As I was reading this topic all I could think about was Happy Gilmore and his "Happy Place" and I begin chuckling. Its just too funny. The slots playing grandma, the midget, the sexy girl with the beer... Then towards the end of the movie, his "happy place" is invaded and everything is mean there. That's just so wrong - the happy place shouldn't be messed with. And yet, I'm still chuckling. I guess I have a thing for stupid movies. "Just Go Home!" he, he.

So, if I were to have a "Happy Place" what would it be? Who would be there? Where would it be? Not sure... I've always had a secret thing for unicorns - maybe hopping on the back of one and galloping among the clouds, miles above every worry and stress and critisism. Yeah, that would be nice. No worries, the wind in my face - I could do that. I think I would probably be alone except for the the magical creatures that are flying along with me. No other people to bother me or annoy me. But yet, if I wanted company, we could dip down below the clouds and gallop above my family and friends, and if I chose we could pick someone up to ride with us. But only if I chose to. Yeah, that sounds good to me.

Under the Sea

That's my magic place--as most people who know me know. I don't want to be a mermaid (although I like the scary part of mermaids, the mythical, dangerous creature lurking under the surface, ready to harm mere mortals, the description of Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair).

I want to be, hmm, I can't think of a good word, but something that means I can live on land or under the sea. The word should combine the notion of ambidextrous and bipolar. Bibreather, maybe? Ambilandsea? Ambigroundwater? Um, no! I'll have to keep thinking about that.

I'm not ready to give up this life, but I want short breaks of swimming with sharks, whales, porpoises, manta rays. My magic place is the sea--cue the calypso music. I'm not sure I'd learn any lessons there. At least, I don't want to learn lessons. I want the play of weightlessness, particularly after that delicious dinner Saturday night at Tokyo's Japanese Steakhouse. (Thanks, Amanda, for planning dinner.)

I imagine myself cavorting with porpoises, competing to see who jumps higher from the water, who flips best, who herds the most fish. We dart alongside boats, getting a cheap high from the fumes and racing the boat and ourselves, enjoying the oohs and aahs from passengers.

I dive down deep, exploring wrecks, hiding from moray eels with big jaws and silent sharks. I leave behind the papers I still haven't graded, the texts I need to read, the comments I haven't written, the conference proposals I need to submit, the trips I haven't taken--I leave them all and luxuriate in the freedom of the sea; then I must enact my freedom by escaping from the tiger shark on the prowl, diverting him with a nice tuna I send that way while I rush for the surface and join the passengers on the boat.

New Post--A Magic Place

I have been reading The Phantom Tollbooth to use in my 5th grade class. If you haven't read it, put it on your night stand. It is about a boy named Miles who is bored out of his mind and receives a magic tollbooth. When he puts it together, he drives to a magical land of language. As I have been reading, I've been thinking about all the successful books, adult and children, which take us to a magical land and after we have learned our lesson transport us back to our world with our new life changing knowledge. If you could be transported to a magical land, what would it be? What would your life changing lesson be? Would you be chanting, "There's no place like home," and clicking your ruby slippers together. Would you realize like Miles that you have to create your own magical world with your mind through language?
Talk to us?

Snark Patrol

I wasn't sure which topic was the current one but that's probably because my brain is fried trying to rewrite my thesis before time runs out this semester. (tense grin). But it's a better thesis for all the work.

I love the snarking blog. How about this one: I have EWTN (Catholic TV station) on in the background and I looked over my shoulder to see what the discussion topic was...something about porn caught my attention. So here's the title: The "Pornified" Society. I think that qualifies as a legitimate snarking, don't you?

It's late, I'm off to dreamland.

Peace Out!
Vicki

What fun we had

I thought I was the only one who still enjoyed reading children's books. I love them!

I love going to the book rack and looking for books, and I usually end up with a bunch of children's books that I still remember reading--for example, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, and A Wrinkle in Time.

It's not only that I love reading these books, it's also that when I read them now, they take me back to my childhood. And that's a place I love to be.

Children's Lit

Hmm, I'm not sure what I've learned from children's literature, but I still enjoy reading it. At Books-A-Million the other day, I almost bought _Al Capone Does My Shirts_ (I think that's the title) because Pat read us an excerpt two summers ago in the ISI. The book intrigued me. I also bought the Mrs. Larue series by Mark Teague (I think the name is right) because of a presentation by Kimberly two years ago. Those books are great examples of multi-genre texts; plus, they're just fun to read. I bought one for my niece for Christmas this year.

