House on the Rock

The day has finally dawned: down time. Our travels have concluded, conferences ended, swim camp is closed, and I can just simply sit. and rest. and read! and occasionally, when there's a little extra brain juice, write.  I would be remiss to not reflect on the first year of teaching. It is notoriously the hardest year of one's teaching career - a seemingly ceaseless journey of "figuring things out." Of learning what to do in hard situations. Of planning lessons that best usher young minds into cognitive dissonance so that they may grow. Of saying no. But, also, of saying yes. Year one was unbelievably joyful. Once the hellish hump of October was in the rearview, I genuinely looked forward to going in every day. Thank you God for the gift of this vocation that feels like vacation!!! Not always...but often. So to reflect - so that I always remember the moment Noah shattered a Goodwill glass vase and I convinced him it was my grandmother's (worth 14,000 dollars). So ...

Disclaimer: This is the conclusion of an ESPN-Top Ten-Style Ranking List of Mundane things in my Life that I Have Ranked From Worst to Best. For the initial explanation, click here . For items 10-2, start here .) I can't believe it's finally here. The grand reveal of the #1 ranked perfectly mundane and normal part of my life that I have, for some reason, chosen to put in numerical order. This has been a project three months in the making. It has forced me to think deeply. Ask questions. Write and revise. Reflect. Consider where my time is spent. Consider what brings me joy.  And here we have it! I'm going to try to first describe this number one thing, only to reveal it at the end. If you skip to the bottom, you're a cheater! If you stick with me, you're a hero.  I remember the first time we went. By accident, I believe. It was a Thursday. We were on that side of town. Despite living right next to a similar facility, it was worth a shot to swing by while we were clo...

My husband was absolutely aghast upon reading that I dubbed "book recommendations" #3. And I don't exactly have a lot of evidence to back up why that came out as high as it did. I'll even confess that there are times I much prefer an Olive Garden breadstick over someone telling me what to read. But I'm making it up as I go, and I'm trying. And in that season, during that week, book recommendations was warming my heart. I can't justify it with any more solidity than the ESPN Top Ten Ranker who put a half-court sinker over a Stanley Cup buzzer beater. To be honest, I've watched ESPN Top Ten Rankings almost every day for a year, thanks to the Planet Fitness treadmill I keep happening to choose at the time I keep happening to go with the TV happening to be on that channel. Sometimes, #8 feels even more impressive than #1. Now, I understand why. But I have to press on. I can't quit now. I certainly think my husband will agree with me more on this one. A...