Serenity

Slice of Life: When Good Librarians Go Bad

Better than a mug shot, right, Sonia?

Mrs. Elledge and her "victim" Margaret Peterson Haddix

Eastfield's favorite author

 

Today, the Seventh and Eighth Grade classes were so privileged to attend an author appearance at Charlotte Latin School.  Forty-seven students and eight adults had the chance of a lifetime to listen to, meet, and take pictures with Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of Running Out of Time, Uprising, the Hidden Children series, and many more. Mrs. Haddix talked to the Seventh graders of Charlotte Latin and the Eastfield group about her inspirations for writing her 29 books, about her experiences surrounding the writing and publishing world, and new books that will be published in the next few years, including The Always Wars.  

We all thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mrs. Haddix speak, but the fun really began when we were invited to take pictures with her and have books autographed.  While gesticulating at Mr. Aaron to come have his picture made, our fearless librarian, Mrs. Elledge accidentally whacked Mrs. Haddix in the nose!  She broke out laughing and hugged Mrs. Elledge, resulting in the priceless photo you see above.  She'll never forget you, Mrs. Elledge!

   I was afraid to let Mr. Aaron get too close to Mrs. Haddix, fearing that he might bearhug her and break her in half!  She's a tiny little thing!

Jordan was so excited to get her

Kindle cover autographed!  Just look at that smile!

 

 

 

 

 

So here we all are, the hoodlum gang from Eastfield, minus the heads of the fellas at the top. (Sorry guys, I didn't take this picture!)  I want to thank our bus drivers, Jada and Aaron, who got us to Charlotte in the downpouring rain safely.  And thanks to Leesa Robinson, Summer Young, Terri Thorpe, and Ryan Taylor for chaperoning so that we could have such a great experience.

And special thanks to Margaret Peterson Haddix and Sonia Elledge, who were both such good sports and made the day special indeed.  

If you have never read Margaret Peterson Haddix books, I HIGHLY recommend Running Out of Time, Among the Hidden, and Uprising.

You won't be sorry!

Book Recommendation: Divergent

Divergent, by Veronica Roth, is one of my new favorite-of-all-time books.  I love Four and Tris, and the world they live in.  It is not so much dark, as it is grey.  I highly recommend Divergent, and soon to be released, Insurgent.

 

Scroll over the shape to see the words leap.

 

50. Cincuenta. 五十. fünfzig. leathchéad. cinquante. Fifty Years Old. Damn.

    Dr Who Tardis Cake by Kristie

Sing with me, now.  You know the words.

Happy Birthday, to me.

Happy Birthday, to me.

Happy Birthday, I'm glad I've survived myself for 50 years.....

Happy Birthday, to me.

And many more!

The Doctor helped us celebrate since...

I missed Josh's 23rd birthday because they put me in the hospital.  I missed Eric's 50th because I was on my way home from Raleigh and he was asleep.  So the Tardis was for all three of us.

Thank you to Kristie Arrowood for the cake.  It was fab.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

Sigh.

Slice of Life Challenge 31 of 31: Thank You All

We're on a mini vacation this weekend.

Thank you for reading my slices.  It's been a great ride, and I plan on continuing on Tuesdays.

Rock on, writers.

Slice of Life Challenge 30 of 31: The Quiet Place, just for ME

In my life, I forget my center.

In my life, I spin out of control, in my head, and, sometimes, in my body.

In my life, I whirl with the winds of stress, momma-this, teacher-that, honey-can-you, what's for supper?, did you, would you, can I, I want, I need, need a hand, need a moment, moment for you, them, but not for

Me.

In my life, I forget me.  

Time to recharge, time to reflect, time to ponder.

Me.

The Quiet Place gave me Me back, for today, anyway.

Go there.  For YOU.  

It makes me a better me.

For them.

http://thequietplaceproject.com/thequietplace

Use the space bar to navigate.

Beaufort, North Carolina, Old Burying Ground Azaleas, March 28, 2012

Slice of Life Challenge 29 of 31: Put A Fork In Me, I'm Done

Our Sound to Sea 2012 trip was officially over when the bus pulled into the parking lot at 6:45 pm, about an hour and a half earlier than we've ever made it home.

I was so looking forward to eating dinner with my husband and kids. But the best laid plans.... you know the drill.  Splat.  The last kids left by 7:15, and I was hoping to be home within minutes, but the very last student's grandfather did not show up.  7:30.  7:45.  Nada.

So, we decided to go to the ball field where Sam thought her sister was having practice.  Nope, not there.  Then I drove 20 minutes out into the country to arrive at a closed gated community.  Guess the code?  Nope.

So we drove BACK to Marion from way out in Dysartsville, to Eastfield again, where we thought Grandpa might be waiting. Nada, repeat.  The whole time, we're calling cell numbers, getting fax machines or voice messages.  Terri finally got me a cell number that would connect, only to get the voice mail. 

I thought I was going to have to bring Samantha home with me. Finally, grandfather called and told us the gate code.  I drove back out into the country and dropped her off, turned around and drove BACK to Marion. I walked into my house at 10:15, 3 hours and 20 minutes after the bus pulled into the parking lot.

I am exhausted.  We had an amazing trip, but I am done.  

Put a fork in me.

Slice of Life Challenge 28 of 31: What Dreams May Come?

