Inspired by Indiana's Riley

The "Little Free Library" in my

neighborhood had this book inside!

I'm not sure if my students have
visited a Little Free Library yet or not,
 but hopefully we can get one started in the community of Lawrenceville!
https://littlefreelibrary.org/

The copyright of this book is 1937, having been originally published in 1883. 
In the Preface, Donald Peattie describes Riley 
as a "nature poet," who he saw as unequalled in
his era for creating descriptions of wildlife.
He also lauded Riley's use of dialect, to keep the
essense of his verse alive and meaningful.
One of my favorites in it, I read just today:

A Dream of Autumn
Mellow hazes, lowly  trailing
Over wood and meadow, veiling
Somber skies, with wild fowl sailing
And the north wind overleaping
Summer's brink, and flood-like sweeping
Wrecks of roses where the weeping-
Willows wring their helpless hands.

Children need to have beautiful
poetry read to them, many times over.
Determined to write more
and hone my craft, when reading 
beautiful, thought provoking prose
 from this Indiana author.

Stories to Tell

Gray, voluminous clouds

 spiral and whirl above us

upon this December day. 

Yet these pearls of heaven

are beautifully cut by the

coffee-black branches 

of an aged Indiana Red Oak.
Oh mighty timber we'd revel 
in a glimpse of the humanity
you've sheltered, stories to tell.

                                           ~Rose West

Am I Helping or Hindering Students?

                 We read to understand the world.
                     Global Read Aloud @ Parkside!
                                             #GRA19

                     I've decided to keep track of my 
       reading habits, on behalf of my students. 
  
I ask kids to read books & explore.            Books readily available?
Is there"reading time?"
Promoting only my kind of literature?
Do pupils make personal choices?                  
Am I a "book snob?"
Am I reading various genres?
Is my instruction engaging & fun?
Is "reading" seen as valuable?

                            This book helped me modify,
                    change, and improve my eating habits.

                      This book helped me gather ideas to
               improve my interaction with student readers.
Thank you Donalyn Miller and Coby Sharp for the kickstart! 

              This book helped "feed" my curiosity about
                            Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Sharing short stories from this book with my students has been

great.  I bought it this fall @ the gift shop located in our
  George Rogers Clark Memorial National Park in Vincennes, Indiana where I live.

                      Christmas gift from "The husband,"
                 who realizes I like....no, I love biographies.

                            When biographies and history
                    are intertwined, I'm beyond excited!
                   "The husband" chooses excellent books for gifts.

Excellent stories included here that I can share with my students, or anyone.  I'm fascinated with Abraham Lincoln.

An interesting and provocative look at Mr. Donald

Trump, prior to his election as the 45th president

of The United States of America.

Just finished Cornelius Minor's book, after purchasing it

@ the 2019 IRC Fall Conference.  Met him and his infectious

personality and message was delightful.  #MakesMeThink

His contribution to my learning will make me a better human.

Going to develop my skill in communicating with ASL
 and teach basic skills to students.  My beloved

husband Jerry is going deaf, so we're both learning 

American Sign Language.  #OngoingReadingAndStudy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owXsDIKq4lk

During the winter break I've been reading the

poetry of Indiana native James Whitcomb Riley.

It was in the "Little Free Library" a block from our home.

I am memorized by the beauty of his works.

Let Love Stay

When dressed in your finest 
they say it's quite true
whether choosing denim or fur

in olive green, gold or blue....

you feel "alive."

Many homes at years end are similar, with welcoming lights

or vibrant hues that frame
and safeguard the young. 

So when your finery 

comes off, to be put away
along with the baubles 

that go back in their boxes....

let love "stay."

                                           ~Rose West

Special Days

Red is the perfect

punctuation that "invites"

us to special days.

                                          ~Rose West

俳句

Haiku is a very short form of Japanese poetry in three sentences

 going in the order 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and then 5 again. 

Running Wild

"Essential" magic for  

children I know,

is witnessing beauty each day.

As December ebbs past us, 

may

we rely on memories?

