Spring Break...what will you do?

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Spring break is this week, our little preview for summer vacation. Think I am almost ready for it.

Last summer was so stinking  hot it didn't feel like much of a break. It felt like you couldn't move or you would melt. Pretty sure I got sunburned walking next to the windows.  Not this week.  We are scheduled for highs in the low 70s and sunshine.  Not much you can't do with weather like this.  Think I will dig my way into the closet and try to make order out of chaos.  Only I would want to send a beautiful sunny day in a dark mess of a closet.  We all have our own ideas of fun.

I have vowed to myself to get back into my WIP.  It has sat neglected for the last few months.  It will never be finished if I don't...well...finish it. Once I get on the computer other obsessions call to me.  It is a fight to maintain discipline.  DAMN YOU Pinterest and Tumblr!!!  I will do it this week.  I think I can.

I am...

Up, up and away...

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Pretty sure my house would never survive flight.  In tornado ally, these are things you sometimes consider.  When the wind starts blowing and you can feel the house exhale, one wonders if this will be the fate.

I am pretty sure I will be saved from anything close to Dorothy's adventure.  The roof would go first, and some of those exterior walls are a bit sketchy...if anything took flight it would be band new dish washer. Lightweight and made of steel it would be blown to Oz for sure.  I think the witch would be safe...well except if I could figure out a way to get my big self in there.  Then she is a goner.

The weather man showed this very lovely graphic the other day explaining why this Spring would be extra dangerous.  Think I better start doing some stretches if I'm going to have to figure out how to organize my long self into that steel box for safety.

You know it is Saturday because

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You can tell it is Saturday because...

• There is an old movie on the television.
• My laptop is nestled against my legs..pretty sure it is frying my ovaries or giving me some kind of cancer. 
• There are over ten tabs pulled up in my google chrome browser and I am flipping back and forth between them like someone with ADD and am pretending I am multi-tasking.
• I have a word document up and in between the social network noise I pound out a few words in that. 
• There is a luke warm cup of coffee sitting next to me. 
• There are three big smelly dogs draped around my feet and trying to shove my laptop from its perch. 
• Every now and then I jab at the dogs with my toe trying to prod them away because they have farted and I can't breath any more. 

This is my heaven. 

Is it the sun or the setting moon?

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It was the fault of the moon or maybe it was a setting sun? 

Clawing rays grab a hold of the mountain peak. 

Flinging a hop skipping beam across the path.

Snow clings to illumination. 

It warms my toes.

Wind bites at my cheeks, or is it a burn.

Solitude eludes me.

Chattering wind rattles through the trees.

A laughing chorus, giddy and rich stand guard.

A shiver slides up the mountain side. 

The canvas before me dims to dark orange more purple than red.

Feet fight for traction, give up. 

They stop and try to stay above the hold.

Standing still puffs of soft white clouds appear on my exhale. 

They dissipate into the dark. 

The moon, or maybe it was the sun, 

let go. 

Darkness is abated by unrelenting snow.

The canvas melts into a path of glowing shimmering light. 

Solitude comforts me.

Surprises, and birthday cheer

Yesterday I got another year older.  I was surprised...it was a good day. I am more used to these days being traumatic in some way and being happy when they are over...like you would if a tornado just missed your house.

In the morning my kind friend and one of my students dropped in to tell me "Happy Birthday," and they both did a jumping synchronized spinning dance move across the classroom floor.  Who doesn't love that. The student and teacher both claim it was completely spontaneous.  Must have been fated because they made a beautiful duo.

Then each of my classes sang happy birthday to me.  I was surprised by how much the pace and tone can change the meaning of the song.  Some chose slow and deep...making for the saddest of wishes.  Some were quick and fast...gave it more of a peppy feel.  During first period a student brought in a gallon of Arnold Palmer Ice tea (light) with a bow and a card.  It was my first gift of the day and the best thing I could of imagined.  Inside the card was a gift card for Amazon. We all know I have my obsessions with Amazon.

During passing period to the second class Jaimee, a dear friend, a sister really comes trotting down the hall with a beautiful bouquet of deep red roses and a gift under her arm.  I didn't recognize her at first.  It was one of those moments where something is familiar but you don't know why for a second then you world slides back into place.  She was so sweet to come in for the sole purpose of bringing me happy birthday wishes and delivering my gifts.  The special surprise was hand crocheted booties.  Love them.

 At lunch we have a birthday tradition of pitching in and ordering out for lunch on their special day.  I decided on Chili's.  When I walked in through the tables had been pushed together with a checkered table cloth and a beautifully layered fruit and cool whip/pudding delight sitting at the center of it all.  It was like a Thanksgiving meal, we even had some of the awkward chatter to share.  I love and rejoice in awkward chatter.

The day ended with a sugar headache, a hangover really...but it was so worth it. I would do it all again if given the choice. I have the best friends.  Maybe that means this year will be amazing. I hope so.  

Bare, Oh I mean bear talk

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Come here you.  

I know you look all big, fluffy and mean, but you don't scare me.

  

Let me get that ear.

See my new shoes. 

Red. 

Your favorite color. 

Okay maybe it is mine. 

Tell them you are my friend. 

Don't lie. 

Who else is going to scratch your forehead? 

You think you can count on that tree? 

She isn't me.  

I won't leave. 

I only have you, see.