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I've been finishing reading the Poetry Friday Posts, and the final one, by Jone MacCullough, is a William Stafford poem, Noticing. One line reads: "and splendor discovers/itself in this world out of such quiet things".
Here are some 'quiet things' I discovered this week, perhaps a bit noisier than Stafford writes:
This morning, at an early moment, the entire sky was pink. I tried a picture, but couldn't capture the "whole". Put it into your imagination!
My daughter, two granddaughters & I went to the 'Super-dog" show at the Denver Stock Show on Monday. It was fun, and the girls loved seeing all the antics of dogs showing off their expertise in the circuits, and silliness, too.
You know that my granddaughter Ingrid comes home with me from school each Friday. We've been recently playing lots of Candyland. Last night she tried to figure out a strategy for winning. She "stacked the deck", placing those 'terrible' cards one never wants to draw that puts one nearly back at the beginning, and those "wonderful" cards exactly where she would draw them. Well, it worked for a while, we discussed "cheating", and she discovered that even if we both ended with place near the end, there was still a random draw, and sometimes Grandma won. It was learning fun, and Ingrid was a good sport about it after all.
We are so dry here in Denver, and unusually warm this January. Wednesday we did get some snow and cold, welcome moisture, and the day at school was cozy and a good work time. It was lovely watching snow out the windows. Now it's back warm again, but I know the ground, and trees, welcomed the drink.
I took my class to the Museum of Contemporary Art yesterday to discuss the power of art in a wonderfully eclectic exhibit of the life work of Mark Mothersbaugh. Students loved each quirky bit, took time to examine the art and listen to the music, drew their own ideas from those of Mothersbaugh in their minds and in their journals. This was an all-day adventure and an eye-opening experience. The ending-magical! Mark showed up just as we were leaving, took time to answer questions, had his picture taken with the class and gave autographs. It was a wonderful cap to the day.
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| Mark's Roly-Poly sculptures. |
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| Mothersbaugh has drawn a postcard every day for years. Here are the display, books filled with almost 30,000 cards--mesmerizing. |
Wow. Those postcards. What an incredible display. Love the "game playing" lessons Ingrid is learning! Very cute.
ReplyDeleteSo funny that after a few weeks of recent Candyland playing, she started thinking about the "win". Hm-m, must put that thinking to better uses! Yes, the postcards were simply amazing!
DeleteIngrid is so fun. I love the way her mind works and the lessons learned! And what an fascinating exhibit for your students. I had no idea Mothersbaugh worked with the visual arts (just familiar with Devo connections).
ReplyDeleteMy daughter, who works for the museum, says that Mothersbaugh is just becoming known on the art scene. This is a first show, moving on to other cities-very exciting. It is fun to see Ingrid's thinking on many levels!
DeleteOh how fun to go to a dog show! Those postcards are amazing! I love hearing about your adventures with Ingrid. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Holly, our stock show could be attended every day if we had time. So much to see for the kids. And, you're right, the postcards were varied and dense!
DeleteWhat a sneaky little Ingrid you have -- stacking the deck in Candyland! That reminds me of when I played Uno with my students earlier this year. They tried to stack the deck against me too, but it kind of backfired on them. :) We've had some wonderful sunrises here in WI too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
I love that your students tried this too, & it didn't work out so well for Ingrid either. Thanks Jennifer, shared a sunset pic this evening. The skies have been gorgeous!
DeleteA postcard every day- wow. And how exciting for your students that he showed up while you were there. I love that you and your granddaughter have that Friday tradition. So many good memories being made during that time (cheating and all!)
ReplyDeleteThe trip was wonderful. I keep thinking about what would happen if we had the students write or draw every single day? The practice has to help with knowledge & improvement. It is a pleasure to be with Ingrid so often & I get to see her at school a little, too!
DeleteThe sentiment of quiet celebrations brings so much peace and contentment. I love that I can feel that through your words! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. You've observed well.
DeleteI keep watching the Denver temps in case my husband ever decides to go for a job change - I love that you do get 50 degree days mixed in with the 30s. We just have 20s and 30s. I'm ready for a change! Great celebrations this week, Linda!
ReplyDeleteOh, that would be lovely to have you move to Denver. Our weather is amazing, but so many find it hard to believe because they hear the weather from the mountains. If we want good winter weather we can travel up! Thanks, Michele.
DeleteSo fun to read of your day at the museum and Monday fun with your grand girls and daughter! Love the pic of the students' sketching and writing. A postcard a day. . . what an accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteHi Ramona, nice to hear from you. Can you imagine, a postcard a day for years & years? They were really something special.
DeleteThe moments are like strokes of a brush painting your life. Your life is in warm colors. Playing board games brings out personalities. When my middle one was little she used to say "We play until I win." It took her quite a bit of time to learn how to loose. I would have loved to see the postcard exhibition. Impressive amount.
ReplyDeleteLove this "play until I win", Terje. It's an early life lesson, isn't it? I wish I could post some of the postcards, definitely worth seeing.
DeleteOh Ingrid! I love this. She reminds me of my favorite kindergartner who is learning you don't have to "beat the pants" off of everyone in everything. I promise we are working on it! This trip to the art museum! Amazing! What a great opportunity for the students. And a dog show. I am a "dog person" through and through. :) Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kendra. That Candyland game-playing with young children is filled with lessons, but also adults cannot even predict a winner, at least once in a while. The week was a good one!
DeleteThe Contemporary Craft looks amazing.
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