Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Smell of chalk dust and fresh grass...

It is late afternoon in my classroom. My room is in disarray with costumes and props and scripts as varied as Little Red Riding Hood and Hamlet all tossed into the cacophony of the echoes of a day's work.

The night custodian is locking up other classrooms, tidying up hallsway and bathrooms. With my windows wide open on this April afternoon, I can smell the newly cut grass and it blends in with my chalk dust. I should go home, but I just sit here thinking.

Sometimes I wonder how it ends? Will my students attend the Philharmonic when they are grown...get library cards...study Degas's dancers...read to their own children with passion?

All a teacher can do is try...my Dad once said to me if I reach one child it will all be worth it....

Tonight I speak at a banquet to other teachers...telling them how wonderful they are...how important they are.

Yes, I believe it, we are important.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Sixth annual Diabetes walk...

Today our county walked for diabetes...and what a beautiful day for a five mile stroll (or the few that were running!) The high school was filled with vendors promoting the local newspaper, various booths giving out free information and pencils...and, of course, diabetes testing along with blood pressure.

By 10:15 we gathered out back of the high school, a prayer was said, the ribbon cut and we were on our way. The day was stunning...we walked five miles in the most scenic of areas..farm fields, ponds, small lakes...the sky was an amazing blue. It was so warm that no one even thought of taking jackets.

We were rewarded with the Lion's Club famous chicken and potato salad when we were finished.

Best of all, we raised a good bit of cash and brought diabetes awareness one step closer to our small town.

In case you are wondering, I finished in the top ten percent!!

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Thursday, April 13, 2006

All in a week....

Last night was one of those great neighborhood evenings in Angola. It was such a beautiful day and everyone was out milling around...biking...walking. Aaron and Jonah came over, and we all just sat out on the stoop for the longest time. Everyone stopped by to chat as we sat there...puppies, babies, old folks, young'uns (as Philip would say!). Jonah loved them all!

As we sat the full moon began to rise in the East..shrouded with bare treetops and wispy clouds, it was a stunning moment.

As darkness fell, the streets became quiet as we all attended our own households...supper on the table...homework to be done...stories to be read.

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Steuben County Artists

Tonight the artists of Steuben County join forces to establish a long-awaited and long-needed artist guild. Several of us have been struggling with the Second Sunday Artists but have decided to put our ideas together.

Hopefully there will be a great turn out tonight at the library as we begin to see our purpose and place in Steuben County and set as our mission statement to be more visible.

In other news, Jonah and his parents have arrived home (but it was late last night!) so I haven't seen them yet. I understand from emails that Jonah has had a wonderful time the past couple of weeks of Florida...swimming, running on the beach, learning to march (from my Uncle Dean)...has been charming and full of his usual charisma. I'll stop by tonight on my way to the guild meeting to get an overdue "Nannie" hug.

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Monday, April 10, 2006

Daffodils and paint choices...

Arriving home from school by 5:30, I was greeted with splendid sunshine and waving daffodils...neighbors were out walking dogs..riding bikes...painting basketball backboards.

I spent the last hour looking at paint samples for this old house of mine. There are so many choices...my house is white...just white...so I am thinking maybe I should jazz it up a bit...purple...brown..rose...anyone have any ideas for an old house?

I also got the bike out of the garage, wiped down the winter's dirt, and tonight I take it for a spin...

Ahhhh...spring.

Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...