Day 31 – March SOL

Today is Day 31 – the last day! – of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using for inspiration is “Oh my”.

OH MY!
I did it! 31 days – 31 slices! Oh my!

At the beginning of the month, I wasn’t too confident that I’d complete it this year. That’s partly why I chose another challenge – a photo one – to help inspire m this year. And it worked.
Each day’s slice added to the success – reinforcing my determination to write daily and to keep going.
March SOL has become a necessity, especially when I feel blocked in my writing. It does help to kick start more writing in the months to follow.
I also enjoy reading other slicers’ work. There is so much talent and inspiring writing each day.
Congratulations to all of us. We have triumphed.
Happy Easter as well!

Day 30 – March SOL

Today is Day 30 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using for inspiration is “Apple”.

APPLE
As I thought about the prompt for today, I couldn’t help think of some quotes:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

You’re the apple of my eye.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

And even – An apple for the teacher.

I collect a number of different things – birds, heart boxes, angels, elephants. I also collect apples – perfect really for a teacher. I didn’t think I had that many until I started looking. I have more than in the photo and there are also some apple shaped dishes, which I use in the fall.

One in particular sits in our china cabinet and is a definite keepsake. It is red glass apple, quite heavy, that was presented to me by my union when I retired. (it is the middle of the photo, to the right). It reminds me of all those years of teaching and my love for my profession.

Keepsakes have a power to remind of us of special people, special events, special places. Our china cabinet is definitely that – full of gifts, memories and precious to us objects.

 

Day 29 – March Slice of Life

Today is Day 29 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using for inspiration is “Leaves”

LEAVES
There was rain today, misty at times but a bit steadier this evening when we were out. The snow is finally gone and the days have definitely been warmer. Yet, it is still March – I worry that we still have another winter blast due.
When I checked the back garden this afternoon, there were some more small plants pushing up through the soil, with tiny leaves.

I can’t remember what we planted there though. In the front garden, the tulips are sprouting, with the leaves almost two inches high.
Something is digging up our front gardens. My son saw a skunk digging up grubs in the lawn a couple of weeks ago. He stayed in the car until it waddled off. But we also have squirrels and chipmunks. It will be interesting to see what actually blooms when decent growing weather stays – and whether the animals have left the rest of the bulbs.

Day 28 – March SOL

Today is Day 28 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme today from the photo challenge I am using as inspiration is “Path”.

PATH
When I think of paths, I usually picture a path through a park or forest or garden. But, today when I went to work in my art room, the path to my work table was blocked. It is a bit embarrassing to show it, but it is what it is – a clutter disaster!

When my son moved in before Christmas to help out after my hubby’s surgery, I moved “stuff” into this room so he could have more space.
Now he has moved out and the “stuff” is still there. I really have to tackle it and make the path to art easier to navigate.

Day 27 – March SOL

Today is Day 27 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using for inspiration is “Cute”

CUTE
Today was spent shopping – for groceries, a gift; going to the library and then to East Side Mario’s for supper.
I had to zip into the dollar store for a birthday card as well. As I wandered down the aisle with Easter items, I saw a really cute bib.

Our youngest grandchild is not quite a year old and this will be her first Easter. So of course I had to buy it. Maybe she won’t be getting chocolate, but this was too cute to pass up.

 

Day 26 – March SOL

Today is Day 26 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at  Writing Teachers”.

The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using for inspiration is “I wish…”

 

I WISH…

I wish we could all

 

This is one of my favourite pieces of art and hangs in my living room. It is based on “LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH” – something we all need to embrace.

 

But especially  LOVE.  

We desperately need more love in this divisive world, especially love for our fellow man.

 

 

This is so well illustrated  in the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:36

Th-40 (NIV):

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 

 

Bertrand Russell reflected on this:

Christ said “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” and when asked “who is thy neighbour? went on to the parable of the Good Samaritan. If you wish to understand this parable as it was understood by his hearers, you should substitute “Germans and Japanese” for Samaritan. [ Today substitute Jew, Mexican, Afro-American]

I fear my modern day Christians would resent such a substitution, because it would compel them to realize how far they have departed from the teachings of the founder of their religion.

