What a wonderful thing to do. I hope you can get back to touring schools or at least encourage others to do so. I fear Americans are losing their ability and desire to read. Texting and Instagram are fine but the world will never get bigger and more fascinating for kids who don't love to read.
Hello Dave. Thank you for your kind comments. I’m afraid it’s not in the cards for me anymore. I’m 75 and I need two knee replacements.
If I could figure out how to do a version of an Author school visit online through some program, I could do it, but it just wouldn’t be the same as being there. I’ll have to be happy with the ten years I was able to do them.
I understand and I'm sad for you and your students. About those knees: my wife is in her third week of recuperation from a total knee replacement. It's not easy but it's not as terrible as she feared. I wish you good results and quick recoveries.
Maybe it's an Ohio thing. Puritan ethics? We called passing gas "a mouse on a motorcycle" and I think "fart" was considered a "bad" word not to be said out loud. Same with "shit" and a few others. I remember the first time I heard my mother say "Shit!" out loud and I was stunned. Love the "barking spiders" story. We too spend hours playing games on porches and in the local neighborhood out doors. Remembering "kick the can" and staying outside until dark.
OMG Gary, I love the “mouse on a motorcycle”! I’ve never heard that before. Robert and I are cracking up! In our house, Fart was not allowed either. Passing gas was okay to say. But any of the real swears got you a mouth full of soap!
My mother had another expression which was “let air” a polite way to say releasing gas. She was, if anything, proper most of the time and had a wonderful sense of humor too.
The comment of Megan Magee in the article brought to mind the story you have of the ill girl who was so dedicated to your poems that her favorite was used at her memorial (and more).
Such a fabulous experience for these kids and for you! The love of poetry presents a beautiful bond between poet and reader. Thank you for sharing and bonding with all of us. Blessings and hugs ~Wendy💜🤗
I remember when my son was in Elementary School, I would often volunteer as a tutor. Reading, spelling, writing and math were my expertise. I even shared some of my poetry with the students and teachers. I don't know what happened to those poems! I don't think I kept copies!
The one poem was written on a hand made pumpkin but the school closed years ago and I don't think they had a library! The poem was called "Halloween". I think I can remember some of it. After my volunteering had ended, I was employed as a cafeteria /playground aide for a little while but quit due to the kids getting on my nerves! (and other reasons) Later I was employed as a sub at another school but I was only called once or twice and I quit
that one too! I also volunteered at the Child Development Center (disabled kids) for a while and quit until I found a paying job. (but not with a school) I think I should have stayed with a school if I could have!
It’s hard not to want to be in a job with kids after you have one job with them. The little boogers get under your skin and you miss them! It’s rewarding in so many ways.
And we big kids love those poems too 💜
Aww, thank you. 😁😁❤️💞
This is such a vibrant testament to the work you did, C.J. I bet you inspired hundreds of kids to love poetry! What a legacy! 👏✨
You’ve humbled me, Trudi. Thank you. I can only hope I did inspire them.
You did. I have taught young children for years and have seen the moments that impact them. A real author visit is one of those moments 🌟
You’ve made me very happy to know that. Thank you.
What a wonderful thing to do. I hope you can get back to touring schools or at least encourage others to do so. I fear Americans are losing their ability and desire to read. Texting and Instagram are fine but the world will never get bigger and more fascinating for kids who don't love to read.
Hello Dave. Thank you for your kind comments. I’m afraid it’s not in the cards for me anymore. I’m 75 and I need two knee replacements.
If I could figure out how to do a version of an Author school visit online through some program, I could do it, but it just wouldn’t be the same as being there. I’ll have to be happy with the ten years I was able to do them.
I understand and I'm sad for you and your students. About those knees: my wife is in her third week of recuperation from a total knee replacement. It's not easy but it's not as terrible as she feared. I wish you good results and quick recoveries.
Please give your wife my best wishes for a quicker recovery. Thank you, Dave.
Maybe it's an Ohio thing. Puritan ethics? We called passing gas "a mouse on a motorcycle" and I think "fart" was considered a "bad" word not to be said out loud. Same with "shit" and a few others. I remember the first time I heard my mother say "Shit!" out loud and I was stunned. Love the "barking spiders" story. We too spend hours playing games on porches and in the local neighborhood out doors. Remembering "kick the can" and staying outside until dark.
OMG Gary, I love the “mouse on a motorcycle”! I’ve never heard that before. Robert and I are cracking up! In our house, Fart was not allowed either. Passing gas was okay to say. But any of the real swears got you a mouth full of soap!
My mother had another expression which was “let air” a polite way to say releasing gas. She was, if anything, proper most of the time and had a wonderful sense of humor too.
Yes, I agree. She did appear proper with a wonderful sense of humor.
The comment of Megan Magee in the article brought to mind the story you have of the ill girl who was so dedicated to your poems that her favorite was used at her memorial (and more).
Might be time to bring that one back. 😇😇
I agree about Megan Magee. As to bringing McKenzie's post back, can we do that? Bring one back that was posted awhile ago?
Thanks, Ken.
I think so
Okay, thank you. Will repost tomorrow. I love everything about that —it was so humbling!!
It was a very special story.
spooky, but beautiful.
Such a fabulous experience for these kids and for you! The love of poetry presents a beautiful bond between poet and reader. Thank you for sharing and bonding with all of us. Blessings and hugs ~Wendy💜🤗
Thank you, Wendy. You’re so easy to bond and share with that it’s a pleasure! Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. 😘😘💕
I remember when my son was in Elementary School, I would often volunteer as a tutor. Reading, spelling, writing and math were my expertise. I even shared some of my poetry with the students and teachers. I don't know what happened to those poems! I don't think I kept copies!
Hello Connie! The school librarian might have your poems. That seems to me the most logical place to have them.
What fun, being a tutor!
The one poem was written on a hand made pumpkin but the school closed years ago and I don't think they had a library! The poem was called "Halloween". I think I can remember some of it. After my volunteering had ended, I was employed as a cafeteria /playground aide for a little while but quit due to the kids getting on my nerves! (and other reasons) Later I was employed as a sub at another school but I was only called once or twice and I quit
that one too! I also volunteered at the Child Development Center (disabled kids) for a while and quit until I found a paying job. (but not with a school) I think I should have stayed with a school if I could have!
It’s hard not to want to be in a job with kids after you have one job with them. The little boogers get under your skin and you miss them! It’s rewarding in so many ways.
Thank you very much, Kristin.