Miscellaneous Missives

#2017bestnine according to Instagram First, I would like to say as I probably did last year, this is more for me than those who actually still read my blog.  That being said, I tried to minimize the biking pictures although I once again did a lot of biking.  2017 was difficult, and I would say it has a lot to do with #45 taking office.  It's unfortunate, but it really did make me feel a bit confused and distraught.  January Of course the Women's March was a big part of January as was saying good by to President Obama.  I also was privileged to see a former student of mine compete in the Minnesota Youth Poetry Slam series after helping her (not much) with her poems.  February In February I joined with others to #resist 45's travel ban.  It felt empowering, and I wish these marches were still happening with great frequency.  Looking back I'm also surprised at the biking I did in February.  It must have been mild for me to bike...

It's become obvious that my two favorite hobbies/past times are books and biking.  This year I read (IMHO) an amazing number of books.  This year's nonfiction has been amazing, and I feel more knowledgable (woke) by reading these books.  I'm not sure of the stats.  I tried to quickly go through and separate into fiction (26), nonfiction (30), poetry (5), school related (4), young adult (42), and picture books (6).  My numbers don't add up to good reads, but I will admit that I tried to do my calculations quickly.  In other words, my number doesn't add up to 165.  I'm sure Goodreads is more careful.  If I take out the YA and picture books, I read 65 books this year.  I rode 125.24 miles less this year than I did last year, but I still think I did a good job pedaling the miles this year.  Cycling is good for my emotional and physical well-being.  When we have these frigid temps, I am reminded of this more than ever.

Sherman Alexie at Talking Volumes.  He was amazing, emotional, funny, charismatic, sincere, engaging... I haven't gone through the numbers, but I'm sure I read more nonfiction this year than I did fiction if you eliminate the YA stuff.  Most of my nonfiction was related to diversity and/or politics.  Currently, I am reading Hillary's book which will probably make the top 10 list next year.  Again, this list is alphabetized. A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea:  One Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Los, and Survival by Melissa Fleming I feel as though this book did an incredible job putting faces on refugees and showing the hardships in planning to leave a war torn country.  It also showed the difficulties, expenses, and harassment endured.  Doaa and her family are trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.  It's a harrowing experience and the dangers are uncountable.  The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin It was difficult to believe tha...

Although Jacqueline Woodson's book did not make this year's best list (I read her latest book in 2016), I loved listening to her at talking volumes.  She is an amazing author/human. I'll admit I read more nonfiction than fiction this year.  As I look back at my fiction list, I am surprised by the books that made my top 10.  Many of my top ten are books that I wouldn't have written without someone persuading me to read them. Once again, these are in alphabetical order.  All Involved by Ryan Gattis This book was recommended by a colleague.  It takes place during the Rodney King riots, but in other areas of the city.  Gangs and others are destroying the rest of the season as the riots are taking place.  Violent and intense are the only words I can use to describe this novel. Beartown by Fredrik Backman I didn't realize until months after I read this book that it was by the author of A Man Called Ove .  First the book is about hockey in ...

Let's be honest.  I read a lot this year, more than in years past, so I'm narrowing my top list to ten.  Five is too difficult.  Again, these are in alphabetical order.  As usual, many of my YA reads this year did not disappoint.  A Psalm for Lost Girls by Katie Bayerl This book was actually beautifully written.  It is a book about sisterhood and friendship with some bizarre happenings and interests.  The book is actually a sort of mystery, and I typically don't like mysteries.  Side note, I'm not sure why I put this first on the list since it really should be alphabetized by P as I did with the books that started with the... The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne I am a fan of historical fiction, and this book did not disappoint.  Pierrot finds himself in Hitler's house (perhaps a stretch), but he needs to decide on which side of the war he belongs.  The people in his life make this decision difficult.  It's a W...

It's that time of year.  I spent some time going through my good reads to narrow down my top nonfiction, fiction, and young adult books.  My plan was to start with YA tomorrow, but today I found a new category... worth noting.  These are my top three (in alphabetical order), and they are all worth reading. Black Movie by Danez Smith Danez Smith is a poet from Saint Paul, Minnesota.  I read a couple of his poetry books this year, but I found Black Movie to be original and engaging.  Dreaming in Indian by Lisa Charleyboy I was introduced to this book (and the next) by the Indian Educator Coordinator for the district.  It was absolutely beautiful.  All of the artists in this book are Native, and it gives a unique look.  There are four sections to this book:  Roots, Battles, Medicines, and Dreamcatchers.  Even though we had already chosen our books for the school equity book club, I asked for copies of this book to add to our re...

Typically, some folks make weight loss and fitness goals for the new year.  I made them at the beginning of winter break.  It seems I quit biking in October and took up eating.  Although I'm not a sit on the couch watching tv, I am a sit on the floor eating and geeking on the interweb, or as I will show tomorrow, lay on the couch reading and eating.  I started winter break with a goal of working out each day.  It started with a FB post stating, "I'm at the point that I don't want to go to they gym because my workout clothes are too small which is the exact reason I need to go to the gym."  A friend stated that he hadn't had this problem until Trump which may be partly legit.  Anyway, I started out break going to spin class have done a decent job (great this week) with making it to the gym for my bike to nowhere.  I also did some yoga with free videos from my Amazon Prime.  I found a male instructor on video to do a few days of yoga....

