Skip to content

Caught Up

5 Comments

Today I kept running the vacuum and running the washer and running dish water. I was determined to get caught up. It didn’t happen. But I did hand write a note.And I did call my grandma and my parents and my brother-in-law.And I did sit down and visit with my brother and sister-in–law. The Legos never stayed contained and books are still balanced on the arms of chairs and foot stools and under the Christmas tree. The laundry is still in baskets and the stove still needs scrubbed. But I… Read more Caught Up →

CELEBRATE This Week VI

2 Comments

I’m glad you are here to celebrate! For more information, check out the CELEBRATE This Week page. Here’s the challenge I’m giving myself. Since I’m celebrating in Boston, I’m going to tweet my celebrations throughout the day using #celebratelu. Check out my Twitter feed, @ruth_ayres or the #celebratelu search. Link-up your celebrations below (or tweet along with me). Find joy! document.write(”);

Choose Happy

8 Comments

In my house growing up the mother of all four letter words was the word can’t. Not only was it not allowed, but it would poke and prod until my normally passive parents would be in an uproar. Can’t was a dirty word. It wasn’t allowed out of my mouth. I think not good enough is the evil twin of can’t. It’s dressed a little differently, but it has the same effect. It keeps us from reaching our full potential. I’m learning how to squelch not good enough.  Pray. I… Read more Choose Happy →

The Book Stack

1 Comment

  I love A Writing Kind of Day by Ralph Fletcher. It is one of my favorite sources for poems to launch poetry units. His poem, Walking, is one of my favorites. This line: I write the way I walk often lingers in my mind.   Pink Me Up always makes me laugh. I read it to start a professional development session I led last Wednesday. The voice is loud and clear, making it a great text to help students learn how to find their voices when writing. One way,… Read more The Book Stack →

Celebrate This Week V

17 Comments

I’m loving this tradition of finding and sharing celebrations from the week. For more information, check out the CELEBRATE This Week page. We are using the hashtag #celebratelu. One. This post, My One In Particular, by Donalyn Miller has been sticking with me all week. It is beautiful. Two. I can’t wait for NCTE next week! Are you going to be there? Will our paths cross?   Three. Celebrating Writers blog book tour was a lot of fun. A special thanks for the kind words from Franki, Kate, Cathy, Katherine,… Read more Celebrate This Week V →

Strength

8 Comments

I do laundry in the middle of the night.I finish school work after my kids are in bed.I exercise at 9:45 pm.I find time to read before 5:00 am.I write when the sky is dark and full of stars. Sometimes I get a little whiny. Usually it’s when I’m matching socks and the clock is ticking past midnight. I think something like this: Why do I have to fold laundry in the middle of the night? Or even worse: When do I get to do something I want to do?… Read more Strength →