This SOL was inspired by Michelle Deblois over at Write 4 Today.  She wrote six six-word memoirs.  Phenomenal concept that I'd love to try with students - thanks for the idea, Michelle!


Spring Break—balancing recharging with adventure
Spring skiing with no lift lines
Spring thaws send swift water downriver
Spring kayaking sends shivers up spines 
Spring westward to view mountain sunsets
Spring flowers offer glimpses of rebirth.

My slice today is inspired by beloved author Amy Krause Rosenthal and this post in particular by another slicer, Rose, over at Imagine the Possibilities.

It was also inspired by Jenny Rosenstrach at this blog.

Both Rose and Jenny published heartfelt tributes to Amy.  And in doing so, they've inspired many to consider their day to day lives in a new light.  Including me.  Thanks, ladies.

Really, I love creating!  I love making cards, especially.  It's been awhile since I've taken the time to create in that way.  To create something from the heart that will bring a smile to someone else's face—well, it brings a smile to my face, too.  

This idea of creating has me thinking about creating a home and a life for one's family.  It's said that it takes a village to raise a child, and this is true for families.  I think it takes all of the extended family, friends, and all sorts of support to create a family.  In particular, I know I couldn't have done such a thing without each of them, but most important was my husband.  Truly, every "I" in here should be a "we" since my husband was a significant part of all that it took to create such a life.  


25 Things I Made

I made....a happy childhood for my daughter and son.
I made...time to play, watch their events, and express interest in their interests.
I made...a point to listen to their dreams.
I made...time for discussions when feelings were hurt.
I made...many trips to Ben Franklin's or Wal-Mart for crafting supplies for kids' projects.
I made...many trips to Home Depot or Wal-Mart for building supplies for kids' projects.
I made...twice weekly trips to horse barn half an hour away for riding lessons for 10 years.
I made...daily trips to swimming pool during swim season for 10 years.
I made...annual trips to visit grandparents, aunts/uncles/cousins during school breaks to foster those family connections.
I made...holiday traditions that out-lasted having kids at home and are still honored today.
I made...birthdays special by beginning the day with gifts, streamers, and a favorite breakfast.
I made...a home that was the "hang-out" place for kids.
I made...time to build relationships and foster creativity.
I made...trips to Louisville and Lexington, KY to find saddle seat show clothes.
I made...a school-night trip to Bardstown, KY in search of a single bolt with a certain 17-year old for his Jeep.
I made...trips to Rural King to buy and then return a 25-pound salt block (too big for a certain 12 year old's miniature horse, yes we were first-timers and the cause of much mirth at the horse barn)
I made...many trips to the 4-H fairgrounds at all hours when we had horses there for the fair.
I made...trips to the ER or after-hour doctor or out-of-town visits when needed.
I made...scores of trips to the bookstore to foster a love of reading in both kids.
I made...time to read aloud daily for 20+ years.
I made...snow angels and sand castles and mud pies and caterpillar habitats with my kids.
I made...fun vacation plans to make many memories at various beaches and mountain locations.
I made...a point to not let them see my tears when they went away to college, choosing instead to show them my joy at the idea of them following their dreams.
I made...certain their return home for summers or school breaks was met with excitement and smiles, hugs and kisses.
I made...a happy home for two of my favorite people on the planet.

Please look for AKR's books, she was such a gifted human being—a lover of life, a champion of celebrations, and a foster-er of ideas.

RIP, AKR...and if you did return one day after your passing, as mentioned in Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, I hope you felt the outpouring of love and the huge sense of loss felt by so many readers, writers, dreamers, celebrators, and life-lovers.  Your mark is anything but ordinary.

Here is my attempt at using this intriguing format:

Unfortunately I unwittingly brought a mouse home in my school bag on the last day before Christmas break. (Is there such a word as "wittingly" so that one could do the opposite of "unwittingly" doing something --- not bring home a mouse, of course!)

Fortunately it didn't show itself during the hours I spent wrapping gifts sitting on the floor in the upstairs bedroom (where I put my school gift bag).

Unfortunately when I moved the bag after Christmas it ran out and scared the holy-not-a-nice-word out of me.

Fortunately it nibbled on my Christmas chocolate so I was not in the least tempted to nibble on it myself.

Unfortunately it's the smartest doggone mouse on the planet and has evaded all attempts to catch it.

Fortunately I had a few weeks where I saw no evidence of the blasted thing, and thought perhaps it had vacated the premises.

Unfortunately it was BAAAAAACK, making noise in a closet or behind a dresser at 1:15 a.m. last night.

Fortunately I have several sticky traps and have moved them all to within mere feet of where I think it may be stealthily sequestered.

Unfortunately when searching other bedrooms upstairs I found "evidence" in each of them and I don't think it's old evidence because it would have been vacuumed up.

Fortunately it hasn't made its way down the stairs to the main floor and kitchen.

Unfortunately I have trouble sleeping thinking that it's up there on the same floor (or in the very room where I am seeking to simple slumber) with me.

Fortunately a student offered to loan me his cat for a month or a year (yes, really, he says a month but mom extended a more open-ended offer).

Unfortunately I cannot convince my husband that a cat is a viable solution—he thinks it's better to have a mouse.

Fortunately a custodian at school suggested a means to get the pesky intruder: put out a small shallow dish of Coke because it will come and drink it and then won't be able to expel the gas in  it and will explode???? (This sounds like a rejected idea for Myth Busters!)

Unfortunately exploding mouse is not a vision I can remotely handle.

Fortunately I've put peanut butter on my sticky traps (inhumane, I know) in hopes of luring the small rodent to imbibe in a special snack.

Unfortunately after 8 hours I've had no luck with my peanut-buttery plans of entrapment.

Fortunately I am an eternal optimist—believing that one day success will be mine!

Unfortunately today doesn't seem to be that day.

Fortunately there's always that cat...perhaps when my husband next travels on a business trip...

I've been keeping a little list of several of the fun formats I've see used for slicing this month.  I've tried out a couple of them, and with only nine days to go I am not sure I'll make it to all of them.  Here they are (in no particular order, and some linked):

Blog Structure Ideas 

book spine story

It’s a party!

my life by the numbers

snipped poems 

currently

six-word memoirs 

3 things gratitude each day

why is it  

fortunately, unfortunately  

Have you discovered any fun formats through SOL this year? Please share - I'd love to have some more ideas for my blogging toolbox!  

This week I came across a fun SOL and I think you might enjoy it, too!  I found it at Words from JL, who found it at AliceNine.net, but it all started with Leigh Anne at A Day in the Life. The premise is that you're invited to a party - how fun is that?!  You select five items to bring to the party. Here we go!  Thanks again for starting this SOL party, Leigh Anne!!

Here is what I'm sure to bring when I show up at any party:

1.  FOOD - so for Leigh Anne's party I'll make my favorite appetizer, pepperoni tarts:  pepperoni-lined sections of a muffin tin are filled with cheesy-artichoke dip, and then are baked until bubbly and crispy!

2.  DRINKS - speaking of bubbly, I'll bring sparkling water and perhaps the makings for mimosas.

3.  A HOSTESS GIFT - surely a book is best for Leigh Anne, or some fun sticky notes (I know Leigh Anne will use these for our #bookrelays books) or perhaps some funky pens like these sweet smelly felt-tip markers.

4.  MY NOTEBOOK and FUN STICKY NOTES - we're sure to get some excellent ideas for writing or books to fill our TBR list!

​5.  FRESH FLOWERS or BALLOONS- they do make everything so festive!

Join in and share a slice of your own to tell what five things you'd bring to the party.