May 18, 2013

This SoutWest


My view as I am posting :)
    My afternoon took a turn for some physical productiveness after leaving the aroma of coffee and library with a few novels tucked into my 31 bag. I was sitting on the patio; a place I have truly become to embrace the past few weeks (oddly, I neglected it last year). Needless to say, I decided that since I had no plans for the day I would go on a 'little bike-ride'.
    Here in SouthWest Iowa, a bike ride most usually consists of traveling on the Wabash Trace; outfitted with dirt paths and old wooden railroad bridges. I had initial plans to ride to the 2nd road..about 3 miles out...round trip of a total 6 miles. However, in the back of my mind I thought...why not just bike all the way to the Emerald Isle (located in Imogene if you looked at the Wabash Trace map)? It was a rather daring thought; 8 miles of gravel and up-hill...alone, with no phone (don't read this mom). However, my casual ride had turned into a work-out, I have biked the route many times last year (emphasis needed) and felt the motivation to do it today.  I was cruisin' on my set of wheels...feeling the burn. It was a great ride, the weather was fabulous, sun shining, tractors planting, birds chirping, I even caught a scent of lilacs (thank you Lord).
   
only 2 stops while cruising

     Upon arriving, I shakily walked in and straight up to the bar. "Large water please". I felt accomplished, and kind of liked that I had done it all alone. "Just out cruising for the afternoon" was how I said it. Kind of silly because there were actual "bikers" (vroom vroom) eating in the restaurant too. I chatted with the owner's for a little bit and then I was on my way.

     The ride back was a little less intense then the ride there, but 1/2 way I was wishing I had eaten a fuller lunch. :) Needless to say, I enjoy looking at SouthWest Iowa from the view of the Trace and crossing those old wooden railroad bridges.

Ahhh...the aroma of coffee beans...



  Saturday morning coffee-time at 'The Sanctuary'. I woke up this morning to a sunny/breezy day with the assurance that it would soon turn humid as the sun beat down. Most morning I awake wondering what to do, sometimes I end up going back to sleep. Not today! I am MAKING IT HAPPEN.

I packed up my bag and walked the 4 blocks to, 'The Sanctuary', ordered a cup of coffee, opened up my MAC (in which I will be returning to the school in 6 days) and logged onto "Blogger". After staring at the blank screen for what seemed like minutes, I poured some cream into my coffee (shamelessly because of my past of 'just black coffee') and started typing. I made 3 entry's on my school blog; with a completion of uploading pictures. After 4 months of 'update blog' on my To-Do lists, it finally happened! (MADE IT HAPPEN)...although I still have about 4 more posts to go until i am completely caught up. I even created a poem to send with my Kinder turned 1st graders on their last day of school next Thursday.  This was a huge accomplishment, I am going to include a hand-print of theirs and some pictures.
    Poem:
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Kindergarten, Kindergarten has been fun.
Kindergarten, Kindergarten is over and done.
Learning, laughing, sharing, and growing.

You sure have grown throughout the year.
Learning different things without any fear.
I've enjoyed being your teacher, you are so dear.
Make sure you come and visit me next year.
:)
You leave this classroom glowing and knowing.
Keep that smile, you will be a 1st grader in a little while.


**With 2 cups of coffee down, 6% battery life yet, and a growing crowd of well dressed Saturday morning lunch goers...I think I am going to pack up and head out. It is 12:22, and I am sure the sun is ready to use my body to radiate heat off of. I shall stop by the library, pick up some books, and visit the local paper shop...I wish I could say this is a typical Saturday...not so much...but like the quote goes... "drive out nails with nails...habit drives out habits" (something like that***

-Although I am alone, I will try not to be lonely...there is plenty to do today-
:)