2 Photo Challenges - Sky Watch and Messy Little Details

Time to share our skies for Sky Watch Friday.

Earlier this week caught a bit of colour in the sky.

Be sure to check here for awesome skies from around the world.




Messy Little Details
Carolyn Jane hosts this fun meme. As she says :
"I want to invite you to join me in sharing photos of those odd little things you just have to photograph, things that inspire you, thrill you, make you laugh or make you wonder."

As I was taking some shots of the flowers, I couldn't resist the closeup detail of this flower.

Day 5 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to prompts

Today's question: What is your favorite book? Why?

As someone who loves to read, and usually has several books on the go, this is a challenging question. There are so many books I have loved, for different reasons.
The only problem with reading quickly, is that you are finished too soon!

I have just finished reading a trio of books I loved.

"Ragged Company" by Richard Wagamese
An excellent read about how 4 homeless people's lives are changed by winning a lottery.
This book is the "One Book One Community" for our region.

"How the Light Gets In"  by Louise Penny
This is book 9 of her Inspector Gamache mystery series and it keeps getting better.

"The Silver Star"  by Jeanette Wells
Two sisters are left by their mother and move across country to live with their uncle.

But there are so many other books I have enjoyed. I use Goodreads now to keep track of my books. I try to take part in book challenges, but sometimes these limit what I want to read. I never know what mood I will be in and what book I will want to read next.
I try to read both fiction and non-fiction and usually have several of both on the go.
But I collect books - and have a huge TBR (to be read!) pile. But hopefully now I will have more time to catch up and read.


Some of the books I am reading for a healthier makeover.

Day 4 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to prompts

Today's question:  What has been your favorite blog post you’ve ever written?

Now that is a challenging question. There have been several, some relating to art, some to teaching, some more personal.

I think I will share one from each area, as I really can't choose 1!

Personal:
In May 2010, I received a "Life is Good" award and answered some questions. It was fun to reread the answers today.
Check it here.

Teaching
Twice I took part in 10 for 10 Picture Books. (This is an annual event in August, run by Cathy Mere and Mandy).   It gave me a chance to reflect on favourite books I used in my classroom.
Check it here.

Art
I take part in a number of challenges each week and one has been going for several years - ABC Wednesday.
I also have become addicted to printing with the gelli plate. I combined the two for "G is for gelli prints and plate"
Check it out here.

ABC Wednesday - H

This week at ABC Wednesday, we are focusing on H.

H is for

Bill Haley - early rock and roller, whose band with the Comets began in 1952.

and

Zora Neale Hurston -  author and anthropologist during the  Harlem Renaissance

Be sure to check here for how others tackled H this week

Day 3 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to prompts.

Today's question:  Why did I start blogging?

My first post took place over 4 years ago, on Mar. 17, 2009. I had been following a book study of Gail Meekin's wonderful book "The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women ", through Jamie Ridler, and I was inspired by the book and the other bloggers to become more creative and to just "do it".
As I said then:
"My bravest step thus far though, is the creation of this blog, to put myself on the line.
My goal is to explore my adventures in art, education and life."

That still applies. I am still exploring, still stepping out and trying new things. I began with one post a week to most times now, a post a day.
I have so enjoyed the journey.
I have created so much in the past 4 years. I have met some amazing artists and bloggers online.I have taken part in so many challenges, book studies and courses. I have learned a lot,  although there is still so much more I want to do and to learn.
It is an exciting adventure for sure.

Day 2 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to prompts.

The second prompt asks:  What is your favourite season?  Why?

I do not enjoy the extremes of weather - whether too hot or too cold.
Fall and spring are equal favourites - for very different reasons.

                                                              Fall -                                                   
                                                       cooler weather
                                                           fewer bugs
                                                      gorgeous colours                                

                                                           longer pants
                                              Thanksgiving, Hallowe'en

                                          pumpkin pie
                                            school time


                                                  Spring
                                                   new life

                                            warmer weather
                                           rain, rainbows
                                           pretty flowers

                                        grass growing


(This is the kind of poetry I did often with my class - 2 or 3 word poems on a certain topic or theme.
Fun and quick to do)

My Life Story in a Nutshell

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to prompts.

The first prompt asks: Your life story in 300 words or less

I would have to say that much of my life has been about moving and change. I was born in Winnipeg, moved to Montreal as a baby and left there when I was 8. Toronto was my home for the next 20 years, although we moved around a bit due to the nature of my dad's work.  I am the second oldest of 5, with 3 brothers and 1 sister. I lost my dad when I was 20.

I always wanted to be a teacher and after obtaining a BA and BEd, I started teaching in the NorthWest Territories, a place few people have really seen. I taught for 3 years there and was able to visit Yellowknife, Inuvik, Tuktoyuktuk, Aklavik and Whitehorse. It was an amazing experience.

                                                               Driving the Dempster Highway

                                                        Watching dog sled races



I had a son there, born in Inuvik

                                                                 Carrying my son with a baby belt

I returned home a single mother when my son was almost a year old and stayed there for a year, before accepting a job in a small community north of Grand Prairie, Alberta. That was a challenging time but we survived and I met my husband.
We married, moved several times and I had a daughter in Cold Lake, Alberta and then a son in Lindsay. Ontario. We finally settled in a small community south of Lindsay where I would settle for the longest time of my life - 19 years.

Finally, though, the strains in my marriage proved too much and we separated and eventually divorced.
I had been teaching most of these years and continued to teach in Bowmanville, mostly Grade 3.

Online, I met a man and eventually we married  in 2002. (for a detailed description read here for how we met and the coincidence of me being a match to give Bill a kidney).

After the transplant in 2003, we moved to Cambridge, where we have been living ever since.
After 36 years in education, I finally retired last June. This will be the first September I will not be gearing up for school - a strange feeling for sure.
I hope now to pursue art, writing and volunteer work.