I loved reading Curious George books, and I still Amelia Bedelia, probably for the word play. Perhaps that's where my love of language comes from. I don't remember reading lots of young kid books, such as Dr. Seuss books and the Bernstein bears. They just didn't thrill me--still don't.

I remember the Judy Blume books and other authors for the pre-teen years--the series books: Bobbsey twins, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, etc. But I think I moved through those pretty quickly, graduating to whatever was in the house. Thus, I read Harlequin romances and bodice-ripper historical romances, and military novels (particularly a series that featured Mack Bolan, Executioner). I read my mom's novels, my dad's novels, my brother's novels. I devoured teen mags, but I rarely could afford them. Anyone remember Leif Garrett and Donny Osmond as a young'un? Occasionally, my sister and I would walk to the drug store to buy _Tiger Beat_ but not often. Fun memories!

I know that I played Life and Monopoly growing up. We also played Trouble, Parcheesi, Chinese Checkers, etc. We colored, played cards--particularly rummy. I still like to play spades and poker, but I have to keep a cheat sheet for poker because I don't remember what beats what. I still think a full house should be worth more than it is.

The stuff I remember playing more, though, is the games we made up. We recreated television shows, playing _Gilligan's Island_ for example, making up our own adventures.Or we raked leaves into house plans, each one getting our own house and going to visit each other. Ooh, and remember building forts and playing in those? Fun, fun, fun.

The harder part of Katie's prompt is the lessons learned. I don't know. I learned how to play with others, how to compromise, how to negotiate. I learned that I don't always get my way. I learned to share. I learned that I could pout and spend time alone or I could get over myself and join others.

I probably learned much of the stuff I need to know to be happily married--although Wes probably doesn't think I share or compromise that well. But I don't really think about it as learning anything. I played. That's still the best way I learn--through play. That's why I love the ISI so much. I challenge myself as a writer, thinker, reader, editor, grant writer, but I do it within a community of playful people.

New Post--Learning from Children's Literature

The other night, my daughter and I sat up and watched Jamanji (sp)--You know, the movie with Robin Williams that didn't get very good ratings. Well, I decided the reviewers just didn't get it. It is a story about a horrible board game that once you start, you better finish or it will make your life miserable. It is a game that is almost impossible to win without help. Now, I ask you. Isn't that what life is all about? What have you learned from children's literature. What was your favorite story when you were young? Do you have a different perspective on it now?

Interesting blog

Folks, y'all should check out this blog: http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/

Interesting stuff . . .

Fall Break

Katie's fall break sounds far better than mine was. I stayed here in Valdosta, grading papers, writing comments, planning classes. I'm re-reading Taming of the Shrew, which I haven't read since I was an undergraduate. So funny!

I have a long list of things I must accomplish within the next two days, but I don't know how to get it all done--stuff for BWP, stuff for classes, stuff for committees. "I think I can; I think I can," I remind myself.

Fall Break has come and gone, but it brought cooler weather. Wes and I walked last night in pleasant temperatures, but I didn't enjoy the misting rain. We had to finish the walk we cut short yesterday morning because it was getting late.

Ooh, I have WONDERFUL news! Wes booked a wedding in Athens, Greece. Yep, you heard me: Athens, Greece. I always thought of myself as the traveler, teaching in London, visiting Paris, studying in India. Wes sometimes accompanied me when he could, but now he's the one with travel plans, and I'm the one asking to come along. I'll need to work, helping him at the wedding, but it's in Greece. I'll be checking out the Parthenon, visiting Greek islands. Actually, I don't even know what I'll be doing. I need to get a guide book for Greece, but I can't afford to have one in the house right now. I'd waste too much time making plans when I need to be grading. Once I'm caught up, I'll stop by Books-A-Million and get a guidebook. Greece, yay! It won't be fall break or even spring break, but it'll be Greece, and that will make it spring break even though it comes in the middle of the semester.

Okay, I'm smiling again. I have a lot of work to do, but there's some pretty fantastic rewards heading my way.

New Post--Wish you were here!

For the first time ever, I have a fall break. I am writing you from Paulding County. It is 40 degrees and I can actually see some red and yellow leaves from the window. We went to Fernbank to see the frogs. Andy, my 5 year old, loves frogs! We visited relatives and friends. We spent a wonderful afternoon at the aquarium and now we are about to head further up into the mountains. Fall break is a wonderful thing. I would recommend it to all of you school teachers out there. Demand it be added to your calendar.

