I am terrible with goodbyes. I quietly scoot out at parties when no one is looking, hoping I won’t be seen. I’ve learned through the years that transitions aren’t easy for me. I always foolishly think that life will stay the same, but it never does. People come and go, jobs never stay the same, everyone keeps getting older and life moves forward, whether you’re ready or not. I was once told, “The only constant in your life is YOU.” Today, as I write my last slice in March 2022, I do not want to say goodbye, but instead, a shout out to those who made this month so special for me.
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unusually quiet hearing hearts beating eyes focused seconds pass pencils scratching row and columns tiny darkened circles running across the page minutes pass arms stretching children sighing heads resting upon desks an hour passes highlighting underlining cautiously rereading another hour passes slowly contemplating questioning second guessing new york state assessments
Prompt inspired by Ramona (SOL 28/31) of Pleasure from the Page who was inspired by a numerical slice at Abigail's blog: Look around and choose 4 things within 4 ft. of you and 4 minutes to write about them.
My desktop computer is placed on a shelf with a pull-out draw for my keyboard. Inside this country, forest green, tall, wooden armoire are writing journals, books, bills, old family photographs, random post-its and tassels that hang from the two wide open doors, evoking memories of high school, college and postgraduate journeys. The large picture window to the left of me is dark. The night is cold and quiet. The silence of the tweeting of birds that wake me at six in the morning makes me wonder where they are now. My husband just walked up the flight of stairs to the right of me. He’ll quickly change, brush his teeth and jump into bed to play games on his ipad. Our Mexican Train competition is exhausting. I was 30 points ahead of him last week, only to find myself 6 points behind last night. I wonder…is he building more points as I type on my keypad right now? Behind me is a credenza that matches the style of my armoire. The pictures framed in various species of wood are of my three daughters and their husbands at each of their weddings not long ago. The one in the middle is my growing family with grandkids all hugging. We purchased the country armoire and credenza for our first home, a sweet house with high wood plank ceilings and a stone fireplace. Now, they sit in a very modern home with glass block and marble floors. I adore the country wooden pieces of furniture with stencil designs that look worn and old. Our home is eclectic because I could never part with the pieces of furniture that we've accumulated over time, that help tell the story of my life. Four minutes and three seconds. Three minutes and sixteen seconds to revise. I have been thinking about what I’ll do when I retire. I am worried that I’ll be bored and feel lost. I was inspired by slicer, Pencilonmyback's, “When I retire” SOLSC March 21, 2022 to think about when that time comes. It actually is sounding pretty fantastic! When I retire I’ll decide if I want to get up with the sun or sleep until I wake. I will slowly open my eyes, knowing the day is all mine. Maybe I’ll stay in bed and read a bit or check out the news on my ipad. I’ll slowly walk to the bathroom and leisurely get ready for the day. I’ll put on comfortable jeans or workout Lululemon leggings. I’ll head downstairs, drink my water with lemon and possibly work out before the day begins. I'll take a long walk every day and stretch classes to keep limber. When I retire I will be conscious of eating smart. I’ll make sure I eat three healthy meals and stay away from snacking. I’ll have tea in the afternoon! I’ll go to the store to pick up fresh fish and veggies. I’ll have time to plan and prepare delicious healthy meals for my husband and me. But of course, I'll still be enjoying a little bit of my favorite milk chocolate. When I retire I will write every day. I will find outlets to inspire me. I will take writing classes at the local college. Hopefully, I’ll make a few new writing friends. I dream about writing a children’s book or novel. As of yet, I don’t have any ideas for a story, but I’ll have time to find one that I feel passionate about. I’ll read. I’ll read all the new novels and sometimes sit on the couch all day long and have the luxury of time to read. I’ll finally fill the pages in the grandparent book my daughter gave me for her children. I will paint with watercolors with my sister, who is a wonderful watercolorist. I will get back to drawing and take a ceramics and sculpture class. I’ll plant some flowers in a garden and bring them to my friends and children’s homes. I will go to the movies during the day or watch movies or television series for hours on end on a rainy afternoon. When I retire I will find activities that I feel passionate about. I will find a ways to keep encouraging children to be lifelong learners. I will search out ways I can get books into the hands of children that may not have that luxury. I will find ways that I can use what I’m good at to help others. When I retire I will be involved in my grandchildren’s lives. I will visit them, attend school