The great outdoors is a window for reflection.
We just have to stop and look.
I was sitting by my pool long after dinner time.
Do you see the many reflections in the pool?
They’re telling me to pay attention,
to be on the lookout for wonders.
E.B. White said it best,
“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”
I payed attention.
I looked at a favorite fish.
The reflection made me look again, closely.
And then I looked once again.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
I collect fish. They are my children. Each one is unique.
From antique to quirky, sparkly to plain,
each one has a name (really) and a personality.
It is much the same as my preschoolers.
Dinner never happened because our wonderful neighbors
popped over for a visit. Their child is now greeting each of our fish,
like a preschooler meeting new friends.
The lovely evening after friends said goodbye was my time for reflection;
sunset, fish, children, neighbors, and nature.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back
and realize they were the big things.”
~Robert Brault~
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wonderful, Jennie! As a teacher you always need some distraction, and to free your mind. You have a really great environment to do. Enjoy a wonderful week! xx Michael
Thank you, Michael. I’m always thinking of children, and my environment allows for plenty of reflection. Happy week to you!
Thats great, and you are honoured for his, Jennie! Thank you, and keep on with your fantastic work. Have a wonderful rest of the week! xx Michael
Best to you, Michael!
Thank you, Jennie! To you as well, and please stay save! xx Michael
🙂
Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you!
You are welcome, Jennie! xx Michael
🙂
🙂
How beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
What a lovely post! We should all be a little reflective, it would be good for us.
Well said, Pam. Thank you. 🥰
The teacher is those who have taught never leaves. Well done, Jennie.
How true, Frank. Thank you!
Wonderful, Jennie. There is so much to see if we only look. And you don’t have to go far. I tried to tell the kids after the ‘CC’ the same thing and I had them looking up, down, all around. Beautiful story.
I almost included your famous ‘look up, look down’ quote from the CC, but E.B. White won the coin toss. 🙂 Many thanks, Steve.
Wow, you remembered it. I guess if you’re going to come in second fiddle, then it’s not bad being second to an icon. Thanks, Jennie.
Not only did I remember, I have it written down along with my favorite quotes. I think I wrote a blog post on it. Second fiddle to White- not too shabby! 😀
Jennie, my claim to fame, finishing second. I ran for office once but a guy named Ike won the nomination. I was supposed to be ‘The Godfather’ but then Puzo threw his weight behind some upstart named Brando. And I was scheduled to fight Clay but Liston took my place when I failed the physical. Now that was a good move as it turns out. But I did turn out to be a good fibber😂
Hahaha! 😅
I’m picturing you laughing and that’s wonderful. Stay cool!
😅😎
Very true
what a beautiful experience, Jennie. we are constantly being taught lessons when we least expect them
Absolutely! It’s those unexpected moments that are best of all. Thank you, Beth. 🥰
I love seeing reflections in the water. The fish are beautiful, Jennie. So nice of you to share.
I’m so glad you liked it, Dan. I must have at least 30 fish, probably more. The one in the photo is Mr. Mica. He says Hello. 🙂 Thank you!
Yes!!!!
😀
I love your fish and the fact they all have names! A lovely place to reflect.
How can my summer children not have names? 🙂 The fella in the photo is Mr. Mica. There’s Flashy, Ted, Mr. Scales, Jewels…. Thanks so much, Darlene.
It looks like it was a lovely evening poolside.
The reflections were lovely too. I love that the fish have names.🥰
It was delightful! My fish / summer children include Flashy, Jewels, Spike, Mr. Scales, Ted, Mr. Mica (in the photo), and more. Thank you, Deborah! Reflections are a wonderful thing.
Cool names!! 😍
They’re really fun! 😎
Lovely post Jennie, I love that you collect fish and give them names. Fab reflections.
Thank you, FR! They’re my summer children. And I love reflections. 🥰
So pretty and tranquil.
Thank you, Kim. 😍
You pool is very impressive. I can’t swim, but I would love to sit and watch the reflections enjoying a glass of wine.
Best wishes, Pete.
It would be a dream come true to have you join me at sunset by the pool with a glass (or two) of wine, watching reflections and contemplating life. Best to you, my friend.
That would be an evening to remember, dear Jennie. 🙂
Indeed! Best to you, Pete.
Gorgeous!
Thank you, Ritu! 🥰
Your garden and pool look so calming and tidy
Thank you, Bella. It’s our place of peace and beauty.
🥰
I love the fish collection. Looks beautiful and I bet it keeps people entertained when they see one they hadn’t noticed before.
It does! I could play ‘I Spy’ with company. 🙂
Super post, Jennie. Terrific reflections. No dinner? I don’t thnk I could do that.
