tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14216564993650733792024-03-13T07:49:32.920-04:00Auntie LibrarianWriting about work, reflecting on life, home and family. Processing . . . Processing. . . . Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-13217349347222388042022-12-10T13:51:00.011-05:002022-12-11T11:31:10.316-05:00Deck the Loft<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's so much fun decorating for Christmas here at the loft. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year, we had a helping hand from Superman. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTEoGbw9kwGN3EulFKnbOJI9h0dHVnm5gBEyfXAf3FWDkWchsZws6T4QFgT-e9VzEUQkz2QPCowZwLAykqbCUrW1Qv_wwc4bejzIAYSZUSeUJDyiIFXGyn4Oq-e8-53rJCXjjoAb78VYSZxjKaF23S7XxAlMm8m0EdRQeXeEEBRHQbTACY8eOA378KA/s4032/IMG_4665.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM37XTmr33EvM69nskld6jfxN-o0Gc7mGavPuHJC-bhvp3KutLm4HbnsXjJKuZFxlmj_2UtC7oW4N9Q67Lhs9PHtKlNFGc3IXlvRtL_VI086ZlvMsECCaumnigrfvqugMJDC1AKELpxhcav3GXuRjyBq2V7S_vkjt-cMCT37seecYMTcsdbqtf5qvGw/s4032/IMG_4673.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM37XTmr33EvM69nskld6jfxN-o0Gc7mGavPuHJC-bhvp3KutLm4HbnsXjJKuZFxlmj_2UtC7oW4N9Q67Lhs9PHtKlNFGc3IXlvRtL_VI086ZlvMsECCaumnigrfvqugMJDC1AKELpxhcav3GXuRjyBq2V7S_vkjt-cMCT37seecYMTcsdbqtf5qvGw/s320/IMG_4673.HEIC" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVJSr6wbFlOTlXBAbM2o3rbEESsc0g52UrqSiid-FDTbs14vBfFSzBwU5WljfxD2dFHCzF70MKkO8PIpHO5wY3HPR2xwI-vOPk3MroBAcuLa590Lp_4Rr86uC-NWcIrUf9kqCgwA7PeGoMx4geuVy-LPMvAkwd_Cb1nd3LG0pHV5ErP2lzKQ9m8zkEw/s4032/IMG_4676.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVJSr6wbFlOTlXBAbM2o3rbEESsc0g52UrqSiid-FDTbs14vBfFSzBwU5WljfxD2dFHCzF70MKkO8PIpHO5wY3HPR2xwI-vOPk3MroBAcuLa590Lp_4Rr86uC-NWcIrUf9kqCgwA7PeGoMx4geuVy-LPMvAkwd_Cb1nd3LG0pHV5ErP2lzKQ9m8zkEw/s320/IMG_4676.heic" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-73465479034028630022022-12-10T10:48:00.004-05:002022-12-10T10:48:37.382-05:00Thanksgiving<p> This Thanksgiving was a sweet one. </p><p>"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." </p><p>Theodore Suess Geisel</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_2tE3X4ukaGPtLoiLUh6kzXAA1ClE4VXkMnXAgg_dDeS6f9PGHYiIjYt0aD564uItDWgwoKdCf7y6WWSApEDKiobLTIfgz9rPboEByaMDwBHSrTjeqwJqJQFZhmn5EZ8YZ2n5QjtxpQ0rk0mhaOjVd0PDTMOllFjFn8sm9mS6Q3NsgZwXP49BuC6-NA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_2tE3X4ukaGPtLoiLUh6kzXAA1ClE4VXkMnXAgg_dDeS6f9PGHYiIjYt0aD564uItDWgwoKdCf7y6WWSApEDKiobLTIfgz9rPboEByaMDwBHSrTjeqwJqJQFZhmn5EZ8YZ2n5QjtxpQ0rk0mhaOjVd0PDTMOllFjFn8sm9mS6Q3NsgZwXP49BuC6-NA=w654-h490" width="654" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-9822176331544860452022-11-12T11:12:00.006-05:002022-11-12T13:00:55.436-05:00A Moment<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px;">I am sewing your Halloween costume. <br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sitting in my chair, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy3Fhzy-kW4bpRjSlYhMi-zI5_LeAM2u-dn37wlItYVFey2jniBehXlF2TXsMeFaC1CDIKyyk04t28HEZbPa9nAljQq1_HOQloMMQjX5VJsIiDLRwQq3xJf6iagWyyNoOoyx6avXhsZfCNj4dLgzfzgIC2hOXgk036GIdMk-VqCofgMhOt0UhPTv5TQ/s4032/IMG_3548.HEIC" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy3Fhzy-kW4bpRjSlYhMi-zI5_LeAM2u-dn37wlItYVFey2jniBehXlF2TXsMeFaC1CDIKyyk04t28HEZbPa9nAljQq1_HOQloMMQjX5VJsIiDLRwQq3xJf6iagWyyNoOoyx6avXhsZfCNj4dLgzfzgIC2hOXgk036GIdMk-VqCofgMhOt0UhPTv5TQ/s320/IMG_3548.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">under the light. </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Needle<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and thread </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Needle<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and thread </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It brings me joy. </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To do this thing </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">for you </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">for me </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and for us </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Why does it bring me joy? </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Make me feel warm and cozy? </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Cozy </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sewing your Halloween costume </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">after dinner </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">after a meal, lovingly prepared </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">after we gathered ourselves around the table </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and ate </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">talked </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">shared </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">laughed </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">full and relaxed </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">we clear away the dishes </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and settle down together </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">tv </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">or<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">tinkering </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">or sewing </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">your Halloween costume</p>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-83898142342134096782022-10-23T12:59:00.019-04:002022-10-30T15:11:04.285-04:00Cooking with Love: Chicken Pot Pie<p> I believe that cooking is one of the true comforts of home; it's one of the best ways to show someone you love them. Cooking is also a fantastic way for me to be creative. That's why I relish crafting a good meal for friends and family, or putting out a spread for teachers at book fair time. Planning the menu is fun, and I love lingering around the table afterwards chatting or playing games. It's so satisfying when I see people go for seconds and there are no leftovers. </p><p><a href="https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/" target="_blank">Pioneer Woman</a> is one of my favorite sources for recipes. Grabbing key ingredients and ideas from two of my favorite West Greenville shops, <a href="https://www.revivalbutchery.com/" target="_blank">Revival Butchery</a> and <a href="https://www.nakedpastasc.com/" target="_blank">Naked Pasta</a>, is always a treat. I often don't know what I'm preparing for dinner until I walk into either place and find inspiration. What's more inspiring than pasta that's just been made or freshly ground beef? Mmmmm! So good! </p><p>The last time we got a craving for chicken pot pie, I decided to make one from scratch, something I've never done. I went with <a href="https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11686/pot-pie/" target="_blank">Ree's easy chicken pot pie</a>, recipe, but made it double crusted with store bought pie crust from the refrigerator section for the bottom and a puff pastry top. I saved time by using a rotisserie chicken and frozen peas and carrots. Oven roasted asparagus completed the meal. It was delicious and comforting. </p><p>When I look back to my childhood, I remember how good it felt to come home, so hungry for dinner, smelling my mother's cooking as soon as I walked in the door. Spaghetti after softball practice, Chicken Cacciatore after band. I appreciate the memory of this now more than I did when I was a kid, and wish I had been more grateful. </p><p>I'm adding chicken pot pie to my list of go to comfort meals to prepare, alongside hamburger steak with mashed potatoes, shepherd's pie and good old fashioned chicken soup. It feels good to make it, share it, and eat it!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2TmJeUXU3NnUy9MiOTSknqkVSJE5uJZsrz76CpG0F_0wkLmW3-ZffEFxYym145Dd4Y9SwMtk53_9erBI5rjP7022Vjan-rWwQBoc8pV61t9UL4IyUdtM3TRupOwq7zmMbctHIODcRVbSzVcy68DEICsr2-xyoRV3cB3hDc6NbkzjzHaJ-HTigLhS0-g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2TmJeUXU3NnUy9MiOTSknqkVSJE5uJZsrz76CpG0F_0wkLmW3-ZffEFxYym145Dd4Y9SwMtk53_9erBI5rjP7022Vjan-rWwQBoc8pV61t9UL4IyUdtM3TRupOwq7zmMbctHIODcRVbSzVcy68DEICsr2-xyoRV3cB3hDc6NbkzjzHaJ-HTigLhS0-g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2TmJeUXU3NnUy9MiOTSknqkVSJE5uJZsrz76CpG0F_0wkLmW3-ZffEFxYym145Dd4Y9SwMtk53_9erBI5rjP7022Vjan-rWwQBoc8pV61t9UL4IyUdtM3TRupOwq7zmMbctHIODcRVbSzVcy68DEICsr2-xyoRV3cB3hDc6NbkzjzHaJ-HTigLhS0-g" style="margin-left: 1em; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEs-Lc3pHZ860as63nlnm1whWyGVEuZ-PTmDoFeftfODjUxq67pkspUGXXpbKxadqVBxxCWzA2vt_tnm8eYcS80jS1wSvy8FRhPyXZAmer63nZMqPJxnJesejA0BvT9GojFm_SOwOBzN_fo697C7BG6eQcUySESqlNg_aKbyBlG0BXsdO7VJo_z3eMQQ" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2lCu2MlHlIkXxYw4tyY1h6PfY_KFYl7XhRxRbx5XqAVNT_7CTf2icRoyUZEz1ERz-vwwZCJYfdwNWRnzbiVHBQhaN1t6WRdKXakeijE_bhmES1ffqcAKu6DZruhF-cL3ZFNsbV89dY-M4DORiTyzlrE_GhcG8enUpj2_2E2tzsmuVznGADLVETYXreQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2lCu2MlHlIkXxYw4tyY1h6PfY_KFYl7XhRxRbx5XqAVNT_7CTf2icRoyUZEz1ERz-vwwZCJYfdwNWRnzbiVHBQhaN1t6WRdKXakeijE_bhmES1ffqcAKu6DZruhF-cL3ZFNsbV89dY-M4DORiTyzlrE_GhcG8enUpj2_2E2tzsmuVznGADLVETYXreQ" width="320" /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP6YeNb9o03JbFGoN9-Ir9aWmiCu5icaIBPRH7ghzop8O2rrlkCWyJ0E0yNyhAT10L_qIB9eaZxeuXdYEZg01bZFtFjEbt2y3a44LXSRPKmH05QdzQLagsABp9XVptIp6h9pydKK8Mda-gvYBT-zVoi1Fm1uUhO7PhbasDhSNGVTosPeMtROjbJTV8Hg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP6YeNb9o03JbFGoN9-Ir9aWmiCu5icaIBPRH7ghzop8O2rrlkCWyJ0E0yNyhAT10L_qIB9eaZxeuXdYEZg01bZFtFjEbt2y3a44LXSRPKmH05QdzQLagsABp9XVptIp6h9pydKK8Mda-gvYBT-zVoi1Fm1uUhO7PhbasDhSNGVTosPeMtROjbJTV8Hg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVNiFk-n0fmbvJG3PgVNX0bXWV0686Q4O1qim0e-Cvfpd53pCVUaWSW20z93WLqfQw1qzvbLnEXErx4aS_vsadZMdUeViM__fVgRJOx5U2EH_91KrJus3xifDz8yBInFQVa_qZqxmM9MWRGFDbaKeGlHdmYWYv3k9nF-pKaK0Ng10EkJcqBDBvfCOF1A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVNiFk-n0fmbvJG3PgVNX0bXWV0686Q4O1qim0e-Cvfpd53pCVUaWSW20z93WLqfQw1qzvbLnEXErx4aS_vsadZMdUeViM__fVgRJOx5U2EH_91KrJus3xifDz8yBInFQVa_qZqxmM9MWRGFDbaKeGlHdmYWYv3k9nF-pKaK0Ng10EkJcqBDBvfCOF1A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-6252428607643272892022-01-31T11:48:00.016-05:002022-03-07T21:55:15.759-05:00Ode to