpredictable – the limitless possiblities!

Today I feel content and peaceful, and that is by design, not accident. I purposefully put aside my many lists and decided to improvise this weekend.

Yesterday, I went to my AquaFit class and destressed so much that the only thing I did for the remainder of the day was take a drive with my husband, read, and rest. Unproductive looking to some, but just what I needed.

Today has no agenda. So far I have paid a couple of bills, tackled some laundry (which I don’t hate doing – I find folding therapeutic), and read. The rest of the day will probably be much of the same – reading, writing, and listening to calming music. It is my little slice of heaven.

It could have been very different though if I created a long list and put huge expectations on myself for this weekend. It would have been easy to do. Don’t get me wrong; that happens often – just last weekend in fact. The point is if we don’t make/take time to care for ourselves who will? How will you find your peace and contentment this week?

What are the top ten things you are grateful for that cost under $1.00?

I am not quite sure where I found this prompt, but I used it for my own journaling as well as with my 7th-graders. Here is my list in no particular order.

• Tea bag: Black pekoe or herbal, each little sack of leaves leaves my taste buds wanting more. A cup of tea can perk me up in the morning or help me relax at the end of the day.
• Grandchildren’s smiles: They can brighten up even the gloomiest day. I have been very blessed by having four of those smiles in my life.
• Autumn leaves: They remind me that there is beauty in every season. Of course, this is my favorite season.
• Sunrises: They remind me that God paints each new day with beautiful possibilities. Each day and each sunrise is a gift.
• Pencil: It lets me scribe my thoughts and feelings and erase my mistakes. I prefer wooden pencils that I can sharpen to a sharp point.
• Hugs: Hugs are reassuring and comforting. They make me feel loved.
• Phone Call: Hearing from a friend or family member that I haven’t talked to in a while always makes me thankful to have that person in my life. I need to remember to be that person who reaches out.
• Creativity: If it weren’t for the creatives in the world how dull life would be. I am especially thankful when I get a sudden burst of creativity.
• Kindness: I have been the beneficiary of many kindnesses in my life – some large, some small – but each of them made me feel cared for and seen. I hope I have made someone else feel that way.
• Library Book: What a gift to have a public library from which to borrow books. A book can take you to any place you want to go without leaving your couch.

I am sure I am leaving out other priceless things, but that’s what I have a notebook for. What would be on your “top ten” list?

We never pass up the opportunity to spend time with our grandchildren. Now that they are getting older those times take on a different look. Take last night for instance. We spent the late afternoon and evening with our grandsons. In the past I would spend most of my time doing arts and crafts, building Legos, or watching dinosaur reenactments. Yesterday, I wasn’t sure if I should bring my “Mary Poppins Bag” (as my husband calls it) with my crafts supplies and various other activities along, but I did. I made sure I brought my tablet and Kindle Fire as well because that is usually something they ask for when I don’t bring them!

Much to my surprise neither boy asked for a tablet or device. We set up the craft supplies on the dining room table and started to discuss options. When the oldest, age 10, was called into the living room to help Pops, my husband, navigate the TV remote, he didn’t return until it was time to eat dinner. Instead he and Pops watched Dinners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network. I could hear Pops explaining what a “dive” was and P. asking Pops how he was enjoying his retirement (just two months now). I was a little sad that P. didn’t want to make crafts with N. (age 6) and Nona, but smiled at the more “grownup” conversations I could hear from the living room.

That sadness didn’t last long though because the crafting was going full steam in the dining room, and the question of was there enough glue on each piece of construction paper was serious business. N. made a leprechaun for himself and one for his big brother. He also made a scary pumpkin and a pipe cleaner spider even though Halloween is months away.

After dinner it was another screening of Finding Nemo complete with blankets, pillows, popcorn and M&M snacks. While we sat in complete darkness except for the light emanating from the TV screen, I couldn’t help to just take in the scene. These are the moments that bring me such joy, the moments that become priceless memories.

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

The first Saturday of the each month means a Continuity morning with teacher leaders of the West Chester Writing Project. While I may be a year or two from retirement, I try to never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Today’s presentation on using AI in the classroom was given by one of the newest WCWP teacher leaders who went through the Summer Institute in 2023.

When it comes to AI, I feel like less than a newbie, but I am excited to explore the many resources provided to us today. I think for now I will be using it as a teacher tool until I get more familiar with its many functions. Who am I kidding? It may take me until retirement to get comfortable using AI at all! Yet that’s not the point.

It doesn’t matter when or how I use the information I learn each month. What matters is that I never lose the passion for learning or the will to keep growing no matter where I am on my life’s continuum.
Happy learning!

There is a Chinese proverb that states, “The hardest step is over the threshold.” Today we stand on the threshold of a new year.  For some, it is a time for celebration and optimism, for others a time of deep reflection and maybe some regret.  We have a choice. 

Today I choose to be reflective but without regret – giving myself grace and letting the last day of 2023 fall easy. I am going to list all of the wonderful experiences of the past twelve months – large and small. It is too easy to get wrapped up in the should haves, could haves, and what ifs. Instead, let’s focus on what was.

Did 2023 present me with challenges?  You betcha!  Did some of them knock me down? Maybe to my knees but never to the ground. My circle of family and friends picked me up when I couldn’t quite gather the strength, and I reciprocated whenever and however I was able. 

As we get ready to step into 2024, what is it that you want more of in your life?  What are you looking forward to? What lessons from 2023 are you bringing with you?  

Whatever your answers are, I wish you good health and much happiness in 2024.  May you keep building the life you were meant to live.  Happy New Year!

With two minutes to spare my post for today.

When you are tired you have to sleep! There’s always tomorrow.

I sat in the recliner after dinner to watch just 30 minutes of TV before going upstairs to write. It was 7:00, and the whole evening was ahead of me.

Here I am at 11:00 just opening my eyes and writing my post. Oops…an unexpected nap before bed.

Some people would now have a sleepless night, but not me. I am going up to bed and will be asleep before my head hits the pillow. 🥱😴😂