Thank you, John. It was just too hot to eat. We’re still in the heat wave. Last night we had company over for dinner and ate pizza poolside, while in the water. Delightful!
I get it. 😊
😎
So true… ❤ xo
🥰
Your ideas about being open to wonder remind me of this article. Have you read it? It’s good stuff. I’m enjoying your writing so much and looking forward to digging back through the archives of your blog! https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/opinion/how-to-cultivate-the-art-of-serendipity.html
Thank you, Sarah. I will check out the article. I like your blog posts! What grade do you teach?
Thank you! And thanks for the follow! I have taught k/1 for the last 4 years. Moving to 4th grade next year!
Wonderful! In all my 37 years of teaching, I have learned that the most important thing I do for children is reading aloud. I hope you will read aloud to your 4th graders! If you need book recommendations, let me know. 🙂 Fingers crossed children won’t have to wear masks in September.
How nice to see you enjoying your summer, Jennie! I’m glad that you could see your sisters, even if it was not under the best of circumstances. I pay attention to any quotes that E.B. White has because he was a master storyteller.
Hi, Pete! Thanks so much. It’s been a hot summer so far, and the pool is an oasis, especially in the evening. Yes, E.B. White was truly the master!
P.S. I thought you hadn’t written a post in a while, but I see now that your recent posts have not appeared in my reader. Those WP gremlins… will catch up soon.
I never know why that happens. One thing that has happened to me quite frequently is that I don’t get notifications that others have commented back on some sites. Then I forget that I’ve commented and never see their comments. I’m guessing there is a quick fix, so maybe I’ll drop WordPress a question. I am finally getting close to seeking an agent now that my first children’s novel has been thoroughly vetted.
The Happiness Engineers at WP are great on live chat. How exciting about finding an agent! Now that school is over and our traveling is out of the way, I can knuckle down on finding an agent. I will use Query Tracker. What will you use to find one?
No agent yet. I’m downright anal this time about thoroughly vetting my work before I submit it. While I wouldn’t say I rushed into things with my first book, I didn’t hire an editor. If I’m being objective (I’m pretty good about assessing my writing though I highly recommend getting help from others), I regret not taking that step as I can see some issues. Sometimes we’re a little too close to our own work to see obvious flaws. My editor has been just the right balance in her role as a cheerleader while also offering helpful suggestions.
I know exactly what you mean. Everyone said my book was wonderful, but I knew it needed work. Thank goodness my editor was brutally honest. She’s the best. Keep me posted on your book.
Beautiful reflections, Jennie. I love fish too. 🙂
Thank you, Norah. We call this our vacation home. 🥰
Perfect!
😀
Nothing better than being by water… especially as the sun goes down…lovely Jennie..hugsx
Yes, nothing better! People either think I’m way too ‘out there’, or they are jealous. 🙂
lol.. they should be so lucky..♥
I feel the same way! 🙂
Amazingly written! Loved your post ❤
Thank you.
Welcome!
Lovely post! I love the little quote at the end
Thank you.
You quote: E.B. White said it best,
“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”
Nobody before Leonardo (not even the Greeks nor the Romans) ever mentioned the amazing everyday phenomena of exactly what happens when you take two small pebbles, one in each hand, & simultaneously throw them onto the surface of still water so they make contact with the water at the same time a few yards apart & watch what happens when the waves so formed meet.
If you don’t know, try it. :0)
It’s the ‘everyday’ that many people miss. The little things, like those ripples in the water that you mention, are wondrous. Thank you.
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Thank you.
Wonderful.
Thank you.
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ThNk you.
Lovely…
Thank you.
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Thank you.
My towel and suit are in the car. Be right over! LOL
Please come! 😀
Thanks for sharing, Jennie! I really enjoyed this quote from your post, “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back
and realize they were the big things.”
~Robert Brault~
You’re welcome, Stacy. That quote is one of my favorites. It’s also what’s important to remember in teaching children.
I used it in my most recent blog… https://irise.vision/2021/07/05/el-shaddai/
Thanks, again!
I’m so glad!
Simple pleasures are the best . . .
Oh, yes!
WONDER- With Own Nature Dreams Enjoyment in Reality.
Where is it?
Nicely Described.
Good.
https://youtube.com/channel/UC_tbDos6dBgutRKSd_4B0Cw
Please subscribe this channel!!🥺🥺
I can see why your neighbors would want to visit you! Your environment looks inviting and I love your whimsical fish 😊
Thank you!
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Thank you.
Soo beautifully expressed..👌
Thank you.
This is such a lovely post!!💙
Thank you!
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Thank you.
Very keen & beautiful observations!!
Thank you.
Waah
Loved the story and the pictures and the sentiment. And the quotes. ❤
I’m so glad, Debby. Thank you! ❤️
❤
Which country you are
America.