Summer school of 9 hours and the drought are over. I survived both; I learned because of both. You might know this would be the year we plowed up our field and grew a coop garden. Choices were forced on me that I did not want to make. Do I give up having beautiful flower gardens that have been part of my life for the past 26 years, or do I give the water to the vegetable garden that will put food on the table this winter. Confident that time and resources were not going to be an issue, and against my husbands advice, the garden went in and won the bulk of the water. The flowers suffered and many died. Would I have done it if I had known the sacrifices involved? I don't think so. Have I enjoyed the fresh produce? Totally. Will I grow another enormous vegetable garden next year? The money has already been spent for the materials which are now sitting and ready for another season. The answer is yes. If we have another drought next year...that may be the end. Time will tell. I'm praying for a summer of Camelot. Lovely by day and gentle showers by night...only in Camelot.

Popups are on my mind. It irritates me to have to read and see something that I don't want to. I guess it's all about free programs. I may have to rethink where I want to write. I loved this blog at first, but now it has pop ups that are not desirable to see. School has started. I have a nice class. It's the smallest class I've had since I began teaching. That alone is fantastic. It still seems like lots of people to manage and enjoy and teach. I want to be a fantastic teacher. I don't want to be mediocre. My graduate classes have been like fresh air to me. Tonight it was on my mind that now I'm back in school, I'm a student again and I'm constantly learning. Once I was in the real world of teaching and my questions were constant, I no longer had time or energy to be able to find answers. Maybe I didn't even know what the questions were. I would say I have students who do not feel they have anything to offer. That's how I felt in the field. I'm thankful to be learning and have new things to offer and share. It is pushing me to new levels? Totally. Do I find frustrations in the push? Totally. I'm wondering if this blog will be appropriate for my new class. I had no idea that It was a writing project class. It will be a continuation of constant learning. I hope I can excel.

Friday before the school year begins

It's the Friday before the new school year begins. There are plenty of things to do. I need to update my school web so parents and students can take a peek at who Mrs. Ashley is. That's top on my priority list. Yesterday I sent my parent and student letters. This morning as I check out my portfolio page, I clicked on my Homegrown slideshow and it's gone. I went back to Google Presentations - Documents nothing. At this point, I am calm but frustrated. I see a post that says they disapear after x amount of time. What's the point. I don't think I have it saved anywhere else. The posts clog up together. I make line spaces, but when it is published, the words move. I'm out of time to figure out this blog. It makes me want to choose a blogsite!!!!!!!!!!! Something to consider.

Part 6 Digital Writing Unit

Part 6 Mini lessons – review – differences 1. Prewriting 2. Drafting 3. Revising 4. Editing Partners explore Google Presentation, Prezi, Smile box, Movie Maker, PowerPoint, Screencasting, Part 7 Mini lessons – 1. Voice 2. Audience 3. Purpose Why does it matter Nancy Atwell - every piece should have a so what to it? Work time: Assessments for time management, rubric for process will be given about this time in the lessons. Regular free writes with sharing will be included in each day. Mini lessons and reflections of each part will be included in the Degree Paper

Part 5 Digital Writing Unit

Part 5 Mini Lessons - 1. Digital audio recordings pg 49-75 2. Digital stories and essays pg 58-75 Freewrite – Of all the information you gave about yourself in your Digital 5 frame story “Who am I” Write some specific details about the events in your five frames. Where were you? Why were you there? Why do you wish you were in the picture or at the place? Who is important to you? Why? When did you begin enjoying these activities? Who influences you? Show Digital Story “Transformation, A Dream” and “The Family reunion” Class discussion: Talk about drafts and revising Now, underline one event or activity that you think you could turn into a bigger story.

Part 3 and 4 of Digital Writing Unit

Part 3 Place students into small writing groups Part 4- Digital Stories – What are they? How are they different? Mini Lessons – Reference - The Digital Writing Workshop by Troy Hicks 1. Compare - Writers Workshop to Digital Writers Workshop pg 1-4 2. Integrating new technologies pg 5-10 3. Blogging pg 31-41 Class Blog is pulled up and ready for responses. Remember that we are building our community so we want all positive statements and comments. 1. Write about something that surprised you, excited you about the team, and confused you? You can ask questions of your classmates on the Blog. Then, respond to one other person that hasn’t had a response yet. (We’ll revisit this in May to see if we have changed.) Today’s Meet.com is ready for your comments. Respond and give a positive character trait you see in someone. Let’s try to include every team member. Look to see who hasn’t been included yet. Examples: kind, athletic, compassionate, caring, thoughtful, fun, humorous, creative etc…

Part 2 of Writing Unit

Part 2 – Free write – How do you feel about your class after hearing all the digital stories? Write what’s on your mind. 3 minutes. Protocol for NWP OWP (info on each) –Opportunity to share no apologies, no responses – thank you for sharing. Listening Activity – Why is listening important? Turning to One Anotherv by Margaret J. Wheately I will read parts of the paper(students will view under the Elmo) to the students. Free write about thoughts that Ms. Wheately shares on the piece. Everyone choose one statement from the reading(write it on an index card) that you think is important in making everyone on the team an important part. Share with your shoulder partner first why you think the statement you chose is important. Switch to your eye ball partner. Stand up and find someone who has the same statement as you. Get into groups of like listening statements. Class discussion…Is listening important and why? Listen to Digital Stories for a second time. What do we know about our teammates now? Activity - everyone is valuable and has strengths to offer to the team. Let’s re-watch the 5 frame videos and take notes on something that stands out about each person. Later we’ll construct something digital that reflects who we are as a team and we’ll need the information you gather now.

A fabulous week of freewrites to unclog my brain

Free writing – Summer 2012 – OWP Digital Writing A fantastic week of free writing unclogged my brain and took me to literally 100’s of subjects I haven’t thought in a long time, and to new things I have never learned and had opportunity to think about and comment on. I have them to refer back to. It looks like a have years of writing materials available. Google + Check it out! Lots of great programs! I'm excited this morning about this class. I can't wait to figure out how to get my wiki and blog uploaded correctly today. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I want it right. Try to establish a safe environment to write and share in a daily blog. Hope that it is a great addition and not just one more thing. I appreciate Dr. Franklin. She does what a teacher should...she puts me at ease. The best environment to learn is to be at ease, safe not only for my students but also for adults. If we do not feel this safety, we will not learn or write to our greatest potential. I see someone I know and my brain is saying how do I know her? It will come to me it always does. Be anxious for nothing. But in everything pray and give thanks. I am thankful that I have this opporunity to become a better teacher. I am thankful to have opportunities to learn. I hope that I can be a blessing to my classmates. I hope to be inspired. I hope that my mind will open up to fantastic ideas to use when we learn. I had an idea last night and didn't write it down. What was that?????? It just isn't coming to me. It was about something that I know...I remember. the idea was to write about and film the garden, squash, cucumbers etc... that seem to grow overnight. I also have two flowering plants with blooms that open very quicky. The first is a primrose where the bloom opens in 1 minute. It has to be ready, the other I call moon plant. It has large white blossoms that open within a day. Facinating, anyway, I was thinking that it might make a cool pod cast. But, I'm not totally sure what podcasting is all about. I hope my school can find a way to have ipads for my students. I'm wondering if they could bring them from home. I am totally changing my thinking. At one time I was against students bringing their electronics to school. Now I see that it is going to be essential and wonder how my district and children and grandchildren will afford these needed items.. I used to view them as wanted and now I see them as needed. Our world is changing quickly. Let's teach our students to use the technology for learning and teach them to be safe and honest. How can we make all of this happen. It is like all things that are good. They are from the Lord. He makes all things that are good. I still have serious concern for the evil things that come with technology. Especiallly because our young people are not all brought up with an understanding of right and wrong. Scripture says that the devil prowls like a roaring lion and it is true. He comes to steal kill an destroy. I'm wondering if I will feel like I will share this informaiton 1. Talk to principal about need for ipads 2. Discuss the possiblity of students bringing theirs from home since many of them have them 3. Find a way to get an Ipad for myself. 4. Be a leader for my school and district 5. Talk to students about how they use the ipads 6. Get students blogging ASAP when school starts. 7. Talk to teachers about possibly blogging so we can communicate more freely instead of being locked in our own world of the classroom. I appreciate a partner reminding me again that we are all at different levels. I'm thankful that most o the things that I learn are not only applicable for myself but also my school and classroom. I appreciate Dr. Franklin. She does what a teacher should...she puts me at ease. The best environment to learn is to be at ease, safe not only for my students but also for adults. If we do not feel this safety, we will not learn or write to our greatest potential. I see someone I know and my brain is saying how do I know her? It will come to me it always does. Be anxious for nothing. But in everything pray and give thanks. I am thankful that I have this opporunity to become a better teacher. I am thankful to have opportunities to learn. I hope that I can be a blessing to my classmates. I hope to be inspired. I hope that my mind will open up to fantastic ideas to use when we learn. I had an idea last night and didn't write it down. What was that?????? It just isn't coming to me. It was about something that I know...I remember. the idea was to write about and film the garden, squash, cucumbers etc... that seem to grow overnight. I also have two flowering plants with blooms that open very quicky. The first is a primrose where the bloom opens in 1 minute. It has to be ready, the other I call moon plant. It has large white blossoms that open within a day. Facinating, anyway, I was thinking that it might make a cool pod cast. But, I'm not totally sure what podcasting is all about. I hope my school can find a way to have ipads for my students. I'm wondering if they could bring them from home. I am totally changing my thinking. At one time I was against students bringing their electronics to school. Now I see that it is going to be essential and wonder how my district and children and grandchildren will afford these needed items.. I used to view them as wanted and now I see them as needed. Our world is changing quickly. Let's teach our students to use the technology for learning and teach them to be safe and honest. How can we make all of this happen. It is like all things that are good. They are from the Lord. He makes all things that are good. I still have serious concern for the evil things that come with technology. Especiallly because our young people are not all brought up with an understanding of right and wrong. Scripture says that the devil prowls like a roaring lion and it is true. He comes to steal kill an destroy. I'm wondering if I will feel like I will share this informaiton 1. Talk to principal about need for ipads 2. Discuss the possiblity of students bringing theirs from home since many of them have them 3. Find a way to get an Ipad for myself. 4. Be a leader for my school and district 5. Talk to students about how they use the ipads 6. Get students blogging ASAP when school starts. 7. Talk to teachers about possibly blogging so we can communicate more freely instead of being locked in our own world of the classroom. I appreciate a partner reminding me again that we are all at different levels. I'm thankful that most o the things that I learn are not only applicable for myself but also my school and classroom. Acknoledge that we are all at a different place some bach some masters, some in life crisis, some on even keal. Try to establish a safe environment to write and share in a daily blog. Hope that it is a great addition and not just one more thing. I don't think I want to live in the world like the Jetsons where we just take a pill instead of eating roast beef...yet I'm the first one to skip eating or grab whatever because of the merry go round I find myself on. Somedays I want to go back to the pioneer days and live off the land. I still love sitting in the swing and working my land and making things by hand. I'm wondering what is ahead and what it will look like and if we will be happy. What is a story in its purest form every story has lots of side stories what is an anticdote? start with the action - maybe a good place to start give your audience bate....leave them in suspension raise questions and the answer them. those out more questions to keep them interested another tool... have moments of reflection. heres why I'm telling you a story heres why Im taking your time anicdote with reflection action and events that mean noghint its predictable thats a problem something boring but very interesting and compeling do you have a sequence of events and why does it matter nancy atwell - every piece should have a so what to it? This morning I have Ira Glass on my mind. His story tellers captured my attention. Their voices were right and the stories interesting. Afterwards he as hosts adds the fun because he talks to the writers and lets us hear what was going on behind the scene of each story. On NWP we are asked to comment on each piece which adds the same element, the real person behind the story. How to capture these skills and talent I feel sure will take practice and a safe place to write. My classroom will be one of those places. My next thoughts go to Troy Hicks and his book on Digital Writing. He also brought many applicable thoughts to my mind and table. He lists effective and ineffective and says ask if you don't know. In a fast moving world booming with new ideas and words and technology, some are feeling left behind. I'm going to change the words: Effective might mean expertise and ineffective might be ignorance. Effective might be a strength where ineffective might be a challenge. All of these are positive in a way because it means we have space to learn. The negative comes in when we are fearful of rejection for our challenges and areas of ignorance. If I am ignorant about car engines but I have an expertise in writing then should I be viewed as stupid? If I am ignorant about basketball but I have an expertise in tennis than am I to be considered stupid? If I have am ignorant about computers and technology because it is changing so fast but I have an expertise in horticulture than should I be viewed as stupid? Children and adults will back up and not try if this is the case. We must view every person as valuable with great strengths to offer, always willing to listen because hearing another will make you wise says research. Troy Hicks in his book Digital Writing added that we must not be afraid to ask. There is a world of people who want to learn and will try if they feel safe to get help. I'm asking everyone with an expertise to be willing to freely share it whatever that strength might be. I plan to write much more ay 2 proved to be as exciting as Day 1, even more so because we are building on what we learn. It was another safe day of learning where we jumped in and experimented with new technology. I worked on making a Digital Photo Essay. I found some fun pictures on a disc of an important time in my families life. We turned an old building known formally as a grade A Milking Parlor into an art studio, complete with a courtyard. I need some before pictures of the outside because I know I have some after pictures. I'm going to work on that tonight. I know my family and friends(my audience) will appreciate it because many of them shared labor male and female. It was a big undertaking that involved a new roof, knocking down walls, painting, sheet rocking to insulate and repair, more painting inside and out. Plastering, pouring concrete to level floors, hauling gravel. The more I think about it, I have more pictures somewhere of these things. I hope to find some when I get home. We