It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!
When we are out and about, here’s what I notice –
the bearded irises are still pretty even when lounging on the lawn, the begonia blossoms into tiny angels, and I'm so happy the peonies bloomed after the rains came through. She offers me an entirely different take on the world. What does she notice? She discovers it on cars. It is also popular on the lawn’s edge. She’s been appalled to find it lurking on the front steps. Sometimes she stops in the middle of the street to bear witness. As if this wasn’t enough, in recent days, it has begun appearing on the windows at the back of our house. Have you guessed her obsession? Animal droppings. Especially - bird poop. Aviary guano. Foul of fowl. This spring has dovetailed (ooh, there’s a pun!) with toilet-training and she is riveted. Yes, this is the number one topic of my darling grandchild. (I nicknamed her ‘Bird’ - so, I suppose I should have predicted this grimy interest.) She has laser focus for every sighting. On our neighborhood walks, she gasps with alarm, needing to pause and inspect. She demands that every soiled area be cleaned up, immediately - and has been less than impressed when I refuse to do so, steering her away from the find. The rule ‘out of sight, out of mind’ does not apply. Each of these moments is treasured in her mind, and shared as the primary gossip of the day. What did you do, today, hon? There was bird poop on the window! Who knew the world could be full of such mystery and wonder? I offer a simple poem, to remember this developmental stage of hers.
window washing the gutters at back of house are a favorite stop for winged loiterers heralding foul of fowls up, in, around all to her delight each discovery so exciting Nana! Gotta clean! and so spray and towel in hand windows flipped open I scour scrub rub sparkle shine polishing away streaks and she is right at my side inspecting