I've started this Christmas day gradually.  Last night I read about the 7 minute workout, so I decided to make it my practice each day before school.  After all, I can get up ten minutes earlier each day...  Anyway, I started with this short workout then moved to coffee.  I also thought I should check to see what I actually needed to do to prepare for Christmas dinner.  Friends are coming over, and I'm cooking the ham.  Of course, I've already bought the ham and preparations for the glaze. Oops!  I guess I missed this step. First, I was told to cook it in my crockpot, so I placed the crockpot on the counter.  As one can tell, this didn't work out.  Next, I realized that even though I've bought ingredients for the glaze, it comes with its own.  I, however, think I'll use my recipe since it seems fresher than something from a bag that was glued to the turkey.  Since it was too much, I put the ham back in the refrigerator an...

Today's Advent word of the day is release.  I thought it was a bit fitting because I'm starting a yoga practice (at least for break) as a release (and to get into some kind of workout routine).  My other plan is to hit the gym at least every other day for some cardio and get outside and walk as much as possible.  Although my weekend was uneventful, today was the first day of break.  I slept in, did a bit of yoga and went out for breakfast with friends.  Let's all use our winter breaks and holiday season as a bit of a release. On a note having nothing to do with release, but all to do with super wonderful and kind people.  A friend recently said she would come paint my bathroom ceiling which is the best news a girl could get.  Today I sanded some of the spots in preparation.  The owner of the upstairs unit happened to be in the hall (dealing with furniture movers who could not get the new couch into the condo).  As he waited, I asked if...

Today I went to the doctor.  I know I have a sinus infection, but my doctor doesn't give out prescriptions easily which, of course is good.  Today was also the staff holiday pot luck.  When the nurse took me back to get my weight, I asked if it was OK to decline.  She didn't make me take my weight, but asked me about it in the room.  "Do you know your last weigh in weight?"  she asked.  "Heavy,"  I replied.  Then I added, you can write in fat as my current weight.  She was kind enough to tell me 1) You're not fat.  2) I was looking for a number.  Of course, I had nothing to give, yet I still agreed that she had the accurate height.  I left with a somewhat amused nurse and a not so amused doctor who mentioned that I wouldn't be able to skip the weight on my next visit. I went home and had a coco stout to ease my pain.  It also worked well for tomorrow's Advent picture of the day which is perceived.  Is this...

We're breathing to start each class.  I'm breathing along with the students.  In my opinion, it's helping, but I did ask the kids to write about it today.  Of course, I haven't read any responses and we will keep doing it until winter break.  After winter break, I'll ask for responses again, and we'll decide together.  Today I wanted to make them feel like I was listening to their thoughts even though I really want everyone to keep on breathing. I'm also doing the photo challenge for Rethink Church over on the Instagram machine.  Tomorrow is amazing, so I'm waiting for something amazing to happen in the next 24-36 hours.  Breathing is amazing although it would not make an amazing picture.

Third day (and perhaps the last) of riding in December. I am Breathing by Mary Oliver Breathing just a little  life flows without thought of each moment passing  away draining into the next every drop of anticipation sucked dry of life's rich bounty unfolding in the unexpected joy of being alive. Breathing together of all things I find myself awakened reveling in every drop of anticipation dripping wet, in the ripe rich fruit of life flowing effortlessly into the unexpected joy  of being alive. Today in church we talked about breath.  We evening did some breathing together.  It reminded me how I had my students take three breaths to start each class a couple of years ago.  We did it after a tough beginning to the year as well as a quick write at the beginning to let go of the things that kept us from being present in the classroom.  Of course, I did it along with them, and it was positive.  Guess what I'm bringing ...

It seems I tend to lie on Facebook, but I'm not going to lie her (at least not today).  No, I did not save puppies this week on the way to school, and no, my friends didn't come ride with me yesterday.  Let's be honest, I did send an invite.  It's a 220 mile trip although one responded saying he'd love to ride with me but I'm "a million miles away."  The truth is that I did ride yesterday and today, and I plan on riding tomorrow.  For the month of December, I'm also participating in an #unwrapchurch photo challenge type thing on Instagram.  Follow me over there for the month of December and see how I picture the words.  In all honesty, I took the next two day's pictures on my ride today, so maybe I'll post tomorrow with one of the pictures. 

Today was a grading/work day since the first trimester is over.  We had a short week at school with the kids, and sometimes I feel as though these are the longest weeks.  Two short weeks have left me exhausted.  However, I've been ordering new picture books to use in my room with my next unit (writing fables using the six traits).  Tonight I plan on reading them and going to be early.  Yep, another exciting Friday night. Did I mention today is December 1st, and I rode my bike this afternoon?  Just wondering...  #stillriding