Haven't I heard that before?

It wasn't the exact same song, not even the same song, period. But when I listened to my daughter's new CD, I had that nostalgic twinge we sometimes get when we hear a song from our past. This sound, however, was from a new artist, Ellie Goulding.

But, boy, did she remind me of Edie Brickell and New Bohemians... a group who had their big hit, "What I Am" in 1988.... and I l.o.v.e.d their sound.

I would listen to the tracks on that cassette tape over and over again. Singing along with Edie, windows of my VW Beetle rolled down. I was Edie Brickell and her New Bohemians.

And now, today, my daughter and I have something extra in common. At a time when we're not so keen on the same music... raps are all over her playlist, yet are only sporadically found on mine... we share a new favorite, Ellie Goulding. And I can't help but compare her to Edie. My daughter says they're similar, but she likes Ellie better. I'm just glad she's listening to something I like at the moment. We're music twins. Sort of.

Mother's Day 2012

California Dreamin'

My daughter *loves* California.

So the two of us set off for a week's worth of California sun last week.

During our visit, we met these two sweet birds. 

We visited Catalina Island. No bison on this trip.

Instead, we visited the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden,
a beautiful spot in the middle of nowhere.

(I loved this cut out window in the restroom area!)



If you like to gamble, don't bother showing up at this Casino.
It's really just a place for special events and dances.
Did you know that the word "casino" originates from Italy
and means house or gathering area?

You can actually see Catalina Island from Point Vicente. On some days
it's too foggy to see the island, but the sky was so clear last week the island
and its rugged terrain were visible from the mainland.

I'm loving the Point Vicente Lighthouse.

And then we flew home, and I'm still on California time,

which could be a problem. Tomorrow.

Sometimes a Wish...

is just a wish. At other times, it's the path that leads to your dream.

The Dandelion stood there

daring the wind to send it sailing

it bent with the wind

and snapped back

wavering

slightly

in the

air

Okay, I did it....

Several years ago, I told my daughter that she could double-date or go on group dates when she turned 15 and that she could actually date at 16. Up until now, that hasn't been a problem. Pickings are a bit slim at her school, so the dating scenario hasn't been an issue.

Until today.

Make that last night when she informed me that "the boy" had asked her to go to a movie with him. My first reaction was to say, "no." Just like that. But then I remembered what I had told her several years ago. When she was about 13 and asking questions about when she could date. And I realized, a bit stunned, that she is 16, and that I really didn't have a reason to say no.

So, her dad and I said yes.

And she went on her first "official" date.

When she came home, she came into the room where I was working and told me a little bit about her date. As she walked out, I actually thought I detected a whiff of ...

plastic,
doll plastic, in fact

and my eyes fell on this little Madeleine.

I picked her up and sniffed her hair and remembered when tiny little hands held on to her and played with her.

*sigh*

Who knew it would happen so fast?

Reaching Our Potential

As a teacher of 8th-graders, I always strive to make my students understand that they control their future. Each and every one has the ability and the power to achieve success in their lives, and I encourage them to work hard and to make decisions that will have a positive impact on their lives.

A couple of years ago, I interviewed an exceptional young man who has never seen himself as being disabled. Instead, he's been an athlete and a scholar. His story made me think how much we all can accomplish when we have the fortitude to tackle the challenges and climb the mountains that are laid before us. When I was working on the article, I came across a statement by Zimbabwe native and double-amputee Prudence Mabhena who said, "I want to show the world that disability does not mean inability." That quote could well define Oliver Horne on one condition - he's not out to prove anything to the world. He is simply persistent in living his life to the best of his ability.

Open publication - Free publishing - More mercer

R - E - N - E - W

R E N E W: rest, explore, nurture, exercise, within

It's going to be a great year!

It finally came...

that long awaited word of the year that's been floating around... just out of reach. I made lists and pondered and still was undecided. Then it came to me, and I felt that it was right. "Renew." I'm ready for that.

I'm ready to restore my physical self into a healthier state of existence. To make like new. To refresh. To renew.

I'm ready to make extensive changes to the way I work and live. To work more efficiently as a teacher and get home at a more reasonable hour and work more effectively in my home. Doing what needs to be done and not putting things off until later. To renew.

I'm ready to focus my efforts on a few projects I have in mind. To begin again. Resume. Renew.

When I think of the word "renew," I think of vitality and spirit. To look at the world in new ways, to consider new possibilities, to say yes to new opportunities. It's going to take some effort... all this renewing I plan on doing. But I'm ready to say good-bye to "can't" and actually do something to make a difference this year.

What plans do you have for the new year?