Shortie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8iZnfUwP6IQkUBORK3p-s1_EYKhLlM1cPXaVqPWjvKJ5nPo0m-PoOL4xmrPSoEjYMr-5m7PdIlNTP-vlmbO-rrsdx8xMQOySF6F8iAMbQqU78zNiHmat2UrmzH81TVOnBvUvFFbcJS-ZUo0UTwblT2JBI22zXrhexR11qW5-GhUuN4Kyi-NdwO3j05Q=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8iZnfUwP6IQkUBORK3p-s1_EYKhLlM1cPXaVqPWjvKJ5nPo0m-PoOL4xmrPSoEjYMr-5m7PdIlNTP-vlmbO-rrsdx8xMQOySF6F8iAMbQqU78zNiHmat2UrmzH81TVOnBvUvFFbcJS-ZUo0UTwblT2JBI22zXrhexR11qW5-GhUuN4Kyi-NdwO3j05Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsY1zdDb921AusntpTtGKNSmcmmus-xlMRmbjPQGzz341-uu9VtM3dnTunevYNB-CoIFbqeCxGV3KBzKvarzqG3eIPHsI5hgrHHGwULZV4s3knCHkP76CX2d3EEqe0Gqo1m7aUAXRIWGHCLAFBZoYWsPF1WzgO1FbOqP3D3MJU3GVlFPJaJ5TiUdTcgA=s2556" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="2556" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsY1zdDb921AusntpTtGKNSmcmmus-xlMRmbjPQGzz341-uu9VtM3dnTunevYNB-CoIFbqeCxGV3KBzKvarzqG3eIPHsI5hgrHHGwULZV4s3knCHkP76CX2d3EEqe0Gqo1m7aUAXRIWGHCLAFBZoYWsPF1WzgO1FbOqP3D3MJU3GVlFPJaJ5TiUdTcgA=w320-h318" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL2xQbAtVBY9-4itRyQzZTjpQOdXI0prVEEchw9pRLXIsERyCTVHmeFawW8P4dlBJzoVzpDbJxWB-94MV8Tz4N3qsJSP9OP4ZAJZBk2XCC2mzPVLvd9gy76KFiJkMGyUWT_H1jQ8vgRJ3i3qusV5XCxUEVewZeVeuIdpLDT7D2UqsIhhUlXiAFfHFhEg=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL2xQbAtVBY9-4itRyQzZTjpQOdXI0prVEEchw9pRLXIsERyCTVHmeFawW8P4dlBJzoVzpDbJxWB-94MV8Tz4N3qsJSP9OP4ZAJZBk2XCC2mzPVLvd9gy76KFiJkMGyUWT_H1jQ8vgRJ3i3qusV5XCxUEVewZeVeuIdpLDT7D2UqsIhhUlXiAFfHFhEg=w240-h320" width="240" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We recently said goodbye to our Shortie. Writing this poem helped me work through some of my grief. </div><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abandoned </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-32eef2a2-7fff-d955-f258-15b38679a3d7"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We already had two dogs. “He has to stay outside.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first response to this little stinky dachshund’s arrival.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Within days</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was inside: house, heart.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His personality had taken hold of me. I could turn him out no longer.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Black wiry fur</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked like one of those pot bellied pigs people keep for pets.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His love for food: comical.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His eyes and wobbly walk</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Expressions and personality</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quirky, winning</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Always wanting to be near you.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eyes begging</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For love in any form</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Food </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Touch</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toys</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He loved toys</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Especially the squeakers</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sniffing and snorting with excitement</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throw, chase, tug, growl, repeat</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those little nails clicking on the floor</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He loved to dig outside in the yard</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nose fresh with brown dirt.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And bury himself </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in blankets</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stealing dirty socks and shirts to feather his nest.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Five years. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diabetes and divorce, Insulin and lawyers</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A new normal, soon back to our old playful selves</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking the shots well</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another year, out on our own</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ready partner in this new life</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steady</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holding</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hopeful</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another move</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">closer</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New loves, New job, New town</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Family</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was a bridge, a band aid. Ambassador healer</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slowing down, he grayed and limped.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How old is he?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We don’t know.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His adventures do not stop. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Convertible rides</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nose out the window</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is the portable star </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Covered with kisses</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s been a while since he chased a toy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But his costume takes home first place anyway</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shaky</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seizures</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He’s just old.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the sad part</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Full of hot tears and burning regret</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is the end</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Endings can be long or short</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Which one is best?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guilt and Pain a lesson to grow me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forgive me. Next time, I’ll do better.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me carry you in my heart. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were not</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ready </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To say goodbye.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-45056436849076687942022-01-14T14:34:00.004-05:002022-03-06T21:30:45.711-05:00Story time is Sacred<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRPGBv-RfFM15m5SKlS-Km8xrD82g-rCebn_16K5zPqLKpqghl2jZeYG8zzSCxRx4OCSOLe7-ZFr_K8EvxYRw2iFdEJpYA0L0bBA4a-9-tttrHhNSUx1ShapX8Q2rJQMiSJxD-QvUKjOvY51qzdmIR1D1LBvE9blkvw6NxhxQr-W5AbglWWPs_Z4jJww=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRPGBv-RfFM15m5SKlS-Km8xrD82g-rCebn_16K5zPqLKpqghl2jZeYG8zzSCxRx4OCSOLe7-ZFr_K8EvxYRw2iFdEJpYA0L0bBA4a-9-tttrHhNSUx1ShapX8Q2rJQMiSJxD-QvUKjOvY51qzdmIR1D1LBvE9blkvw6NxhxQr-W5AbglWWPs_Z4jJww=s16000" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This post is is from 4 years ago. I never hit the publish button!</div><div><br /></div>Last year, story time was a big challenge for me. Coming from two decades in the middle school arena, it was new. I stumbled through my own ideas of where the children should sit, wether I should sit or stand, which books were the best choices for story time, should I use a document camera, etc, etc.<br />
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In this second year of story time I now understand: the purpose of the story time rug, the story time chair and having a special corner or area for story time. But the biggest revelation for me was just how important story time actually is. Don't get me wrong, I have always known that story time is a big deal and that reading aloud to children is hugely important, but the richness of it and the depth of what story time can be and do is much more than I originally gave it credit for. I underestimated it. Story time is an educational playground chock full of opportunities to teach vocabulary, literary elements and much more. It is also a time to personally connect with students. It creates a shared, community experience that can be referenced and built upon. I bet whole college courses could be done on story time, maybe they are.<br />
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I now have a story time chair for the reader - that's usually me! And, I have moved the area where we do story time to the back of the library, away from the distracting flow of checkout, visitors and chatting teachers, closer to our beanbag reading area near the big windows. I remember first seeing the tiered area in our library with the bean bags and thinking that was the perfect place for story time. Now I know better. That area is too large and spread out for my version of story time.<br />
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I still don't have a story time rug, because I haven't found one that I like just yet. But, I do understand that the students need to sit on the floor to improve their ability to focus on the book and its' illustrations, and that being close to each other is important. The rug defines that area and makes it special. Children need to see the reader's facial expressions, and the reader needs to see the children's facial expressions. The setting is intimate and special. This is one of the reasons I have chosen not to use technology during story time. I believe it would create a barrier between the reader and the student and that face to face experiences in our world are becoming a luxury.<br />
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I have always believed in doing the voices and making sounds when reading a story. Now I also find that putting my own reactions into the read aloud is often effective. The look of shock, surprise or anger on my face when a character does something unexpected is entertaining and often helpful to children in confirming their own reactions to the story. It is also fun.<br />