have had lots of troubles with slow computers at home. Regularly my husband would ask me to take my pictures off of the hard drive and save them on flash drives. I guarded those with my life(didn't label them good enough) and this week, I'm not exactly sure where they are. These kinds of projects(making digital essays can be quick or take hours if you have to "research" find the pictures. I feel a bit better hearing others talk about the fact that we are moving fast in this class, open this, write this, try that...It's all good, very good. I'm learning and that's why I'm here. It is now and I know will be in the future, a continued blessing. Sometimes we talk about moving via the work involved in keeping up an acreage and old home. It was built in 1880. There's another topic I want to research, who lived there and who changed what through the years to what it's like today. I tried to upload a presentation to my profile page for my class. It was in Smilebox. Ok, It worked, except I immediately started getting ads on my editing screen which I cannot seen to get rid of. I deleted the smilebox, but they are still there. What??????????????????????????????? Does anyone know what to do? I don't remember ads at the top of my blog before either. I'm wondering if these are from blogger and I just hadn't noticed them or if it's because of this smilebox upload. I'm trying to stay calm. Th problem is I don't trust the ads to be appropriate. Who knows... Tonight, I can't get my computer to recognize a CD I have in it. I need the pictures for my cla What is a story in its purest form every story has lots of side stories what is an anticdote? start with the action - maybe a good place to start give your audience bate....leave them in suspension raise questions and the answer them. those out more questions to keep them interested another tool... have moments of reflection. heres why I'm telling you a story heres why Im taking your time anicdote with reflection action and events that mean noghint its predictable thats a problem something boring but very interesting and compeling do you have a sequence of events and why does it matter nancy atwell - every piece should have a so what to it? I'm writing about one of my most embarrasing moments for my digital storytelling essay. I've only filmed it once. I can see that I need extra people to help me with the effects. I don't feel that it is even close to being good yet but it has potential. It's a crazy story that I enjoy telling about getting ready for a family reunion one year. To start I wanted to write about my trip to Taiwan and it's many unknowns. When I wrote the events it seemed doable. I'd like to have that part of my life recorded before I forget the details. When I conferenced with Audrey, she gave me positive feedback but we both agreed that there were multiple stories in my story and maybe it was too broad for this assignment. None the less I wrote the events down and was ready to make a digital story. By the time I got home, I changed my mind. I spent the evening writing the events for two more crazy experiences I have had that everyone loves to hear me tell. Of course I act it out as well. So now I have 3 sets of events written!!!!!! What I don't use now I'll use in my classroom to model. My process for my digital storytelling. My choice "The Family Reunion." The next step is a need for pictures. Being an artist the first thought was to draw them out like a childrens story(kind of cartoonish) I stuck with that plan an used watercolor to finish them. First I tried to record it on my Smartphone. The file was too large to down load. Next I tried my Cannon Camera. Bingo. I need more sounds and effects. This morning when I arrived I loaded it in Moviemaker and that's where I'm at now, ready to do some serious editing. I'd actually like to record it again a couple of times to get the total effect of emotion. Right now, it's just a very rough draft. It's whole but rough. The story has never died and someone brings it up every year. Then we laugh and when someone gets married and we have a new family member I have to relive and retell the story. I usually act it out. I like drama. The actual event happened at Price Cutter. For the sake of the class I called it Sally's Grocery. If I can bring it to perfection I want to put it up on You tube. It's one of my goals. I have a crazy snake story that I'd like to turn into a digital story and publish it too. I'm taking to heart the words that Keri said yesterday, what do you want people to see and know about you when they google your name. I did that last night and found over 300 posts for Elaine Ashley. I was shocked. There was nothing exciting about me there...that needs to change. As my students work this year on their digital storytelling, I already have ideas and events recorded for several stories. I will model this year and I'm well on my way to doing that with these great story starts. I appreciate everyone who has stepped up to the plate to help me in this digital world. I'm trying to stop being fearful, but so often there is one thing you need to do to make something work and I can't seem to see what the one thing is very often. I'm meeting with my writing group at 9:30 via Google handout on line. Good morning, I've been reading Twitter this morning. What's great about it???? Well, for one thing, the people are passionate about what they are talking about. I tried to upload a presentation to my profile page for my class. It was in Smilebox. Ok, It worked, except I immediately started getting ads on my editing screen which I cannot seen to get rid of. I deleted the smilebox, but they are still there. What??????????????????????????????? Does anyone know what to do? I don't remember ads at the top of my blog before either. I'm wondering if these are from blogger and I just hadn't noticed them or if it's because of this smilebox upload. I'm trying to stay calm. Th problem is I don't trust the ads to be appropriate. Who knows... Tonight, I can't get my computer to recognize a CD I have in it. I need the pictures for my cla When I heard the title flipping I had no idea what the subject was going to be Flipping a great concept and surprise. You might think why do we need teachers if we are going to use software to teach our classes. It's because this will free up the teacher to give more one on one. Also students can watch the lesson over as many times as needed. I could differentiate much more easily. Another plus is that absent students could see the lesson when they return. It would be hard to do all lessons, but you could do one lesson to start and see how it goes. What kind of feedback do you want about your digital story? Content process, I feel that it is just a rough draft. Yesterday my writing group saw the video, like me they said they thought it had potential. It's a fun story, a good size, but because I was manning the camera and the audio, the emotion didn't come out at all. They said and I agree that I need more pictures. There are a few clips missing. I want to know if it's anyting that anyone would find fun and interesting. A crazy exprience that could happen to anyon Make sure that you the writer are in charge of what kind of feedback you want. YOu don't want to burst the bubble of your writers. Bless , press and address Give your audience purpose for listening. praise questions and polish When will you meet for your group. Discuss your professinal piece and digital story. Try that: POst a google doc and comment or make notes and then google hangout Creat cirle for your writing group. Todays meet logtalkradio - need user name and password open a google doc. Post before you meet. Write comments or meet first and then add comments 1. This fun blond friend I met MSU who has never chewed bubble gum because her mom told her it was bad for her(who listens to moms) She was the cheeriest person I had ever met. She told of a trip across the country, sky diving and stopping different places becaue her family had lived many places through her childhood. 2. So this friend takes me sailing with the sailing team and we go to a regota in Iowa and even participate. We went spelunking in the white river in Ark. We were 8 hours under and almost fell off of a cliff and crawled through water because the passages were so small. This is someone who liked me and invited me to be her friend. She's the most fun person I had ever met...so what? She invites me to go with her to California. I even agree to go. She forgets to mention that her mom doesn't know that I'm coming. I still wonder about that. Did she just forget to mention it or did she just not want to ask? Why was it that I went on this adventure? I had rarely traveled anywhere. We go to Texas(the panhandle they told me) to an antique store her family was trying to sell. Her brother tended the store. He was handsome and fun and their mother seemed distraght and cool. We slept on the floor of the building and that was ok, but looking back it was a bit different. After seeing grandparents and (another story - meeeting old friends of my friend pretending to be an old friend myself saying don't you remember me - shocking because I was soooooo shy) We headed out for California. I needed a map really, I didn't ever learn geography and had no clue where we were going. You can imagine that I was surprised when we got to the desert in a car with no air conditioning. At a small remote gas station(the only one for miles and miles) we each got one bottle of water and some paper towels. by the time we were out of the desert we had been out of water for many hours. More new experiences. AS we roll into ReDondo Beach I see the ocean for my first time ever. The statements are so true.  It was eye opening when we added the beginning part of the text with the follow up reflecting what happens.  I have experienced these things to be true. 
I do feel that my teaching style is to the right.  We learn from inquiry...I never sit at my desk.  You have to be creative when grading with rubrics that are very specific to process and task.  My days are long because I interact with students constantly.  When the day is done, by work is only beginning.  I am on a constant search to work smarter not harder.  With a goal to have everyone engaged whether that is writing a novel in the back or getting caught up because life is hard and someone is behind.  It's a challenge.  It's worth it.  I think... This morning I'm enthused about digital writing.  I delved into my book and figured out to do the portfolio yeah.   It looks like I got the same computer so maybe my pod cast is still on the desktop.  I'll check shortly. 
After reading and working yesterday, I want to change my class.  We have only 3 laptops and limited access to the computer lab.  I am determined to figure it out.  We will have them soon I feel certain.  Will it be this year or next???????  How can we make it happen?  Emma looking sweet...Emma looking sly...Emma pulling Gabes hair then Emma kissing his head to make up.

