Wonderment

I am practicing what I "preach" this week, as I prepare remote lessons for the ELA Summer Institute graduate class that I will teach online.  Teaching in this fashion is a brand-new experience for me. I do believe that teacher-learners need to move beyond their comfort zone if they are to guide students to do the same but what a journey it is to be caught in a cyberspace storm. While learning the Canvas platform, I cyberspace swooped down and sucked up major portions of my work with just a click. My blunder! A few more of these led me to be more vigilant and persistent. I was frustrated but eager to move through the frenzy of getting my work finished but when my husband suggested that I join him and my son for a walk on the boardwalk, I realized that I deserved a break. Off I went into the car, starring at the bright sunshine and wondering what I would find at the beach.  The lure of a seaside walk on a beautiful June day was too appealing to worry about work. 

Masked with iPhone in hand, I stepped from the ramp onto the boardwalk and listened to the sound of the sea lapping the shore. I scanned the beach looking for signs of compliance. Social distancing was seen on the beach as well as the boardwalk. Even the gulls swooped in a format that fit quarantine life. 

What a splendid afternoon walk I had. I left the beach in wonderment of nature and its constancy while wondering if this is what a weekend day at the beach would look like?  Probably not, but I want to hope for the best! 

The sea has a soothing effect on my quarantine life perspective. Inspired by the sights and sounds of the beach, I returned home to find the poem on wonderment I wrote for a poetry swap for Brenda Harsham.  My walk in the sun by the sea led me to pair the poem with a question for my teacher-learner students. Where will wonder lead you this fall? 




I certainly can say that poetry allows me to be in a state of awed admiration of nature. My jaunt to the beach was medicine for the body, mind, spirit, and soul. Poetic thoughts were flowing as I watched the waves swoop to shore and gulls swoon in sweeping gestures. 

As I finish tonight's work for my course, I join the Poetry Friday Roundup at my friend Karen Eastland's Blog, Karen's Got a Blog!  Come, join me for some more poetry goodness.

Finding Peace_SOLSC 15

This week has been a difficult one of ramped up tension. The news of the coronavirus growing in proportions has caused fear, concern, school districts closing, and the darkening of the NYC theater. Life is not the way we knew it so when another gray day suddenly turned to sunshine, my family took a ride to one of Long Island's most beautiful areas, the ocean. 

On a sky-lit afternoon,
I soak in the expansive shoreline view.

A cool breeze brushes past

on its way to rustle in the seagrass.

I listen to the soft voices of

 whispering waves crashing the shore.

I watch high-spirited visitors

whose feet caress the sand,

leisurely pedal their bikes,

or jauntily walk the long boardwalk.

I pause to capture sun shadows

playing on the boardwalk,

grateful for the sun lighting the sky

with radiant joy.

Life is different at the beach.

Peace floats on a sea of thought.

far away from media blasts.

☵

Each year since March 2015, I have engaged in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically through writing, photography, and digital art. Welcome to Day 15 of 31 days of writing with Two Writing Teachers. 

Thoughts at Water's Edge

There is a slowed-down pace at the water's edge. (I wrote about this at last week's Poetry Friday post). I realize that each time I visit the ocean on Long Island's south shore, I  feel like the waves weep me away into another dimension called tranquility. All water bodies seem to have a spiritual, calming effect on my mind but the beach heightens my awareness of life.

While walking on the boardwalk, I observe and ponder. I notice many cyclists enjoying the scenic bicycle route on the Long Beach Boardwalk. I watch the steady pace of the bicycle enthusiasts moving by those promenading in the walking lane. The cyclists' fluid movements seem to be in harmony with each other. You can tell that they are enjoying this favorite boardwalk pastime by their leisurely stroll.

Life is like riding a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you plan to stop pedaling.

-Claude Pepper

With this quote in mind and the end-of-the-school here on Long Island fastly approaching, I wonder how many people are thinking ahead to summer. Each day the weather turns away from the grey skies and rain to glorious spring days, there is a rush to go out the door and enjoy the pleasures of nature but do we ever stop to ponder how we approach life? Do we take time to relax in a favorite pastime or do we rush through that as well? This morning's yoga practice embraced the breath. Perhaps, we need to do more of that for us to continue to peddle through life in a smooth, fluid pattern in order to savor what is around us. 

Below you will find William Stafford's poem on bicycling, It paints a vivid visual of a winter filled with silence and calmness. The poem brings me into a harmonious state without having to be on a bike. See if you agree.

Maybe Alone on My Bike

I listen, and the mountain lakes
hear snowflakes come on those winter wings
only the owls are awake to see,
Their radar gaze and furred ears
alert. In that stillness a meaning shakes:
And I have thought (maybe alone 
on my bike, quaintly on a cold
evening pedaling home), Think!     
(You can read the rest of this poem here.) 

Now join me for the Poetry Friday Round-up hosted by Karen Edmisten at her blog.

Self-Care & Happiness

It's Sunday morning. For the first time in a week, sunshine covers the sky with softened wisps of cotton puffs. Beachgoers flock to Long Beach Boardwalk to stroll alongside the Atlantic Ocean shore. One of my favorite south shore happiness spots comes alive with springtime joy. 

What makes this place special? Rising surf rushes to shore in rhythmic patterns as sea gulls silently swoop up and down. Life slows down beachside, below the busy boardwalk. People share their zen-like routines and rituals. Meditative practices are seen everyone from dozing babies and senior citizens on boardwalk benches and in strollers to a lone fisherman basking in the sun. A solitary yogi bows in respect for sun salutations. Serenity is found. 

Atlantic Ocean beaches are one of my go-to happiness spots. What's yours?

The above poster was shared by Happiness Coach, Kim Strobel, on #NYEDChat last night. The conversation revolved around the topic, The Science of Happiness. You can access the transcript here.

☀

It's Tuesday so I am now joining  Two Writing Teachers with this slice of life. 

Beach Walk

Surrounded by a cluttered desk and too many tasks to take care of, I felt the weight of life yesterday morning. You probably know what I am talking about. So what was the fix?

I found my route to peace when the phone call rang. Beach walk? Yes? What better way to de-stress than take a stroll on the boardwalk. 

The Atlantic Ocean was waiting. Instead of calling to me, it roared. I listened and watched with amazement. Waves shimmered in the sunshine. Surfers prepared for their sweet ride. People promenaded the boardwalk. I gazed at the ocean, stopping often to take photos. The flow of the water, the turn of the boards, the surfer's disembarkment were like a scene from a movie but instead, it is was live before my eyes. 

It was then that I realized this walk was the fix, my mini-vacation from reality. I moved to a corner of the boardwalk where there was shade to write these words and take another photo. Ah! There was beauty and tranquility in those sunkissed summer-like moments I spent on the boardwalk yesterday. 

What a delightful way to de-stress!

I used my senses to fill my breath 

with sweet summer life in early fall.

If you missed my unveiling of Sunkissed Summer Gallery, please take a look. You will feel a wave of inspiration as you are swept away by amazing photographs, artwork, and digipoetry from around the world. Life is good when you can leave your footprint in the sand. Yesterday, I did just that.

It's Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers.