A Recap of Spring Break

late afternoon sunshine by Kettle Falls, Washington

As spring break comes to a close today I may catch one last nap, read a few more chapter of an "escape" novel, and sit outside and take in some Vitamin D. I do feel a sense of accomplishment as I organize myself to reenter teacher mode tomorrow.
I made a big dent in the spring cleaning project. I finished my taxes (Whew!), read three novels so I can report my pages in our reading contest at school, and picked out some roses, ordered some hard-to-find seeds, got a much needed hair makeover, and backed up a bunch of stuff on my computer.

I also had both a wonderful lunch and dinner out with my husband, put out spring decor only to have it covered again in three inches of snow, and deleted a ton of messages saved in my email account.

JEROME A. POLLOS/Press

I saw a very entertaining production of James and the Giant Peach at the Lake City Playhouse in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Thursday evening.My niece The Princess played the role of Miss Spider and was wickedly wonderful. She is a theater major at North Idaho College. Add in a family dinner at Thai Bamboo and pie afterwards at Silver Valley Girl's house to round out a perfect evening. The visit to Kellogg also included delicious home cooked meals by my mom, an afternoon with Silver Valley Girl digging around for treasures at second hand stores, and catching up on sleep! Just as I left my mom's house I got to visit on the phone with my friend Mountain Muddah. Take time to enjoy her Middle Aged Meanderings at her blog here.As we arrived closer to home yesterday I was relieved to see the lingering snow gone and spring weather had greened things up again. As I viewed Lake Roosevelt through the bridge I was also relieved to see the snow had melted on the mountains further north. Maybe spring has really arrived!

Celebrating National Poetry Month: #5: Near the Window

If you are just joined me this month I am celebrating National Poetry month by posted an orginal poem I have written each day.

Near the Window

The lamp near the window glowed long into the night,
the wonder of words kept me turning the pages.
Curling up with Nancy Drew, Bess, and George
creating a life of intrigue and mysteries to be solved.
Finding poetry at the public library and saving words
as I hunted and pecked on the manual keys.

The stereo filled the hall room with beautiful sounds.
I wore out certain songs as I listened again and again.
I joined the Broadway cast of My Fair Lady and Oklahoma too,
and The Ray Conniff singers backed
me up on Somewhere My Love.
How many times could I repeat Three Dog Night
singing One
While belting out the lyrics with a makeshift microphone?

Near the window I could breathe in spring,
In winter the panes frosted, then melted in a thaw.
If opened in summer a breeze gave a small reprieve,
Burning leaves crept in at the closing of fall.

The neighbor kids gathered for Kick the Can
or Spoons, but
I cocooned myself in my bedroom upstairs.
Finding comfort near the window with my pile of books.

Broadway filled the room, images from poems remained.
I still carry the words and can recite the lyrical lines,
and l hear those melodies when I
sit near the window in my childhood room.


by inlandempiregirl, november 2007