Open to Wonder

Halloween is fast approaching and my second grade teaching partner and I have decided that in order to meet the demands of the new curriculum and standards we need to have super powers. This led to a decision to be super heroes for Halloween. Naturally, Wonder Woman was the logical choice--not only because she must be able to work wonders as a superhero, but because we often wonder how we will make it through the year with all of these new demands and obstacles. In the creation of the costumes (which is filling my need for artistic expression in this busy season), I found myself wondering what super powers were attributed to the original Wonder Woman. I learned that she is known as a skilled fighter for justice, love, and peace. One of her accessories is a 'Lasso of Truth' which compels anyone within her realm to be honest. She also has a tiara which can not only be used as a boomerang type weapon, but also as a means of communicating telepathically with ancient wisdom. Apparently, she even wears earrings that allow her to breathe in outer space. Perhaps she is a more fitting choice than I knew. So, I will don my costume on Thursday, and will try to carry her powers into Friday and beyond--along with my sense of wonder!

Beauty on All Sides

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be at the beach. After a picture perfect October day the sun began to set. The clouds enhanced the bright colors and it was exquisite.

It was difficult to turn away from the painted sky as the darkness began to deepen, until...a fellow observer began to hop up and down and point in the opposite direction. Upon turning, we saw an enormous full moon rising over the ocean. 

To be so surrounded by such beauty was truly awesome. I am filled with gratitude for the person who called me from what I perceived as loss of the day to the promise of a moonlit evening. Beauty often awaits on all sides if we are just able to turn and look.