The evenings are beginning to be warm enough to enjoy our screen house now.
I curled up in the papasan chair with my Oprah magazine last night. With the sun on my back, the warm breeze, and the sounds of the birds, it was a moment of pure relaxation.
I always love bringing home a new book. Always.
There is something about the crisp pages, the unbroken binding, the promise of a captivating story and poetic writing.
When it’s a book by a favourite author, it’s even better.
And when the book has been purchased for you by your nine-year old daughter, it’s a precious gift.
When I woke up this morning, I looked at the clock and couldn’t believe I had slept in until almost 8:30.
I grumbled to myself at having missed my early morning quiet time then went down to make my coffee and read my book. It was odd that everyone else in the house was still sleeping, but I was secretly grateful as it meant that I could have “my” time.
It wasn’t until I warmed my coffee in the microwave that I noticed the time: 7:03am. Without my glasses, I had misread my alarm clock.
And as a result gained two sweet hours to my morning.
It’s official, I’ve been approved to extend my leave of absence!
This means: More time and energy for my children; more time spent with my husband; and more time doing the things I love.
This letter makes me very happy.
There is something about the quiet of a library.
It is a quiet filled with possibilities, with stories, with learning.
Neat rows of books on the shelves, categorized and alphabetized and numbered. Order in a chaotic world.
Tranquility.
Even though I’m not in school anymore, I still like to take notes, highlight, and tag pages when I’m reading.
I usually have some project of my own on the go.
Lately, I’ve been planning (not micro-planning, though – no strict schedule for me) for our trip to Disney. I’ve taken notes about tips, highlighted rides not to be missed, and tagged important information to return to.
And I think this is fun, this planning and note-taking and highlighting and tagging.
Yes, I realize this makes me a geek, and I’m okay with that. 🙂
I stopped at the secondhand store to pick up materials for my mixed media project.
There is something nostalgic and charming about old books. I spend most of my time picking up hardcover books, opening the flaps, and looking for interesting covers.
I was not disappointed. The colours and patterns were artfully aged. The pages were wonderfully discoloured.
I love new books with their crisp covers and never-opened pages, the promise of another world. But I ❤ old books, too, with their untold stories and their vintage character like a tattered and loved teddy bear.
I’m a teacher, but now I’m also a librarian.
I took a leave of absence a year ago, and have been doing some casual work since. Until recently, I was only on the substitute list for teaching. But I also have experience with office work (so I asked to be added to the admin. assistant list), and I have always thought I would love being a librarian (and so I also asked to be added to that list).
For a few weeks, I am now a part-time librarian. I spend a few hours a day in a quiet room filled with books.
This makes me very happy.
I am absolutely captivated by Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book, The Signature of All Things.
It required a real effort to tear myself away from it to get some house cleaning done, but I managed it (all the while thinking of the book). My kids have been playing together fabulously for the weekend, allowing me many quiet moments absorbed in my book.
This book has quickly risen to the top of my all-time favourite books, along with Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible. It is the perfect literary mix of adventure, romance, and travel, and I am loving every word.
Another bitterly cold day means another day spent indoors.
Aside from the increasing energy level of my children (who desperately need some fresh air), I actually don’t mind spending a few days inside. It is a good excuse to read and play with my new camera.
As I have done here: Trees through a frosty window. Outdoor scenes without actually stepping outdoors.
In a Snap 