campfire

as i've been dipping into all of my favorite blogs on and off today like a lik-a-maid candy stick, since i have been away awhile, i've worn my camping pants. they're FULL of smokiness and send into this city dwelling the primitive smell of fire. fire to warm. fire to cook. fire to amaze, tantalize, meditate, purify.

stars, total freedom, sleeping by earth, God, and campfire (and its permeating odor)=why i could camp forever.

some fall break photos

old town albuquerque. 30 bucks a night for 2 double beds! no way! and, my favorite electrical hotel sign.

nelly b. one of the "special shapes" balloons.pretty colors. streetside mural. albuquerque, n.m.

red mesa. arizona.

mesa verde. southern colorado.

crazy for this color. trashcan. near gallup, new mexico.

belly full of indian frybread.

i teach 2nd grade

I don't know how appropriate it is to post pictures of my students online, so here is a picture of me, circa 1982, the same age as my current students who are so fresh!

When I was in 2nd grade, my reading teacher brought in ashes from the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. I also remember the "inside" camping trip we took and the countless mystery stories I wrote with her encouragement. I NEVER thought that I would love teaching this same grade, but I do.

We've had a tent pitched inside our classroom since last week and tomorrow it's OUR inside campout...telling our own ghost stories, eating trail mix, watching the nebulae aswirl on navy blue butcher paper, using flashlights and making shadow puppets, whispers, watching for deer and rodents...i am so going camping this weekend.