Thursday, March 20, 2014

SOLSC #20: Tangling with a mop

 
    Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
   sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.
When sixth period arrives, there's a palpable energy in the air that is usually not here this close to the end of the day.  I stop by the office to chat, but everyone is busy.  I wait to speak to a counselor about a student, but she is knee deep in registration for next year.  And then I remember that tonight is Gator for a Night, our first transition event for next year's incoming sixth graders.  I don't have a specific assignment, so I sneak back to my room hoping to diminish the pile of papers still needing attention.  After meeting with a student, I guiltily return to the office with an offer to help.  MaryJo assures me that everything is under control. Returning to my room, I notice tables covered in gator green with balloons merrily waving in the breeze.

I grab a mop and head for the hallway.  "Mopping the floor" is my code word for anytime I get sidetracked instead of facing a pressing obligation.  My college roommates knew that if I was mopping the floor, it was a sure thing that I was avoiding writing a paper or studying for a big exam. Well today, the mop is a stack of shamrocks and a bulletin board that can certainly wait for morning.  I putter for a few minutes, adding the latest Newbery titles to the board before facing down my monster.  If I indulge in this mopping adventure, the next thing I'll be doing is cleaning off my desk.  So I muster my resolve, shove that mop back into the bucket, grab my basket of papers, and march out of the building!

7 comments:

  1. I love the way you find time to play, Ramona! Keep it up :)

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  2. That's a great and appropriate analogy. I noticed a long time ago that my house is never quite as clean as when there's something big ahead of me that I don't want to do.

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  3. Good for you for stowing away the mop and heading home!

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  4. Ha! Ramona, what I do is sweep, always something to sweep as an avoidance, but very relaxing maneuver! I love that you do this!

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  5. Hmmmm....what do I do in avoidance? Certainly not mop...or dust...or vacuum. I don't even really watch TV. Maybe get swept up by professional books or reformatting a document (nerdy-- I know)? Anyway, I loved reading your piece; it is fun...as always. Hope you're having a relaxing evening! b

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  6. Interesting avoidance tactic, at least the floor gets cleaned when you are avoiding. Have a great evening and don't worry about those shamrocks, until tomorrow.

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  7. Like B, I do not clean when I am avoiding something. But hey, at least things get cleaner for you!

    BTW: I love the term "Gator for a Night." It's a terrific concept too!

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