A ruby poinsettia for mother

and baking fruitcakes with dad,

unboxing tissue wrapped 

ornaments

oh, sweet times to be had.

Classes at school were over, 

till January winds did blow

but our old toboggan stood 

ready

to tackle the ice and snow.

Honor an essence of goodness

to benefit every child

by sharing pathways to joy,

moments

of sweet love running wild. 

                                                         ~Rose West

                                                                    

Together

On such a balmy sunny day,

dogs raced across the field and back

excited leaps, come what may

the afternoon of Christmas.

Leashes unlatched, they were free

barking and racing while 

the humans like me

marveled at their loveliness.

True beauty lies around us

not in holiday madness

or making a harried fuss,

lest we miss our time with loved ones.

                                                                                                ~Rose West

  

Nightly Gold

May the glimpse of each

sunset guide us toward joy in

in the coming of dawn.
                                                             ~Rose West

Bulls-Eye!

While on a walk, 

amid a crisp breeze,

when the "perfect" aim

of the neighborhood squirrel

turned my stroll into a crazy game.

May your days be those of unexpected delights!

Someone Needs You

We're sometimes in a place where everything is  moving along smoothly and it's a glorious feeling.  You might note that the pace is
brisk, yet comfortable.  

There's nothing quite like "owning" those moments. When I'm contented with the people around me or circumstances seem to turn from confusion to possibility, it's devine. 

Somewhere however, things are dark and torturous.  Pain and uncertainty rob
your  senses, dull hopes, and crush
dreams you've held so dear.

Give up then if the strength for forgiveness, patience to love, and a realization that
time may never allow you to heal
due to circumstances beyond
your control, are in place.  

Trust me; the time to lie down, slip away
from the sunshine, from the care of
strangers or prayers, from your pain
 is not today; it's never that time.
Look up and get up.
Someone needs
you.
That someone might be a child.

Begging

We see the flames of autumn

beneath a pewter sky

those glistening rubies 

and caramels,
vivid to the eye.

Is it true earth shares her beauty

very near the end of life?

This moment let us capture the hues,

begging them to stay! 

                                                                           ~Rose West

My Job

Choose to show children how they can be successful.  It's the most important
part of learning, everyday.

"Small steps" forward turn into

confidence and we can 

celebrate that. 

Overcoming 

obstacles

creates

joy!

"Always the Learner"

My Mission Statement

Big tree, little tree

standing side by side

both in the perfect place

and by this we will abide.

Valuing curiosity, enthusiasm, kindness and love,

we’ll grow together

alongside one another

much like a hand in a glove.

                                              ~Mrs. West

Miss Asparagus Aethiopicus

A "new" year begins long before day number
 one commences in any school. Summer is in
  reality a very busy time  of the year for folks in the
 business of caring for the community of kids they serve.  

 Supplies are ordered, grants prepared, schedules created, rooms painted, buildings cleaned, potential staff are interviewed, teachers do professional development, the
grounds around buildings are cared for, registration occurs,
 and the inevitable last minute surprises are dealt with.

A final flurry of preparation on the part of many is
upon us, a predictable ritual as August "breathes her last." 

My penchant for filling learning spaces with something green and beautiful leads me to care for plants over summer breaks, returning them when classes at Parkside resume.  Last week
one colleague made the returning greenery feel right at home.  
He moved an empty desk to a nearby window, a
 fortunate move because this beauty will need the sunlight.
He smiled and then prepared a name tag as well.  I can see
that she's a Chicago Bears fan; the kids will love it!

Schools are made strong and safe places of learning for kids when we support them in all ways possible.  Developing routines and rituals that sustain a human connection
for youth and adults alike, is what gives a school 
community the ingredients for success.  

I hope Fern has a great school year, along with her
teacher, classmates, and the many people who make
Parkside a valuable part of the path we call "life."  
May that be so for all those who are heading back
 to the classroom, wherever that may be.  

Thursday in June

The wind rustling through

Indiana trees plays a

woodland symphony.