Since I have never had a fall break before, I feel a little like I'm cutting school. A woman in Macon accused me of keeping my children out of school. I started to make up some wonderful story, but decided I better not; she might call Defacs on me. She didn't look as if she had a sense of humor.

So, for all of you who will be toiling away on Monday, I will think of you as I watch the water cascading over the rocks and search for multicolored leaves. Wish you were here! Now for your fall break, if you don't feel like writing, let a student do it for you. Since it is the end of the 9 weeks, post a really good piece of writing you got from one of your students or put your feet up and watch while he or she types it in.

Dreamy House

Although hieghts give me vertigo, a tree house built in the thundering arms of a Live Oak would make me happy. I wouldn't have to water the plants because I'd be living in one...maybe I'd sprinkle the Restoration Ivy every once in a while just to see it plump up and turn green from the shrively grunge it is when too dry. I'd have a composting toilet and a japanese tub to soak in. Thunderstorms would literally rock the house. I guess we'd have to haul up the three dogs in a little doggie lift...have to check with my husband about that. I'd like to be near a river that never floods and has only vegetarian alligators.

I know a guy with a tree house on some obscure river towards St. George's Island (Donna!). There are a lot of steps, and when you reach the house part, it's three stories of very small sleeping spaces. I'd like something like that, only totally different.

In the meantime, I'll visit my friend's tree house and be content with my country house built in the 70's with a bathroom in a constant state of remodeling and my screened front porch. Hey Donna--did you know I have a hot tub????

You Can't buy Books in Sneads!!

This one is for all those who have read Donna's post about Sneads, FL. We got them a book.

Dream Home

My dream home has changed a lot over the years. As a country bachelor, I wanted the ultimate country pad, with a log ceiling and speakers in the walls. It would be out in the country so far you would need to fill up before you started on a visit. Later, when I got married and had kids, it was the white, wood frame house with porch for days. It would be out in the country, but close enough to get to the store and hospital without a major trip. Now, I dream of a house with a huge kitchen, one large enough for me and my dearly beloved to cook wonderful meals without stepping on each other. The kitchen has become the heart of our home, where the kids hang out and we visit with company, but it is too small to handle all of the butts hanging out. You know, the kids (and adults) that lean over on the counter to talk while we are trying to cook. There is no way to create whilst running into all of those fannies! I guess my dream house would have enough room to entertain, having a twenty-butt kitchen with all the extras!

Perfect Home

Does the perfect home all boil down to the eye of beholder? Many say that certain homes will suit anyone, but I would respond with agree to disagree. If this were so, why do so many perfect homes sit on the market as buyers search for their perfect home weeks on end. My interests are driven by character, such as the priceless detail of Victorian style homes. Porches wrapping around the wood frame, old brick foundations and columns etched with creations protruding from layers of white paint spark my imagination regarding the number of eyes who have shared this image over the many moons that have followed these creations. Many of the magnificant homes from this era met their demise as the interest was lost to the urbanization of the 1950's. Roads encroched upon our past and warehouses of steel replaced the handy work of many lost talents. I find it funny that now people view these newer creations as dated with many being replaced again as the remaining Victorians have become prized possessions that are being mimicked. So are our interest recycled making a full turn around every 100 years or 50 year such as clothing. Will I be wearing top hats when I am 50? But then again many still like the ranch home, Craftsman or even the house boat. A strong thought thought for my introduction, we all have our opinions.

My Dream House

Hmm, tough topic because like Katie, my dream house is constantly changing. Right now it consists of my house plus the baby furniture that hasn't come in yet. (If your joining on-line, this is my soap box for the night.) It wouldn't be a house anywhere else because then I'd have to move everything.

But if I really had a dream house, it would have certain characteristics, not definite design elements. I'd want it to be small enough that it didn't take a week to clean but big enough that we could have all of our friends over without feeling crowded. I want enough closet space to hold the things we have without encouraging me to buy too much more stuff. I want a yard large enough for a dog and my kids to play in, but small enough that I can keep it looking good. Yea, I know I don't want much.