events that I am invited to, find activities to do with them that they’ll love and read, read, read with them. I will be an active participant in their lives as much as they’ll let me. I will love them unconditionally and be a resource for them to grow and love learning! I will take them for walks on the beach, teach them how to collect sea glass and to love nature. We’ll study animals or dinosaurs, or trucks or whatever they are passionate about together. I’ll become an expert on unexpected things. When I retire I will pay attention to my spouse's needs and find ways for us to spend quality time together. We’ll play pickleball, visit the grandkids, travel and spend time with the friends we both enjoy. We’ll take walks on the beach, and plan for family trips to be with the people we love to be with the most. When I retire I will continue to be a life-long learner. I will learn conversational Russian so I can communicate with my grandchildren and my daughter's in-laws. I will travel to places I’ve never been before, like Japan, Norway and Australia. I will read and listen to the news and be knowledgeable about the world around me. I will learn to play bridge and commit myself to learning it so I can play with confidence. I will keep my mind active and my body strong. Saturday is such a wonderful day. I decided to take a leisurely thirty minute Peloton ride with Jess King. She’s a red headed spunky instructor who smiles a lot and has a fun attitude. Her “Women's History Month” ride featured Reba McEntire’s country music. In the first few minutes Jess King quotes Reba saying, “ To succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” I had never heard this before and I thought it was a wonderful way to think about your life. I believe I’m successful in having a wishbone and a funny bone in my life, but the bone I need to work harder on is backbone. After hearing this quote, I decided to write to someone who sent me an uncomfortable text unfairly doubting me. I debated letting it go. You often can’t win with people like this. But, then I heard that quote and told myself to have a backbone. Quotes can be so powerful. This slice is inspired by the poem “Something You Should Know” by Clint Smith
she never told anyone She didn’t understand the poem by Emily Dickenson she was a reader and had two masters yet the words sitting quietly on the page meant nothing she tried she desperately tried atlas, they were only words written by a famous American poet one hundred years ago. Perhaps that is why she disliked poetry in high school and rarely chooses to read it today. Inspired by Marylin Joseph slice on March 23rd: Some things in life are free
Some of the best things in my life are free Walking on the beach in Montauk barefoot and feeling the sand between my toes Watching Henry play with his trucks and trains by himself Taking a hike with Henry on my son-in-law's shoulders Looking up at the dark sky and seeing the moon glowing Laughing hysterically about something silly with my sister, Janet Looking through old photographs remembering my parent’s love Listening to baby Anna laugh as she plays by herself in her crib Waking up every morning next to my hardworking, sweet husband Talking with my pregnant daughter and sensing her joy Feeling the sunshine on my face as I look up at the sun My slice is borrowing the format in Elisabeth Ellington’s slice yesterday. Elisabeth stated that she got her idea from Kessick at Teachers Write. Unfortunately, my new dentist moved across town and neglected to tell me that the appointment I made to have my teeth cleaned six months prior wouldn’t be recognized in the new office. Fortunately, I called the new dentist office the night prior to my appointment, learned the upsetting news, but was able to make a new appointment the very next day. Unfortunately, the hygienist, who by the way gave my teeth an excellent cleaning, found two old fillings that needed replacement and the one on my left side had a cavity brewing beneath the filling. Fortunately, I made an appointment a week later so the dentist could gently pull out my lip and insert a long, skinny needle. The novocaine shot was wonderful in eliminating the pain as he dug away like an excavator in my deep, dark, cavernous mouth. Unfortunately, hours later when the novocaine wore off, I was in excruciating pain. Fortunately, I had made a third appointment with the dentist in order to address the second filling, on the right side of my mouth. The dentist tried to file down the tooth on the left in the hopes of easing my pain before he began to remove the second filling and replaced it. Unfortunately, I am still in pain after I eat or drink anything cold. The pain begins on top and radiates down to the bottom part of my jaw. It’s quite unpleasant. Fortunately, I am in pain on only the left side of my mouth, so I can still eat on the right! Most Memorable Days
(Inspired from Linda Rief’s ‘Most Memorable Days,” from The Quickwrite Handbook. How many days do I have to choose from? Twenty two thousand six hundred forty two. Which of these days is the most memorable? Of course one thinks of the big occasions: the weddings, births, bar mitzvahs, family vacations, and traditions. I have so many, but these I remembered with little effort:
