>There were plenty of us doing the Friday Dance at school today. Good weather, Friday, and spring energy were enough to make the kids bounce off the walls today. I had to end silent reading early because three boys decided to sing a song about wedgies. Rather quietly, but the sound carried just enough. Yergh. I need a break.
Fifth grade wasn’t dancing; they were marching. Today was their annual Civil War Reenactment. They were in “uniform”, divided into North and South, with water bottles in their haversacks, wooden drill pieces over their shoulders, and ready to go. They marched from one station to the next and learned about army food, mail call, clothing of the time, and more. Semi-professional reenactors helped stage the day. The kids learn so much! It’s truly a highlight of their year.

TGIF, because I need a break. I don’t get out much. I’ve mentioned that before, and noted that it’s okay. I’m not complaining. When I do go somewhere for an evening or a vacation, I enjoy it. Scribbit’s latest Write-Away Contest has Vacation as its theme. Interested? Go North and West (from Wisconsin, that is) to Scribbit’s blog if you’d like to enter the contest or read the posts that have already been entered. I entered this post. Vacation is a state of mind.

>I judged another music festival today. Every time I do this, I come home with stories and quotes. Usually the quote comes from a student performer. Quotes in the past have included: “Let’s go find site 25.” “Let’s go find where there’s food!” and “My accompanist is Mrs., um, Mrs., um…” or “An interesting aspect of this piece is that it’s short.”
Today I was stationed in a classroom normally used for teaching high school English. On festival day, the room gets rearranged and a piano moved in. The judge (me) moves a desk or table to the back of center and holds court there, filling out the criteria form for each performance. In between performers, I stand up and stretch, sip my coffee, chat with the volunteers, read the walls, and generally relax. If there’s a comfortable desk chair, I nab it for the day. Today, the walls provided good reading. Besides the standard posters describing the writing process and the basic Six Traits, there were quotes on writing from writers scattered around the room. Here are a few samples.
Writing is easy. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein. –Red Smith
Journalism allows its readers to witness history. Fiction gives its readers the opportunity to live it. — source unknown
And my favorite: A critic is a person who knows the way but can’t drive the car. — Kenneth Tynis
That one is going on my desk at school. And look out, people, I can drive just about anything.

>There’s a Nestle’s Crunch bar in my schoolbag. It’s been there for at least a month. I haven’t eaten it (yet). My co-worker handed it to me one day in return for a favor. I reminded her that she didn’t have to bribe me, and I really did try to give it back, but she insisted. Just twisted my arm. Ouch. Uh-huh. I was totally forced to accept this chocolate bar.
Segue to the current day. My period is starting, I had a challenging day at school teaching sex ed to sixth graders, and now I sit with a cup of sugar free Cafe Vienna in front of me. I plan to read the newspaper or pick up a book and slowly sip this delectable beverage. I just haven’t decided what my after-school snack will be.
I’ve been rereading the Harry Potter series in preparation for the summer debut of the seventh and last in the series. I just pulled the third, Prisoner of Azkaban, off my shelf last night. I really enjoy observing the writer’s craft, the way JK Rowling develops her plots. I hadn’t realized that she uses the term “Azkaban guards” for several chapters before actually introducing the Dementors by name.
Come to think of it, the newspaper and the real world can wait. I think I’ll combat this PMS with a cozy blanket, a cup of Cafe Vienna, and a Harry Potter book. And if I encounter any of those nasty dementors —
I might have to open my school bag for the cure.