Teacher Time and Spokane Sites

Spokane at sunset Thursday evening. I just returned from the Northwest Inland Writing Project's annual spring teacher conference in Spokane. Lea…

Looking Up

"The sky is the part of creation in which nature has done for the sake of pleasing man. "John Ruskin Here are a few of my favorite sky pictu…

Where Does the Poetry Come From?

I often share poetry on this blog. These poems all come from a variety of sources. Lately I have been spending time reading through poetry collection…

Remembering Spring

I remember snowball blooms and green leaves and grass.... ...and a time that I could make a bouquet from the tulips around the yard, ...and smell lilac…

No Map

No Map How close the clouds press this October first and the rain-a gray scarf across the sky, In separate hospitals my father and a dear friend lie wait…

Cabin Fever Part 2

Well..... cabin fever has definitely taken over today at our house. It is snowing again... and sticking! When I got my fill of the white stuff powderi…

Perhaps It Is Cabin Fever?

Usually cats keep a set routine that rarely changes. Not at our house. Perhaps we can attribute it to cabin fever. McDuff hadn't visited inside t…

Learning How to Write

After yesterday's post I began thinking about how I learned how to write. When I say writing I am not referring to penmanship, but words to pape…

Learning How to Read

Next week I will be presenting a workshop on using poetry to teach reading and writing strategies to a group of teachers. During my preparation I ha…

Old School Rebel!

Sometimes I am so old school. I remember when white boards were first introduced in classrooms. I thought I would never say good-bye to my colored ch…

Words about Water

Water The world turns softly Not to spill the lakes and rivers. The water is held in its arms And the sky is held in the water. What is water, That pours s…

Top Ten Reasons I Want Spring to Arrive!

10. I want to open this gate again! 9. I want to find out if the stuff buried under the ice can be salvaged. 8. I want a locate a place we can drive…

My Eight Special Valentines

I am enjoying this day with my eight special valentines. Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you!

The Heart of the Matter,Part 2: Treasures

Valentine Treasures Valentine treasures are people who have often crossed your mind, family, friends and others, too, who in your life have shined the war…

The Heart of the Matter, Part 1 : Waiting

Waiting Left off the highway and down the hill. At the bottom, hang another left. Keep bearing left. The road will make a Y. Left again. There's a cree…

Afternoon Shadows In the Greenhouse

Winter is getting long students are getting cabin fever today I heard one yell, " I am SICK of snow". the ice has never melted around my outsi…