My inspiration for this slice was Elizabeth’s Ellington ’Monday Musings on a Tuesday #sol22 15/31, who was inspired by Monday Musings at Peace Be the Journey. I am loving how this year I’m inspired from writers who are inspired by other writers! What surprised me yesterday? Yesterday my husband and I met friends for breakfast at Poxabogue golfing range in East Hampton with the plan to eat breakfast and then, to hit some golf balls. It was unexpected as we rarely go out to breakfast on a Sunday morning and since our friends moved to East Hampton, we don’t often spend time together. If you’re like me and married, you find it a rarity that you and your husband both enjoy the company of another couple. I had met Elaine when we randomly both signed up for a weekly tennis court when our children were little over thirty years ago! She is a dynamo. She now runs her own company successfully. Back in the 80’s she was one of the few women who held positions in large companies when the internet first took off. Whenever I am with her, I feel inspired. She is always searching for her best self and inspires me to think about what I want in my life. It was her husband’s birthday, which added to the surprise of the day. We chatted, laughed, and shared stories as we ate breakfast outside in the sunshine, while a musician played on his guitar Jim Croce and James Taylor songs. What touched my heart yesterday? After we met our friends at the Paxabogue golfing range, we drove to see Henry and Anna at our daughter and son-in-law's new house on Long Island. Henry, my two-year-old grandson, gave me a huge hug the minute he saw me, even though he woke up from his nap and there were many people visiting his home. He always manages to make me feel special and loved no matter what he is involved in and who is around. What inspired me today? I am feeling a little lost lately. I am not sure where I want to focus my energy planning for my future. I have always loved learning and taking classes. I arranged to audit a district TRACK class. The class is about how to organize your internet life. I am an extremely organized person, but Google drive and files on my computers confuse me. I was inspired to go through old files and clean up untitled documents and the gazillions of slide shows and documents I have gathered over the years. After spending time trying to figure it all out, I gave up. It’s exhausting deleting and renaming and organizing! I didn’t think he noticed when his Bubba and Papa strolled into the den as there were so many guests gathered around him. His great aunt and uncle brought their dog, Clyde, who was running around between everyone's feet. The room was loud and chaotic. Then, a few minutes after I quietly arrived, I felt two-and-one-half year old Henry give me a bear hug from behind as I knelt down to smile at his five-month-old sister. I quickly turned around and gave Henry an all embracing hug. I was caught off guard and was amazed how Henry noticed I had arrived, in a split second, he'd stopped what he was doing to let me know he was happy I was there. It doesn't take very much to make someone feel special. I am so lucky to have this little human, my grandson, in my life!
I read, and fell in-love, with a slice title Fatigue #SOL22 10/31 in the beginning of this March and foolishly didn’t write down the author's name. I would love to give this author credit! Anyway, here is my version of the author’s magnificent slice: When she changed, I was disappointed; I was used to her running around throughout each day like an energizer bunny. It happened slowly. Was it years, months, or days? When did I notice the change? She used to wake up with a smile, jump out of bed, get dressed in a jiffy and be ready to tackle the “to do” list on the oversized calendar sitting quietly on the back of the pantry door. She’d shop for groceries for the family, cook meals, clean up the dishes, straighten up and dust as she danced to “Sunshine,” her favorite Jonathan Edward’s song. She’d win the double tennis tournaments with her partner, run to the gym to lift weights, teach aerobic and step classes. You’d see her doing lunges across the gym floor in her leotard and tights. She was a wiz at helping with homework and driving to after-school activities: swimming, Hebrew school, gymnastics, tennis, play-dates, and even, birthday parties. The college classes needed her masters was left for midnight, when the house was quiet and all asleep. No use in pretending. She’s gone. Now, she’s like a flickering flame. She slowly lets the morning light in as she wakes. Drags herself to the bathroom noticing the toothpaste landing in dots on the mirror and sighs. She shuffles into the hot shower, every muscle aching, letting the steam rise. She debates which exercise she will attempt to complete on this day: lift weights, yoga, pickleball or a country music spin class on the Peloton alone in her basement gym. No more double dipping. I begged and pleaded, “ I miss you. Life isn’t the same. Come back, please?” But there is no use in trying. It’s hopeless. She’s gone. She’s never coming back. One of my fifth grade students has been sharing her poetry with me. Nicole is a talented artist and now I’ve learned, poet. She has inspired me. (Do you notice how our topics differ?)