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I certainly have much to learn about the art of an effective story time, but I have come a long way. At the very least, I now have a more comprehensive understanding and a deeper appreciation for the goodness and importance of reading picture books to classes of students.<br />
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<br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-19972097640693308102020-02-04T21:26:00.001-05:002022-03-06T21:36:49.613-05:00Standing Up <br />
I love reading picture books to learners of all ages. I've heard picture books and story time described as "cognitive playgrounds," and I love this perfect monicker.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSE8fz8LBkb0MVByrJLlHNF9WKenC9eRv7hDwAMubQ9J6a-GwvsjeovWHHAnVHut27zVL9v2dFe3-R12NrOAD8GFOY_Ln3QMJIMigjIerT_WEqnLUqy57m0bFKCLmVrwuNpjsOavkTLus/s1600/IMG_8716.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSE8fz8LBkb0MVByrJLlHNF9WKenC9eRv7hDwAMubQ9J6a-GwvsjeovWHHAnVHut27zVL9v2dFe3-R12NrOAD8GFOY_Ln3QMJIMigjIerT_WEqnLUqy57m0bFKCLmVrwuNpjsOavkTLus/s16000/IMG_8716.jpg" /></a><br />
I read "Let the Children March" to a class of fourth graders recently. The reading led to some excellent discussion. After we read, and talked, and read some more, we thought about the things that mattered to us. I asked the students what they would stand up for, what they would march for. They made signs for their causes, and we held them up as we marched around the library. <span id="goog_1876986534"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVREnLN6Sjm5yP6gy7iBV5V74RDqLQyeqPDoDoTiwR_9Np7DdRgHgSELqyU3joc1AnuCbtoN8KhCEU_Hxhc0IIvfdPguWHOA4mW_2llEKu3KNfG47q76i6QdjVIx3MPR4LzVIac7rEGN0/s1600/IMG_8721.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVREnLN6Sjm5yP6gy7iBV5V74RDqLQyeqPDoDoTiwR_9Np7DdRgHgSELqyU3joc1AnuCbtoN8KhCEU_Hxhc0IIvfdPguWHOA4mW_2llEKu3KNfG47q76i6QdjVIx3MPR4LzVIac7rEGN0/s16000/IMG_8721.JPG" /></a><br />
Books paired with activities like this turn the library into a cognitive playground. I love getting my students up and moving with activities like this, and I love learning about their dreams and passions.<br />
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<span id="goog_1876986533"></span><br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-46751264569482248502018-11-10T11:38:00.006-05:002022-03-06T21:40:23.802-05:00Introducing: the Library Sisters!<br />
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What do you do when your little sister finally moves to the same state and lands a job as a school librarian? You share everything! One of the many things my sister and Jackie and I are sharing is a presentation! Here is a link to our presentation! We presented maker activities to go along with picture books and discussed our experiences with the students as we completed these activities. </div>
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High levels of student engagement and happiness during these activities are what makes them worthwhile to me. I love to see learners become in absorbed in the moment, singing as they work and interested in what other students are doing. Behavior problems almost vanish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuja2-NdAJG_aNmWgHC5GSORobeBLI0jBIHl87WbHcAhuXWZfs4t_V0XylqaemIZj1PTp_zBfCdIAk8upm-8N_5jNGYItQiEQ434jhXT7R6FD5kPl5laIW8mLNaK9iC3egagO0sVZQzGhCMpR-Au089mhB90t7Owl2oJl1e5gwPn0XkHKnXvRnQPAmxw=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuja2-NdAJG_aNmWgHC5GSORobeBLI0jBIHl87WbHcAhuXWZfs4t_V0XylqaemIZj1PTp_zBfCdIAk8upm-8N_5jNGYItQiEQ434jhXT7R6FD5kPl5laIW8mLNaK9iC3egagO0sVZQzGhCMpR-Au089mhB90t7Owl2oJl1e5gwPn0XkHKnXvRnQPAmxw=s16000" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /> </div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nlcKbel7s4bApuluHezZ2Fbkwha4iZ3c9WJd1sUFFgk/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nlcKbel7s4bApuluHezZ2Fbkwha4iZ3c9WJd1sUFFgk/edit?usp=sharing</a><br />
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<br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-77529290536327952862018-07-19T13:57:00.005-04:002022-03-07T23:18:13.216-05:00A Manifesto of Sorts<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"I celebrate myself, and sing myself,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">And what I assume you shall assume,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b> from Whitman's "Song of Myself"</div>
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I am a big fan of Walt Whitman's <i>Leaves of Grass</i> and the "Song of Myself". A while back one of my library superhero friends Heather Moorefield-Lang asked me to write something telling about my day-to-day work as a school librarian. The piece below is what I sent her. Obviously it was inspired by Whitman. I think about adding to it sometimes. Every once and a while when I need a little boost I read this, and it helps me get back into an empowered, confident, optimistic, mindset. <br />
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am a free reading choice warrior one minute and a book cleaner the next. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am the tie-er of shoes and the wiper of snot. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am a change maker. I am a rule bender.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am a champion of students - more freedoms, more choices, more voice, more money.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am the webmaster.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am the school news program sponsor and producer.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am the book talker. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Field trip planner</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Book donator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Grant writer </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Problem solver </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I am an early adopter.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Research guru</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Storytime goddess </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Book repair queen </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Collaborator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Book trailer junkie</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Mess maker </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Fine forgiver</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Tech troubleshooter</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Book fair diva</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Bulletin board creator</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> Flying by the seat of my pants way too much</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> The first lady of Giveaways and prizes </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I am the librarian who lets the kids play computer games because it is good for their brains. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br />
<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I check out scissors duct tape and glue. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I am the YES of course you can (fill in the blank) bring your class in five minutes, check out three books over the limit, use whatever, borrow whatever, </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I am the why not </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I am the come on in </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;" /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I see the way some of the students look at me when I read to them, or see them in the halls. In their eyes I see that I am magic and possibility to them. I see that I am a light in their lives. </span><br />
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<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-85869216935308792112018-02-11T13:43:00.006-05:002022-03-06T21:37:13.909-05:00Dances With Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQK5F1b7FB-UKIwqjY1H-dE189vUAedwOBq2vac893PO4jffTQhapqFSToiBsvAezDEKgXL3J_KBcElwu3xF1fbmBdEM2-7SM-swRmj6tdV8qYino5TIfMaUIPk13pUgGjnxMG42KaZn4KwQdOUcKWE7Sftu8KsQ1MVwUcwrSh6QIMi7bF7mqnzHWUnw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQK5F1b7FB-UKIwqjY1H-dE189vUAedwOBq2vac893PO4jffTQhapqFSToiBsvAezDEKgXL3J_KBcElwu3xF1fbmBdEM2-7SM-swRmj6tdV8qYino5TIfMaUIPk13pUgGjnxMG42KaZn4KwQdOUcKWE7Sftu8KsQ1MVwUcwrSh6QIMi7bF7mqnzHWUnw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>
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<span face=""sf optimized" , , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">I get so much LOVE from the children I work with. I am regularly treated to real hugs and genuine smiles at school. Even the other night at the most unlikely time and place, as I crossed the parking lot from the nail salon, a young voice called out 20 or so yards away, "Hey! Is that my library teacher? Hey! It is my library teacher! Mrs. Tazerouti! Hey!" I wave and smile and say hello, relieved that this time I am not being spotted coming out of the liquor store. It is dark and I can't make out who it is. But I see the car, an older car that could use some work, parked in an accessible parking space. The young boy triumphantly shouts now, louder, across the parking lot, "I am reading a book! It is amazing!" He gives me a thumbs up. I yell back, "That is great! Keep reading!" I am joyous. Be still my heart! I recently re-watched Dances With Wolves, and it reminded me of this scene with this shouting declaration of love across the distance. 😆</span><br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-69341483180221063492018-02-11T12:44:00.007-05:002022-03-07T21:56:25.985-05:00Somewhere Over the RainbowI moved last year. If there is one thing that will show you that it is time to declutter and get rid of a few things, it is packing them all up and hauling them to another place. In the unpacking part of the move, I was determined to get rid of several boxes of stuff and not have to move them again.<br />
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How does one end up with so much stuff? In my case, much of it was inherited. Dishes, glassware, boxes and boxes of pictures, books, clothes. Some of it belonged to my mother who passed away in 2010, and some of it belonged to my aunt who passed away in 2001.<br />
