Finding my Heart's Desire...

 
It appears every year around this time, my thoughts drift toward endings. May seems naturally jam-packed with conclusions as we as teachers bid good-bye to students within our care.

This year is no different as congratulations are offered to my students graduating from elementary school and boarding upon the voyage into middle school as their bags are overflowing with worries and trepidations.

As most of you already know, I too will be launching a journey of my own back into the self-contained world where my heart’s desire resides with each and every one of those Kindergarten students with special needs. My luggage is packed as well although not with fears but great anticipation and happiness as I head for home-the precise dwelling where I belong.

“Keep your heart open to dreams. For as long as there’s a dream, there is hope. And as long as there is hope, there is joy in living.”

Anonymous

Poetry of Old...

'Wilted Dreams'

I desired to grow a beautiful flower~

to be proud of it and say

'I did it myself!'

So one spring day,

I put a seed in the ground

and buried it in dirt.

I watered it and nurtured it

and finally saw a sprout.

On days that passed

it grew so big and

smelled so sweet and pleasant.

I hoped it would live forever.

Then one day

I went out to pick it

to put it in a vase,

but there I found

my flower

had wilted.

It's fun to look back...

When contemplating what to blog about this day, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, I thought I'd glance back and see the focus of my blog a year ago.

Imagine my surprise to discover I was completing my book and now, a year later, my book has just been released and I have two book signings scheduled for Ohio in four weeks.

Life certainly is full of surprises!
Enjoy the piece from twelve calendar changes...


Happy Writing?

Okay, so I’m not a realist!


I had to chuckle to myself as a result of my lofty goals. I am attempting to complete My Life as a Dog… so it can be sent to the editor/critique person so the publishing of my book can come more quickly. Currently, I have 24 stories finished and have ideas for at least four more. So it would only make sense to devote all my time and efforts to this ambition, right?

In addition, I joined National Novel Writer’s Month (NaNoWriMo) which to goal is to complete a novel of 50,000 words in one month. That sounds obtainable, doesn’t it?

Well, both would have they not been on variant roads to crash at the intersection of November. I realized this morning when my husband Scott came back from running with me at my usual sitting place, the computer room. He puts his nose in the air and said, ‘Oh, I thought I smelled grits, but I guess not!’

SLAM…’But I thought you wanted me to write?’

‘Yes, but I also want you to pay attention to me!’ Ahhh, so he wants the best of both worlds; as do I. It is not easy taking time away from my family to devote to writing, plus teaching, plus whatever it is I do all day. I’m not a self-centered person so this is not an easy path to navigate.

So what if I want it all? Would anyone like to add additional hours to the day so I have time for everything? What will it be that is put on the back burner? I’m at 6,393 words on my novel for NaNo, and My Life as a Dog is at 14,668. No, I didn’t write all of those 14 thousand words but probably a third of them within the past week which should account for something.

Meanwhile, I have clothes to wash, the floor to vacuum, and bathrooms to clean so if you’re looking for me, that’s where I’ll be; obtaining my lofty goals~

Sweet Dreams...

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Sweet dreams are made of this. Get out a pen and paper and take notes on any imaginative concepts that bubble to the surface.

 It's not a habit of mine to read my horoscope, however, this morning it offered me the perfect excuse to write…how lovely~ The permission I gained was imperative to my psyche knowing that I am shooting for new stars; doesn’t everyone need dreams to reach toward to keep their lives purposeful?
I adore being a teacher, and affecting the lives of my students. Most days I can’t ever see myself retiring, however within the past year a couple of innovative dreams have penetrated my soul. I fantasize of writing and publishing a book or two. I aspire to start a scrapbooking business on the beach to assemble photo creations for others who don’t enjoy the craft as I do that will allow me to capture the essence of the special ones in their world. I couple this goal with the idea of having my studio overlook the ocean; ahhhh, what better atmosphere to get the imaginative juices flowing than to be immersed by the ocean’s beauty? Scott has a longing to open a donut/bagel shop at the beach so we can be beach bums collectively; anybody have a couple hundred thousand dollars they’d like to donate?
My point being, just because we age doesn’t mean our dreams cease to exist. I wonder, are the ideals of our life as an adult more luring because the inhibitions of youth are no longer as prevalent? Or perhaps we stop listening to ‘could’ve, should’ve and would’ve’ thoughts that saturate our dreams. At any rate, I like the consent of my horoscope and in the meantime, I’ll let the words of my book bubble to the surface.