It was another fantastic week of receiving your sentences and words through Days in a Sentence and we continue to have a trickle of new writers in the group. I love the sense of slow growth that happens in this sort of project. So, welcome to anyone new to the project this week and if you are just lurking, please consider joining us next week or sometime in the future. Your words are welcome!
Here are your days in a sentence:
Bonnie has been busy with work at the Hudson Valley Writing Project, which is in the midst of its Summer Institute (same here in Western Massachusetts).
“A second exhilarating and exhausting week of our summer institute 2008 and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else, it’s a great ride!”
Tracy is finding beauty in the quiet things of life, which is a nice reminder to all of us to “see” the world through such eyes.
“Grateful for my present setting: the sun and the garden, my dog teasing the ball at my side while I listen to music, read, and play all day long.”
Ken had what he called “a day of love” with his daughters and once again tapped into his poetic talents (of which he has many) to compose a sort of poem in a day in a sentence.
“Look for the simple thing, that’s where it’s at –
On one brief syllable so much depends –
Value its presence; know the sign off pat –
Each joy is a jewel and sadness ends.”
Mr. Mansour (a new friend) seemed to be juggling many different things, including family and connections with his neighbors.
“After filming a wedding and reception all day Saturday, I spent the rest of this week uploading all the footage and figuring out how to mix SD and HD video while also taking care of my 13 month old daughter, putting together a new website for a presentation to some teachers in training, and attending a neighborhood meeting on energy conservation.”
Lynn J. confronts the past in the clean-up routine as material goods spark something deeper.
“Clearing the clutter takes me deep into sorting through old memories before I can take the clothes to the Salvation Army, donate the hardback books to the public library and turn in the paperbacks for used bookstore credit.”
Ben D‘s plate has been full with the Writing Project work (see reference to Bonnie above).
“This week has been spent digesting the pedagogical casserole I just finished (a.k.a. the Red Mountain Writing Project).”
Jane S. has found beauty in the pounding of nature.
“The process of releasing the natural pigments found in flower petals, leaves and even grass to fabric or paper by pounding with a hammer creates a fun floral project but it also provides an outlet for those crazy days when all you want to do is hit something.”
Janice has caught her breath. Finally.
“It has taken until now for me to relax, and realize I have the opportunity to completely waste away hours, if I so desire.”
Susan had an eye-opening experience in a retreat with the Writing Project.
“Returning from a week engaged in collaborative learning with NWP colleagues, I keep thinking: It’s all about POWER!”
Nancy, the new mom, has already discovered one aspect of her new life. Sometimes, it feels like Groundhog Day.
“My week: sleep, feed, change dirty diapers. Repeat. 
“
David says, and I agree, that a beer sounds good right about now.
“Crushing deadline, aching limbs, need more water, could do with a few beers…”
Matt is finding time with loved ones to be beneficial.
“Enjoying a week spent with visiting family.
Illya sent the kids packing and now eager awaits their return. Just like a mom.
“I’m sitting on an anthill waiting for my boys to return home from 2 weeks of camp. One is back, now just two more to go.”
Stacey went for a hike, but in the wrong shoes. It must have been one of those days.
“I cannot figure out why I ruined a perfectly good pedicure by walking over three miles in dressy sandals.”
Kristi (welcome!) has some advice that might be used for kindergarteners, but can I say that it works well with sixth graders, too? (And maybe some adults)
“I teach kindergarten and my Day in a Sentence (or even my year in a sentence) is most often “If it’s wet, and it’s not yours, don’t touch it.”
Deb has a sentence that is short, but powerful.
“Don’t take family love for granted!”
Elona has gratefully found some time to gaze skyward and in good company, too.
“This week my granddaughter and I spent time doing things like lying on the grass at the Credit River and looking at clouds and finding one that looked like a hippopotamus. “
Talk about meandering minds! Sara fills us in.
“working at my local plant nursery is the perfect summer teacher’s job – the plants stay where i put them, no one supervises my watering, there’s an utter lack of lesson plans (yippee!!), and my mind wanders down any path it cares to, getting lost in tasks like deadheading petunia baskets for hours.”
Break is over for Anne but I bet new adventures await her and her students.
“This week has been rather a crazy, hectic and time-consuming week, as our school settles in to the first week back after a two week break.”
Mary (who I believe another newcomer and so, I welcome her, too) has some mixed emotions this week.
“Happy thoughts of new faces and smiles. Sad thoughts of summer ending.”
Peace (to all of you),
Kevin
My review: The innocence of millions were lost to comic books, or so politicians would have had us believe. Yet the genre survived intact – thankfully.
