Hello Dear

The cold nights have sucked the juice out of the vegetable garden, struck the zinnias, and wilted the morning glories. The squirrel that visits out backyard goes to great lengths to dump the bird seed so he can feast, but a strange white cat with spotty markings perches on our old fence, watching him. The leafy trees bear a sumptuous dress, still full, still bright. The scenery around here makes even eighth graders take a second look. Some are taking weekend drives up into the mountains to look at the aspens. Some are going all the way to Leadville to climb before the snow arrives. They arrange crisp golf games, anticipate football games, hunger for Halloween candy and spend their Fridays brewing plans for the weekend. Mrs. M. doesn't make plans, but plans come. A shivery nap on the sofa and some new books bring fun feelings and creative lift. Bed is feeling so soft and inviting and morning coffee smells extra nutty.

Carolyn from Love Stitching Red generously suggested some ways to fall in love with art journals. A few simple suggestions like collages of loved things have me itching to spend some time cutting and pasting, marking and painting, even cutting fabric with my fine sharp shears. The bunting may happen. Some baking of zucchini bread may occur and some chili is certain to bubble on the stove tomorrow.

Here are a few things that are in the birthday package, on its way to Cleveland Girlie. She's an artsy one. I made her a CD with some favorite Pom Pom music like "Give Me the Simple Life" and "What a Wonderful World" and I added the song "Wonderful" because a student who had a somewhat anguished family chose it for our Soundtrack of My Life project. That's what we're doing next week. The kids choose four songs that sing to them, write about the connection they feel to the music, and share a particularly important song with the class. It's a lot of steep writing instruction (grammar brush strokes to spice up their sentences) but it's an assignment that's fun to grade. Anywho, Cleveland Girlie will get her goodie soon. I had to get it in the mail today - I'm post office challenged. Whew. It's something I have a hard time doing - I'm going to try to improve that area of my life and send off more goodies to more people. When I received a smart ice chest full of Godiva chocolate from Sara at Shiny Red Houses, I felt so blessed, so paid attention to. It's a goal worth working toward. With my new art journal-y practice, I may just whip up a few lovely letters, too.
Here's hoping your Sunday is extra sunny, happy, affirming and a bit wild.