March 21, 2010
Ahhh! Spring Break. Remember that week off this time of year when all you had to worry about was getting a tan and watching as many music videos as possible before your mom got home and made you turn the channel?
Even after I joined the working force, I still had spring break because I was a teacher. Unfortunately, because I was a teacher, I usually had stacks and stacks of writing projects to grade over spring break. I was able to sit outside and get a tan while grading, but watching tons of television until my husband got home and turned it to ESPN was out of the question.
No longer a teacher, now I was only able to squeeze in two days for spring break, but what a glorious two days they were.
On one day I drove past a house on the north bench that has metal sculptures throughout the yard. I’ve driven by many times, admiring the sculptures, but this time was my lucky time. The artist, Michael, was outside. I introduced myself and he gave me a private tour of his work. We chatted about his view, his adobe house and his lovely pieces of art and I purchased a piece to bring home with me. I had been saving a spot in my garden and now Bunny Angel, formerly known as Crank, has joined my Friar, Mother Mary, Indian woman worker and Indian mother sculptures. They make a lovely family and Michael made me smile the rest of the day.
Then I received in the mail a copy of my frined Eva Schlesinger”s latest book of poetry, View from My Banilla Vanilla Villa available from Dancing Girl Press http://www.dancinggirlpress.com/banilla.html. The poems made me smile and was a great afternoon read. My favorite line is “She wanted an inmate to imprison her in a life sentence./ A commitment that didn’t start or end…”; from the poem “Object of Desire”. Of course, I loved the entire poem, “Friend or Pho”. I am so happy for Eva as we met over four years ago, both attending a writer’s conference, neither of us published at the time. Thinking of Eva’s success made me believe in future success for both of us.
Then this Saturday I attended a book signing by Toi Moore ( www.toimoore.com ). It was so fun to hear about her journey as a writer, to share in round table format discussion with other writers our journeys as writers, and to be inspired by a woman committed to her craft.
Okay, so today has been great too! I had lunch with my mother-in-law and mused about how lucky I am to be married to her wonderful son. And I got her in the bargain.
No, I didn’t get everything on my list done, not even close. But, I think I did a great job of squeezing lots of joy and fun into a short spring break.
And, you’ll all be glad to know, I only laid in the sun once. I did wear sunscreen!
This week I will carry with me the joy and fun I experienced this spring break throughout my work week!