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Sorting through these belongings and deciding what to do with them was necessary, but not easy. Discarding, donating and selling my aunt and mother's things sometimes felt like throwing away memories of these people I loved, memories that thin and blur with time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmyAwjyXrhTn0N0_p8YN6XJ7MRYCKU_o8uCaYii45SrbkntoYOhnelEzpiqWnZtoiJybb8pUOkDibRawpR9V3k-jnZLaoZJmeWnFrJmOPhAEjZ253tNuTTBIYS1HGyh3slc0CZhMzfG-g/s1600/IMG_2583.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1551" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmyAwjyXrhTn0N0_p8YN6XJ7MRYCKU_o8uCaYii45SrbkntoYOhnelEzpiqWnZtoiJybb8pUOkDibRawpR9V3k-jnZLaoZJmeWnFrJmOPhAEjZ253tNuTTBIYS1HGyh3slc0CZhMzfG-g/s16000/IMG_2583.jpg" /></a>I made several trips to the <a href="http://www.habitatspartanburg.org/shop-the-restore/" target="_blank">Habitat for Humanity store</a> and the <a href="http://www.brownroof.org/" target="_blank">Brown Roof Thrift </a>store. I also posted items on an app called <a href="https://offerup.com/" target="_blank">Offer Up</a>. Dishes and glassware and clothes were easy to get rid of, but other items were not so easy to part with. In some cases, the experience of the items finding new owners was joyful and rewarding. Selling my aunt's gleaming silver coronet was a fantastic experience that I will never forget.<br />
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The coronet was one of the items that I held on to for a while before deciding to sell it. It was beautiful. My aunt played it in the Fitch High School marching band in Groton, CT. After high school, my aunt became a barber and then went on to become a highly regarded animal control officer. The coronet spent years in the attic of my mother's ancestral home in Mystic. I listed the coronet on Offer Up which allows you to deal locally with people who are nearby and hand deliver your sale item. It was fun to meet people and hear about their plans for whatever it is they are buying from you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcG_hNz_qpFxbEfD6-r5s_KbCKDlSnTnE73Mfnq0zNsWnvcOGoYpOopX4-Lf6y6kin5PeDQDx1IrS7yqjJg_bD5f6tfnXp4_8DEvTux9x1eEHIHZWprF-9U6F50AcG0ZnWQoZzmi7vzr-/s1600/High-Street-Mystic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcG_hNz_qpFxbEfD6-r5s_KbCKDlSnTnE73Mfnq0zNsWnvcOGoYpOopX4-Lf6y6kin5PeDQDx1IrS7yqjJg_bD5f6tfnXp4_8DEvTux9x1eEHIHZWprF-9U6F50AcG0ZnWQoZzmi7vzr-/s320/High-Street-Mystic.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Eventually, I got a notification on the app that someone wanted to buy the coronet. We set up a meeting at a nearby grocery store. The buyer was purchasing the instrument for his son, a school band director who collects instruments and their stories. He wanted to know about the original owner of the coronet. It made me happy to tell him about my aunt, but he also wanted to know if the instrument worked, and I had no idea if it did. After texting him information and sending links regarding my aunt, he sent me a video of his son Kevin playing the coronet. (see below) It worked! The sweet music that flowed out of the instrument, last played by my aunt, sent tears streaming down my face. And it just so happened that my mother adored the song he played, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I know that both my aunt and my mother would have been overjoyed to hear the rich music pouring out of the old coronet.<br />
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I have enjoyed telling this story to family and friends. My other auntie -Pam, encouraged me to write about it after I accidentally told her the story twice. That video is such a gift, a greeting from heaven. Even better, Kevin played the coronet for his middle school students and they loved it. How did he know that is one of our favorite songs? I think some angels told him.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxusa25rFNW59-0JD-WtgXwAtUe15-SVUn38GGbdJ7QPev4-_I0cIyhkxGAIJPFVvmIcLZoLEShzMS4elrNQA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fahr069-fzE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fahr069-fzE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-59295007193787825782018-02-04T12:27:00.002-05:002022-03-06T21:37:25.876-05:00Feeling the LoveThis past week at work was pretty good. I have begun reviewing the previous week's picture book with the children. I am amazed at how much they remember. Reviewing is an excellent vehicle for practice with literary elements, analysis and discussion. I wish I had thought to do this sooner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRWMb5kaOU6WP5FxyJAMHSpmQrmnjTlGFgSdo8gRn4GaOclbzT67XbSogTgtuGidBAy0nXBtMeejBUaqOeiTNqy2Ahjpy3dq35fozDsMwvpCic95HJPZu9q0QV4P1FqexD5JhmNIH3P-O/s1600/mother+bruce.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRWMb5kaOU6WP5FxyJAMHSpmQrmnjTlGFgSdo8gRn4GaOclbzT67XbSogTgtuGidBAy0nXBtMeejBUaqOeiTNqy2Ahjpy3dq35fozDsMwvpCic95HJPZu9q0QV4P1FqexD5JhmNIH3P-O/s16000/mother+bruce.jpg" /></a></div>
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This week we read <i>Mother Bruce </i>with the preK-third graders. The children easily predicted what was going to happen throughout the book and were able to give evidence to support their predictions. For example, the title, "Mother" Bruce is a good indicator that the Bruce the Bear will turn into the goslings caretaker, and the cover picture of the goslings walking all over the bear can be used to support the prediction that the baby geese will not stop following Bruce. My partner Cheryl found some good extension activities, and the students wrote about or drew what they would have done if they were Bruce or drew the things that Bruce liked, versus the things that Bruce did not like.<br />
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My birthday was Monday. One of the best birthday gifts I received was getting a group hug by an entire first grade class. It started with one student giving me a birthday hug, and then grew until I was being hugged by several layers of students. Such warm and sincere joy and love emanated from these little nuggets. I could feel the love. It was the best hug I have ever received!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwtyAXbh5ERUxw_uqaRIDhEWo2PTmQSteEDNgMyIGlcX-OP2lby1y8RiarxCYmt_yXpbS8OkStTM9nNNC5TnIgnw_sZ8Z4oMPL3hvHbCx2nQklb9c6YdI9-SGozjlfhOo4zZhQ-42gPnh/s1600/IMG_2556.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwtyAXbh5ERUxw_uqaRIDhEWo2PTmQSteEDNgMyIGlcX-OP2lby1y8RiarxCYmt_yXpbS8OkStTM9nNNC5TnIgnw_sZ8Z4oMPL3hvHbCx2nQklb9c6YdI9-SGozjlfhOo4zZhQ-42gPnh/s200/IMG_2556.JPG" width="200" /></a>I enjoy checking out the bulletin boards as I walk the halls in my school. I spotted this one on Thursday and it made my day. The hearts covering the bulletin board gave shout outs to recess and teachers, technology and the library!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"This school is awesome because of the helpful librarians." </td></tr>
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As exhausting as working in an elementary school can be, there is lots of love flowing through our school. That is what keeps me coming back. It recharges my teacher batteries.</div>
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"It's enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best." </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen... yourself, right now, right down here on Earth." Bradley Whitford</span></span></blockquote>
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<br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-65783155386999744632018-01-12T19:52:00.000-05:002022-03-06T21:37:39.038-05:00A Super Fantastic FridayToday was a fantastic day in the library. It was super fantastic, and here's why:<br />
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<li>It was a four day week. I have so much more energy on four day weeks. </li>
<li>We began our latest makerspace activity - LED Valentine's Day card making, and the children were excited about it and made some cute cards.</li>
<li>Two boxes of new books arrived! :-) </li>
<li>The classes we had were well behaved.</li>
<li>We had book check out and making going on at the same time. I think that kind of activity blend makes me happy. It feeds my creative side.</li>
<li>Students made hearts with their favorite book titles written on them for our bulletin board. </li>
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Here are some photos from our library today.</div>
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Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-44126773131678933492018-01-11T19:57:00.000-05:002022-03-06T21:37:48.691-05:00Ryan and Craig a Good Choice for Story Time Pinch HittersThis is my second year doing story time - reading picture books to students in preschool through grade three during their library visit. I love it, and I think the majority of the children do as well.<br />
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I used to ditch story time on days when I felt unwell, but then my friend Molly shared Story Time with Ryan and Craig with me. I now use their YouTube channel to pinch hit for me when I can't manage to read aloud - which is rare. The kids enjoy these guys. Have you ever searched the YouTube story time for read aloud videos? SNORE! Finally, I have found something comparable to the animated reading I provide to my students.<br />
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Watching Ryan and Craig do story time, I have been inspired to include some their techniques, such as including my own exaggerated response to the action in the story or talking to the characters about something they have just done.<br />
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I have to say that I would like Ryan and Craig to know:<br />
1. I am very thankful for your work. You two are awesome!<br />
2. MY library story time is not quiet and sleepy as referenced in the intro video.<br />
3. Can you guys read <i>The Legend of Rock, Paper Scissors</i>? I think you would do a fantastic job with it.<br />
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Here is one of my favorite Ryan and Craig videos.<br />
