Slices of Pumpkin Pie

       Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by the Two Writing Teachers blog.  Visit to see all the other slicers' posts.  It is always a pleasure!

          I had an estate sale earlier this year, and sold quite a few things, many of them old pamphlets, books, etc. that belonged to my husband’s and my family.  I don’t keep everything!  But I have kept one pamphlet that I’ve read often since I was young, full of wise essays and poems about Thanksgiving.  It was given to me by a teacher in high school.  In the inside cover there is a part of a piece I’d like to share, by a B.W. Eva, credited as editor.  The title is Thanksgiving Thoughts. 

       The words:  “Thankfulness is a state of mind.  It implies appreciation, joyousness, courage, hopefulness and moral strength.  The sum of human comfort during the year past has been greater than last year, as it is each successive year. It is a thankless heart indeed that does not recognize this.  The best part of it is that gratitude is within the grasp of everyone. No soul is entirely bereft.”          

       There are other words that inspire me, yet few talk about the need for courage.  In challenging times, doesn’t it take courage to find things to appreciate?  Finally, there is a quote from Cicero:  “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”

Tara, me and Bonnie-Slicer breakfast-I'm sure someone will share the group pic, or I will next time!

       Because this is Thanksgiving week, I wanted to share this with you all, for whom I am thankful for the connections we have made and nurtured.  And no better time is this, before many of us celebrate Thanksgiving, and after many spent time meeting or re-uniting at NCTE last Thursday through Sunday.  It was indeed a time of thankfulness, for the ability to travel and gather, to learn and grow as educators, to talk and laugh, to be both serious and silly.  Among many whom I will write about in other ways, I want to thank Tara Smith, my roomie!  We had never met until this conference.  We never talked directly, but planned everything via e-mail.  We sent a few messages here and there.  Tara found our hotel.  I sent some ideas for sessions; she shared others.  And then, through our time together, and in our room we had to make ourselves stop talking so we could get some sleep!  It was a pleasure to be with and work out our days together.  THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, TARA!

       The first session I attended was “Creating and Inhabiting Story Worlds” presented by three authors.  What a thrill to see Kirby Larson (Hattie Ever After), Barbara O’Connor (On The Road To Mr. Mineo’s) and Karen Cushman (Will Sparrow) speak.  They have written other books you might recognize, but I’ve only shared one.  Karen Kushman reminded us that next year is the 20^th anniversary of Catherine, Called Birdy.  If you have a favorite memory of this book, please share it with her.  She is collecting them for a special project.

        My notes highlighted the following ideas from these authors:

  

      *from  Barbara O’Connor: “World building is not the story, but the stage for the story. Readers don’t care about knowing if dragons exist, they want to know that dragons can be beaten.”

      *from Karen Cushman:  She loves putting in typical southern things found in small towns, says “if you see something real, use it!”  

      from Kirby Larson:  “Truth is wily when rummaging around in our country’s history. It’s like beachcombing to look through primary sources for important stuff that adds to the goal.  You must keep digging and digging.”

       Although I just gave you a little taste, this beginning session showed me that it was going to be a good weekend filled with learning, words to ponder, to take with me and share with anyone who would also take something of value from them.  

        If you are really thankful, what do you do, you share?       W. Clement Stone

        So-one final sharing!  Today is my 599th post!  I couldn't have done it without you!  Thank you all!