All posts by onathought

Just Call me Ma

Slice of Life
Part of Slice of Life Writing, from Two Writing Teachers

I’m glad I watched so much Little House on the Prairie when
I was a kid
and when my daughter
was a kid

I feel it has prepared me

My daughter was madly in love with Charles
Who wouldn’t be?
Pa Ingalls
Working, farming, playing the fiddle
Played by Michael Landon

But, it’s Ma Ingalls I was thinking about today
She worked and farmed too – sure
She sewed everyone’s clothes – yep
Once she had to cut open her own leg
when it was infected and she was alone – of course
Plus, she made breakfast for everyone

This morning I realized I needed to rewash my dishes
Since my neighborhood is under a boil water advisory
I realized I needed to repack my son’s lunch
Rewash his strawberries
Maybe not drink the coffee I had set up the night before

I boiled water in a kettle
Let it cool a bit
Washed the strawberries
and all the lunch containers
with safe, boiled water

So you can just call me Ma

I mean, then I told my kids to grab a granola bar, and I stopped at Starbucks on the way to an appointment —

But still.

You did Slice of Life with us in third grade!

Reflections on coaching, Reflections on teaching, Slice of Life
Part of Slice of Life Writing on Two Writing Teachers

“You did slice of life with us in third grade!”

That’s how one fifth-grader remembers me.

Today was the first day of school, and soon, if I’m lucky, I’ll get to write with kids again.

So.

I was thinking.

For months I’ve been paused.

“Prewriting!” My writing friend says.

If I’m going to teach kids about writing —

I better start writing again.

March 31 My Plants

Reflections on coaching, Reflections on teaching, Slice of Life

I’m writing every day of March for the Slice of Life Challenge at Two Writing Teachers

I’m keeping all of my plants a little bit alive.

I think it’s because I give them each the same amount of water. Once a week, maybe every two weeks, I remember to water them.

I know they each came with care instructions. My money plant does better if I give it two ice cubes once a week. My cactus is supposed to dry out before I water it again. I have some succulents I’m supposed to water from the bottom, and an African Violet that used to be one of a pair… it needs lukewarm water poured from the side. Oh, and a new jade plant that I need to make sure not to overwater.

But they all seem to survive if I just water them about once a week, sometimes forgetting.

Equitable watering for all.

I mean I do a little bit of intervention. If one of the plants really needs an extra dose of water that day, I’ll do it.

But for the most part, I’m not differentiating between plants. If I had a green thumb, then maybe I’d be able to decide what’s best for each and every plant. I think there is an app that helps you determine what your plants needs. There’s probably plant food suited for each one. I bet they could each thrive!

But this way I know that the plants are at least surviving. If one of them needs a little extra water, surely they could all use it.

What’s good for the cactus is just going to have to work for the others.

I even put some fake plants in there to inspire my other plants to do better.

March 27 Signs from Beyond

Slice of Life

I’m writing every day of March for the Slice of Life Challenge at Two Writing Teachers

My friend has been gone for a few years now, but sometimes she sends me messages. Usually, I see hummingbirds or cardinals or bunnies and rainbows at the times I need them most. Sometimes she’s in my dreams.

But imagine my surprise when today, in the middle of presenting at in-service, my phone told me she was on Snapchat.

Somehow I think she’s laughing about this.

Either that or she has been trying to tell me something and I’m not getting it, so she’s trying social media.

Or, maybe she just wanted me to have something to write about today.

Thanks, Mardi!

March 25 Seems Dreamy, But.

Slice of Life
I’m writing every day of March for the Slice of Life Challenge at Two Writing Teachers

I’m trying to write at a bookstore.
Seems like a dreamy idea on this dreary day.

But.

It’s crowded and this chair isn’t uncomfortable.
I’m in the middle – it’s the table I had to choose
I feel like everyone can see what I’m writing.

My chai latte came in a giant frothy mug.
Seems like a dreamy idea on this dreary day.

But.

It’s a little awkward to hold and hot.
I’m afraid I’m going to spill it.
It’s going to get cold so fast, I think.

Music is playing, and people are chatting.
Seems like a dreamy idea on this dreary day.

But.

I’m a little distracted by a few of the conversations.
The ones closest to me are hard to ignore.
Every other song is somehow obnoxious.

I’m trying to write at a bookstore.
Seems like a dreamy idea on this dreary day.