We can all take a lesson from children. They notice everything. They look up, and they look down. They stop to look, really look, and to wonder. They remember what they see, and if an adult is around they ask questions.
The wonder children see is always there. We just have to stop and look up and look down. I did that tonight.
I looked up.
I looked down.
The moon began to rise. Do you see it on the left? I stayed to watch, and it looked like the Northern Lights were in the sky. The sky changes quickly, so I pay attention.
The moon is high. The sky and trees are beautiful. It reminds me of summer camp and slow evenings of wonder. It reminds me of the lyrics to Taps, played by a bugle.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Take it from children, look up and look down. I do.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Lovely to see that reflection in the pool. I spend all my walks with Ollie making sure to look up at the sky, and down at the life on the ground under my feet.
Best wishes, Pete.
You see the good things, Pete. Isn’t it wonderful? Best to. you.
I never get fed up with the colours in the skies. Sunsets always enthral!
Yes, they are!
a lovely, lovely reminder, jennie. i do too
I’m so glad!
Children remind us of just how much we’ve grown ‘blind’ to as we grew up.
They do!
GP, I meant to ask you if you think about Taps being played on a warm summer evening. I was lucky enough to sing that song every night when I was at summer camp. Wonderful memories.
Hearing Taps makes me quite melancholy. But I can see it being played in the summer heat with a glorious sunset hovering in the sky.
The two go hand in hand. It makes me melancholy too, but in a good way.
So.importsnt to open our eyes 🥰
Yes, it is!!
The sky changes so fast, Jennie, you have to keep looking. This is a great lesson.
I can stare at a seemingly unmoving sky for quite a while, look away, and then look back to see something totally different. It’s wondrous. Children are much the same, too. Thank you, Dan.
How beautiful! I remember singing ‘Taps’ every night on my canoe trips into the wilderness. Sigh. Great memories. I never want to lose the child that rests inside . . .
Aren’t they great memories? I sang that song every night at camp, too. Perhaps it helped us build and keep that inner child. Thank you, Pam.
Beautiful images and words Jennie.
Thank you, Cindy. 🙂
You saw the beauty and wonders of our world! The Moon, reflections, and beautiful sky colors must have been glorious being there.
It was, Deborah. Thank you! 🙂
Don’t you just love that feeling of wonder with eyes aglow as children process something new? Well said, Jennie. Sometimes we need to slow down and enjoy the beauty around us.
Yes, indeed! Remember laying back in the grass and watching clouds and finding shapes and animals? Or going on a worm hunt after the rain? How many children still do those things? Perhaps the inner child needs to emerge in us. The sky will help do that. 😀
Pete, I just found a wonderful book that will be perfect to read to children on 9/11. You must tell your fellow teachers about it! And, it’s not what you would expect at all. You know picky I am about children’s literature. The book is “Fireboat” by Maira Kalman. It will be in the new blog post I’m writing.
Your opinion means a lot to me. I’ll put it out to my group, but I’ll wait for your post. Thanks for the tip.
Thank you, Pete.
Jennie, thank you so much for this wonderful reminder of keeping our imagination and wonder alive and well!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Charles. Thank you!
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here is a lovely post about keeping wonder alive from that excellent teacher Jennie!
Thank you so much, Charles!
I so agree. When visiting historic buildings I always say, don’t forget to look up and look down. The ceilings and floors are amazing in many places and it would be a shame to miss.
Yes!! You are exactly right, Darlene. 😀
I thought you had stopped posting, Jennie. I wasn’t getting your posts anymore. I checked the reblog that Charles French did of your post and saw that I wasn’t on your list anymore. I’ve clicked again to follow.
Oh, no! That has happened to me on a few occasions, once with Charles. I’m so glad you ‘found’ me again. 🥰
Me too. I had assumed you were on summer holiday mode and then the virus stuff happened and you weren’t posting anymore. Glad we’re back on track.
Me, too!!
So much we can all learn from the words and actions of children!🤗
Indeed we can!
Lovely, Jennie.
Thank you, John.
😊
This is a lovely post and an excellent reminder too! One of the most enjoyable gifts of becoming a grandparent to Benjamin, amongst the many others, was the rediscovery of looking at the world through the eyes of a child. The extremely talented artist and poet, Akiane Kramarik, at the age of 13 painted a beautiful picture of a child gazing at butterflies titled “Wonder” and wrote these words : “If we experienced life through the eyes of a child, everything would be magical and extraordinary. Let our curiosity, adventure and wonder of life never end.” Her 2006 book : “Akiane : Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry” was an amazing story. Thank-you!
Akiane was a wise woman. It often takes a child (especially a grandchild) to bring out our own inner child. Thank you, Ellen!
Advice to live by, and I particularly like the inclusion of “Taps.” Your sky is just beautiful; thank you for taking the time to share it with us.
Thank you, Liz. Perhaps the slow days of summer bring us more opportunities to look and reflect. Taps was such a lovely end to my days at summer camp.
Yes, I find the shift into August that time for reflection.
July feels exciting and busy, and August feels slow and reflective. The hawks are not around this summer. We miss that.
That’s a good way to describe it. We’ve seen the occasional hawk; my husband likes to look for them.
Mine does, too. Unfortunately this year we have crows flying overhead instead.
Better than seagulls, I suppose. 😉
😀
Oh, the lessons we learn when we stop, look and listen to our little ones! ❤ xo
Yes, indeed!
A wonderful reminder to remember we were put on this rock to enjoy it, to contemplate it, to marvel… not just to glimpse it between the job and home and chores and sleep…Thank you for the pause that refreshed!
Beautiful words, KC. You are so right. Thank you.
Such beautiful images, Jennie, and a timely reminder to wonder.
Thank you, Norah. Summer nights can bring that on.
Perfect timing. 🙂
😀
Thank you very much for this advice, Jennie! We can get inspired by the behavior of the children, even sometimes you should have a library beside you, to answer all the questions before you never had in mind. Lol Enjoy your Sunday. Michael
Thank you, Michael. I really should have a library!
Yes, Jennie! Why not doing it.
😀
😀 Thank you too, GP! Great information. I never thought that a conversion could be happen so fast, and with success.
🙂
I couldn’t agree more! Beautiful!
Thank you!
Good thoughts, my Dear Jennie! And Your home and surroundings are beautiful! 🙂
Thank you very much! 🙂
🙂
These are beautiful photos Jennie, and thank you for the reminder that we would all do better viewing things from a child’s eyes.
Thank you, Kim.
Great photos and great advice about looking at things from a child’s perspective!
Thank you so much, L. Marie!
A lovely reminder of the moments that are all around us but often neglected.
Thank you!
Such a lovely and serene post, Jennie. I loved hearing taps as a kid and it fills my heart with wonderful memories. 🙂
I’m so glad it filled you with memories. Thank you, Diana.
When my nephew was young, he would hang out with me when I came around, One day, while holding him, he kept pointing at things and naming them. His parents encouraged him. A bright young man today.
I love that story! Imagination and creativity go hand in hand.
This is gorgeous, Jennie. A beautiful idea and lovely pictures.
Thank you, Robbie.
Jennie, you have some spectacular captures my friend. The pool with the tree reflections is superb! 🙂 x
That was a favorite! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Debby. 🥰
xx
Oh wow! What an amazing post! I love the beautiful photos that reminds me of peace and calmness.
Thank you, Kally. It definitely felt that way. 😊