Knee Surgery

My new knee

numbness tingly sensations

striking piercing pains, up and down

All around my leg.

Where are my meds?

The swollen flesh

The sliced skin

The staples removed and

now the intense therapy begins.

push, pull, bend, breath…

push, pull, bend breath…count to ten

No Pain, No Gain!

Welcome to my knew knee.

GPS system “Verbal Directions”

Sunny Day

Short drive

Portsmouth, Ohio bound

Politics in mind.

 

Where to park?

Signs point the way to go

Get into line

and receive verbal directions.

 

Tight Security

no umbrellas or camera’s allowed

Have Id’s ready

Line moves slowly.

 

Inside the building

a new school gymnasium

cold crisp air

hot bodies from waiting.

 

Still in a line

receive verbal directions

How close can we get?

 

Molded plastic seats

3 rows back

plastic mats on new gym floors.

 We sit down and wait.

 

The room is filled quickly

all types of media behind

Important politicians local and national

file in the room

in a straight line.

 

Verbal directions

Welcome to all

Who are we here to see

Senator John McCain

 

Short in stature

Strong in smile

 Confident in voice

All listen in silence.

 

Go John Go!

I’m proud to be a  Republican!

Quiet

Cold Damp Morning

sitting on my porch

Quiet

only the sounds of pitter- patter

rain

Quiet

memories of my past

cross my mind

A-frame, squeeky bed, open window

only the sounds of pitter-patter

rain

Quiet

waiting on my ride

 Kitty cat by my side

only the sounds of pitter-patter

purr!

Quiet

Freshly watered lawn

smiling hosta’s

heavy tree branches

only the sounds of pitter-pattter

happy and

Quiet.

The Wedges

The Wedges

It happened without planning

who would have ever known.

How two friendships

could come closer

by a conversation from the unknown.

At lunchtime the talk

was simple.

At lunchtime the talk

grew strong.

The conversation turned towards

shoes “wedges” and we

didn’t know what went wrong.

We didn’t think about shoes.

We thought about food.

Salad wedges, potato wedges,

how simple could it be?

It all turned to laughter

and a forever friendship

we would both see.

Now bonded as a “wedge”

what else could someone want.

We take care of each other

without giving any thought.

So the next time at lunch

when a conversation becomes strong.

Don’t worry for it may happen

A new friendship will be strong.

* To my new SI friend Elliot.

Ode to My Pillow

Ode to My Pillow

My Pillow, My Pillow

you come to me

in time of comfort

in time of need.

Pillow, Pillow

your cover of soft

satin in blue and pink

like a lamb

lost from the flock.

My Pillow, My Pillow

you like to travel too,

You’ve been almost

everywhere with me

Seeing skies of silver and the moon.

Pillow, Pillow

your my forever friend

When my name is called up yonder

we will take our final journey

to the end.

Ethnography

Ethnography

June 25, 2008

Good Morning Summer Institute

As your Ethnographer of the day, I wanted to provide for you memories of sacred writing. These are my observations of how we form together each morning as a writing family.

Silence in Sacred Writing

Sunglasses on top of your head

crossed legs

high heeled shoes

flip flops, Birkenstock, tennis shoes

all sizes of cups and drinks

Diet Pepsi

Dansani Water

Coffee

Tea

Tote bags full

backpacks

Shoes that match shirts

hair pulled back

earrings that dangle

glasses on noses

9a.m.

It’s time to write!

Our sacred writing topics have led to many conversations, writing and sharing about assessments. Everyone seem to scream about the word assessment. So with the assessment spirit I am giving a test . It will be a multiple choice test. I have the answers and don’t worry , it will not affect your grade.

9 a.m. Good morning from Peggy

Our prompt : What you have learned from your students

_____ Patience with development “Tony sit down”

_____ Teaching doesn’t pay well

_____ Sandra taught me my nines by fingers

_____ Despite your best effort, you cannot help them all

_____ Special education students just want to be accepted

_____ There is no division between personal and professional

_____ Joey

_____ Forgiveness is important

_____ Students become your classroom family

_____ Always have a sense of humor

_____ I learned how to respect students talents and insight

_____ I learn every minute of every day

_____ Be thankful for your childhood

_____ Children just want to be accepted and loved

_____ Hello and good bye are important parts of the day

Answers:

A. Hildegard

B. Jennifer

C. Patsy

D. Amanda

E. Judy

F. Amy

G. Jennifer

H. Julie

I. Mel

J. Elliot

K. Ford

L. Peggy

M. Dustee

N. Mary

O. Beth

Ethnography was presented as a eulogy for June 24, 2008 by Jennifer Stapleton. Good Job Jennifer. Your writing reminds me that SI has almost come to a final curtain call. How will we all adjust back into society? Don’t worry, I know we are armed, ready and excited about the new knowledge we have gained these past weeks.