tree vines shiny, curly wavy, growing, reaching in the hot steamy air tree vines By Nicole back ache sitting up straight oh, my aching back hurts must lie down immediately back ache By Me Terje blogged about 50 Good Things in Life. Here are the first ones that come to mind:
50 Good Things in My Life
Terje blogged about 50 Good Things in Life.
50 Good Things in My Life
expecting to be climbing
scrambling over and under the boulders of the gunks known as the shawangunk ridge wearing boots, leather gloves and baseball caps over the past twenty-five years our family of five climbed here so many times before now we’re four sets of parents gathering in celebration of new memories for the next generation then… the unexpected a snow storm in the middle of march gusts of winds blowing white puffs everywhere snow covered tree branches, paths, rocks and icy lakes we strapped on bulky funny-shaped snowshoes henry and zachary sitting on their father’s shoulder saddles baby Anna snugly wrapped inside her mom's baby carrier gliding through the icy snow covered paths climbing tall towers as birds softly tweet hearing the rush of wind through the tree branches cuddling together by the roaring fire Leigh Anne invited us all to join her SLICER PARTY! I’ve read that Terge (Just for a Month) and Elizabeth Ellington (The Drigible Plum) have joined her writing retreat at a cabin tucked in the lush green fields surrounded by beautiful skies and perfect temperature. We’re asked to bring writing tools, food beverages and a quote. I once went to a writing retreat when I was writing my entries for the National Board about fifteen years ago. It was such a wonderful experience that I’d happily repeat. Writing Tools: Whenever I meet with writers to write they whip out their laptops as I begin to write in a marble notebook. I do all my typing on my desktop computer at home that sits inside an old wooden armoire that my husband created a pull-out draw inside of to hold my keypad. I have a chrome book from school, to be used only for school work. A few years back I finally gave in and bought an Apple laptop, which I shared with my daughter and it ended up becoming hers when she moved into her own house. Now, when I am not writing on my desktop computer, I use a trusty ol’ cheap marble notebook. I have a gazillion beautiful notebooks that I’ve gotten for gifts and even bought for myself, but I’m messy and feel guilty writing in a beautiful looking notebook. So, I’d need to go purchase a new laptop computer for the slicer writing party or just bring a stack of marble notebooks to write in. I love colorful pilot flairs. I use them to grade papers, write notes to students and they are so cheap and fun. I would have a few pencils, sharpened with erasers too. How can a writer not have a few pencils? Food beverage: I would bring a case of water and sparkling water. Something fancy, not just Poland Springs and definitely not some store brand! This way I’d have enough to share and always have one by me. I always promise myself to drink a lot of water and when I’m writing, I totally forget to even take a sip. I’d also bring a few boxes of tea bags of my favorite tea, Celestial’s Honey Vanilla Chamomile. I would throw in my bag a few bags of Smart Pop Popcorn too. Sometimes you just need to crunch. Quote: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” George Elliot is known for this quote and as the years pass, this saying gives me hope that I'll somehow find the time and energy to accomplish what is (and what will) be important to me. Two-and-one-half-year-old Henry and I walked hand-in-hand down the colorful carpeted hallway
en route to join his parents in their hotel room. “Henry, what room are you in?” I inquire knowing that he is way too young to possibly know, let alone remember, the answer to my question. “Bubba, 211,” he proudly declares. I have trouble catching my breath. “Can you help me find the way to room 211?” I ask pretending to be casual. I’m shocked when this mini human in his rock climbing work boots and snowsuit overalls directs me down two different hallways and then suddenly stops. He points his little finger up at the door number sign four feet above him. I look and see the oval sign on the door that says “211.” Still in amazement, I ponder if toddlers today are taught to be more aware of their surroundings or if my little grandson is brilliant. After a split second I decided it was obvious that Henry is just brilliant. Slicer Book Dragon shared that a favorite author, Jarret Learner, once wrote," Describe your creative process in no more than five words." Challenge taken!
Absorb, reflect, write, rewrite, repeat. It’s over. Another year, another March 10th birthday. I usually dread this day because it means I’m getting older and life is slipping away. This year, for the first time, my mom wouldn’t be here, at least on this earth, with me. This year I decided I would have a positive attitude and embrace my birthday. Embrace the love, the friendship and be happy. This year, I smiled as my husband wished me a happy birthday after his alarm woke me up at 6 am. I quickly checked my mail and read the news on my ipad, but didn’t linger like I often do. I hopped out of bed, put on my exercise clothes, and ran downstairs to jump on the Peloton for a peppy country ride. I sang in the shower and didn’t get angry that my scale showed a higher number than I’d prefer. This year I picked out a fancy, colorful button-down silk shirt with pink flowers, meant more for spring than a snowy, rainy day that my daughters bought me for my birthday a few years back. This year I dressed fancy, which I never ever do on a school day, because it was my birthday after all. Loosely Inspired by “ On Turning Ten” by Billy Collins in Linda Rief’s Quickwrite Handbook Today is the celebration of the day I was born Like a deflated balloon The whole idea of it makes me feel Like my youth is fading Something worse than gaining ten pounds in a week Or noticing lines form across your brow You tell me that I have so much to look forward to Grandchildren who I’ll teach everything I know Traveling to Japan and Australia in retirement years ahead Time for yoga, Peloton, Pickleball, reading and writing You tell me it’s too early to be looking back Yet, I remember the years past When I fell in love, raised my girls, began to teach The tennis I played, the morning runs before the sun came up When I was somebody's daughter It’s only yesterday I use to believe That my energy was limitless That things would never change Yet, another birthday has arrived And the only constant is me Day 9
Inspired by “Excerpt from The Crossover” by Kwame Alexander in Linda Rief’s book, The Quickwrite Handbook. “Daughter, since you asked, I’ll tell you why I’m so hard on myself.” Because I have to prove to myself that I’m worthy. Because I always want to do better. Because as a young child I struggled in school and never felt smart. Because I notice the brilliance around me and feel the need to keep up. Because my parents taught me that hard work pays off. Because I take great pride when my actions help others to feel good. Because I look in the mirror and no longer see the youthful me. Because I wonder why I lost the friends I did along the way. Because my mother used to say, “This isn’t a dress rehearsal.” Because I want to make a difference in the one life I have. Inspired by “Excerpt from The Running Dream” by Wendlin Van Draanen in Linda Rief’s The Quickwrite Handbook.
I AM A NOTE TAKER constantly scribbling on tiny pieces of papers grabbing any old slice close by index cards, post-its, the back of pieces of mail, rectangular pads - the kind you get free in your mailbox from charities that hope they’ll guilt you to send a generous donation a gazillion loose pieces of papers all around me all the time beside my computer, covering the kitchen countertop, on my nightstand around my school desk, inside my rolling bag, stuck between pages where I scribble notes during faculty staff meetings, while preparing a lesson, taking notes on students, while on the phone important messages linger on my scraps of paper often misplacing important messages left on that tiny scrap if only I’d written in a black marble notebook then I wouldn’t have to have looked everywhere tonight for over an hour and a half, unsuccessfully, even the inside of the garbage can At this hour…
Inspiration for this Slice comes from Julieanne Harmatz, who inspired Ramona, Leigh Anne, and Elisabeth, Margaret and Patricia Halloway. At this hour Feeling my tooth throb as the novocaine begins to wear off Sitting on my hard chair while planning and typing Google slides for tomorrow’s literacy lesson Listening to the water running through the pipes as the laundry spins Smelling the chicken burning in the oven as I’ve lost track of time Watching a video of little Anna Rose on my iphone as she is completely covered in orange gob, laughing, making funny faces, as she grabs the spoon and places it near her mouth to eat mashed carrots for the very first time |
Eva KaplanSea glass, found on beaches, is naturally worn and smooth by tide and time,. As a wife, mother, Bubbe, teacher, reader & life-long learner, and of course, sea glass collector, I aspire to use writing to help me understand myself and the world around me. Archives
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