In between worlds...

Druid tree

Magical places truly exist, for I have seen them.
  
My children and I explored forests in Ireland where ancient trees reached a thousand feet up to the sky.   Rain fell as mists through thick branches upon uplifted faces and open mouths, children catching raindrops.  Fallen leaves renewed the earth beneath, turning into damp forest floors, churned about by my children's feet. 

Scents from long ago filtered up and around trees as if from between the worlds.

Light dappled through breaks where branches opened then closed, then it danced to another hidden patch of ground.  Light then dark.  Dark then light.  My children chased to hop on light circles as each appeared, "Mine!..No, mine!..."

Johnny discovered a flat stone table resting on three ragged granite stones.  He claimed this table with its stones and laid leaves and sticks upon it.  Mary and Erin danced around and around it, laughing and singing. Tossing leaves up into fresh air, they sang Happy Birthday and Alphabet Song.

As for me, a flat stone table, kept steady with three jagged table legs hidden within ancient trees in a cleared round space, held bygone and mystic secrets. People whose feet pressed into the ground have faded away, leaving only stones from which blood had poured from a still body.  Hidden words through long dead lips whispered and swayed through the branches, and then disappeared in the mist.

Ocean Born Mary

My children raced away down an old path, calling each other names.  Me?

I wrapped my wool jacket close to my body, shivering and cold.  I did not race away, but I hurried with eyes on my feet, not turning my head to see the stones or hazy shapes manifest and then merge with shadows. 

Yes.  I have seen magic, both light and dark. Dark and light.

Thursday Trauma: A Mother's Pride

Soft night

Night sky was just moments away, as the brilliant reds and purples faded to gentle soft pink.  Dusk to Night was a magical moment.

Mama waited, watching for beginning of black night.  Almost…almost…she thought, impatient for the magic to begin.

It happened.  She turned to her brood and announced, “Well, now, off you go!!”

Out they flew from the mouth of the cave: her cloud**of young bats, disappearing into the night, searching for night time bugs.   “Watch out for owls!  And, Bubba, don’t overeat!”

Another successful launch. Papa will be so proud.

Thanks for this new Thursday Trauma challenge go to Delores at Under the Porch Light .  Please check her site for some interesting and delightful prompts.

**This is the title for groups of bats.  Interesting.

Good Writing is Good Writing, no matter the age

Bruce Colville, 1993

My love for good children’s books goes way, way back to when I was studying to be a teacher.  The assignment was to create a display that would fascinate a classroom of children and inspire them to read the book shown.

I chose Winnie the Pooh, since I really did not know of many children’s books.  My display was pretty anemic, as was my re-telling of the story.

After that, the world of children’s books also became my world.  A well-written children’s book opens the door for the student to love reading--then to love writing-- and to keep on reading.  Without that initial inspiration, students may not reach for the Moby Dick on the high school library shelf.

One of my favorite read-aloud chapter books was Jennifer Murdley’s Toad.  It was nominated for a California Award for the Third Grade’s favorite book.  A short review goes as follows:

Source

An awkward and homely girl, Jennifer Murdley lives daily with ridicule from other students.  She wishes she could be like them.  On the way home from school, Jennifer notices an unknown street and a store, Elves Magic Shop.  She purchases a big toad from the very odd proprietor.  The secretive toad starts talking to Jennifer after she leaves the shop.  Through the story, Jennifer learns about his very strange life and the witch out to get him.... Lots of adventures follow.

This book was written by Bruce Coville and was published in 1992 by Harcourt.

It is worth a read, even if you are beyond third grade or graduate school or an old curmudgeon .  Good writing is good writing, no matter the audience.

Source

Just a note: I have ordered this book from the local Barnes and Noble and will share it with my granddaughters.  Why didn't I use Amazon?  I support local business and stores.  B & N is a long time friend with a then-novel relaxing approach for customers.  I like that.