Category Archives: Expressing words and feelings

The Old Burying Ground

I love history.  It’s the stories, and understanding life way back when, that is deeply important – to me.  When those lives are on hallowed ground, in the beauty of fall, history comes alive. Groton’s Old Burying Ground is simply … Continue reading

Posted in America, art, Death and dying, Expressing words and feelings, geography, history, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, The Arts, wonder | Tagged , , , , | 100 Comments

Gloria’s First Day at School

It happens every year.  Gloria comes to school, and children are wide-eyed.  Silent.  Maybe scared.  And somehow, she becomes a friend.  Well, not exactly.  She becomes herself, and children want to be her friend. It started with Eddie.  He was … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , , | 79 Comments

Gloria!

Gloria’s first day back-to-school is tomorrow.  She is excited!  She has a new face mask with dragonflies.  I can tell she’s nervous.  I have been reassuring her all day that everything will be fine, and I’ve also been listening to … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, preschool, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 78 Comments

October in My New England Town

The poetry of Robert Frost is a perfect accompaniment to October photos in my small town.  These images and scenes are much the same as what Robert Frost would have seen.  Surely he was inspired to write poetry in order … Continue reading

Posted in America, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, Poetry, The Arts | Tagged , , , , | 65 Comments

Reading Aloud “The Giving Tree”

My post yesterday about The Giving Tree was well received.  Only one thing was missing – reading the story aloud.  Thank you John Howell at Fiction Favorites for his comment: Darn.  I settled in and thought you were going to read the … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, picture books, reading aloud | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

The Giving Tree

There is a tree on the playground that is old and big.  Its branches dip down.  Each one seems to have a mind of its own.  The boughs sway and reach, and children look up. I wonder if the tree … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving, Inspiration, Kindness, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 104 Comments

My Morning Greeting, a Frosty Heart

When summer turns to fall and nights become cold, the mornings are frosty. I am greeted with a heart, every morning. People tell me it is a message from above. I think about that.  I also think of Nan, my … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Love, Mother Nature, Nature, wonder | Tagged , , , , , | 68 Comments

Small Town America – Labor Day

This is my town. Small town America. Flags fly on Labor Day. This Labor Day is so important to thank all those who have labored for us, especially firefighters, first responders, police officers, military, teachers, doctors and nurses. I cannot imagine … Continue reading

Posted in America, American flag, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Kindness | Tagged , , , | 49 Comments

School, the End of Summer, and My Porch

Back to school is hard. I feel like the children do, apprehensive and unsure. Summer is ending. The crickets are telling me so. During this transition, the place that grounds me is my porch. On my porch, I’m still part … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Family, Inspiration, Mother Nature, Nature, teaching, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 70 Comments

The Day Before School… Ice Cream!

School starts tomorrow for teachers.  Today I drove out to a farm, in the country. It was a picture perfect day.  The farm is a dairy farm.  That means ice cream. New England + dairy farms = the best ice … Continue reading

Posted in American flag, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Nature | Tagged , , , | 81 Comments