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<br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-1733867326275616052018-01-10T21:55:00.000-05:002022-03-06T21:31:44.133-05:00Growth Mindset and the Zero Gravity Yoga Class<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I recently joined a yoga studio with the goals of increasing my strength and flexibility, finding a community of like minded people, and stress relief. This is the first step on my journey back to fitness. Enthusiastic and optimistic, I signed up for a variety of yoga classes: restorative yoga, yin yoga and hatha yoga. I posted to Facebook about my new found yoga studio, and texted my friends.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">“It even has one of those classes where you hang from the fabric like Pink!” I texted my friend Lori. Though at the time I had no intentions of ever joining one of those classes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">However, after perusing the studio's course listings I changed my mind.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The description of the antigravity restorative yoga class for all levels sounded appealing even to someone who hasn’t been exercising regularly for the past year. Words like: no prerequisites, gentle, healing, levitating meditations, and floating sivasana lured me in. The real clincher was the phrase, “It offers accessibility to students with physical limitations”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perfect! Just a click and I was signed up for the class.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Up until the moment I walked into the studio, I was excited about doing this new thing, taking risks and being brave. I was plucky and proud.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I checked into the studio, stowed my jacket and shoes and began to wonder exactly what I was doing taking this class. Nervous, I tried to chat up some of my fellow students, many of whom seemed to already know one another. They sat in the fabric hammocks that were suspended from the ceiling as they chatted. I stood off to the side, noticing that I was older and heavier than most of these people. Confidence shrinking now, I asked one of the students how long she had been doing the zero gravity classes. “Oh, three or four months” she said with a serious and unfriendly face. “You don’t belong here!” said the voice in my head.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A few other people trickled into the class and everyone took a fabric hammock as the teacher took her place at the front of the room.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">All of the hammocks closest to the door were taken. No easy escape for me. It took me three or four tries just to get myself hoisted into the hammock like everyone else. The teacher came to each student to check the height of their hammock. It turns out mine was too high for me. Relief flooded my mind. She lowered the hammock and I hoisted myself up. Now I was swinging around just like the others! Hooray!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Our first instructions were to lift our right leg up and over to straddle the hammock like a saddle or a giant wedgie. I lifted my leg as high up as I could, and I put it back down and looked around to see that everyone else had managed to straddle their hammock. I shifted myself in the hammock and tried again. Eventually, I resorted to trying to grab my right foot as I lifted my leg. It took me three times to catch my foot. After considerable struggle, I was in the correct position. This was going to be interesting. We didn’t stay in that position as long as it took me to get into it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Visions of Lucille Ball trying to keep up at the chocolate factory flashed in my head as I did the best I could to follow along.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Everyone seemed to fit in their hammocks with ease while mine felt like spanx. Despite my clumsy pulling and tugging of the hammock and having to make several attempts for each pose, I was able to do some form of about three of the seven poses. Eventually, the teacher came around and lowered the hammocks to about a foot off the ground. I stepped into the hammock, terrified that my weight would pull the thing all the way to the floor leaving no room to swing. It didn’t touch the ground! Alright! Now I would be able to do all of the poses, I said to myself, nearly tripping, as my foot got stuck in the hammock.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">One of the poses involved sitting in the hammock and leaning back, letting your shoulders rest on the floor. I got into this pose successfully.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hanging on to the hammock with both hands like a swing, we hoisted ourselves up for the next pose. Use your feet to push yourself four steps back were the next instructions. When I was doing that, I lost traction and began to swing forward in my hammock. I tried to stop myself with my Flintstones feet brakes as I clawed at the fabric of my hammock trying to pull myself more upright, but my body kept swinging as my feet slipped and slid below me like a wet dog scrambling to get out of a bathtub. There I was swinging out of control, trying desperately to stop myself as my still classmates gracefully curved and turned and bent in their beautiful poses. I can still hear the sound of my feet sliding around on the floor as my hammock slowly came to a stop.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Thankfully, I was able to get myself into the position for floating sivasana, our last pose. Lying flat, in the hammock, like a cocoon. The teacher came around and offered to swing us in the darkened room. It was lovely. Tears of joy, relief and humiliation rolled down my cheeks as I drifted back and forth imagining myself one day being able to gracefully go through all the poses. But for now, I did it. I tried this new thing, and I think I just might try it again.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After class,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I texted my friend Lori. "Guess what I just did?!"<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pink would be so proud. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1">“I’m learning to be brave in my beautiful mistakes.” PINK</span></div>
Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-14602429943891044842018-01-05T15:57:00.000-05:002022-03-06T21:37:58.761-05:00Highlights from 2017What? It has been over a year since I have posted here!? Wow. The new year has lit yet another fire under me and here I am again, grateful as always. Since it has been a while I am going to list the highlights from this school year so far. I am finally feeling at home in an elementary setting.<br />
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In addition to the highlights below, story time has been much better, and I feel more confident about how to select the best books for story time and get the most out of the books I share with the students. Making curriculum connections is now easier since I am more familiar with our elementary standards. One of my favorite books has been <i>The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors</i>. I also enjoyed reading chapters and passages from <i>Wonder</i> to classes.<br />
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We had an intern! It was amazing having Molly with us for a semester. We really miss her. Having Molly join us forced me to be more thoughtful of my practices. I have made a few changes because of this experience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LvVLKqLvMqARUsusE1c-N9aiyxuXFokWTK4HUtieCcL7TwkJYKoKDy4GXvweDcgOn4L3AOYdcnyaRXLLPQ9qHT3laNLManv965p6f5CtpWyR7VdTkVm_cwfmNtAM7bomnwU_42GIVwS6/s1600/IMG_1389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LvVLKqLvMqARUsusE1c-N9aiyxuXFokWTK4HUtieCcL7TwkJYKoKDy4GXvweDcgOn4L3AOYdcnyaRXLLPQ9qHT3laNLManv965p6f5CtpWyR7VdTkVm_cwfmNtAM7bomnwU_42GIVwS6/s200/IMG_1389.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<ul><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Our Super Reader program has more participation this year and we've added online review forms and Schoology badges!</span></ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvtSDtvlsifvmhNhEWr1UDsqilTysyx72Se1vgETdYfs_HXxdS5Qvg3RkLqKFtU63aPu2c-EleZxtyEob4WLm_mQaU0ooUzrNND9Xg29fmt2cFiyME476zat-8-cRh_Cvb-O2skCuzJSK/s1600/IMG_1349.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMveU2O90GV8Skugb9LWyNMmUjqnAaKUpFawwzpSd9ttBTG2J8IyETOy32fVzuyq3UPEjU3m7Fzg656_6orG9CqwFPE3Ywg438PTQVTakKjvfM6Js8zLvYpKI07XkkNkzNMLJYfGhT1Kd/s1600/IMG_1638.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMveU2O90GV8Skugb9LWyNMmUjqnAaKUpFawwzpSd9ttBTG2J8IyETOy32fVzuyq3UPEjU3m7Fzg656_6orG9CqwFPE3Ywg438PTQVTakKjvfM6Js8zLvYpKI07XkkNkzNMLJYfGhT1Kd/s200/IMG_1638.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA39oN5qZg83s-RBDsQqvvucZLoeNK64Lmke6G20YzcpcSseGTztv3nybLjy8E_H-rwS7h7A21e3kOWWtZEeC2msTQr9JRuVKRsa4E9oG05ykmEcdPtvR4V6mDx229i_y3zN5yFZFig77Z/s1600/IMG_2184.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA39oN5qZg83s-RBDsQqvvucZLoeNK64Lmke6G20YzcpcSseGTztv3nybLjy8E_H-rwS7h7A21e3kOWWtZEeC2msTQr9JRuVKRsa4E9oG05ykmEcdPtvR4V6mDx229i_y3zN5yFZFig77Z/s200/IMG_2184.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Students created land bridge models, LED cards and gingerbread houses in the makerspace!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvtSDtvlsifvmhNhEWr1UDsqilTysyx72Se1vgETdYfs_HXxdS5Qvg3RkLqKFtU63aPu2c-EleZxtyEob4WLm_mQaU0ooUzrNND9Xg29fmt2cFiyME476zat-8-cRh_Cvb-O2skCuzJSK/s1600/IMG_1349.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhJbIkBvHt8NeqjbXoGj_8NDoGarAEy5T7sqd-1NuxE1I4R-7G7ACDdEajpwoz34bzYrGLHaCg19tZMhA3KwzLOa_tWDX7z5aca7mlQadTEdJOYcFiu04zakRGZx94T0phWa63qDDx6wa/s1600/IMG_2143.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhJbIkBvHt8NeqjbXoGj_8NDoGarAEy5T7sqd-1NuxE1I4R-7G7ACDdEajpwoz34bzYrGLHaCg19tZMhA3KwzLOa_tWDX7z5aca7mlQadTEdJOYcFiu04zakRGZx94T0phWa63qDDx6wa/s200/IMG_2143.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuRqS2-9_B6nKoesjEtSCpkXwJRKhho75SlonD4GNX1CR6W9lCPcqJQU5w0UJeS7z3nAHwCT1GchNAVERy9r_p6JHrj41kxDq4_gOC3vDnRWlGw45MfWSZyAMoxT5XpHpffCm40DYfKSM/s1600/IMG_2141.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuRqS2-9_B6nKoesjEtSCpkXwJRKhho75SlonD4GNX1CR6W9lCPcqJQU5w0UJeS7z3nAHwCT1GchNAVERy9r_p6JHrj41kxDq4_gOC3vDnRWlGw45MfWSZyAMoxT5XpHpffCm40DYfKSM/s200/IMG_2141.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Students enjoyed this fiction/non-fiction book sorting activity. This was a good springboard for locating informational text features in the non-fiction books.