We are each other’s neighbours – regardless of our skin colour, our religion, our sexual orientation. We need to accept and love each other – what a lovely world we could have if only we could do this.

Mr. Rogers always approached everyone he met with love and respect. When did we lose this approach? The documentary about Mr. Rogers is coming soon and it is time to regain hope in our capacity to love and treat everyone with respect. We are each other’s neighbours.

Day 25 – March SOL

Today is Day 25 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using as inspiration is “What I Did Today”.

What I Did Today
Today is Palm Sunday – and I missed the special service I used to attend and enjoy. I watched a bit of “Jesus Christ Superstar after dinner – but it wasn’t the same.

It ended up being a busy day. Here are a few highlights from my day:
-cleaned up after last night’s visit from friends
-critiquing a writing partner’s essay for a contest
-reading an e-book and checking emails
-attending the visitation for my hubby’s great aunt who was 97 when she passed away

-visiting with some of his relatives who we hadn’t seen in a while
-shopping at Costco

-buying a new book – “Tess of the Road”, a YA historical
-getting gas (the price of gas in our city was $1.30 a litre! Terrible. At least at Costco it is about 10c cheaper a litre)
-eating a swirl cone before we left
– eating leftovers for supper (such an easy meal)
-watching Stormy Daniels and wondering – is this how D.Trump will be brought down?
-taking out recycling for collection tomorrow
-watching Jamie Oliver prepare another 30 minute meal
-writing this and then I will get back to reading!

 

Day 24 – March SOL

Today is Day 24 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using for inspiration is “Perspective”.

PERSPECTIVE
We usually think of perspective as drawing objects in 2 dimension to give the impression of their 3D quality.
Perspective though, also refers to one’s point of view or how one looks at things.
When I look at my art room, it may seem over-crowded, but I see:
-possibilities – what I can do with different media and art supplies

-work finished and works in progress
-works my children have done

(A woven wheel I created and a colourful mask my daughter made)

-my struggles to get something right
-others’ works of art that inspire me
-books that mean so much, that I have learned from and used in teaching

I know my children see this room as cluttered, as junky and one that needs to be cleared out.

I suppose we are both right in a way – it just depends on one’s perspective.
I prefer mine!

Day 23 – March SOL

Today is Day 23 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme from the photo challenge I am using as inspiration is “candy”.

 

CANDY

I seldom eat candy – not suckers, caramels or rockets. At Christmas I will have a few candy canes but candy has never been a must have. My go-to though is chocolate. I try to eat dark chocolate if I can, but I love Lindor chocolate and icy squares.

It goes in cycles when I crave a chocolate bar – like an Aero or coffee crisp. I can’t seem to stop myself frim grabbing one (or two!) as I am waiting in line at the grocery store, especially when they are on sale. Darn those stores for having stacks of chocolate bars at the checkout.
And now Easter is next weekend and those Cadbury cream eggs sit waiting to be eaten. Ugh. No. I will. Resist. Them. No. I will. Not. Buy. One.
Oh, okay, just one.

Day 22 – March SOL

Today is Day 22 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”.
The theme for today from the photo challenge I am using as inspiration is “Last Thing I Bought”.

Last Thing I Bought

As I sit to write this slice, I have just finished supper and checking the photo list. It is really quite fitting.
The last thing I bought today was a bottle of water just before we went in to see the musical “Hairspray” at our local theatre.

I have never seen it, only bits of the movie. But I loved this musical – it was so high energy with wonderful actors/singers. The message was awesome as well – acceptance of everyone, regardless of colour; follow and live your dreams; and accept and love yourself.
The leads were superb. Growing up in Toronto, I saw many top-class performances (the original Hair and Godspell). I would say the shows here are as high calibre but at a third of the cost.
I have seen so many wonderful shows – Les Mis, Mama Mia, British comedies, classic music shows and so many more.
This year we will see Man of La Mancha (I saw that musical with Richard Harris many, many years ago in T.O.) and Holiday Inn.
I drank my water as I watched the musical, tapping my foot often throughout the show. Three hours sped by quickly. Can’t wait to see the next show next month.