Literacy Learning Zone

Quiet time These days quiet times are few and far between. Quarantined. Together. Always. 24/7. Don't get me wrong. I love this gift of family. Being together. All. The. Time. But ... I'm also that type of person Who loves some alone time. In the past, my schedule allowed me Time alone in the car driving or walking the dog. Time to think. To wonder. To reflect. To pray. To just be. Without someone calling my name. Over and over. And over and over. Today I was gifted twenty minutes. Alone walking the dog. Harley doesn't repeatedly call my name. She just gives me the puppy dog eyes. What a gift. To celebrate my one little word. Peace. And quiet time.

Walks I've always enjoyed my extra daily walks ever since adopting our Harley dog two years ago. Quiet, alone time to think and pray walks. Or listen to a podcast, a book, or music kind-of-walks. But THEN it was always a chore to check off the to-do list. Quick. Let's go. C'mon. I've got to get back and ... {fill in the blank with any number of chores.} But TODAY the three-times-a-day walks happen as a family. Our walks together provide us with opportunities to talk, notice, wonder, surprise, question, wait-and-watch in awe, share memories, make memories, and take more pictures. Each walk brings something new -- A group of little yellow birds A family of ducks with five newly hatched ducklings All the trees sprouting buds and flowers and little green leaves A big white bird diving into the pond for a fishy snack A bunch of spring flowers blossoming The sun and clouds or bright clear blue sky, depending on the day Walks get us outside, away from the ...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Rescuing a dog comes with many responsibilities, like lots of walks. Every day Harley and I walk about the neighborhood at least two times a day. One walk occurs after the girls get on the bus in the morning. I make my way around the outside of neighborhood completing the one-mile stretch. It's usually a quiet walk as most are off to school or work. Sometimes I think about my day and ponder life or pray. Other times I intently observe the neighborhood, houses, plants, front doors, and so on looki...

__________________________________________________ The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers . Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ "Mommy ... what if ..." Madison whispered to me yesterday morning as we were picking out clothes for church. "What, honey?" I asked, wondering where her concern was coming from. "Well, what if Harley has her surgery and she dies?" And this came with a flood of tears. "Oh, come here," I whispered in her ear and hugged her close , "Harley is going to be just fine." Our six month old puppy is going to the vet today to be spayed. We've talked about this appointment for weeks and tried to explain the surgery to the girls. I talked through the surgery again rea...

__________________________________________________ The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers . Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ Sweet Harley (6 months old) For moments during the day -- all she wants is peace. The face of innocence. The love she has for us all. Oh, those eyes. The sweetness in her eyes. Her ears ready to listen to my every word. Her black nose warming in the sunshine. Her paws outstretched, resting -- Until an u nexpected surprise attack She decides to rise up and pounce The rebellious "teenager" puppy Nipping, jumping, and acting crazy Trying to gain our attention so that we notice her, play with her, enjoy her antics. For moments during the evening -- when all we want is pe...

__________________________________________________ The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers . Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ Yesterday was the first day of spring. But it didn't feel like it. My winter coat is still an every day fixture. Along with my hat and gloves. The air was cold. The wind biting. The sun barely squeezing through the clouds. I can't shake the chill. My hands are ice cold. And, to be quite honest, I'm a bit crabby. Yet, I stop and take in my view as I walk the dog around the two lakes in our neighborhood. The bare trees. The brown grass. The gray sky. The sun trying. The promise of more is in the glow behind those clouds. Yesterday was the first day of spring. Maybe today it w...

__________________________________________________ The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers . Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ The morning started off sleeping in and relaxing After our exciting birthday party day yesterday Until it was time to sport the volt soccer jerseys Ready to play together as a team and win Then spring teased us with a beautiful day We went on a three mile walk around the lakes The girls on roller blades with Harley chasing behind Then ended our not the usual Sunday with a tasty well-deserved treat!

__________________________________________________ The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers . Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ Our new puppy Harley  almost six months old brings much joy  and some frustration  to our daily life.  And other days  it's some joy  and much frustration!  Official training is  starting today. One consistent positive  walking her every day through our neighborhood across bridges,  around small lakes,  near the park, and back again.  noticing more (nature and beauty) talking more (to the dog, she listens) thinking more (about this life) writing more (in my head) alone time walking with the dog Missing out on...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ A Tale of Two Walks A Tail of Two Walks A new dog enticing us to walk “C’mon Harley.” Oh, what’s that? Strolling through the neighborhood “No, Harley.” A stick! Waving hello to neighbors outside “Drop it, Harley!” A bark chip! Looking ...