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvtSDtvlsifvmhNhEWr1UDsqilTysyx72Se1vgETdYfs_HXxdS5Qvg3RkLqKFtU63aPu2c-EleZxtyEob4WLm_mQaU0ooUzrNND9Xg29fmt2cFiyME476zat-8-cRh_Cvb-O2skCuzJSK/s1600/IMG_1349.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LPmlPOkzTo-RpApnWC8NqUaYfhH7xJXmBhnNDqF5YfG8jBKfoP89fh9vcHMtP3hodRC2PGIUkiLiXG8i5twQu0vCqgT_vrr4bxRtAfYPh219ujjpPRdZ9uSJXvGSrkV87kwBoXJy2VMt/s1600/IMG_2102.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LPmlPOkzTo-RpApnWC8NqUaYfhH7xJXmBhnNDqF5YfG8jBKfoP89fh9vcHMtP3hodRC2PGIUkiLiXG8i5twQu0vCqgT_vrr4bxRtAfYPh219ujjpPRdZ9uSJXvGSrkV87kwBoXJy2VMt/s200/IMG_2102.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszUTuzsilCS91VEk_jUUdXHHeBt98Flza2puN5QGjt1bkEF4GSgAg2W4PtOYTAsOhzkk1j42u8y9II3QLYgUXDD_zHdyKjyNXgaqOwkW6s2DPHhWQoK6JKg5ca-pIrWioSAWKb4rgW9JU/s1600/IMG_2078.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszUTuzsilCS91VEk_jUUdXHHeBt98Flza2puN5QGjt1bkEF4GSgAg2W4PtOYTAsOhzkk1j42u8y9II3QLYgUXDD_zHdyKjyNXgaqOwkW6s2DPHhWQoK6JKg5ca-pIrWioSAWKb4rgW9JU/s200/IMG_2078.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-pzV7QFv10IJQp7axpOKF871a-_iGMgW2SskCgVJXiNm-q__7H9CDe2prPT_a8mQUL8T1ASwQ33K_LZZ4Of-kNT5gmOebPZZYqDJmQA18YyUTEg95vJQr6xrN66-F4kgagEsKXG0GMkV/s1600/IMG_2053.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-pzV7QFv10IJQp7axpOKF871a-_iGMgW2SskCgVJXiNm-q__7H9CDe2prPT_a8mQUL8T1ASwQ33K_LZZ4Of-kNT5gmOebPZZYqDJmQA18YyUTEg95vJQr6xrN66-F4kgagEsKXG0GMkV/s200/IMG_2053.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Hour of code week was so much fun! We broke out the ozobots, our new osmos and utilized our activpanel in addition to using the hour of code website activities.<br />
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The movie release of Wonder was the perfect opportunity to revisit this book, read aloud passages and chapters to classes, and have a Choose Kind day at our school.<br />
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Grandparents breakfast was followed by library time. The warm, fuzzy goodness of seeing students being read to and playing games with their grandparents makes my heart sing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYYyJo03yd2CUOFz30BlW5tbQ-PVEjfq94AETZF6JtHH-Fy6vUxav1xcKXSoZWMnVU46xxxCH_86yNwyNfIrkwtU8lH7Y28HQbbwfWf19Fdll_VOD-RcLo7Md2-YXZB8kqYbpm0G2Jrld/s1600/IMG_1007.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYYyJo03yd2CUOFz30BlW5tbQ-PVEjfq94AETZF6JtHH-Fy6vUxav1xcKXSoZWMnVU46xxxCH_86yNwyNfIrkwtU8lH7Y28HQbbwfWf19Fdll_VOD-RcLo7Md2-YXZB8kqYbpm0G2Jrld/s200/IMG_1007.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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This is one of my favorite bulletin boards of the year. I like it because it allowed for teacher, student and parent participation.<br />
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Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-35879435476778744532016-10-17T22:53:00.000-04:002022-03-06T21:44:12.644-05:00Storytime <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Story time is going much better lately. We haven't had story time on the stepped area with the bean bags in a while, and I sometimes wish I had that rug back. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed to make very careful choices about what books to read during story time. I turned to my SCASL tribe for advice on selections. Here are some of the titles they suggested for K-2 story time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jennifer Falvey, of Heathwood Hall, suggested books that were silly with lots of repetition for Kindergarten through first grade. Here are some of her favorites. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUk_c_JZsOCn3A9whToYfu4GRVCsHkaMPSfy4bxjUmWDM7sJ2h8m7CkO_FU9DMZhn3eHrnrxmLK0dyh1_4Ph0kBzsu5aITYRqdUEMZvvqCRanv_hDE5vjvyUDzGzPlAPrli88yW9JfYbcD/s1600/9780329786496.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUk_c_JZsOCn3A9whToYfu4GRVCsHkaMPSfy4bxjUmWDM7sJ2h8m7CkO_FU9DMZhn3eHrnrxmLK0dyh1_4Ph0kBzsu5aITYRqdUEMZvvqCRanv_hDE5vjvyUDzGzPlAPrli88yW9JfYbcD/s200/9780329786496.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Warning, Do Now Open This Book</i> by Adam Lehrhaupt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>My Truck is Stuck</i> by Kevin Lewis</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Rattletrap Car</i> by Phyllis Root</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pete the Cat Books - especially the ones by Eric Litwin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mo Willems books - especially <i>That is Not a Good Idea</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Max and Ruby books by Rosemary Wells</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum</i> by Lisa Wheeler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Pout Pout Fish</i> by Deborah Diesel ( I already have the voice for him in my head)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Zany Zoo </i>by Lori Degman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Gruffalo</i> by Julia Donaldson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Where's My Teddy </i>by Jez Alborough </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Falvey's all time favorite story time book is <i>The Book With No Pictures </i>by B.J. Novak. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFFcPEli3KOw9YrSKmDyCDXrbNmhJ2Bz4X6fOOi02xTzUWtCQhvwkX9G0dpZQLJaSzK63RmkEN8fAsnczqrWQkEKM6yAlYA-DhRZ31Sn29e4MN-usuS3dVb7_Oql_58i3JigPQsRpFe6x/s1600/9780803741713.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFFcPEli3KOw9YrSKmDyCDXrbNmhJ2Bz4X6fOOi02xTzUWtCQhvwkX9G0dpZQLJaSzK63RmkEN8fAsnczqrWQkEKM6yAlYA-DhRZ31Sn29e4MN-usuS3dVb7_Oql_58i3JigPQsRpFe6x/s200/9780803741713.jpeg" width="160" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book <i>That is Not a Good Idea</i> was a huge hit for story time. The students loved shouting "That is NOT a good idea!" at the right places. I purchased a copy of <i>The Book With No Pictures</i> and laughed out loud while I was reading it for the first time. I am saving this one. What a gem. It will be like a secret weapon. I will keep it at the ready, but I can't wait to read it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Karen Hoover, a retired school librarian, suggested <span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><i>The Little Old Lady Who was not Afraid of Anything </i>by Linda </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">Williams. Since we already had this title in the library, and it is fall, I read this one right away. I gave the students simple items from our makerspace to use to make the clomp, wiggle and shake sounds in the book and assigned each table a specific sound. It worked really well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212121;">Carla Nash recommended <i>Maple </i>by Lori Nichols,<i> Press Here</i> and <i>Mix It Up </i>by Herve Tullet. <i>Tap the Magic Tree</i> by Christie Matheson was recommended by several folks. I read <i>Tap the Magic Tree</i> for story time, the kids liked it.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #212121;">Angela Durham recommended </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I Ain't Gonna Paint No More </i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">by Karen Beaumont, </span><i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">How I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Became A Pirate </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"> by Melinda Long, and <i>Precious and the Boo Hag</i> by Jean Moss and Patricia McKissack</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212121;">One of Janet Deavor's favorites is </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><i>We're </i></span><i style="color: #212121;">Going on a Bear Hunt </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">by Michael Rosen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">Lea Barrett added </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">Robert Munsch: More Pies, MMM Cookies and <i>Jump Frog Jump</i> by Robert Kalan to my list of go to titles. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">Groovy Joe books by Eric Litwin were suggested by Darla Scruggs. Lee Grayson said that </span>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">Any book with action and movement works well." She also </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">shared this link to a website that incorporates creative drama exercises </span><a href="http://www.childdrama.com/picturebook.html">http://www.childdrama.com/picturebook.html</a> I am going to give Groovy Joe and that website a try for sure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started to read <i>Stellaluna </i>by Janell Cannon today for story time. These beloved classics keep calling to me. <i>Stellaluna</i> is a wonderful book, but it wasn't meant to be for my story time reading. It's probably better with a small group of students. Since <i>Stellaluna </i>wasn't working for me , I switched to <i>I Yam Not a Donkey!</i> by Cece Bell. I absolutely love seeing the children's eyes light up the moment they get the humor of this book, and I must say I do a pretty good donkey voice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only down side to this recent streak of awesome story times I have had lately, thanks to the helpful suggestions of my colleagues, is that now, I have to keep it up. It's so great when they actually applaud at the end of the book and I am such a sucker for it. I don't know if we will ever be able to have story time on the steps with the bean bags like I pictured. For now, I am going to focus on finding more great books to get me through the rest of the year. </span><br />
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Images from Titlewave<br />
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<br />Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-63683853898740029072016-10-11T20:36:00.003-04:002022-03-06T21:38:16.363-05:00My New Library Space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aside from the fact that I would get to work with children for longer timespans, this new position was attractive to me because the library is, GORGEOUS. Tasteful and rich are words I would use to describe my new surroundings. I must say that my previous library was also fantastic. It had a computer lab with 28 computers and a Smart Board, a huge motorized projector screen with a ceiling mounted projector, a dividable conference room space, and cathedral ceilings. My new library's high ceilings are skirted with luxurious moldings, huge picture windows flood the space with natural light. Three circular windows add a unique nautical vibe to the room. And let me tell you, librarians: the circulation desk - is to die for. Yup. It is a <i>for real</i> circulation desk, set high with slots and bins and places to repair books. The circulation desk at my old school, it was literally: a desk with a box beside it. In the floor plan this library is referred to as the "reading room." To top it all off, there is this stepped reading area by the windows. I just love it. Immediately I said to my sisters, "THIS is where I will have story time." <br />
