Happily, though, after school I had a few kids hang out in my room. One of them is a very perceptive individual who loves to tell stories. I feel badly in class sometimes because I can't listen to him for long before I get called away to help another student. It was nice to have the time to listen to what he had to say. It is always refreshing to talk with young people about how they see the reality of their own lives. Sometimes as a school we are broken up into random groups to have "meaningful" discussions. It is often hard to make them meaningful in that artificial context. It is nice to have organic discussions of merit unfold in the classroom when students choose to have the discussion. A nice way to end the day.
Yesterday I dropped off my humble entry to a quilt show at the Motherbrook Arts and Community Center in Dedham, MA. What a beautiful place! The building was a school, with traditional architectural elements still in evidence. Within the space there were visual art studios, a performance area, and exhibit spaces. Really lovely. Thank you, Iris Schonnenschein, for inviting me to participate in this special show!
I wish there was a place closer to me like this, although I love to work in my home (and jammies, if need be!) Makes me think of how much I'd love to see a place open in Reading...there must be some space, somewhere, that could be used as an open studio for creative purposes. I'd especially like to see a space where kids can go and hang out, being creative instead of terrorizing local merchants...lol...If only!
As I write, Cairo is hopping from finger to finger, criss-crossing the counter as he tries to establish a romantic relationship with a Windex bottle I accidentally left out on the counter. Will I ever learn? Spring is coming, and he is getting fiesty. Oh dear!
I am loving the new stove so far, and feel inspired to actually cook and bake. Last night Tim and I were talking about how hard it is to bake when you live alone because you are stuck living with all that you cook...not a good thing when weight is an issue. Luckily I can give him some, and even luckier, I can bake for my class tomorrow night! Yay - it is cupcake night, then! Maybe the birds can sample one...I know Toby will. Cheers!