Sparkle On, America!

The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate with family. Instead of a barbecue, we decided to find an outdoor restaurant for a family favorite-breakfast. Wth the sun shining, we celebrated in style. The little grandgirls were decked out in  holiday outfits creating a celebratory flair to the beginning of the day.

Hours later as daylight turned into a rich shade of sunset, the family gathered again for a local firework show across Lake Thoreau, in Reston, Virginia. Sitting picnic-style we watched a sparkling spectacle of outdoor joy.  As kayaks circled the lake, barges readied for the show.

Fireworks popped as crowds squealed with delight. Oohs, Ahs!, and clapping echoed as night's colors became the backdrop for a magnificent light show. 

freedom bursts

fill the night air with hope-

strike up the band

© CV, 2021

The red and white and starry blue Is freedom's shield and hope".-John Philip Sousa

Fourth of July is a day to connect with loved ones and share in the hope that freedom brings.

With regrets for strolling into Two Writing Teachers late, I send this slice of life off. The activities of the past days have worn me out. While I wrote this slice just before the deadline, I fell asleep before sending it out. 

Celebrate Creative Moments

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.” 

Jack London

How many times have you been in the zone, ignited the creative spark, and watched the flame flicker and grow stronger? These creative moments are triggered by curiosity and passion. Perseverance pushes the wonderer to discover the magic that causes a flame to burn bright. 

This week was full of creative magic. I watched creative sparks explode as a group of graduate students unleashed their creativity during an ELA Summer Institute at Molloy College.

Images credited to Kent Kristensen (L) and Elizabeth Sherwooed (R)

You can view the Google Slide presentation created by the graduate students here.

Norms and protocols set the stage for an intensive four-day program that focused on the power of writing in a variety of forms to engage learners. 

Teachers who teach writing must be writers was the focal thought. 

With zest for creation, the group collaborated, designed, reflected, and shared authentic work. A slide presentation, Unleashing Creativity: Finding Our Voice, was the  result of concentrated effort to blend art, digital mediums, and technology with poetry. The end product was a thoughtful and vibrant  example of journeying through a process. 

The excitement felt throughout the institute sparked my creative juices, as well. I was inspired by the educators to write and bake, two passions of mind. 

Finding your voice is a vital part of life's journey. To be real one must discover whom he/she is. When voice is found, it is as shiny as a new penny. Then, the real magic of writing with voice begins. Modeling the process for learners is the next step. 

Happy Fourth of July from Long Island, NY to your locale!

Photographed by CVarsalona at Nassau County’s 14th annual Fourth of July fireworks at Eisenhower Park, Long Island. 

I'm celebrating with Ruth Ayres at Celebrate This Week.

The American Spirit

During the Fourth of July Weekend in Patriotic Style

Filled with the spirit of freedom and the opportunities it brings, I woke this weekend with the desire to CELEBRATE in patriotic fashion. Flashbacks of years past with fremily spurred me on. Baking ware came out, as did my secret ingredient, orange rinds. The kitchen started to have that creative chaos look that allows a little of this and a little of that blended together into new tasty items.

As I baked, I thought of the hands that came before me-those that folded dough with ease. I thought of the delicacies that were created to bring oohs and aahs from guests. I baked with happy memories, giving thanks that I came from a line of bakers who were inspired to hone their craft with each new design. I baked in peace, happy to create, and excited to share my newest baked items centered around the theme, the American dream. 

In my family, the American dream started with my grandmother coming to America as an immigrant. She brought with her a baby and a desire to live in freedom with her husband who immigrated previously to find a home for his family. The American dream continued with my mother growing up learning the arts at the hands of my grandmother. Her dream of becoming a fashion designer in New York City was realized for a short time before World War II started and then deferred when she needed to return home to Rome, New York to help support the family. I loved hearing the stories growing up. I watched, listened, and learned alongside these strong women who had "big" dreams for their family. 

Now, I think back, realizing that the American spirit has lived in my heart since a child. I understand what it means to have a dream because of my heritage. Perhaps, thoughts about the American spirit are best exemplified in Gloria Estefan's powerful song. 

American ideals and aspirations have been realized throughout the years by those who have come before us. It is my dream that my children will shape their future based on our family members who embodied the American spirit. 

I honor my past by sharing my creations, 

knowing that my grandmother and mother would be proud.

Fourth of July is the perfect day to be filled with thanks for what we have.

Today is Slice of Life Tuesday.

Please visit Two Writing Teachers here to read what other slicers are writing.