Saturday, June 18, 2011

Summer Thoughts

It's been an interesting summer. I've only been out of school for two weeks, but it seems much longer. I'm rested, and that's always the summer goal. I'm excited about teaching 3rd grade next year. Change is good, and I'll be working with a wonderful principal and staff. It's been twelve years since I've taught in a regular classroom. I took some time off when my daughter was little, and the last eight years I've taught gifted education.

Poison ivy has been a big part of my summer. Not just your ordinary case, but the kind that makes your mother gasp, strangers stare, your father get teary, your husband say 'ew', and your doctor quietly suggest you give up gardening (not happening!). There are parts of me that look and feel like I'm a burn victim. It's finally starting to get better. Hopefully I'll come out of the ordeal without too many scars.

I seriously considered giving up the garden. My dad even offered to bring his rototiller and put the whole thing to rest. But the thought of all that work being plowed under seems like such a waste. So I'll wear rubber shoes and gloves, long pants and long sleeves, and a healthy application of ivy guard when I head outside.

My daylilies are blooming now.

They are so cheery! Why would I want to rip out these beds?

My other task this summer is to work on a new manuscript. I'm about nine chapters in and up to my neck with this challenge. It's my Heart of the Novel workshop project, and I'm supposed to have a complete first draft soon. That deadline is coming fast! It's raining today, like it seems to be doing a lot lately. I plan to open the garage doors and park myself where I can enjoy the weather while I write. Maybe I can conquer chapter nine!

10 comments:

Christina Farley said...

Yeah for summer! I just finished school on Tuesday so we've just got back into the summer thing. Mainly cleaning and doing all the things that I've neglected all year long. LOL. Yeah on your manny. Sounds like you're doing awesome. I'm sitting down and working on writing a different chapter 3 and then jumping over to finish chapter 6. I need to get into a schedule I think.

Nora MacFarlane said...

Wasn't this your first year in 2nd grade? How'd it go? I know what you mean about a schedule. I get so much more done with structure!! Good luck with your WIP!

Unknown said...

Found this link over at the Blueboards and wanted to say "hello". Hope you're enjoying Kate's SUGAR & ICE and best wishes with the WIP. Glad you decided not to plow under the garden and I hope you recover soon from that nasty poision ivy!

Nora MacFarlane said...

Thanks, Angelina!

Anji said...

I didn't think that gardening could be so dangerous. We don't have poison Ivy here.

Why not join us? ExposeYourBlog!

Marcia said...

It's great that you're so rested after only two weeks. I've heard that two weeks is the minimal time needed to REALLY shift gears. No wonder there's so much burnout. Hope your writing's going great.

Anonymous said...

Nora, I'm so tempted just to sod over everything in our yard--I'm the only one who understands the difference between a weed and a plant, so it all falls to me. This year I got a good start and then was slammed with allergies and weeks of rain...it is so discouraging! Next year for sure I am investing in anti-germination pellets and mulch mulch mulch.

Nora MacFarlane said...

Anji - Ha! It's extreme gardening around here! :)

Marcia - I think part of feeling so relaxed so fast is that everything with my job is settled. The district went through cuts, and I wasn't sure I had a job for next year. Now I know I have a good place to work, a wonderful principal, and and supportive team. It makes all the difference!

Annebingham - I know what you mean! Same here with allergies and rain. But I knew when I married my city boy whose yard was about a 2'X10' strip of grass that our yard was going to be my job!

WorldStarBeatz said...
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Kinjal said...

Hey Nora...Felt nice reading your pages. Ive never really blogged before and am relatively new to this world! I am also a writer and would love it if you took time to read the first short story that i have dared to post!! You'll find me at http://blowtheashes.blogspot.com