Saturday, October 3, 2009

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.

11 comments:

Marcie said...

I love this post, Pom Pom. What a lively, generous, loving person you are. It just shines out through your writing.

Anonymous said...

You create a lovely atmosphere with your words.
Have a lovely Sunday too.
Holly (UK)

Saleslady371 said...

I love the creativity here! Have a wonderful Sunday!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

What a wonderful post as always Pom Pom. I love your trees and I'm wondering about your weather over there at the moment. Were you complaining of the heat the other day and now the chilliness of the evenings? Is that right?

I'm sure Clevelandgirlie (my buddy) will enjoy her goodies. She is such a lovely girlie and will be enriched by your parcel which sounds lovely!

I am loving that tree. Our trees are the same, still green but tinged with orange now and there are already piles and piles of leaves to kick through

I'm glad you are inspired by my journalling/sketchbook ideas Pom Pom. Look forward to seeing some bunting or pages soon

I am having a wee blog break because I need to get some other things done and having two blogs takes up a lot of my time, so it will just be for a little while till I have caught up with myself and then I'm having a GIVEAWAY myself so I hope you pop by again soon

I owe you an email which will hopefully drop in your box tomorrow. I am writing this it is 7.10 in the evening and I'm cooking an English roasty dinner and we are going to cosy up on the sofa and enjoy a Tommy Lee Jones movie

Bye for now and much love
Carolyn xxxxx

Scrappy quilter said...

What a wonderful post and what a great package you're sending. I've been thinking of doing some letters too. Our generation has really missed out on so much by not sending letters. I just might get one done tonight. Hope you've had a wonderful day. Hugs..

Bradley W. Maston said...

Seems a wonderful time. I hope the bed was as soft and the coffee as nutty as could be hoped. Charge up to bless those kids all over again! I'm so glad that you are having the impact that you are having on their lives. They need good influences, they seem to get so very few...

Terri Kahrs said...

Thank you sooo much for your blog visit and lovely comments. I truly appreciate your kind words (blushing). It's really wonderful that we all inspire each other. Love your post about the birthday package. What a generous gift! Hugs, Terri

SuKnitWitty said...

Yipee! I'm back...did ya miss me? I've been in San Antonio working an Estate Sale. Was fun! Glad to be back! Catching Up in BlogLand! Looks like you've been busy as Always!

renaissance said...

That 1st paragraph painted such a wonderfully vivid picture.

Kerri said...

You are the most amazing teacher! I love this idea of a sound track for your life! I wish I had had a teacher as fabulous as you, maybe I would have turned out better!

libbyquilter said...

great post Pom Pom~!~ such beautiful fall colors happening in the trees.

seeing your shot of "Living the Creative Life" reminds me that i need to dig that book back out and read more than just the first few pages~!!~

:)
libbyQ

Followers