Flowers, missing leaves, digging, drought, refreshing life giving water

Reflection 725

Aug 1, 2012 Digital Writing Elaine Ashley Inman Intermediate, Nixa, MO 65714 Digital writing is taking writing to a new level that allows an author of any age to become public with their work in multiple Medias. Not only does it have to do with publishing for a bigger audience, digital writing pushes the author to new levels of synthesis. It takes writing to a higher level of thinking and uses parts of the brain that would otherwise not be tapped; thus, all the more reason to integrate digital writing into the classroom. Digital writing compliments and enhances the original writer’s workshop Troy Hicks, author of The Digital Writing Workshop, explains in Chapter 2, that it has become a necessity in education today to meet new technological standards. It is no longer a choice whether or not a teacher incorporates technology in the classroom. My original thinking was that it would change me as a teacher using technology to present my lessons. That isn’t enough to satisfy the hunger of today’s student. They are hands on and miles ahead of anything I can dream of. Using Digital Writers Workshop gives students the tools they need to excel and create beyond what was thought possible in previous years. Troy does a tremendous job walking the reader through a variety of today’s available tools in technology that makes sense. The chapters are organized in a format the makes the information applicable to any classroom which is important to me personally. As an educator I need tools that fit into the standards already in place and are at my fingertips for practical everyday use. I already have two class Blogs, but hope to use them much more efficiently. I took my students to the computer lab and we were exploring, writing and commenting on each other’s comments. It is a start but not to the levels that are available to us today. In order to get the full effect I need from Troy’s book, I will need to spend time reading and rereading. My plan is to use it like a favorite cookbook with it open on my desk for constant reference. In my 725 OWP Digital Writing Class, we were pushed at a fast pace to explore new software and ideas. In a short period of time, one week to be exact, plus work online, I have seen and experimented with more different tools than I had ever previously tried. Wow! During the experience it was a bit scary, but, effective in the end, bringing new life to my teaching style. My students as well as anyone I come into contact with will be the benefactors. Previously I had used Skype and Face time with my family, but Google handout is much more effective in my opinion. That is just one small example of the new pieces of technology that is available to me for professional or personal use.

Google+

Check it out! Lots of great programs!

Application in the classroom. - The true finish line

I'm meeting with my writing group at 9:30 via Google handout on line. I hope I remember how to get there and we can make it work. I'm ready to be finished with my class projects so I can begin thinking about how to use what I've learned this year in my classroom. I hope to write regularly to have documentation of how lessons go and find time to upload student work so it can be shared and published. I am looking forward to this new school year more than any years so far.

Twitter

Good morning, I've been reading Twitter this morning. What's great about it???? Well, for one thing, the people are passionate about what they are talking about. If that was the only thing going on it would be good. There are so many issues in this world. I am tired today. I've been taking classes...really great classes...I've been on the computer but... I just don't want to care today. I just want to be outside. I just want to loaf and not be near the computer but I still have projects due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Life is to busy when... July 2012

Life is too busy when the only thing your husband asks for doesn't show up and it's two months later. Life is too busy when you children and grand children have to make an appointment to spend time with you.. Life is too busy when you have to listen to movies instead of getting to watch them. Life is too busy when you haven't spent any time with your friends and it is the end of July. Life is too busy when you have a beautiful sail boat and you haven't sailed it in two summers. Life is too busy when you don't have time to walk or run and see the world around you every day. My life is far too busy!!!!!!!

Irritated

I tried to upload a presentation to my profile page for my class. It was in Smilebox. Ok, It worked, except I immediately started getting ads on my editing screen which I cannot seen to get rid of. I deleted the smilebox, but they are still there. What??????????????????????????????? Does anyone know what to do? I don't remember ads at the top of my blog before either. I'm wondering if these are from blogger and I just hadn't noticed them or if it's because of this smilebox upload. I'm trying to stay calm. Th problem is I don't trust the ads to be appropriate. Who knows... Tonight, I can't get my computer to recognize a CD I have in it. I need the pictures for my class. This isn't my day.

Hard times

This afternoon I was in the mood to write a whimsical post about my hopes and dreams and then ...I read that one of my friends father died yesterday(I relive my own fathers death every time I hear these words) and... even harder than death is life here on earth and that yet another friends husband is out of work. It is hard to be in a job that is difficult, It doesn't compare with a man not having a job. Remember that it is the world that says a man's self esteem comes from his job. The Lord says,"The joy of the Lord is our strength and "He provides all of our needs according to His riches." and...there are marriages under attack. Suddenly I don't feel so whimsical. Maybe tomorrow I can dream a bit, but today rough times on heavy on my heart. I'm praying. This is a spiritual attack and we must not give in. Remember that our Lord and Savior says fear not fear not fear not fear not and it goes on and on and on. Be faithful to the call. Pray praise and give thanks. I'm praying for you my friends and family who are undergoing hard times. These are deep subjects that are close to my heart. our family is praying for you my friends.

Digital Storytelling

I'm writing about one of my most embarrasing moments for my digital storytelling essay. I've only filmed it once. I can see that I need extra people to help me with the effects. I don't feel that it is even close to being good yet but it has potential. It's a crazy story that I enjoy telling about getting ready for a family reunion one year. To start I wanted to write about my trip to Taiwan and it's many unknowns. When I wrote the events it seemed doable. I'd like to have that part of my life recorded before I forget the details. When I conferenced with Audrey, she gave me positive feedback but we both agreed that there were multiple stories in my story and maybe it was too broad for this assignment. None the less I wrote the events down and was ready to make a digital story. By the time I got home, I changed my mind. I spent the evening writing the events for two more crazy experiences I have had that everyone loves to hear me tell. Of course I act it out as well. So now I have 3 sets of events written!!!!!! What I don't use now I'll use in my classroom to model. My process for my digital storytelling. My choice "The Family Reunion." The next step is a need for pictures. Being an artist the first thought was to draw them out like a childrens story(kind of cartoonish) I stuck with that plan an used watercolor to finish them. First I tried to record it on my Smartphone. The file was too large to down load. Next I tried my Cannon Camera. Bingo. I need more sounds and effects. This morning when I arrived I loaded it in Moviemaker and that's where I'm at now, ready to do some serious editing. I'd actually like to record it again a couple of times to get the total effect of emotion. Right now, it's just a very rough draft. It's whole but rough. The story has never died and someone brings it up every year. Then we laugh and when someone gets married and we have a new family member I have to relive and retell the story. I usually act it out. I like drama. The actual event happened at Price Cutter. For the sake of the class I called it Sally's Grocery. If I can bring it to perfection I want to put it up on You tube. It's one of my goals. I have a crazy snake story that I'd like to turn into a digital story and publish it too. I'm taking to heart the words that Keri said yesterday, what do you want people to see and know about you when they google your name. I did that last night and found over 300 posts for Elaine Ashley. I was shocked. There was nothing exciting about me there...that needs to change. As my students work this year on their digital storytelling, I already have ideas and events recorded for several stories. I will model this year and I'm well on my way to doing that with these great story starts. I appreciate everyone who has stepped up to the plate to help me in this digital world. I'm trying to stop being fearful, but so often there is one thing you need to do to make something work and I can't seem to see what the one thing is very often.

Territories List

Topics I plan to write about:

Ira Glass and Digital Storytelling - listen more
Effective and Ineffective vs Expertise and Ignorance
Every person is valuable
My amazing 83 year old mother that constantly inspires me
My daughter and her many experiences and struggles to accept herself
My grandchildren - births, daily fun events
The overwhelming feeling of joy when Emma was born.
The fears when Gabe was born.
Emma living with me for one year
SArah coming back to her family and the healing process
Growing up - Everything started and ended at the pond I once wrote??????
Michael and Taiwan
Andrew cooking over the camp fire as a youth
forging and the impact it had on all of us
wrestling and the impact on me and my families
my youth growing up in a house of 9
my journey as a gardener
My journey as a learner and student
First year of teaching
Ny and my son and daughter's move and experiences
visiting Taiwan and travelig
Ashley reunion stories and ideas
school stories
what makes people competitive
where do a persons character traits come from
Empty nesters
Running and being fit
Lauras show in NY
Michael's show in Mississippi
relationships with and w/o guilt bullying doing the important instead of the immediate gift giving young for a lifetime the ashley girls (elaine, sarah , laura jenny, emma) dont count the days, make the days count - how is this possible? book pass - ways to use it the effect of small writing groups coaching groups and a writing club recycling resourses from free writes right to learn research dad and the different parts of his life the pond, animals, barn, grandparents, siblings, parents, school, friends, waterfall, neighbors, cheerleading, working for my lunch stories about mom that make her who she is and that influences me. obstacle courses, tree houses, GAA, teachers, babysitting, SMiths working as a young person working at the army depot and the sexual harrasement that went on there. riding with mary to the depot to and from aunts and uncles auntie my name and family names church, sunday school, bible school, teaching those things booster club moms Womens missionary league at church taekwando being pregnant delivering babies the basement growing up grandpa grandma traveling overseas the adventure and the fears, the joys and regrets the trainride seeing the ocean and the rock formations missing our connections on the train getting an extra experience because of it. staying at the gorge reading a great book on the trip clostrfobic and the plane tylenol pm to get back home watching movies as we traveled food throught out the two weeks hot pots, japanese restaurant with Chin and family pink an fancy family style everyone sharing meal with friend intimate special converstaion and food just returning from the states missed raining rainingand flooding frustration with Ron was this new to travel just do it and how did it change me art influence from living on the campus for one week at an art intitute metal, ceramics, body parts - thesis - babies in cages - I was excited to hear about someone with roots from the Ozarks. Someone(Audrey) who is invested in having a small town be again where she will want to live as an adult. I have asked her how the ozarks shaped her. What is a story in its purest form every story has lots of side stories what is an anticdote? start with the action - maybe a good place to start give your audience bate....leave them in suspension raise questions and the answer them. those out more questions to keep them interested another tool... have moments of reflection. heres why I'm telling you a story heres why Im taking your time anicdote with reflection action and events that mean noghint its predictable thats a problem something boring but very interesting and compeling do you have a sequence of events and why does it matter <b>nancy atwell - every piece should have a so what to it? Tearning down the wall...so what...its who I am today and where I live. Without the wall coming down I wouln't have this amazing place to work and create. my story is i'm not used to traveling and i risk being too frightened to embrace it. I did indeed miss out on many parts and so what...next time I'm going to be different just as now when I travel I don't stop in the middle of the road to be hit by a car not expecting me to stop...now I take the wrong turn without fear and make my way back. As a child I wouldn't ask questions or speak...now I take chances and make my way back if thee is a problem deportee daughers. memory faded wriitng is coing across the screen a girl is looking for mail. a picture of a brinck walk between tow paths of grass. moving slowily making me wonder where it is going. it looks like the side of a buildig it's a train track. I hear a tain. it is moving slowly again as if I am hoinh somewhere. a ;icture of a peninsula and islands faded out. a village in a valley moving slowly across the valleyy letting me see the village faded out. a church faded in, but still and she is talkinga bout a death and grrave and she didn't cry. the screen is black. a cross apears that the daugher bought for him and she cried. blank again the words are coing acoss the screen. father she said her father didn't cry as if there was more the the story that she didn't know. feeling lost but also feeling connected. wondered if we were on the right bus to get to the town. late and dark beautiful and quaint but can't get to the ocean. I want to get to the ocean. What is there to eat. Will it be safe? the guys ate squid, we walked we relaxed a bit we got sunburned. I was upset about my swim suit it didn't seem right. I finally got it and embraced. Rons foot got to burned that he couldn't walk. ahah to find kentucky friend chicken and mcdonalds woodly eggs, unbaked bread dough... raw everything...taipai 101 open market and right beside it subways fast and zooming off to the events 1 Hit Taipai on plane and see michael with a sign to welcome us me in tears he thinking to see him...me surviving the flight feeling like I was going to screem from lack of space. I wish I would have written about it then. I wonder if I did somewhere. 2 Michael not quite sure about which train or how much the cost...me concerned about cost. I wish I hadn't been, a regret 3. Going to a fantastic place to stay arranged by his professor a place for teachers and students. No shoes on hard wood floors slippers provided. coverlets with giant holes to remove for washing... seeing likenesses of my world and things so different. 4. heading for the market in the morning, raw food hanging everywhere. So many unknowns. who is buying this food Most of the population eats from a corner market...no kitchens, too hot and housing too small. So... the market is mostly for those setting up kitchens only divided by particians or tables.raw eggs 5. TAipai 101 another world not so far away. big new and extravagant compared to the aveerage person with their scooter making a way about $4000.00 per year per family. Tiny trucks, motorcycles, help finding our way. Markets with antiques 6. ride the subway...which one, how much, will we make it back, will we find our way? we missed our stop(too slow the doors open and close in about 6 seconds. Show tickets to conductor with concern. Get off now and wait........ will another train come???? bus train with school chidlren and teacher open windows very old 7. onto the gorge there was little to do, but it was beautiful. time with the family which we were not used to. pingpong, strange food, reading, walking, hicking up the mountain. 8.we rode in a double decker bus home a bit cheaper but not worth the difference. Ive never been so afraid of a vehicle falling off the cliff. He drove fast and ferious at the edge of the mountain 9. needing more transportation. back on the train. it looked like an airport being their main mode of transpotation. it takes us to a bus station. is it right??? it's getting dark are we on the right bus. Did we miss our stop? Too much fear 9. Canten I think is the name of the town that is at the southern tip. A village full of life. 10. a quaint place connections from michaels friend. colorful and exciting I want to go to the beach. At the end of each street...no swimming... no access to the beach. I was giving up hope this was the only chance we would have to be on the beaches of Taiwan. why no access. who controls it its the ocean for heavens sake. The guys ate squid grilled out on the street. I was afraid to eat anything with eyes, feet and fins all attached. I got hungry. Toilets were often holes in the floor. I neer did use one. I could hold it... I loved the bright colorful place, furnishings and people. Time to leave...We hung our clothing on the balcony to have it be soaked this would be the beginning of the rain. A coffee house we went to be blessings as there was little business. Beautiful presentation...tasted bitter 11. At the beach...I had the wrong swim suit, ron got burned. shopping would have been more fun with extra cash and knowing what was ahead...still fun to window shop 12 Finally to the Art Institute. Nice appartment provided once again by Michael's professor. A narrow walk with bannana trees and lush vegetation. A waterway throughout the campus brought a beauty to every turn. The studios and kiln rooms were massive and finally meeting the people we had heard about all year was the best part. Chin and family, Young She, Gwo Wie(gone to Missouri to return on our exit day) Ying Shiou, others??? only a small store for food but markets in the area, noodles and rice, noodles and rice, noodles and rice. Even though we practiced chop sticks I was worthless at the art. Art art art creating in every direction. I took pictures and painted. watched and tried to be a listener with eyes open 13 It began to rain and rain and rain and rain an rain. The waterway began to rise. We began hearing news of flooding. I brought a clear light weight rain coat complete with hood which I wore costantly. I found contentment in watching and painting and reading. Not until late did we find out about adventure for michael, yes, hardships and frustrations and healing there about his world and childhood. yes. Hard bed built into a building in the fill. 14 grad shows - He may body parts every where in cans and on shelves. The idea was that someday we'll be able to go to the store and buy whatever we need. I turned the corner to see faceless babies in cages, many in various positions. I never did understand though I tried. A show of many art styles and mediums. 15. Raining raining and the flooding is becoming fearful. We are hearing of deaths in the south. It is time to leave the country and not too soon. Leaving Michael behind was as painful as the planeride over. How would I return remembering the fobia I felt 13 days earlier. 16A wonderful opportunity...I wish I could have relaxed and embraced it. Not cared if we were lost, not cared if we spent too much money...in time we would pay it back. Since then I am changing that. I am taking in life and trying to take opportunities as it comes along...Graduate school. Is life easy every day? no, but Is it full of miracles and joy if we look for it???? yes. 5.

Day 3 Digital Writing JUly 18, 2012/Ira Glass and Troy Hicks

This morning I have Ira Glass on my mind. His story tellers captured my attention. Their voices were right and the stories interesting. Afterwards he as hosts adds the fun because he talks to the writers and lets us hear what was going on behind the scene of each story. On NWP we are asked to comment on each piece which adds the same element, the real person behind the story. How to capture these skills and talent I feel sure will take practice and a safe place to write. My classroom will be one of those places.

My next thoughts go to Troy Hicks and his book on Digital Writing. He also brought many applicable thoughts to my mind and table.
He lists effective and ineffective and says ask if you don't know.
In a fast moving world booming with new ideas and words and technology, some are feeling left behind.
I'm going to change the words: Effective might mean expertise and ineffective might be ignorance. Effective might be a strength where ineffective might be a challenge.
All of these are positive in a way because it means we have space to learn. The negative comes in when we are fearful of rejection for our challenges and areas of ignorance. If I am ignorant about car engines but I have an expertise in writing then should I be viewed as stupid? If I am ignorant about basketball but I have an expertise in tennis than am I to be considered stupid? If I have am ignorant about computers and technology because it is changing so fast but I have an expertise in horticulture than should I be viewed as stupid?
Children and adults will back up and not try if this is the case. We must view every person as valuable with great strengths to offer, always willing to listen because hearing another will make you wise says research.
Troy Hicks in his book Digital Writing added that we must not be afraid to ask. There is a world of people who want to learn and will try if they feel safe to get help. I'm asking everyone with an expertise to be willing to freely share it whatever that strength might be. I plan to write much more about this topic.

Day 2 Digital Writing July 17

Day 2 proved to be as exciting as Day 1, even more so because we are building on what we learn.  It was another safe day of learning where we jumped in and experimented with new technology.  I worked on making a Digital Photo Essay.

  I found some fun pictures on a disc of an important time in my families life.  We turned an old building known formally as a grade A Milking Parlor into an art studio, complete with a courtyard.  I need some before pictures of the outside because I know I have some after pictures.  I'm going to work on that tonight.

 I know my family and friends(my audience) will appreciate it because many of them shared labor male and female.  It was a big undertaking that involved a new roof, knocking down walls, painting, sheet rocking to insulate and repair, more painting inside and out.  Plastering, pouring concrete to level floors, hauling gravel.  The more I think about it, I have more pictures somewhere of these things.  I hope to find some when I get home.

We have had lots of troubles with slow computers at home.  Regularly my husband would ask me to take my pictures off of the hard drive and save them on flash drives.  I guarded those with my life(didn't label them good enough) and this week, I'm not exactly sure where they are. 

These kinds of projects(making digital essays can be quick or take hours if you have to "research" find the pictures. 

I feel a bit better hearing others talk about the fact that we are moving fast in this class, open this, write this, try that...It's all good, very good.  I'm learning and that's why I'm here.

It  is now and I know will be in the future, a continued blessing.  Sometimes we talk about moving via the work involved in keeping up an acreage and old home.  It was built in 1880.  There's another topic I want to research, who lived there and who changed what through the years  to what it's like today.

Great Quote

"Shift happens"

 by Sharon Murchie p 78 in Digital Writing Workshop, Hicks


My brain takes me in a thousand directions.  How about you?
I love it that she turned something crude into something powerful and leaves much to the imagination.  Thanks Sharon!

Make the days count - Draft #3

My numbers have grown but I feel 28.
My 30 year old son told me I had to bump it up;
he insists I have to claim more years than he.
Ok, I feel 38. 
Does age really matter I'm asking myself?
It is unimportant to me, yet, some criticize my youthful thoughts.
Isn't it what we do with what we've been given that counts?
Don't count the days rather, make the days count!
That is my plan; that is what I'm doing.
That is what I'll continue to do!
The truth is...I feel 28.
P.S. no apologies from my passionate soul.

Art with a purpose

It seems that I can produce when I am pressed with a time crunch.  Is that good or bad?  Are my students the same?  Do they work best with a time frame in mind...due dates?  Should they be assessed on time constraints or do we give them to press them to produce?  Questions!

Having patience with myself

Today was my OWP Digital Writing Class.  Take deep breaths and be patient with me.  Don't give up on me.
  Technology...I want to embrace it because my students love it, eat it and breathe it.  Hopefully on the first day of school I will find out that every student has a computer at home(a teachers dream) and many of them have I Pads.   I have lots to read and still think most of my information is not listed correctly on the wiki.  I will carry on determined to figure it all out.  First things first, a nap immediately after arriving home, a fantastically delicious and healthy dinner thanks to my amazing husband and now reading reading reading the wow things that my classmates write.

Podcast - Day 1 Digital Writing

I would like to focus on the creation of my first podcast.  My opinion is that becoming the student again is key to being a fantastic teacher.  I felt totally frozen.  I'm not used to a MAC we don't have access to MAC at school.  So, I downloaded Audacity with the help of a team member.  This reminds me how important teams are in my classroom.  It's the difference in some of my students being successful and some will not.  It's scaffolding giving help when needed so everyone can have a voice.  Every person is valuable and we need their voice.
Back to the process.  I downloaded Audacity, recorded my partners response to What is digital writing?
After I had it recorded, Kathy helped my change the format so I could use Garage Band in MAC.
I did some editing deciding to take out my voice and question since she restated the question in her answer.  Next, I split a couple of places where she used "Um."
My thinking now is that I don't have MAC so I'd like to learn how to podcast in another format for Windows.  One of my group members said they felt that Audacity was not very user friendly.  I still don't have a clear idea in my mind of how or why I would use pod casting in my classroom.  I hope to hear more ideas from the whole group.
It seems to me that all things have a place and I'm sure this does.  If I could figure it out I'd like to add some music just to go thru that process.  At this point, my thinking is that students really enjoy visuals to communicate.  Most of them do have I pods and I do not.  Perhaps that is why I' not sure how I would use pod casting.  I am learning many things.  Just typing this piece shows me that the phrase is two words just as I pod is also separated with a space which I did not realize.  All of this brings me back to my classroom.  The students differences is wide.  Some are on the computer every day.  Some only use a computer in computer class one day a week during the school year.
I'm also interested in figuring out the tools to make my podcast the most interesting.  More is not always better?????

Ashley Gardens

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d5449794d6a4d304f4468384d6a41324f444d334e44593d0d0a&sb=1

Day 1 digital writing

My digital writing book did not come in so I have not had a chance to read about the subject yet.  I did read the introductions of my classmates to hear what kind of technology they are using.  I feel digitally challenged, but then when I speak to my family and friends, I realize that I am using much more technology then the average person.  Taking these intensive classes is making a difference for me because it is all day which gives me time to soak in what I need to learn. 
My last two weeks have been exhausting with family but so very wonderful.  I can see this morning that I worried in vain because if we already knew it we wouldn't be here.  We can never know it all.  We should always be learning.  It is freeing as a teacher to be able to tell student that I too am learning.  I too am a student and they should want to learn something everyday for as long as they live.
I appreciate Dr. Franklin.  She does what a teacher should...she puts me at ease.  The best environment to learn is to be at ease, safe not only for my students but also for adults.  If we do not feel this safety, we will not learn or write to our greatest potential. 
I see someone I know and my brain is saying how do I know her?  It will come to me it always does. 
Be anxious for nothing.  But in everything pray and give thanks.  I am thankful that I have this opporunity to become  a better teacher.  I am thankful to have opportunities to learn.  I hope that I can be a blessing to my classmates.  I hope to be inspired.  I hope that my mind will open up to fantastic ideas to use when we learn.  I had an idea last night and didn't write it down.  What was that??????
It just isn't coming to me.  It was about something that I know...I remember.  the idea was to write about and film the garden, squash, cucumbers etc...  that seem to grow overnight.  I also have two flowering plants with blooms that open very quicky.  The first is a primrose where the bloom opens in 1 minute.  It has to be ready, the other I call moon plant.  It has large white blossoms that open within a day.  Facinating,  anyway, I was thinking that it might make a cool pod cast. But, I'm not totally sure what podcasting is all about. 
I hope my school can find a way to have ipads for my students.  I'm wondering if they could bring them from home.  I am totally changing my thinking.  At one time I was against students bringing their electronics to school.  Now I see that it is going to be essential and wonder how my district and children and grandchildren will afford these needed items..  I used to view them as wanted and now I see them as needed.  Our world is changing quickly.  Let's teach our students to use the technology for learning and teach them to be safe and honest.  How can we make all of this happen.  It is like all things that are good.  They are from the Lord.  He makes all things that are good.  I still have serious concern for the evil things that come with technology.  Especiallly because our young people are not all brought up with an understanding of right and wrong. 
Scripture says that the devil prowls like a roaring lion and it is true.  He comes to steal kill an destroy.  I'm wondering if I will feel like I will share this informaiton
1. Talk to principal about need for ipads
2. Discuss the possiblity of students bringing theirs from home since many of them have them
3. Find a way to get an Ipad for myself. 
4. Be a leader for my school and district
5. Talk to students about how they use the ipads
6. Get students blogging ASAP when school starts.
7. Talk to teachers about possibly blogging so we can communicate more freely instead of being locked in our own world of the classroom. 
I appreciate a partner reminding me again that we are all at different levels.  I'm thankful that most o the things that I learn are not only applicable for myself but also my school and classroom.

