Mary Oliver

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?"









Sunday, April 29, 2012

Connections

It's funny. I noticed after posting my flower photos last time that I'm not the only one fascinated with spring's flowers this week. It seems to be a thread running through many blog posts, and isn't that just lovely? We who write and take photos and share them in these spaces still marvel at the beauty around us, despite our age or location or vocation. But this is probably less about coincidence than it is about the fact that I read the blogs of people who share similar tastes as me. Whatever the reason(s), it's nice to know that there are others who are paying attention to the world around us.

This is the time of year that it gets extra busy at school due to end of the year celebrations. Last week I went to a temple to witness two of my students receive an award for a Holocaust Memorial contest. The two boys won for their musical composition. It was a sober yet amazing service. Today I attended another award ceremony for the same competition, but in the visual arts category. A student of mine received an honorable mention for her artwork, and it will be displayed at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk for a month. And this past Thursday, I attended our school's National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony, in which a number of my students participated. I love this time of year, when these amazing young people are being honored and recognized, because it reminds me of another reason I am so fortunate to be a teacher.

 

After the ceremony, Melissa and I went to one of my favorite coffee shops (I have three of them), and played a game of Battleship, a couple of hands of rummy, and then I taught her how to play gin rummy. We walked around Ghent for a bit, and went to a second coffee shop, just to spread the love around. Plus their baked goods are the best!

 

Needless to say, I did a bit of knitting on the Hitchhiker shawl. I'm up to twenty four "teeth" now.

Believe it or not, I still haven't finished the baby sweater. The button bands really slowed me down. I think this is my third or fourth attempt, but at least I'm finally satisfied. I had a problem picking up enough stitches.

I've been keeping the bird feeders full, and was rewarded yesterday by the sight of this yellow finch.

my Dutch irises are beautiful, as always. I love blue flowers!

My parents' dog, Bailee, sat on my lap when I last visited. She is a sweet old lady, and my parents dote on her shamelessly.

Hope your week is a good one!

7 comments:

  1. Button bands make me nuts. Bailee is adorable, Rose. Your hitchhiker is coming along nicely.

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    1. Thanks for keeping in touch. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who has trouble with button bands, it makes me feel less inept.

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  2. What an amazing teacher you are to take so much pride in your students lives. They will always remember how much you cared about all aspects of their lives, what a gift you have given them.
    Happy Monday,
    Meredith

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    1. Thanks so much for your compliment. It really is a joy to be able to get to know these remarkable young people. It humbles me so often.

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  3. Yes, button bands are a nuisance. I like the baby sweaters where the band is garter stitch and included in the front. Seems to be a diminishing supply of those styles.

    What a lovely day - and week - you've had. Hpe this one's good, too.

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    1. It's funny, I hadn't realized the difference, but you are right, picked up button bands are a pain. I'll pay attention the next time I knit a baby sweater, or any other sweater for that matter. Thanks so much for your kind comments.

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  4. I am humbled by how much of your free time you give to your students. I'm not sure I would do that -- however, given the population I work with, I haven't had many opportunities!

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