Skip to main content

Writer

Slice of Life Challenge
Please join the challenge over at Two Writing Teachers!

On Saturday I had the privilege of listening to Penny Kittle talk about writing. She said, "Fifteen minutes a day and you have a writing life"...that was passed onto her by her mentor Donald Graves. This month I've lived that...at least fifteen minutes everyday and I've written a blog post. It's changed me.
My writer's eyes
notice everything
Always looking for things to write-

My mind looks for connections
The act of writing everyday has 
changed the synapses 
in my brain...
created new pathways

My writing
I've created...
a month filled with thoughts,
musings, questions, declarations
about life, dogs, education

I've discovered friends
writers
teachers
who support, challenge,
guide, & inspire me as a 
teacher
writer

My writer's eyes
continue to search
Always looking for things to write-


I'm so sad to see March end. 
Incredibly grateful to everyone who's read & commented.
Inspired to continue writing & blogging. 
Relieved that we still have Tuesdays.
Happy to be ending with writing friends I didn't have before!
Thank you to everyone!
Labels:

Comments

  1. drferreriblogspot.comMarch 31, 2014 at 5:15 AM

    Great poem. I love how I find things to write about during this SOL season because I LOOK for them and FIND THEM. Great point!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle HaseltineMarch 31, 2014 at 7:17 AM

      I appreciate your compliment, Anita. Poetry is something I want to work on and refine, so I appreciate your compliment!

      Delete
  2. LoraleeMarch 31, 2014 at 5:23 AM

    Ohhhh! I like that line from Donald Graves! ...Must have been so great to hear Penny Kittle!

    What a perfect slice!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RichardMarch 31, 2014 at 5:40 AM

    That's awesome that you got to hear and see Penny Kittle. She's something isn't she! Congratulations on finishing the challege - now keep going!

    ReplyDelete
  4. JaanaMarch 31, 2014 at 6:23 AM

    Yes, I am still a little envious that you got to see Penny Kittle! This writing really is about noticing, creating, discovering, searching and making connections! Well said Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle HaseltineMarch 31, 2014 at 7:16 AM

      She was AMAZING! I'll write more about her soon. Thanks for your kind words!

      Delete
  5. JulieanneMarch 31, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    You wrote my thoughts. That is always to mark of good writing. Are you considering doing the Poetry Workshop Chris Lehman put out in the world? http://christopherlehman.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/join-lets-rejuvenate-with-a-poetry-workshop/ ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle HaseltineMarch 31, 2014 at 5:00 PM

      Julieanne, Yes I am planning on applying for that. It looks amazing!! How about you?!?!

      Delete
  6. Linda BMarch 31, 2014 at 6:42 PM

    Lovely to read your reflection, Michelle. I enjoy what you write every.single.time, & am so glad you'll be around on Tuesday! Best wishes for the Lehman application. I have some other plans, but it really looks like fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alyson BeecherMarch 31, 2014 at 9:39 PM

    I love how you summed up your experience in a poem. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays.

    ReplyDelete
  8. CatherineMarch 31, 2014 at 10:59 PM

    Love your poem, Michelle! It's so true that writing changes the synapses in our brains. It's amazing, isn't it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please share your thoughts. I love comments!

Popular posts from this blog

Whatever Happened To...

Sharing this post on Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Do you ever wonder whatever happened to your students after the year you spend together? I imagine how my students are finding life...are they happy? Successful? Do they still read? Write? What is going on with them?   I taught fifth grade for eight years. Fifth grade was such a fun year to teach because the students were still young enough that school was something they loved and old enough that they could show some real signs of independence. Fifth grade is the oldest grade in our elementary schools, so the students enjoyed their final year before moving onto middle school and the challenges that came with that new adventure.  2007 was a tough year for me personally. My dad collapsed in September of that year and then died in March of that same school year. He lived thousands of miles away, so my mind was definitely unfocused that year...but that year, Catie was in my class.  Catie was a quiet stude...
29 comments
Read more

Chasing My Dream

I'm doing it. I'm chasing my dream. I've always wanted to run writing retreats and workshops for people, but I've always been too scared to do anything about it...until now. I don't know what's changed...maybe I've changed. I'm not allowing the fear to stop me anymore. I've started Selah Writing Retreats.  The past couple of weeks I've been getting the business end in order. I thought I would hate that...I don't. It's scary, but I am surprising myself with how efficient I am. Yesterday I went to a bank to set up a bank account. The woman I met with was kind and helpful and so enthusiastic about my dream. My website is set up. I've done lots of work on it. I hope you stop by and let me know what you think. It's  selahwritingretreats.com . Balancing creative with business has been challenging but fun. Creating the website, getting a federal tax id, making business cards, planning dates... My favorite voxer group is called Butt Ki...
21 comments
Read more

I Love Me...All of Me

I'm fat. It's true. I'm not looking for comments like, "Oh you're not fat." I am. I want to take that word back. When we say that now, it has a negative connotation. I'm tired of that. I'm done. I'm fat. I'm working on loving my body just the way it is...by reading a book. I confess I'm reading the book on my Kindle app because I was embarrassed about the title. It's called, "Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls" and it's written by Jes Baker . Her mission is self-love...for all. I've highlighted so many lines, I can't possibly share them all, but here are some of my favorites: "Our bodies are our physical bookmarks that hold space for us in the world. Our bodies are magnificent houses for everything else that we are. Our bodies are a part of us, just as our kindness, talents, and passion are a part of us." (p.10)  "Your size is irrelevant to your ability to find fulfillment, purpose, love, a se...
21 comments
Read more