Well, we’ve reached that time of the Challenge where we review the month.
So, the Slice of Life Challenge, a reflection:
1) First, a special thanks to the wonderful writers, teachers, and moderators of Two Writing Teachers. Without this outstanding group of educators at the helm, this ship would be adrift and I’m sure my own writing habits would not be as good as they are (not that they are stellar right now).
2) I’ve already written about this, my writing has been herky jerky all month. I’m not going go into that too much longer, but I’m making a spot at home to be a bit more organized personally, which I hope helps with not only writing, other things as well.
3) Although my writing wasn’t up to what I think I can do, it connected with people, and that’s to be a step in the right direction. My views are up, my comments are up, and the number of people who follow my blog are up as well. No, that’s not why I do this, but yet, a little validation never hurt anyone, not at all.
4) I enjoyed the topics this month of my writing this month because we did cool stuff. We managed to buy a camper, visit family, watch basketball in person, and had our 28th anniversary dinner out for the first time since 2019. Again, I feel like those topics connected with my reader and that means a lot. My voice projects world wide, which is insane to think about a fat, middle aged, balding dude from rural Iowa can reach people India, Ireland, Canada and a host of other countries as well. And I’m not even that GOOD of a writer! Imagine some of our Slicers and the tons of people they interact with on a daily basis. It’s so cool that our topics connect us across wide distances.
5) I was not as good of a commenter as I’d like to have been. Usually I’m able to get into more blogs, but having more classes that I’m teaching, and every other day, I’m seeing all of sixth grade, half of seven and eighth grades, I’m bone tired. Not an excuse, but just my reality right now. I don’t know how many times I came home and fell asleep on the couch. Too many.
6) And finally, I managed to get a couple of outside runs in, my wife and completed another 112 miles on the bike, 26.2 miles running, and 2.4 miles in the pool. We started a 30 minute of exercise a day challenge on Monday. If we keep moving, it will keep the junk thoughts at bay, although I’ve allowed myself to lose some of that focus on health and nutrition to fade.
I tweeted something yesterday: “I’m exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel.” This challenge has made me feel like I’m connected through words, which is what I needed, that feeling of belonging. It’s been a long, hard, draining school year and we have two months left. My hope is that the words I’ve written and the words yet to be typed will help me to manage the tomfoolery of awful behaviors from students, awful behaviors from our state legislature (we now get to upload our plans for the year and possibly will have $75 million dollars diverted away from public education towards vouchers), and the demons inside my own head.
Good luck to everyone as they finish up their own challenge. I wish you all peace, grace, and a little bit of fun. We all could use this going forward. When we meet back up here again next year, I look forward to reading more of your stories, your feelings, your slices.
March 31, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Darin, this is my new favorite quote: “I’m exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel.” Thank you for that. On another note, what sate do you live in because this lesson plans to the legislature thing is TOTAL BULLSHIT and I hate that you’re dealing with that. All the best!
April 1, 2022 at 10:26 am
And now it’s funny because the Republicans on Twitter are all “oh this won’t be any more work for teachers” or “It will only take 5 minutes”. Bullshit is right. What do I get to give up because this is now on my plate? Ugh. I just can’t.
March 31, 2022 at 2:35 pm
P.S. I just read the name of your URL and answered my own question about which state you live in. Duh. We shall never speak of this again.
March 31, 2022 at 4:49 pm
No more negative self talk. You have a lot of fans.
April 1, 2022 at 10:23 am
🙂
OK.
🙂
March 31, 2022 at 5:01 pm
Despite your exhaustion, you managed a lot with your writing and exercise. Well done! Until next time…
April 1, 2022 at 10:23 am
Many good things that happened last month for sure! Thank you! I hope to see you out there at some point! 🙂
March 31, 2022 at 5:20 pm
I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and getting to “know” you! Thanks for sharing and commenting. And I’m still jealous that you and your wife can RUN.😉
April 1, 2022 at 10:22 am
Well, I’m sure others would roll their eyes at our “running” but it gives us something to occupy our time until spring! 🙂
March 31, 2022 at 6:53 pm
Great line! I highlighted this quote and see Caroline did the same. “I’m exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel.” This has been a month filled with awesome writing. 🙂
April 1, 2022 at 10:22 am
Indeed it has. It’s always a relief to find the end, but yet, sad because seeing 200 posts a day is pretty awesome! 🙂
March 31, 2022 at 7:01 pm
GRACE. Yes, that pretty much sums up my month. Maybe I haven’t pushed myself in my writing as much as I had hoped for myself, but showing up, I think, was also important for me. I, for one, though, am glad and grateful to have written alongside you this month. So…thank you!
April 1, 2022 at 10:10 am
Lanine, your words carry so much weight because I think we all were a bit more frazzled, but yet, we came and wrote, together.
I, too, and grateful for being able to write with you. It means a lot! 🙂
March 31, 2022 at 7:12 pm
I always enjoy and appreciate your blog! Thank you for your honest words that always make me think and reflect!
April 1, 2022 at 10:07 am
Thanks, Jennifer! My wife tells me that I need to dial it back, but anymore, why? Speak the truth and may make people mad, but they can’t argue with the facts! 🙂
March 31, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Your blog is one of my favs! It’s always spot-on with what’s what. No need to guess what you’re saying or not saying. You just say it and in my opinion, you do so very well and mix it up. #yamakemelaugh
This is a fab list. And it’s been a fab month worth of posts so be proud of that, and all other accomplishments here. Thanks for the glimpses into your Iowa life. Best of luck to you until next year!
And a random jinx, we both used TOMFOOLERY in our last posts today. Cue up the eerie music 🙂
April 1, 2022 at 10:09 am
We both used that word?? Freaking awesome!! 🙂
Thanks for the kind words. I love the format because I’d studder and fumble if I had to actually speak some of those things. The voice we all have is so powerful! 🙂
March 31, 2022 at 9:05 pm
It seems I didn’t get to read as many posts (and comment) on as many blogs as I wanted. I’ll be popping back in for reading previous posts. There are so many great writers out there and you’re definitely one of them. I concur, my favorite line is “I’m exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel.”
April 1, 2022 at 10:07 am
Thanks for the kind words. I am always in awe on the 31st and 1st because of the volume of good writers I find. This is an amazing group for sure! 🙂