When I travel with students, my dreams are so freaky.  I guess the stress really ratchets up my imagination, but I had the weirdest dream last night, early dawn, that really freaked me out and stung me all throughout the day. 

I started out with my husband, who was Donny Wahlberg, you know, from New Kids On The Block, who I only know who he is from his appearances on Rizzoli & Isles, the TV show.  Not a fan of NKOTB at all, but I suddenly am dreaming I'm married to him, driving down an interstate with him in a convertible (not a fan of those either).

So why do I start dreaming that he's a meth tweaker and has been hiding it all of our marriage?  He's been having illicit sex with meth hoes and sneaking around on me to feed his addiction?

So I wake up and wonder how my loving husband of 25 years turned into a sleazy, two-timing tweaker without me knowing it?   Donny W morphed into my 300 pound, middle-aged lobster, my life mate and I made him into a meth addict....  what am I thinking about in my unconcious mind to bring out such a strange dream?

Maybe it is spending too much time with other people's children... maybe I need drugs.  My poor husband.  I woke up wanting to beat the hell out of him, for something he hasn't even done!

Slice of Life Challenge 27 of 31: I Am Moses

Tonight I am Moses.

By a brackish pond on a windy barrier island, I sit in the darkness, surrounded by the night sounds of the Carolina coast.  The smoke from the small fire blows into my eyes and surrounds me in a shroud of the past.

I am Moses, Harriet Tubman, deliverer of my people.

Groups of students, led by costumed conductors, follow maps around the lagoon, simulating the train to freedom of the night time Underground Railroad.  

"Who goes there?"  I challenge into the enveloping darkness.

"A friend of a friend," comes the coded reply.

For a few tense moments, I share my life story, the danger, the jubilation, the risk of being the Moses of my people.  I share with these young students a few moments of smoke filled fear, as they weave themselves in the past and the drama of a flight to freedom.  

"Bless you, sisters, Godspeed your steps on your way," I say as they move stealthily into the darkness, on their way to Canada and freedom.  And I sing softly to myself, "For the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom.... follow the drinking gourd."

After they have gone, I stare into the fire and listen to the night sounds.  The crackle of the fire, the smokey darkness surrounding me, I ponder my life today, here in this darkness.  

I am so grateful for the freedoms that I have and the opportunity to share history with my students and to make a memory with them that they will carry with them, always.

The hiss of the fire as I pour the dark green water over the coals erupts into steam clouds that surround me like a quilt from the past.  The Railroad experience, once more completed, wraps around me in the darkness, this year's mission accomplished.  

I am Moses.  Harriet.  Leader of my people.

 

Sound to Sea, Trinity Center, Salter Path, NC  3/27/2012

Slice of Life Challenge 26 of 31: The Power of the Golf Cart

So, my kids on this trip think I'm a rock star.  Because I get to drive the Golf Cart all over the island.  And I might randomly pick up one or two of them and cart them at high speeds (2 mph) around the maritime forest.

I cart, therefore I rock.

Isn't it amazing what will thrill the soul of a child?  I am going to use that for all it is worth.

Forget about the fact that I have the golf cart because I was clumsy enough to break my foot in the Bahamas and walk on it for 5 weeks.

I am a 50 year-old teacher momma with smokin' wheels.  My fan club says I rock.

And I do.

Slice of Life Challenge 25 of 31: Lightning and Tears

We drove almost ten hours in the rain, hail, and traffic from our mountain home in Western North Carolina to reach the farthest piece of NC we could find on the Outer Banks.  Twenty students and seven adults spending five days together at the Trinity Center at Salter Path.

Tired.  Exhilarated.  Peace.

We arrived just in time for dinner, which begins the routine of the week, of eating, classes, group gather, repeat.  While the kids learned about the physics of flight and got to see rehabilitated raptors up close, I  walked out into the gathering darkness to my favorite spot on this island, the dock that juts into the sound between Bogue Banks Island and the mainland of North Carolina.

It was mezmerizing.  The pink and gold clouds against the slate of darkness punctuated by the flashes of lightning, crisp and brilliant against the muted glow of the folding sky.

Exhilaration.  Peace.  The tiredness waned, as I was filled with peace and the absolute joy of the water, the wind, the glowing sky.  I wanted to laugh and twirl in the darkness, feeling the wind blow my hair in spikes.  I love this place.  It is one of my favorite pieces of our world.  

When we met back together to talk about evening plans, I had to fuss at my student Garett for being too rowdy.  I told him bluntly that I need him to be a leader and to bring the other children up to his level, rather than him sinking to their levels.

His eyes filled with tears and he owned his mistakes, which surprised me.  He continued to when he said, "Thank you for talking to me, for listening.  At my other school, no one would take the time to listen and hear me.  I appreciate that."

So, me and Garett, in the darkness of the deck, hugging each other because we both feel the blessing of being in this place together.  He said, with tears again, "I can't believe how beautiful it is here.  It is like Chip and Sam in the swamp and I wish people could just look at it, like at that nasty pond, and see the  beauty in it." (referring to The Weirdo, by Theodore Taylor, a book we read this year.)

This moment, backlit by lightning and punctuated with tears, has made my day.  I will never forget it.

Sound to Sea is like this every year, the reason I come back over and over.  Moments of tears and lightning.