hello & howdy.
at the little classroom in the big city we’re entering our 4th week of school. this year everyone is keeping a diary. we’re using bullet journal stencils to decorate the pages. everyone knows if you decorate your page the writing part is more fun. you knew that right?
while i read the chapter book after lunch the kiddies prepare their pages. around 2 pm they’ll be depositing their thoughts and feelings into their newly decorated diaries.
my new class is a nice group of little people. i’m the only curmudgeon in the group. by the end of the day my central nervous system is finished processing information and i need to start thinking about self-care so that i don’t self-destruct.
my sister dottie mentioned yesterday that if a person were to get into their cars and drive straight up they would reach space in about an hour. i’ve been thinking about that non-stop since she told me. it’s quiet in space. and dark. i would very much like to steer my chariot around the various bright constellations as i meditate on the meaning of life. or just enjoy the silence that deep space could provide.
on saturday morn i woke early and decided to point my compass to the coast instead of deep space. i arrived just as the sun was rising over the coastal range.
the air was cool. earnest fisherwomen and men dotted the shore.
glossy brown ribbons of kelp rest on the sand.
there is salt spray and sheets of mist rolling in off the water.
i love a beach without dogs to frighten off the shorebirds.
there is the roar of the ocean and a shore waiting for the sun.
at dawn there are other solitary people out walking or combing for treasure.
i marvel at the driftwood teepees and think how nice they must be inside once the sun is directly overhead. this is a south-facing beach so the sun is coming from behind.
next weekend i will return, but earlier. i was in a rush to beat the sun up the steep path.
it blazes over the water and sand turning everything from dark to light. watching the colors change in the sunlight is a wonder to behold.
i like to be up top on a bench to witness it. some people to my right brought their breakfast with them. they laid out a table cloth and got busy enjoying their coffee and food.
i hope you’re well out there in the world. taking care of yourselves in the best way you know how.
i’ll just be here. planning for a new week in the classroom. thinking of my after school drives straight up to float around the earth. let’s see what happens.
It has been years since I’ve been here. It is as I remember it…lovely. I saw a cat that looked like Buck, and though life reminds me of you here & there, someone in the park sketching, visiting my own 2nd grade teacher, a maple bar with bacon on it, any time I look at a map, it took a beautiful feline to bring me back. Glad to see all is well. Those are some very lucky students.
So lovely. Ready to drive into space myself.!
Mary Ann I am so taken with beach photo number 5 of just the waves I can hear them in my mind!!
A beautiful post…serenity!
Grazie!!
Mmmm…the ocean is healing, as are sunrises and solitary walks. Sending you wishes for moments of quiet during the week as well. As an introvert I understand the need for quiet and solitude and the healing of the ocean.
You have such a beautiful way to tell a story, in words, your photos and your beautiful paintings!! You are a gift 🎁! And now I too will be thinking of steering my vehicle straight into space!
Hi MaryAnn,
Love that you are introducing 5th graders to bullet journaling! A skill they may remember you for the rest of their lives.
Hope they calm down as the year progresses. I’m going to remember it only takes a hour straight up to space, next time I need an escape.
Enjoy the year,
Anne
Such a lovely calming post. Thank you.