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I swiftly gave away the alphabet rug that was on the floor near the projector screen, since I decided that we would not be using that for story time. Ever. Not with those lovely beanbags on the steps. By the way, story time, that was another reason I liked the sound of this job. I wanted some of that good old story time. I pictured myself reading fantastic picture books to groups of enthralled children who sat gazing at me in wide-eyed excitement, hanging, on my every word. I pictured myself doing the voices. Yes, I would read in the voices of the characters in the books. I would read to them exactly as Barry Lane had implored us to do many years ago when I heard him speak at the Spartanburg Writing Project Conference, <b>with the voices.</b> He said, "You have to do the voices! Don't read like a robot! You will never get these kids to love reading if you read to them like that!"<br />
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School began and classes started coming to the library. I excitedly sat the children down in the bean bag chairs to read to them. This was something I was looking forward to. I can't even remember what book it was that I chose. But, I can tell you this: that story time, it was awful. The children would not, could not, sit still and be quiet while I read. I even spotted a pair of students playing rock paper scissors, while I was reading. The horror! And I was doing the voices! Prior to this, my only elementary-aged story time experience involved my nieces and nephews on my lap or snuggled in cozy. One on one. Very low-ratio story time. Now, I was frustrated and confused and a bit disheartened. "That did not go well!" I said to my partner Cheryl. I selected another book for the next group, thinking that would do the trick. It did not do the trick. Wiggle wiggle, whisper whisper. Shift, giggle. Poke. This was <b>not </b>how I thought story time would be. Was it the bean bags? Was it the story? Was it <b>me</b>? Did I have unrealistic expectations?<br />
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Story time had to change, and I had to figure out how to make it work . . fast! I consulted with my coworkers and fellow librarians for suggestions. Did they have this same problem? Why did I give away that rug? Since then, I have made a few changes. So far, things are going more smoothly for everyone. And that, my friends, will be exactly what my next post will be about! In my next post, I will share the suggestions and advice that have helped me improve story time and share some of the fun experiences I have had.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7T5EQpkQfemD_Asv4ZaFsZUd1mCLshZGOeX17expo5JP2cWMzYHMjviCTyo4Gkn2Wa2ci0exzf9UA_Pqe64I4GcRHWtlILrFSqWXH55Ho-0BKJ7tBvgpH-E0dnNYxyR3NOql9fU1EwcD/s1600/IMG_6552+2.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtdi8NSPphtCA96t46bb1bNg45yNYh96No-y2jTUgalbP4dNCD4BfD0mysi-p2EA5B6OjqNNMCwKwC-iptdwmUNpsab0CSyt99SfQbt6DiU9kJRRUspKLcNtAoJ3a-IzfhpXKTXj3Ht2R/s1600/IMG_6533.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtdi8NSPphtCA96t46bb1bNg45yNYh96No-y2jTUgalbP4dNCD4BfD0mysi-p2EA5B6OjqNNMCwKwC-iptdwmUNpsab0CSyt99SfQbt6DiU9kJRRUspKLcNtAoJ3a-IzfhpXKTXj3Ht2R/s320/IMG_6533.JPG" width="320" /></a>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-18429229121783042982016-10-09T21:12:00.000-04:002022-01-31T11:24:50.938-05:00A Change Will Do You Good?Moving from Middle to Elementary - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goUCgRc_OUU" target="_blank">"It's a different world, from where you come from!"</a> (Do you remember that show?)<br />
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In August, I began working in a school that serves students in pre kindergarten through grade eight. Before this, I spent 22 years working with middle school students in a variety of capacities, including school librarian.<br />
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I knew this job would teach me many new things. I have already learned so much. One of the reasons I took this leap was that I liked the idea of working with students for a longer period of time. How cool is it to know a student from their pre-school or kindergarten days all the way up to middle school? I love that possibility.<br />
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It is only October and already I am in love with quite a few of these little nuggets.<br />
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Over the next several months I plan to post on some of the new experiences I am having. One of the first topics will be story time.<br />
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"New World" office decor</div>
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Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-22309300363915891172015-03-28T13:01:00.000-04:002022-01-31T11:24:50.939-05:00Dazed and ConfusedI am exhausted. Still. It has been two weeks since our 40th Annual South Carolina Association of School Librarians conference, and I am still not back to 100% Jen. My ear infection is almost cleared up and the house is back in order. Our book fair is over and the library budget is almost spent. Phew!
Hubby and I had big plans to celebrate all the hard work that went into planning this event with a spa day at the Grove Park Inn. Since I got sick almost immediately after conference was over, and our dog was having seizures, we had to cancel our spa day. I really want to celebrate, but it looks like that will have to wait.<br />
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Planning this conference has been, as Samantha McManus says, "Like being strapped to the front of a speeding train." It had literally taken over my life: work, eat, sleep, exercise, conference planning. And now that it's over I am a crumpled mess by the side of the tracks.
It reminds me of one of my favorite Dixie Chicks songs, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mswzXQyVuHA">"Am I the Only One"(Who's Ever Felt This Way)</a>. The lyrics "It rung me out and strung me out and it hung years on my face... and now my sense of humor needs a break" hit home for me. It is comforting to know that I am NOT the only one who's ever felt this way. Isn't that right, Diana Carr? And when I see a tweet like this:<br />
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It makes it all worthwhile. One rejuvenated school librarian impacts an entire school of teachers and students. </div>
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I have to write the conference review, but the conference is just a blur! One of my favorite moments is stuffing the blue plastic portfolios while listening to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvKyBcCDOB4">Wagon Wheel</a> and the sound track that Dawn James made for us. Project Connect was pure awesomeness and I loved it. I wanted to stand up and cheer a few times! Seeing the authors arrive, meeting them and seeing them show up in the exhibit hall for autographing was awesome. I also enjoyed Sharon Flake and Sara Pennypacker's talks at the Author Celebration Luncheon. Other than those moments, the rest was pretty much a stress casserole for me. <br />
<br />
I have to make a list of the lessons I have learned and pass them on to the next President Elect. I have to write thank you notes. So many thank you notes. . .<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtJoZUopXNqgnjUjRXOKyTyIJ-Uxxsn8DIxYHkWVNYyrVRIpTWvodGfy8l1T5Y_S-N4RKGwoLwSAMe1QOkNC-KrxPn5ALfijxUm52ATvJ2n5eB9zvYb1qzhXrYL0nqXn5MOccQlZN6IqA/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtJoZUopXNqgnjUjRXOKyTyIJ-Uxxsn8DIxYHkWVNYyrVRIpTWvodGfy8l1T5Y_S-N4RKGwoLwSAMe1QOkNC-KrxPn5ALfijxUm52ATvJ2n5eB9zvYb1qzhXrYL0nqXn5MOccQlZN6IqA/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" /></a><br />
Sharon Flake, Sara Pennypacker and Sharon Dennis Wyeth in the exhibit hall autographing.<br />
<br /></div>
Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-16590859780387308732014-07-21T16:18:00.001-04:002022-03-06T21:58:09.992-05:00A New Toy<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAf22MhIv2cgIUy8txlzsaHFe_2j-5omx_2L7iPYx8Ty3QHkpcjmAESMakzPggbw22cbN9Y5fAFBbZn9fM3-r9tYFRtC4w5urnXG5EZmRedTNKL4fgBZFyUADX0HgTj3jjmZE0xRwBhJW/s640/blogger-image-426920775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAf22MhIv2cgIUy8txlzsaHFe_2j-5omx_2L7iPYx8Ty3QHkpcjmAESMakzPggbw22cbN9Y5fAFBbZn9fM3-r9tYFRtC4w5urnXG5EZmRedTNKL4fgBZFyUADX0HgTj3jjmZE0xRwBhJW/s640/blogger-image-426920775.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAf22MhIv2cgIUy8txlzsaHFe_2j-5omx_2L7iPYx8Ty3QHkpcjmAESMakzPggbw22cbN9Y5fAFBbZn9fM3-r9tYFRtC4w5urnXG5EZmRedTNKL4fgBZFyUADX0HgTj3jjmZE0xRwBhJW/s640/blogger-image-426920775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07D3msp_d3qF_iUWGGF6YtSiopxXA8E9976o_lKUATCHG13KbAQiXrHM4nJ5uGI_7j1VZ3YTGsCD9-Hqq5yl90tB9fRh978BizbWmGl6wIXuJCA3WS589Wni0TZrVAGnkByrXwJjIBecC/s640/blogger-image-1450351574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07D3msp_d3qF_iUWGGF6YtSiopxXA8E9976o_lKUATCHG13KbAQiXrHM4nJ5uGI_7j1VZ3YTGsCD9-Hqq5yl90tB9fRh978BizbWmGl6wIXuJCA3WS589Wni0TZrVAGnkByrXwJjIBecC/s640/blogger-image-1450351574.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know I am not alone in my love of office supplies - pens, markers, sticky notes and the lot. Planning and plotting our lessons, meetings, conferences and life in general is more fun if you have a snazzy organizer to do it with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Of course there are the digital planners and Google calendars with all the bells and whistles. I use those. There is something about the act of writing it down and jotting notes and looking at it on paper that makes the paper planner a helpful, soothing option for me in addition to the digital options.