I have finally recovered from the shock and am back at my desk. And I will have my first day teaching at a new university next week! It would be great to have an Alabama Chanin project to work on for the commute!

I live in Alabama too and though we are feeling those new school year pangs, I home school my kids so we aren’t packing up backpacks and lunchboxes. My girls are sitting at the kitchen table with me right now where I am painting (I am an artist as well as mom and teacher) nibbling on peaches and reading to me. We are spending our week gathering books and sussing out lesson plans and hitting the back to school sales just like everyone else. Our routines will be a little different from here on out but it’s a new year for us just the same as it is for you. I have a first and third grader now! I love that I can keep my girls home with me where they get to study in bare feet and I get to watch as they grow and learn. I am also happy that we can rummage through the mounds of composition books at the back to school sales together –to find just the right color just like I used to do as a kid–way back when. That part of the new school year is still my favorite part. Some things never change.

Here is to another school year! May it be filled with creativity, good books, thoughtful teachers, healthy lunches and good friends.

Now I teach university students, and the first day of class is still an event full of nervous excitement, but thankfully, I have no trouble sleeping. Also, now I document what I wear to teach, which makes everyday a bit new.

The morning of my first day, I get everything loaded in my backpack and got on the school bus. At the school, I remember thinking that all the other kids were so much bigger than me, but I followed everyone inside. I sat in the cafeteria while everyone’s name was called – except mine. It seams that only grades 3-6 were starting school that day. Second grade was starting the next day.

So, the next day, I once again got on the bus and made my way back for my second 1st day of school. Getting off the bus that morning, I was teased for my height and was called “string bean” and “Jolly Green Giant.” Then, I made it to my classroom but couldn’t find my name on the class list. It took a good part of the morning to realize my records were listed under my first name, but I use my middle name.

After that first day, things went more smoothly. It also did not dampen my excitement for school. Every year I counted the days until I could leave summer behind and go supply shopping. There is just something special about a brand new notebook. Possibilities!