Growing up with my dysfunctional family, I kind of decided that the house doesn't really matter. Don't get me wrong, there are some places I do NOT want to live. But I decided pretty early that the size of your house or the things in it aren't what make your family happy. My mom has a beautiful house, but it's a shoes off at the door, no food in the living room house. When I envision mydream house people are comfortable as soon as they walk in the door.

But my computer has decided I'm finished writing. Low battery flashed in my face and the charger is at the house. Stupid computer. My dream computer would never run out of battery.

Dream House?

Hmm, I'm not sure I have a dream house. I don't care much about living spaces. Now, I'd like to live downtown, preferably with a studio for Wes downstairs and a hot tub for me on the roof. I clearly need a hot tub. Just imagine the leadership team meetings we could have in our hot tub.

Beyond that, though, I don't much care about living spaces. I don't have a dream house. I have a dream maid, one who comes to my house every week to dust, vacuum, mop, iron clothes (right now, I use the dryer as my iron, but if I had a maid, things might be different), clean the toilet, clean the tub and shower, wash clothes, change the sheets. I particularly want someone to do the dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and bathroom cleaning. I'm getting better at de-cluttering the house, and I actually don't mind dishes and clothes (except that I'm seriously not ironing.)

Dream house, hmm? Here's something weird (imagine that--something weird about me) although I don't care that much about where we live, the house plans are one of the first things I check out in the Sunday paper, and I'm very critical of some of them. I don't really understand the need for a formal dining room, but then I'm not a formal person. I definitely like big bedrooms, big enough for a sitting room; if not, I want a home office, and I'm even willing to share it with Wes. (See how generous I can be.)

I don't want to live in a gated community, but I think I'm ready for a neighborhood. We live on Park Avenue, a big four-laned road, and I think I want to live somewhere I can walk on my street without having to go to the track--not that I know what it's like to go to the track right now. I haven't been in at least two weeks.

Hmm, dream houses? Just give me a maid, a stove that works well (hint, hint, Wes), and space, and I'm cool.

But if I have to come up with a dream house, it's anyplace at St. George Island. Any rich relatively listening? You can count it as a tax write-off. I'll use it for BWP meetings and writing retreats. I'll love you forever.

Home

Growing up, I was accused of having no imagination. In many ways that is true. I don't dream of things I believe impossible, but tend toward wanting more of what I have. My dream home has a room for my parents to move into, and room for my brother and sisters if they decided to move here also. It would go up rather than out and have a shared living area, dining area, and kitchen. Sitting in the middle of an empty field, loads of room for animals and kids to play, it would look like a house pulled from a terrace. (terrace houses in England are connected together, often with 10 or more in a row, but once in a while there is an alleyway to pass through and gardens have gates that connect yards.)
Old bricks that are deep red and black from old coal deposits show wear but are still strong and protective. The chimneys stand tall and on cold days fires from within create puffs of smoke that dissipate on the breezes blowing by.
The front door is red, and the windows on sunny days are open so that curtains flutter in the air and beckon welcomingly to visitors. The sun reflects off the glass, but even on an overcast day, the clouds pass by overhead and their travels are mirrored in the glass.
Fireplaces inside roar to keep the chill away on cold winter nights, while rain drips its tears down panes that are fogged and uncaring.

OK, so my house is warm, welcoming, filled with family, and a haven from the elements.

Write Night

It's that time again: Write Night. Katie has posted a topic: Dream Home. You should read her post below. For those of you in town, we'll be meeting at Hildegard's at 6:45 to write. For those of you further away or with children who need your attention, you can post anytime today or this week, but please join us, physically or virtually for Write Night.

New Topic--Dream Home

When you were little, did you ever dream of what your home would look like? When I was a little girl, I remember writing a poem about a house that was made of jewels. (I've always liked bling!) It had emerald doors and ruby walls and was a magical place to be.

Growing up in the 70's my tastes changed. I wanted a log cabin settled in the middle of the woods, no neighbors for miles. I would sit by the crackling fire at night, read, and cuddle with my husband, whoever he was. We'd have horses, dogs, cats, and children that behaved and didn't get dirty.

I still don't have my dream home and I'm still thinking about it. What I want changes on a daily basis, but Alan has a clear image of what he wants. After the children are grown, he wants a one bedroom house with a slide that goes right into the pool, which is in the center of our house!
So, what is your perfect home? Has the picture changed through the years? Are you living in it now, or do you want to toss the home and go in search of American in an RV or an old VW Van?