National Poetry Month #28

The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens.

-William Carlos Williams

Touring the Inland Empire and a Starbucks Field Trip

Yesterday I left the part of Lake Roosevelt I call home to attend a leadership retreat in Spokane, WA. There are two free ferries on Lake Roosevelt. One is closer to Grand Coulee Dam at Keller, WA. The one above is between Keller and Kettle Falls at Gifford. The landscape changes this time of year because of the spring drawdown of the lake.
Driving west close to Blue Creek I spotted the mountains in the distance toward Idaho. This is one of the beautiful views in the inland empire.


With the beautiful plants and a water feature, this corner by our conference room provided a perfect place for a quiet moment of meditation.
This morning it was only fitting to do a short field trip for a coffee drink and breakfast treat. The three of us live in rural areas far away from a Starbucks. It was well worth the trip, even though our driver had to do a fancy U-Turn on Highway 2. We were glad she had a small car!

The sunlight pouring through this window caught the gorgeous colors of the mugs, cups and coffeemakers in the window display. Blending the companionship of friends, the aroma of the daily coffee special, and the taste of a pumpkin scone made for a perfect start to the day.

National Poetry Month #27: Jump Rope Rhymes

When I found these rhymes in a book entitled And the Green Grass Grew All Around by Alvin Schwartz it took me back to the Sunnyside School playground, the long jump rope, and these chants. Of course we did these after we chanted, “Third graders on the other side.”
Fudge, fudge, tell the judge
Mama’s had a baby!
It’s a boy, full of joy,
Papa’s going crazy!
How many kisses did he give it?
1,2,3,4,5…

Down by the river where the green grass grows
There sat Mary (fill in your own) sweet as a rose,
Along came Johnny ( again, fill in your own) and kissed her on the nose.
How many kisses did she get?
1,2,3,4,5…

Sam and Joan (fill in names) sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First came love, then came marriage,
Then came Joan with a baby carriage.

Sunflowers: A Writing Prompt

Tonight I began a leadership retreat with teachers of writing. It was only fitting that we began with a writing prompt. Our leader had us write five of our favorite words. We then passed papers, got another person's list, chose one word, then did a freewriting prompt. The word I chose to write about was sunflowers.

The picket fence out back was lined with sunflower plants that towered over the pickets and the shrubs that grew behind them. The mix of yellow, orange, red, and chocolate brown created an unforgettable image of late summer glory. Each day the large blossoms turned their faces toward the sun in the early morning warmth. As summer moved into fall the petals fell and the heads held the sunflower seeds that provided food for birds and squirrels. After the first hard frost the stems and leaves dried and stood in dark contrast to the picket fence. The first snow provided a protective blanket over the remaining parts of the plants. Watching the birds feed on what was left in late winter gave me hope that spring was around the corner.

National Poetry Month #26

How do I know when a poem is finished?

When you quietly close
the door to a room
the room is not finished.

It is resting. Temporarily.
Glad to be without
you for awhile.

Now it seeps back into itself,
unruffled and proud.
Outlines grow firmer.

When you return,
you might move the stack of books,
freshen the water in the vase.

I think you could keep doing this
forever. But the blue chair looks best
with the red pillow. So you might as well

leave it that way.

-Naomi Shihab Nye

Same Time Every Year: A Community of Learners

A group of educators gather the same time each year at a leadership retreat in Spokane for the Northwest Inland Writing Project. Tomorrow I have the opportunity to spend two glorious days with men and women that share my passion for writing, reading, and thinking. As a group we spend time at this retreat planning gatherings for teachers and students that share our passion for literacy. I always love this week-end. We work long hours as we research writing instruction, discuss best practices, and craft workshops late into the evening each day. I love this community of learners. As an organization we offer a summer institute through the University of Idaho in the summer. We also provide Young Authors' Conferences at two sites, a writing retreat in June in McCall, Idaho, a spring conference for teachers, and ongoing inservice throughout the year. I communicate with many of these people throughout the year via email, quick conversations at conferences, and over the phone. This week-end is that one time of year we push up our sleeves and focus on ourselves as writers and teachers of writing all in a room together. I love the challenge. As I pack up my professional books, journals, laptop, and some goodies to share I am ready to be invigorated intellectually and inspired creatively. For more information about the Northwest Inland Writing Project go here. For information on the National Writing Project go here. In conjunction with the University of Idaho both are important partners with school districts to provide effective writing training for teachers in northern Idaho and eastern Washington.

Traveling to the " big city" means I also get to squeeze in a Starbuck's coffee drink, a visit to my favorite bookstore, and trips to a few nurseries looking at roses and bedding plants. I am giddy thinking of all I have to look forward to. I will keep you "posted" on my week-end full of learning, conversation, coffee, books, and plants.