Acknoledge  that we are all at a different place
some bach some masters, some in life crisis, some on even keal.
Try to establish a safe environment to write and share in a daily blog.  Hope that it is a great addition and not just one more thing.

I don't think I want to live in the world like the Jetsons where we just take a pill instead of eating roast beef...yet I'm the first one to skip eating or grab whatever because of the merry go round I find myself on.  Somedays I want to go back to the pioneer days and live off the land.  I still love sitting in the swing and working my land and making things by hand.  I'm wondering what is ahead and what it will  look like and if we will be happy. 
After our conversation I am asking myself again...what is writing.  It is putting ideas and thoughts into print of some kind, electronic or not.  When I saw the size of the land fills on my travels this summer I was sad.  Technology can change these things.  I haven't been recycing but I am back to it.
I'm excited this morning about this class.  I can't wait to figure out how to get my wiki and blog uploaded correctly today.  Being a bit of a perfectionist, I want it right.

Sugar

Sugar is stealing away my life.  I believe it stole life from my dad.  He loved sugar and sweets too.  After he had cancer I knew he shouldn't eat it any more but he couldn't resist.  I'm not sleeping and I think one big factor is sugar.  Last year I stopped eating sugar and started running.  I got my sleep back.
This summer under the stress of life, I stopped running and started eating sugar again. 
It's on paper.  Maybe this will help me if I read it over and over again. 
I'm a writer, I'm an artist.  If I want to live to be 120 then I better give up sugar.  Help me Lord.

Just for fun I am planning to post my art work here.  On FB it's all about my family and friends.  Here I want to do something different.  I am an artist.  This doesn't mean that my work is good or bad.  It means that it's how I think and see and make decisions.  It took me a long time to claim this.  I am an artist who is in the middle of a career and lifestyle that leaves little time to paint.  I am determined to find my way back.  Just saying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recently I got back to writing poetry.  With the help from my small writing group, I discovered I don't have to explain period............  the end.  The same with blogging.  I'm not going to explain.  I will say that my anxiety levels have been way over the edge, I've barely seen by grandchildren and school is about to start back.  I hope these plans I'm making will not shorten my life.  Why not think positive is my game.  Ever since I learned about Moses being full of vigor and his eyes were not dim, my words are I want to live to be 120 years old.  Now, let me qualify if the Lord comes I'm ready and I don't want to be left behind.  Perhaps as I age I'll change my mind.  It's just that there is so much I wanted to do in my lifetime.  Good night blog!

Hello Blog,  I'm taking a deep breath.  Come to find out, sighing is very healthy and gives you extra oxygen.  Try it.  I also understand that when we are stressed, we take short shallow breaths without even realizing it.  So pause and take some deep breaths.  I've been sleep deprived lately.  Last year when I was running regularly, my sleeping was much better.  School,  traveling to family, grand babies, all good things, company, more school coming up...all good things.  I need more sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, ok I take it back.  Sometimes I don't want to be passionate about anything.  Well...is that true probably not.  I was going to list that I might want to just watch a movie but, yes I'm passionate about that too.  I can watch the same movie 50 times and cry at all the sad parts.  I'm just a bit wound.  A family member just tonight told me I should lighten up.  I'm not sure if I should or not. 
It probably is. 
I don't like this format.  So boring.  I don't know how to change it.  I need to just figure it out. 

It looks as though I added this my mistake.  Maybe I'll get out a 4th of July letter.  I missed Christmas and Valentine's and Easter.  I figure my only hope is to get one out for 4th of July. 
What will I write this year???????  Time to get thinking...I think today is June 27th.   I'm way tooooo tired to think about it tonight.  Maybe tomorrow.  Until then.

What are you passionate about today?  I signed up for graduate school today.  It's an answer to my prayer I've been praying since I graduated with my Bachelors Degree.  
This spring my direction came, I'm taking 9 hours this summer at a post back and officially enrolled in a graduate program.  Who would have thought this hairdresser at heart would go back to school at all, much less get a masters degree.  Well... I've only begun the journey but I'm ready for the ride. 

Creating a new blog has been on my mind for a time.  It's the Ozarks Writing Project Summer Institute and getting back in school that has pushed me to "Get It Done."  I'm learning that I need a push.  Deadlines are good for me.

I'm calling my blog Conversations for the heart of the passionate souls because we only have a bit of time in life.  I just don't have time for the wishy washy.  The Lord says be hot or cold, but lukewarm he'll spew out of His mouth.

Actually I welcome anyone, but I hope in a short time, that any lukewarm friends will get on board and be passionate about something.

  Today I wrote three poems.  I edited several and cannot seem to stop.  I love learning.  I'm wondering why I stopped taking classes.  Oh yeah that's right...I have a life, a job and a family a wonderful family that needed me the last 5 years.  All of a sudden, they are a bit more independent.  We always said we were raising them to be independent.  Here is the place I'll sing a praise.  Thank you Lord
for helping us through.  Now our children each have a family of their own(some just married)!
It's 2:22 so I had better get some rest.

Tonight through writing, a friend blessed me by sending me a work of hers to read.  I was past exhaustion because I stayed up last night until 2:45...(I did come home and sleep all evening tonight) Would I read...yes of course...Stunned at the written word, stunned at the pain that people are experiencing.  I can't say anymore except I was honored to be asked to read.   I pray that I might be able to use the story for some to see validity.  I'll expand later.
Passionately yours,
Elaine