Myriad Ways

I

Feeling My Way Through Winter

I have been lulled into a drowsy scattered lethargy by weather, minor illness, and the petty nagging boring irritations of trying to live a life without adequate funding. I am waking myself yet again. What is it about this time of year that makes my mind drift from joy of life and work to wander into a haze of days in shadows without any inspiration. It is up to me to create light and therefore definition. I need light and shadows. I will lift this gray curtain with the effort of my creative mind. I will put some dreams into words and goals and put my commitment behind them.

II

Turning On the Light

February Goals:

Write a poem every week and publish it on Mondays.

Write a short story just for me. I will share it if I think anybody else will be able to relate to it.

Work on my novel a little every day.

Write at least 2 blog items every week. Lately I am lucky if I get one done in a week. How pathetic is that.

I will start with these very doable goals and work up to more long term goals. Just in writing this I feel a little more inspired. Maybe my sanity will drag itself through this winter intact.

III

My Little Piggies and The Big Bad Wolf

By the end of last week I remembered how to be truly present in my class, and had some very good moments with my lovely munchkins. They are a joy to be with when I am able to let go of the rest of the world and be there with them. I remember how much I learn from them and then I am able to teach them things that matter like how to take care of your friends and get what you need with gentle words and actions. They are learning how to give and take and share space and ideas. I have been using puppets to tell the story of three little pigs and having them take on the roles. It is so interesting to see the differences in interpretation especially with the wolf, which is really the only interesting character. The wolf is a great vehicle to get shy children to open up and use a strong voice, after all he is all about getting what he wants. Then you have the pigs staying safe (everyone survives in my version) and using words to stand up for themselves: “Not by the hair on my chinny, chin, chin!” The wolf in the end goes off in search of less clever food, probably chickens. Next week we start on our tale of home invasion and vandalism in which the big, dangerous creatures are terrorized by a little girl. That’s right Goldilocks. What amazes me is how into these stories kids who watch very sophisticated things on TV are. They are fascinated learn these stories and eager to tell them. If I want them to tell the story, I keep it simple and only make them count to three.