In my suburban town, amid many new houses, I live in an old farmhouse. On my property, there is a 100-year-old barn that I use mostly for storage. Underneath the barn, there is a virtual zoo of wildlife. I have seen groundhogs, rabbits, feral cats, and raccoons race into holes that go under the barn. … Continue reading The Zoo Beneath My Barn
A Grand Old Ash Tree
Next to my 180-year-old house, I have a beautiful old ash tree that graces the yard. The tree is twice the height of my house and the trunk is wide, 45 inches in girth, but it is not the size that impresses me. Rather, I am awed by the thick limbs that bend and twist … Continue reading A Grand Old Ash Tree
The Final Day of the SOL Challenge
“I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.” ― Mae West *** Today is the final day of the March Slice of Life challenge! Hurrah! We made it! Posting daily throughout March has challenged me as a writer. To write every day has required me to persevere, even when … Continue reading The Final Day of the SOL Challenge
Posting on a Blog
The moment before I hit the “publish” button for my blog, I always think of a quote by Leonardo da Vinci: “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” I never feel like my posts are quite polished enough; it seems that if I worked on them a little longer, they would shine to my satisfaction. However, … Continue reading Posting on a Blog
Grading Papers
As an English teacher, I have always disliked grading student papers. One: it is time-consuming work, especially because I write comments on each one. Two: I have difficulty judging exactly what makes an “A,” “B,” “C,” or “D,” as I need to consider the idea, structure, grammar, vocabulary, etc. in a bundle. Three: grades do … Continue reading Grading Papers
Craving Attention
When I was child, I was bratty at times. I craved attention, and I was well aware that I could immediately get attention by misbehaving, but that it took much longer to get attention by being obedient. (Plus, I realized that getting attention for being good was not guaranteed.) Consequently, I pestered my teachers, showed … Continue reading Craving Attention
The Deer in My Yard
Over the years, I've had various wildlife in my yard, but the most notable are the deer that travel in families and herds across my lawn every day. They often sleep in the yard at night. The deer have munched most of the plants on my property, including the many deer-resistant ones that I've tried. … Continue reading The Deer in My Yard
My Spiritual Home
At the moment, my body is comfortable inside my cozy house, but my spirit longs to be outdoors in nature. Whenever I step outside, inhale the fresh air, and feel the warmth of the sun on my face, I instantly feel a little better, a little more connected to the life that extends beyond my … Continue reading My Spiritual Home
Another Haiku
Writing in silence, The commotion in my mind Shouts out loud and clear.*** I wrote the haiku a few days ago, when I was bursting with ideas. However, today I feel stumped. Why is it hard to come up with a topic for my writing? I have a lifetime of experience! I should be able to plunge … Continue reading Another Haiku
Reflections on the SOL Writing Challenge
“I should never be able to fulfill what is, I understand, the first duty of a lecturer-to hand you after an hour's discourse a nugget of pure truth to wrap up between the pages of your notebooks and keep on the mantelpiece forever".” ― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own *** I have always liked the … Continue reading Reflections on the SOL Writing Challenge
The Writer's Workshop 