After a short break it was demo time with our Ford Price. His demo came not from a past lesson but from a problem dilemma in his classroom. How to keep students on track. “Every student can be a reporter, Every class a Newsroom! Nice job Ford. Good use of technology, eye contact with teachers and your handout will be helpful for all ages.

Little time for letter writing it is lunch time.

Chef Hildagard fueled our bodies with super sandwiches, and two very chocolates cakes. Donka to the chef.

Writer in Residence Laura Bently was on hand to meet with individuals and look over our personal writings. Dustee, Mary, Hildagard and Jennifer had their turns, while Peggy dropped off her work and I got my books autographed. All other writing groups met and I think one group met outside. Oh what fun.

Technology time with Karen McComas was interesting. She has been to the dentist for a delightful visit and left with legal drugs that resulted in a numb face. Karen kept the beat and provided a handout with the seven things you should know about social bookmaking. Due to my visit with Laura I missed out on some of the conversation but when I returned I learned that Ford was number one. Best Wishes Ford. What a busy day you have had. Get some well deserved rest.

The day quickly ended and it felt like it had only just begun. SI fellows lingered around the computer room trying to type up loose ends. For I Beth Lloyd-Boster who teaches Pre-K hit the road in order to get a new drivers license and tags, for tomorrow will be another year’s milestone for me. Thank you everyone for all your contributing thoughts and a well deserved good night to all.

Until we meet again!

Beth Lloyd-Boster

The Ice Cream Sunday

 

The Ice Cream Sunday

 

My Love

Always sweet and good

Good to the last drop.

 

It started by a simple request asked of a grandmother to he beloved grandson Michael. My wonderful husband soft and gentle, big and kind. She wanted a banana split. We went through the dive thou window. We arrived at the hospice house. Hand in hand together for the first time we stepped across the threshold. Not as a newly married couple but to witness the beginning to the end of life. We had to move quickly for the ice cream was melting. We both wanted to freeze in time. Not that we didn’t want to deliver the ice cream but not to be at the hospice house.

The hospice house was filled with beautiful furniture, great land scape’s out the window and a soft and calmness to her room. We entered the last room on the right at the end of the hall. There grandma was looking comfortable and peaceful lying in her bed. We were greeted by grandma’s smile and a soft hello. We both took a deep breath with a (sie) of relief to see everyone in a sweet spirit.

Grandma was ready. Michael asked if she wanted help to eat her banana split. She replied that’s silly. My hands are under the covers. She opened her mouth like a baby bird waiting for mother bird to give her a worm.

Michael quickly began with careful spoonful of ice cream. Grandma would sometimes want a bite before Michael could supply her demand. She took her time even though time was going very fast. The solid ice cream disappeared into a swet liquid in the bottom of the boat.  Michael provided grandma with a straw to slurp up all the precious liquid.  Then he scraped the remaining ice cream from the   banana split boat  and fed it all to her, while posing a question of “Do you want another banana split? ” She replied not with words but only a smile of happiness that she was finished.

Grandma  continued to talk with Michael about childhood memories and still answering questions that only she remembered. As time was slipping away but she still needed to let he family know the information still current in her knowledgeable mind of wisdom and years. Other family members arrive and it’s time for us to go home. Before we left we learned that the ice cream Sunday had been the only food that grandma had eaten this day. Darkness quickly arrived and the silence of the night, Grandma heard and answered the call of her heavenly father. The dawn of the new day came to our home by a phone call to let us known that grandma had passed away. My heart was sad and broken for my Michael. For he had listened and remembered the smallest of details about his grandma. His thoughtfulness and caring and love for his grandma allowed a family of loved ones to witness and remember his grandma’s last request. A banana split for a lover of ice cream , a  last need for sweets.  This person will forever be known as Edith Powers a daughter, wife, mother, friend but best known as”Grandma.”