Amazing maze of autumn

Congratulations Debbie and Shane!

And Cathy, you looked beautiful too! 

Awash with relief
If you don't drown
In the tidal wave
It washes everything away.

We all have things
That weigh on our souls
The flutter in our stomach
That causes unrest
The dread in our hearts
Like lead in our feet.
We all have things
Throughout the day
That float to the surface
And disturb our thoughts.
But we also have those things
That cause us joy
And let us rise above
The fray
And make us smile.

Capture the sun

Reflected back

In all its glory

Rays of autumn.

Our Panda baby and his mom

From the San Diego Zoo

We were there when he was born

And have been following him ever since.

My class wants to name him

Sunny Bamboo.

Fall didn't forget us
The dead brown leaves
Were only a ploy
To make us long
For autumn's splendor
She surprised us
With a late visit.

Fall came after all...

Everybody loves somebody sometime

A grey dull day
Hopelessness creeps in
Looking for a sunny moment
To break the gloom.
Hoping for
Rainbows and unicorns:-)

Late to school
Makes the kids crazy.
Whatever happened at home
To get them wound up
They bring with them
To math class-
Numbers run through their heads
Counting change
Becomes a worry if there's enough
Food for supper.
In reading class
Their forgotten glasses
And work left at dad's
Causes problems at mom's tonight.
Social studies maps
Are all over the city
Very few neighborhood schools anymore.
It's only in Religion
Where we can relax
And talk of love and peace
And how special they all are.

Leaves careening
Off their branches
From green vitality
To brown scraps
In a moment
Of gusty wind.
Fall's song of the season.

School Hallways

Acting unsure

Unsure how to react.
Eyes looking past
Not able to see.
Hallways length
Worlds apart.
Misunderstanding
Standing between us.

Monday
Stretching
Reaching
Dancing
Mind leaves the body
As feet leave the floor
Happy to be back
To Jazzercize

To see possibilities
In dying leaves
To treasure the red
Of fall
To recognize
The hope in the decay
To survive
The change
Of seasons.

Don't worry
If you close your eyes
They won't see you.
Don't speak
And your thoughts
Don't have to take shape.
Don't listen
And it isn't real.
Don't feel
And you can slide
Into oblivion.

Congratulations, Amy!

Picture pretty

Degideos with Diana and Bob

And friends

Remembering

And praying for Peace

Monday
Back to routine
Remember what day it is
Remember what time gym starts
Remember to bring lunch
Remember recess duty
Remember to go to the restroom before school
Remember their names
Remember their challenges
Remember why I'm here.

Yea Vikings!

Welcome home, Diana and Bob!

TGIF

Head spinning
Like the laundry
I'm racing to wash.
Too many notes
And ideas.
Too many kids
And plans.
TGI Thursday.

Brilliant colors
Of black and blue
Shades of purple
Mixed with red
Paints a portrait of my thumb
After my classroom window
Made its descent.

We're back...

Labor day
Put down the suntan lotion
Pick up the pencil
Put off the shorts
And put on the sweater
Get up from the lounge chair
And get down to business
Back to reality
Back to school

Apple fresh scent
Whispers of sweetness
Past its prime
Acrid leaves crunching
Heralds the slow march
Back to school.

Once in a blue moon 

Good food 

Good friends

Good times