Day 2 in my first slice of life daily challenge. I am so impressed with the numbers who slice. I just wish I could read more of them. All such gems. So proud to be a part of the Slicing community at Two Writing Teachers. Thank you Stacey, Dana, Tara, Elizabeth, Anna and Betsy for helping me become more of a writer.
Today it rained, hard. It hailed. Today there was lightning, thunder.
Today I filed papers.
What do these things have in common? All these things don’t happen very often.
Truth: I am terrible at putting things away.
I am one of those people who loves organization, but hates to organize. I’m one of those people who instead of putting things away in their place when I get them, I put things in a place that I will eventually put away. Today was eventually.
Today I filed.
My bedroom was awash in student work, absence notes, random mentor texts, charts, cards.
Stacks were made: memoir, informational texts, poetry, fantasy, etc.
Sort.
Pile.
Found: a random poem written by my middle son in 4th grade -his ode to Lord of the Rings.
Ummm. I sit and think. Where to put this treasure? I place in a pile of other un-categorizable papers. A pile to be discovered another time. I think that is fine. I’ll find this again. Next time.
Now, where is that book? I’ve been looking for it for days, weeks. Searching the bookshelves and other places I pile books. I know I have at least one copy of it. Every time I start looking, I get distracted by another book.
Today I found The Boy on the Porch. Hmmm… I sit down in the corner. Just a little break from organizing I think.
As I read I wonder. Who is this boy? He’s magical, alien, and other worldly all in one. I think of the wondering work my students would do if they read this book. He’s a secret treasure to this couple who find him mysteriously placed on their doorstep. Mute. Its magical quality reminds me of Cynthia Ry;ant’s Van Gogh Cafe. The secret, sweet part of Jacob reminds me of the sweet spirit of the character in Feathers, by Jacqueline Woodsen. I’m wondering if he is part animal, related to the cow and the beagle. And why does this couple receive these gifts? Will they get to keep them? Should they?
Time is slipping and the papers are on their way to being filed, but you can’t walk on the ground without stepping on one.
My husband walks in clearly disgusted, “We have to leave at 5:45,” he says
“It’s 3:30,” I say.
He knows me too well. Irritating. So I put the book down, focus on the papers, get them off the ground, and in files that are named.
Now I can read and someone can walk on the ground. Now I can go back to the book I can’t put it down.
But wait, what was I looking for? Oh yes Bird by Bird. It is driving me crazy. Did I loan it to someone? If so, please return. Now back to the book.
To Read To Write To Be 
We organize the same way! I am a piler and I “eventually” get to it. I really need an eventually today, but I am sure we will have another snow day tomorrow, so that my be my eventually! I hope you were able to finish the book. It left me with more questions than answers.
Organizing papers is a daunting task. I am glad that with students so much work has moved to electronic form. Yet, the papers don’t completely disappear. If I wait long enough then I don’t have to file many papers, I can recycle.
Rainy days are perfect for organizing…but also for reading…hence your dilemma. 🙂 I’ll be curious to know what you think of The Boy on the Porch.
I saw myself in this post. 🙂 My husband also does not relate to my style of organization.
We are kindred spirits and so are our husbands. My Bird by Bird is in the stack on the left of the big bookcase if you want to borrow…but maybe I better check…not sure 🙂 xo
Oh…I just read Elsie…we know this about each other also. Nanc
“I am one of those people who loves organization, but hates to organize.” I know just what you mean. Actually, I could visualize my own piles as I read your post. Hope you’re organized and have more time for you book (and are where you need to be at 5:45).
I have two copies of Bird by Bird because I misplaced one and bought another, then found the misplaced copy. Let me know if you don’t find yours. I’ll send you my extra copy, one “piler” to another 🙂