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have been known to buy the planner and use it for only three or four months before abandoning it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Because I am planning a conference things are a bit more complicated now. I hope this new toy will help me keep it together.</div></div><br></div>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-88333742059893099902014-06-28T01:27:00.001-04:002022-03-06T13:12:49.011-05:00ALA - Jane McGonigalAuthor of <i>Reality Is Broken</i>, <i>Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World, </i>Jane McGonigal, gave an excellent presentation at ALA's opening session. Here are some interesting tidbits from her talk:<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixg4EREOVzrzTrz577OVYUY2P6NK67NJaEGTLXmA76FoR0VTWWDbJreG6XlJ7Y6Hty4IRyt8ZWW03-CmReEQ9F5mBXCkAB5jZZBkhq7Z5EcJgz5tC3MZNvijsYETrF2KEacgLW29vG8yin/s640/blogger-image--134451896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixg4EREOVzrzTrz577OVYUY2P6NK67NJaEGTLXmA76FoR0VTWWDbJreG6XlJ7Y6Hty4IRyt8ZWW03-CmReEQ9F5mBXCkAB5jZZBkhq7Z5EcJgz5tC3MZNvijsYETrF2KEacgLW29vG8yin/s640/blogger-image--134451896.jpg"></a></div><br><div>-We play a lot of games. </div><div>-Games are engaging.</div><div>- Work and school is not engaging for a large number of people.</div><div>- The longer we stay in school the less engaged we become as we go from elementary to high school.</div><div>- Ten positive emotions- creativity, contentment awe & wonder, excitement, curiosity, pride, surprise, love, relief, joy</div><div><div>-No matter what is going on the gamer feels these positive emotions</div><div>-Engagement in life equals positive emotions which translate to an upward spiral of other positive things<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div>-Gamers spend 80% of time failing</div><div>-"The opposite of play isn't work, it's depression" Brian Sutton-Smith </div><div>-Game play encourages optimism, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Competence, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Physiological energy</span></div><div>-Game play is the opposite of depression neurologically</div><div>-<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Scans show game play is opposite of neurological depression. </span></div><div>-<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Every game gives a goal clearly</span></div><div>-Gaming develops Resilience as gamers are less likely to quit after failure</div><div>-There is no such thing as an educational or non educational game. They are ALL educational.</div><div>-<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Games treat depression better than Meds </span></div><div>Sciencegames.org, foldit, eyewire, block by block, minecraft, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ora saves the forest, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Whale song project whale fm, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Valley of heroes created by Jane McGonigal </span></div><div>-Goals are more possible when fueled by positive emotions</div></div><div><br></div></div>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0Las Vegas Strip (null)36.121514 -115.172319tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-52211385993205492282014-06-25T12:34:00.001-04:002022-03-06T12:54:56.248-05:00ALA Vegas<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RFcK_P4iLesORJKzLgVVjcWbgwT4vfMKVWpy9o6H2BjBRxpsoxnIgMA_xML0ophjWOHaDCl8wgZeFnmyLWasCdNlI-lKdwm7W8lp5w1XsRBVBDJsZg7tU5TwpEogidMmdzQE_pxrF8di/s640/blogger-image-982609490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RFcK_P4iLesORJKzLgVVjcWbgwT4vfMKVWpy9o6H2BjBRxpsoxnIgMA_xML0ophjWOHaDCl8wgZeFnmyLWasCdNlI-lKdwm7W8lp5w1XsRBVBDJsZg7tU5TwpEogidMmdzQE_pxrF8di/s640/blogger-image-982609490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAUhVfND5CjstSB-Qf7qzHUQ_88GA5gj70_TsixALisV4M9Ptjyt6fPpwynV6ktYA0lwcjD08OVWBNZMiqfsmIXfh9pBs7tB9XPznqzpuqJYYDI25UzBHAs6f0_tN_-IksbItpEdVu9US/s640/blogger-image--1842182470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tn_d0bXNFpOuBGScVMN4y_Hl3yWMGS3I_nefyBwG7MAYyHYf-ppaLC4_WZxpPUUvnJbJwFvZ9trn5O9y0FOBlktHFm9LlHw3R5ly0NRCUfOUJ-i8yqAPxbrtv5w2VpfPQmLneaETPPo-/s640/blogger-image-1228991088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tn_d0bXNFpOuBGScVMN4y_Hl3yWMGS3I_nefyBwG7MAYyHYf-ppaLC4_WZxpPUUvnJbJwFvZ9trn5O9y0FOBlktHFm9LlHw3R5ly0NRCUfOUJ-i8yqAPxbrtv5w2VpfPQmLneaETPPo-/s640/blogger-image-1228991088.jpg"></a></div><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAUhVfND5CjstSB-Qf7qzHUQ_88GA5gj70_TsixALisV4M9Ptjyt6fPpwynV6ktYA0lwcjD08OVWBNZMiqfsmIXfh9pBs7tB9XPznqzpuqJYYDI25UzBHAs6f0_tN_-IksbItpEdVu9US/s640/blogger-image--1842182470.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RFcK_P4iLesORJKzLgVVjcWbgwT4vfMKVWpy9o6H2BjBRxpsoxnIgMA_xML0ophjWOHaDCl8wgZeFnmyLWasCdNlI-lKdwm7W8lp5w1XsRBVBDJsZg7tU5TwpEogidMmdzQE_pxrF8di/s640/blogger-image-982609490.jpg"></div>Here we are in Vegas for the Annual Library Conference. Conference action starts later, so today's agenda is a motor coach trip to the Canyon. I have been to Vegas, Hoover Dam and the Canyon several times before, but it never gets old. It is certainly a change of scenery from Belize. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCNpB1froIFocsjioiNf2-H7lXHnWS0kYJST6OGTd__Y-yyBdiduLc_sJ9DXh4PGtvWXWvQWPpiOV2zhhdwGa44NOh3yZ1cxgDMNa0U9M-FogmLKIa751uUYGI1fW5c2zDUA_tZFurC76/s640/blogger-image--494607747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCNpB1froIFocsjioiNf2-H7lXHnWS0kYJST6OGTd__Y-yyBdiduLc_sJ9DXh4PGtvWXWvQWPpiOV2zhhdwGa44NOh3yZ1cxgDMNa0U9M-FogmLKIa751uUYGI1fW5c2zDUA_tZFurC76/s640/blogger-image--494607747.jpg"></a></div>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-81925565924385476542014-06-25T12:21:00.001-04:002022-03-06T21:32:45.974-05:00BelizeHubby and I had a lovely trip to Belize. This time we went to Placencia instead of San Pedro and liked it much better. Trip highlights include: a sailing and snorkel trip, Monkey River trip, kayaking, biking, a day on Ranguana Caye, and a day at the lovely Turtle Inn. I read Orange Is the New Black and Game of Thrones on this trip. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCSRRFQiJjP3DEVu7acEEdNU7mXT6jE9NSLVF8qNeFNSpimtg3TQ_Tv9V8R8y1Locfte8TYeHG-6yLfv4rtv8xkzdwfwfBX47ci7HOYgBYdlAPseUniY8cHhU9F4CzAQLXuN4CYwuCtxP/s640/blogger-image-55030996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCSRRFQiJjP3DEVu7acEEdNU7mXT6jE9NSLVF8qNeFNSpimtg3TQ_Tv9V8R8y1Locfte8TYeHG-6yLfv4rtv8xkzdwfwfBX47ci7HOYgBYdlAPseUniY8cHhU9F4CzAQLXuN4CYwuCtxP/s640/blogger-image-55030996.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1421656499365073379.post-90150331851808115472014-05-25T17:29:00.005-04:002022-01-31T11:24:50.946-05:00Stress BustersIt's the end of the school year. That magical time after standardized testing when weeks and days are filled with field trips, permission slips, yearbook day, field day, rewards & celebrations, banquets, dances, awards ceremonies, graduations and more. For a school librarian here is what the and more means: inventory, lost library books, more overdue notices and the "I never checked out that book." or the "I turned that book in." claims, summer reading promotion, summer reading book and material distribution, and last minute student projects & reports as well as last minute collaborative efforts. There is also the end of the year report to your principal and the state survey. Ooops! I left out the frayed nerves, the strained relationships that also come with the end of the school year. And I completely forgot the "Who are they going to cut for next year?" anxiety. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXCzzdrdrGFj0y4aJamylu2RvZsS34v_JQ3FLzQgt7FA5a7FNACAFlgOyH3GC7Dg9f2yU8bYKstD2y2vBKfYv8jBj5OT3GuZBeee9DKBqJ2p1-q0hCrudPCD23rPXBoggvxipGC2WULIw/s1600/5318737895_741836fec8_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXCzzdrdrGFj0y4aJamylu2RvZsS34v_JQ3FLzQgt7FA5a7FNACAFlgOyH3GC7Dg9f2yU8bYKstD2y2vBKfYv8jBj5OT3GuZBeee9DKBqJ2p1-q0hCrudPCD23rPXBoggvxipGC2WULIw/s1600/5318737895_741836fec8_z.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stressed Out" by Jonathan Edward Lee https://www.flickr.com/photos/bakaotaku/5318737895/in/photostream/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This can lead to a giant stress induced meltdown. Here is what I do to try to "Keep Calm and Carry On."<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Focus on the future.</b> We had a motivational speaking group called the Strength Team come to our school recently. Something they said has been helpful to me. <b>"Successful people focus on what they are going <i>to</i>, not what they are going<i> through</i>."</b> I have been thinking about my vacation plans and what I am going to do with my summer. That really helps. This is not going to last and it is almost over. My mother loved Robert Schuller. She watched him on TV, read his books and sent in donations. For one of those donations they sent her a glass ornament that said, <b>"Tough Times Don't Last, but Tough People Do."</b> This quote helps me. </li>
<li><b>Breathe. </b>I try to remember to take slow, deep breaths when I am feeling stressed. </li>
<li><b>Embrace the crazy.</b> Sometimes when things get too busy, I try to think of what the opposite would look and feel like. It helps me remember why I chose to become a teacher. What would my job be like if there were no ________? (Fill in the blank with anything - students, field trips, summer reading). Most likely, it would look like something I do not want or would not enjoy for longer than a day. Part of the reason I signed up for this job is because of the super-busy, challenging nature of it, and it is also super-rewarding and satisfying to me, and because I love office supplies and technology.</li>
<li><b>Exercise.</b> Make it non-negotiable. Even fifteen minutes of exercise will help. Yoga really helps me. I also love a nice walk. </li>
<li><b>Listen to music. </b>It is amazing what music can do for my state of mind. </li>
<li><b>Realize you are not alone.</b> It is crazy time for everyone! </li>
<li><b>Take Stock</b> - I need to put some goodies in my end of year report, so now is the time to look at the year and celebrate the highlights. </li>
</ul>
<div>
I recently read that stress can be contagious. Yikes! Maybe that is why schools can be so scary at this time of year. </div>
Auntie Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09484057210037053208noreply@blogger.com0