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Monday, January 6, 2014

Okay-It wandered in!

The Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by the Two Writing Teachers blog.  Go there to visit the other"slicers"! I'm looking forward to more great posts from Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Elisabeth!



  Hurrah!  The Cybil's finalists are HERE!  Great lists of books to discover!

It's been a struggle for me to continue with my One Little Word these past two years.  I signed up for the class, purchased the pages, found a nice binder, and created pages through January, then stopped. During the years, I thought sometimes of my OLW, but not with much enthusiasm for doing anything. Sometimes I was too busy, or I made myself be busy with other things.  It's rather like my sewing. I used to sew a lot, and am fairly competent at it, but days hold only so many hours, and I prefer reading, writing and working for my job, so I do have time to sew, if I make the time, but I'd rather be elsewhere.  
           Back to the OLW.  I've read many posts in the past week about people choosing or discovering and the posts have been inspiring. I loved hearing from Dana recently, and remember Claire and Tammy's, Terje's, Deb's, Jennifer M.'s…  I really do love the idea!  But this time I thought I wouldn't do it. I don't have a good track record as you can see.


         However, when I wrote my post for last Saturday's Celebration, I titled it with the word "wander" in it, and then used the word "meander", close meaning.  I liked the idea of "wander" for my word, thinking about choosing new things, seeing where they take me, finding new paths of thinking and growing.  I remembered a Tolkien poem from The Hobbit that I love.  Here is its beginning:

Roads Go Ever On
Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.
                                 the rest is here!

 I felt as if it was a good fit for my word.

        Then, packing my bags for work on Sunday, I was reminded of the cute little calendar I bought for my office at school. Here is its cover:
       I always purchase a fun little calendar at my favorite bookstore for my desk at school.  This reminds me that I'm supposed to be WRITING every day, and I knew each month included an illustrated quote.  That sold me for sure!  But look at what is on the back of this cover!!
The words: "Not all who wander are lost."
       Finally, Monday I took some time looking for a specific poem I needed for a poetry lesson later this week!  And found this!  It may seem funny, but it works for me and this 'wandering' around I've been doing, only some of it searching for my OLW.  Another 'wander'.

The Cow
          R.L. Stevenson
The friendly cow all red and white
I love with all my heart:
She gives me cream
With all her might,
To eat with apple-tart.

She wanders lowing here and there,
And yet she cannot stray,
All in the pleasant open air,
The pleasant light of day;

And blown by all the winds that pass
And wet with all the showers,
She walks among the meadow grass
And eats the meadow flowers.

         Who knows what will come of this word in 2014?  I've committed to posting once a month of my discoveries as I wander.  If you have any other poems or songs that are favorites, please share.  You see, I've already thought of that Christmas song, "I wonder as I wander out under the sky…"  
          This will be good!  And thanks for allowing my "wandering"!

48 comments:

  1. Linda,
    You are another example of how words find us sometimes. Glad you have accepted wander as your word!

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  2. Now that's a great word! Remember the song "The Happy Wanderer"?
    The last verse is:

    Oh, may I go a-wandering
    Until the day I die!
    Oh, may I always laugh and sing,
    Beneath God's clear blue sky!

    The rest of the verses are here:
    http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/happywanderer.html

    Happy wandering in 2014...and on and on!

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    1. Of course! I knew that others would have something to share. Thanks Donna!

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  3. Oooooo, I love your word. Wander leaves your world open to so many possibilities! And I love how it found you...

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    1. Hi Deb, I think I should have been making a list of everyone's! Many all over the web seem to be choosing a word! Hope your weather isn't too, too bad!

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  4. I love how your word wandered to you. :) I usually pick a word by brainstorming what I need from the coming year. This is the first year a word has found me. I'm curious to see how it unfolds.

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    1. Yes! As you see, I was a little reluctant, Katherine. It will be an adventure for us, I suppose! Thanks!

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  5. I love the implication wander gives you. You have a path but there is room to explore the sides too. I'm not sure if I will have a word this year. None has jumped up and shouted "Pick me!" We'll see what happens.

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    1. Perhaps during January you will find one, but as you see, I wasn't planning it at all! Thanks Elsie!

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  6. Hi Linda. I love your work and I love you. You have been a profound support to this fledgling blogger and to many others. Your blog makes a difference in my life and I have nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Thanks for all you do with your writing. A link to my blog and your nomination is below.

    http://show--nottell.blogspot.com/2014/01/here-comes-sun_7.html

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    1. Thank you Deb. Have been at work all day, & just saw this. You've warmed me up!

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  7. Linda, your word made me really curious. It made me think. I had to search a little bit more about "wander." This link "found" me for you: http://wanderthemap.com/ Happy wandering this year--it will be a new adventure!

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    1. Oh Jaana, thank you. I'll go click on it now! I'm starting a file!

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    2. The site looks awesome. I've bookmarked it & made a new bookmark folder named "Wander!" Thanks again!

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  8. So, there you go - your word wandered over to you, Linda! I love that quote, too, from Tolkein:
    All that is gold does not glitter,
    Not all those who wander are lost;
    The old that is strong does not wither,
    Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

    (from Lord of the Rings). I write it out for my son when he was beginning a very difficult time in his life. He still carries it in his wallet...

