Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Back to work

Photobucket

Hickory at Twilight

I returned to work today, leaving around lunchtime. I can't tell you how good it felt to be with my 'other family' today. And I wouldn't be as calm as I am if I didn't have the support of our Head of School and our faculty.

After the morning began, I quickly slipped out to grab a little cup of coffee from the break room at the end of the hall. I heard the children in the 4th grade classroom next door and went in to see the teacher because it's been so long since we've spoken.

I nearly cried after walking into her classroom and seeing those children stand up and clap for me. Had they noticed I was gone? If I could bottle this feeling: the laughter of children, the kindness of those I work with; there would be no need for anti-depressants.

Okay, enough of this mushy stuff. I'd like to tell you something that I've decided is a really good idea and one that was started by fellow blogger, Chuck Westbrook. I first heard of him while visiting Dlyn's blog last week, and I like the idea he's got going right now.

Here's the idea: There are millions of blogs out there. And some of those blogs are so excellent yet they receive very little traffic in the form of comments. Chuck has devised a plan to aid these bloggers in getting their word out to a bigger audience. Every two weeks, he'll highlight a different blog and along with a number of others, I've elected to go and visit that blog every day for two weeks. After the two weeks, if it's a blog that I'm finding that I really enjoy, I'll continue to visit it. But if not, I'll just move on. The blogger's traffic will increase and the end result should be positive.

The blog that he's chosen for the next two weeks is one that's written by Zoe Westhof, a young American writer currently living in Thailand. Her blog is called Essential Prose. Her writing is superb. She's funny, and goofy sometimes, and I think I'm going to enjoy visiting her every day.

And because I can't let this stop here, I'd like to tell you about a blog that I, personally, am finding really interesting. She's left several comments here, and many of you may already be familiar with her name. Her blog is Woman In A Window, and it's written by Erin from Northern Ontario. She's a wife and a mother of two young children. Her writing is what keeps me going back. She writes from her heart and although sometimes it's dark, it's always real. Give her a read if you have a moment or an hour or two.


Until tomorrow, my friends . . .



23 comments:

abb said...

What a lovely idea, Kate! I'll check out both the mentioned blogs.

I forgot how beautiful hickories are in the fall. Not too many of them here in CT.

And welcome back to work! What a salve that must be for you. Nothing better than a bunch of kids to make you feel good once again.

Mental P Mama said...

I am so glad you are able to be back there. And I am going to check out Erin's site pronto.

Anonymous said...

So glad you're able to go back to work! Surrounded by kids can work wonders, can't it?

Love finding new blogs to read. Thanks for the suggestion.

Carin said...

I tell ya, that makes me miss working at the school. I love going back to pick up my own son, they come running up to me to hug me.

Great idea on the blog/comments. I will check those out.

Also, can anyone get Pioneer Woman today? I can't.

Woman in a Window said...

Yes, that emotion, could feel it rising in my throat. Wonderful. Kids see more than we think they do. If you could bottle that it'd have to be in perfume tubes, little beakers full of life.

And as to you mentioning me...verklempt...wordless...
thanks,
erin

Grace said...

first of all, i like the tree... then, i like your post... and yes, i will try to hop in to those mentioned blogs... do you mind if i add your blog to my list?

Picket said...

That is a great idea...I am so glad you had such a great day back at work and that pic of the hickory is glorious girl...I had forgotten how much I live seeing the color of a hickory...we had a huge one at our old place out front and it was a showstopper in the Fall..great post girl..hope you continue to have a great week!

Egghead said...

What a good idea. I will visit those two blogs today. I am happy that you are back and that you have some wonderful friends who support you. If only for a while each day let the children's laughter take you away. Hugs.

Deb said...

Glad you returned to work! That will do wonders for your self being. I have visited the blog link on dlyn's site. I love finding new blogs worthy of reading.

Tess Kincaid said...

Stunning hickory tree!!

I'm off to visit these bloggies. Thanks for the suggestion! :)

dlyn said...

I am enjoying her too Kate - she is very interesting.

Love the photo of the tree - so vibrant!

Glad you are back to work - routine can be very soothing.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely idea about visiting new blogs - I shall go there straight away. Nice to hear you are back in school - children give one such a sense of normality don't they?

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

This is a fabulous idea, Kate! I'll certainly take part.

I discovered Erin's womaninawindow when I started blogging in July. She should be writing books. She's amazing!

Hilary said...

Sounds like you work in the perfect environment. I'm so happy that you do. Kids sure can lift the spirit, eh? Gorgeous photo.

I'm already a big fan of Erin's Woman in a Window and agree entirely with your description of her blog. For you, I'll check out Essential Prose, but I'll be very annoyed if I have to add yet another blog to my already too long list of must reads. ;)

Daryl said...

Great idea. Glad you are back to work and a semblence of normal is restored.

:-Daryl

Anonymous said...

And I'm stopping by to say hello from Chuck's blog. I'm using his little community to get out and meet some new bloggers.

You can get more out of being in a community than you're told to get. ;-)

ari

Leslie: said...

I did check out Woman in a Window and have added her to my blog roll. Her writing really is wonderful.

So happy that you were warmly welcomed back to the fold at school. Aren't kids great!

Krystina said...

I am glad to hear you are back at work and all is going well. I have enjoyed reading your posts for some time now but have been yet to comment. I am new to blogging myself and really like your idea of sharing other blogs with your current reader base. I may not be as nicely written as most, but I find blogging to be quite theraputic, if you will, so far. I look forward to following your future entries!

Annie said...

What a WONDERFUL tree...Kate...WOW...just stunning!

and what a great idea to share good blogs around (help, there are soo many of them...I have just had to increase my speed and gb limit with my Internet provider)...

hope someone warned them, cos those guys are gonna knocked over by all the comments and wonder what hit them!!!

;-)

Annie

ps Does your going back to work mean that hubby is cooking dinner again? I do hope he is well enough to do some of the things he enjoys. You know I think he secretly reads your blog every day!! (smile) Maybe he keeps one of his own?

Country Girl said...

Hahaha Hohoho, Annie! My husband has NEVER read my blog. Ever. He walked by and saw his picture once last spring and said, "Oh, my God . . . you've got my picture in this thing?" I reminded him that he told me it was ok. And then I started reading him some of the comments. "Ok, stop," he said. "I've heard enough."

And so, you see Annie, he NEVER reads this blog.

I'm glad you're all enjoying visiting the other blogs I mentioned. Sorry to add more to your visiting lists.

Welcome to ari and natarojo.

~ C.G.

ELK said...

yellow tree is so beautiful and so was your story about going back to work ~WOW!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the links!

Jeannelle said...

Gorgeous hickory! And, a great, encouraging idea there for helping out other bloggers! Thanks for mentioning this.