Writing With Abandon
Reflections and ramblings about life as an educator, writer, reader, knitter, and over-thinker. Trying to do the writing only I can do.
about
Category: Uncategorized
-
Last summer, I recommitted to knitting. Ever since moving to Miami four years ago, the seasonal desire to make sweaters and other accessories disappeared, given that every day here is practically warm enough to wear a t-shirt and shorts. But after making a tank top and finishing a frogged sweater, I have kept up with…
-
“I’m nervous,” J said, hugging me. “I’ve never played laser tag before.” “You’ll love it!” I reassured her. We were on our last field trip of the year to a bowling alley, part of the final celebrations for our fifth graders during a week we deemed “Blast Off Week.” After listening to the instructions, we…
-
Yesterday, Maggie Rogers published an essay entitled “Maggie Rogers: The Truth About Dreams” in the New York Times, which was adapted from her NYU commencement speech. Some lines particularly stuck out to me: “I’d tell her to keep the dreams bigger than the fear.” “Maybe, just maybe, all exits can be entrances, too. Maybe it’s…
-
A few weeks ago, before the conclave that would select the successor to Pope Francis, Patrick and I went on a pope film spree. First, we watched Conclave. Next, The Two Popes. And finally, at Patrick’s brother’s suggestion, A Man of His Word, the documentary about Pope Francis. Each of the films kept me thinking,…
-
One more month until I take my final look around a ready-for-summer-kind-of-clean classroom. Four more weeks until I gather my books to bring home. Three weeks and one day until I say goodbye to our students, wishing them the best of luck in middle school. Two weeks and three days until our fifth graders graduate.…
-
This morning I was really excited to wear the new cardigan that I had just finished knitting over the weekend. I got dressed, took a few quick photos that I sent to my mom and Julie, and filmed an “after” video for the before/after blocking reel I wanted to make and show to my knitting…
-
Dear 2021 Amy, Do you remember that first writer’s workshop session? It was just after 2pm on a weekday in August. You had a class of just 13 students, no co-teacher, squeezed onto the rug of that tiny room. Everyone was wearing masks, including you — yours was fabric, a light blueish-green with stripes that…
-
As part of my commitment to be as device-free as possible while my 5th graders do their 21-day digital detox challenge, I am charging my phone outside of the bedroom, trying one phone-free weekend day, and aiming to take daily walks with just my keys and Phoebe. I find myself much more aware of my…
-
Inspired by Molly’s Wordle poems, I thought I’d try one after my 5-guess game yesterday. Generally I get a bit nervous if I still haven’t guessed the word by guess #5, but I was too distracted by the way the words came together. I think this poem wrote itself: The TrekShe was going on a…
Writing With Abandon 