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    1. Of course, and very special. I re-read The Hobbit & the trilogy every few words, I should have remembered! Thank you!

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  9. Hi Linda. I love your work. Your blog makes a difference in my life and I have nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Thanks for all you do with your writing. A link to my blog and your nomination is below.

    http://show--nottell.blogspot.com/2014/01/here-comes-sun_7.html

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  10. I like when little signs start to collect and point to a certain word. The back of the calendar is super. I think I might have a year without OLW and that's ok.

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    1. I'm often thought of having a word a month, too, Terje. There is an important part of this tradition that is about pondering, don't you think? Just to start noticing things out in the world. If you don't have a "word", you'll just notice in different ways. Thank you!

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  11. May you wander in good health this year, Linda!

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  12. Your post made me think of a poem I just read this morning, Karla Kuskin's "Wonder Through the Pages" in I am the Book. I found it online here: http://meribeths.blogspot.com/2011/06/wonder-through-pages-monday-poem.html

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    1. The amazing thing, Elisabeth is that Karla Kuskin is my favorite children's poet, and now you've found a poem with Wander in it. I think I have the anthology at school! Thank you!

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  13. I think wander is a beautiful word and will take you to many wonderful places. Enjoy the journey.

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    1. Thanks Julie, I agree. You'll be hearing more about this word I'm sure.

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  14. When I saw the back cover, it literally took my breath. I LOVE reading these stories about how the words find us and I truly believe they do! Each story is special and unique. I picture you being a wanderer...a good sense of the word! :) I like the idea of committing one post of month to OLW. Looking forward to reading about your "wanderings!"

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    1. Thanks Leigh Anne, I was rather surprised actually, but too many things were happening about this word. Thanks for the 'looking forward'!

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  15. I love the POTENTIAL the word WANDER describes. As I read your post I wonder if you WONDERING what was ahead lead to your WANDERING word? I really look forward to the monthly updates as to where you wander!

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    1. Yes, I think that was it, but it really did begin with last Saturday's post when I was wandering through the writing, Anita. Then I began the wondering. It'll be fun to follow this interesting path.

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  16. I think it's a superb word for you Linda! And all those signs?!? Wow! I love that calendar too -- looks adorable! Have you read the book "An Angel for Solomon Singer" by Cynthia Rylant? It's a beautiful story about a man who wanders and thinks about his home and memories of the past and his dreams of the future. Not sure if this fits into your wandering collection, but it's the first thing that I thought about! If you haven't read it, I encourage you to!

    May you enjoy your wanderings throughout the year -- and just don't wander into too much trouble! :) (Only teasing you!)

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    1. I "know" the book, but if I've read it, it's been a long while ago, Michelle. I'll see if I can find it tomorrow! Thank you! And for the wishes too, even the warning-might be fun to find a little trouble! Happy New Year!

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  17. I think "wander" is a terrific word. And it's really interesting to see all the connections people made today! Holy cow there are a lot of "wandering" poems and songs and quotes! I never knew I was supposed to keep a scrapbook about the word.

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    1. If you sign up for the class with Ali Edward, there are different assignments each month. They send templates, etc., & have materials to purchase. That's where it comes from, Carol. I think I'll just capture my own things & perhaps do it all digitally. I'm definitely making it all very low key! Thanks!

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  18. I didn't know there was a OLW class! I'm learning a lot :).

    It's funny, I thought your word was "wander" already. Glad it came to you. I think it will be a nice word for your year. It seems like it was fate with the notebook/calendar.

    Jen

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    1. Yes, the calendar was a big surprise! Thanks, Jen!

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  19. I'll be waiting to read your wanderings, my friend! I love how you got here, wandering...
    By the way, as we are getting closer to February, Tara and I talked about the Denver conference and thought that it might be better to plan for it for next year. She just can't take the days off from school. But we want to join you,
    Bonnie

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    1. At least you considered it! Looking forward to next year! You'll be missed! Thanks, Bonnie!

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  20. I immediately thought of "I wonder as I wander out under the sky..." Happy wandering this year. Seems everyone in this community is finding wonderful words that fit just right. All my best for your wanderful year. (spelling goof intentional :)

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  21. Linda - Wander is such a great word! Imagine all the places it will take you this year! The Wander picture in your calendar is just beautiful! I would have a little problem with it though...I would never want to turn the page! :) I look forward to hearing about all your journeys this year as you wander. I know you will share your stories and your learning with us all.

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    1. Thanks Robin, the calendar is a good one all the way through!

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  22. Hi Linda! Has anyone mentioned "The Song of Wandering Aengus" by W.B. Yeats? I think you might like it. :-)

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    1. Thanks Tabatha, will look for it! No one has sent it so far!

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  23. I love it! Wander is a perfect word. Who knows where it will take you and I love how you found it! or...it found you.

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    1. Thanks Betsy! This will be a good one for the year!

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  24. Linda,
    I love your word, but I REALLY LOVE the story of how you found it. I'm thinking my word discover and your word wander have many commonalities. I'll be looking forward to seeing where your wanderings take you.

    Cathy

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    1. I think you're right about the connections. There are a few others too! This will be fun! Thanks, Cathy!

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