Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.
Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
Thursday was an adventurous morning, so I created a Slice of Life model post for my students.
When I got to school this morning, I saw a crowd of teachers looking at a wall of the school. In fact, they had their phones out and were taking pictures. I finally saw what they were looking at. A rat!
Ms. Katie wasn’t taking a picture. She was making an emergency phone call to the maintenance department.
I was on car line duty, so I could watch the whole adventure take place. Mr. Rat stayed in place in the crook of the corner for a while. Then there was Mr. Leonard with a black trash can.
The rat scurried around the corner and the chase was on!
Not long after Mr. Leonard and Ms. Katie disappeared around the side of the school, the cafeteria side which was smelling strongly of syrup, the maintenance department trucks (there were 2) showed up. I didn’t see the action, but I assumed the ratty rat was caught and disposed of.
As we walked back into school, Mrs. Delahoussaye reminded me, “We are taking over their environment, the canefields. They have every right to be here.”
I’m not sure I agree.
One of my students started drawing a picture a day on the whiteboard. Here’s a collage of her drawings:
Speaking of art, the mural is complete. Here’s a picture of the completed gator mural by Mary Lacy.
Today is my oldest daughter’s wedding. Talk about a celebration. She wants me to read a Margaret Atwood poem at her ceremony. It’s not sentimental (not Maggie’s nor Margaret Atwood’s style), but I still hope I can get through it without choking up.
Habitation
by Margaret AtwoodMarriage is not
a house or even a tentit is before that, and colder:
the edge of the forest, the edge
of the desert
the unpainted stairs
at the back where we squat
outside, eating popcornthe edge of the receding glacier
where painfully and with wonder
at having survived even
this farwe are learning to make fire
Reflections on the Teche 
The poem is going to be difficult to get through. It IS emotional to me. She will treasure this poem. Are you having it framed for her? She may need to reread it someday when she feels like she is standing at the edge of the desert.
Have a glorious day! I know you won’t be reading this soon!
The house is still quiet, Donna, so I’m reading your comment. I haven’t thought of framing it. Why not? Of course I should.
We, humans are infringing on wildlife everywhere, but I too don’t want rats at the school. Have a beautiful wedding day and it is okay to cry. The poem reminds me that marriage is a learning opportunity. I have more to learn!
Have a blessed and besutiful day. What a gift to read that poem. May your voice be strong and clear and ring out with all your love and hopes for your daughter and her husband.
So much to comment on in this slice, Margaret! Have a wonderful, celebratory, beautiful, amazing day! I hope you share pictures. The rat story is fabulous, and I have to say, I think the Margaret Atwood poem is brilliant. I’ll be thinking of you today! All good things—
Thanks for sharing the poem here. It is a rich poem and what an honor to read it today. Enjoy!!
First, congratulations to you and your daughter, That poem strikes at the heart of marriage. I hope the day is a wonderful day filled with family and love.
Wow! What a wonderful post… I love the rat story and the final lines. As I finished reading I had that “been there, done that” feeling of appreciation. Then You wrote of your daughter’s wedding day and I marveled that you posted today, for I remember my daughter’s wedding day. 🙂 Oh yes, congratulations!! May all things be wonderful today! I think that Margaret Atwood’s poem — words read by you (mother to daughter) — is very powerful and sacred in the wedding.
I’m amazed that you managed a post full of “interesting” on this day Margaret. If it was a field rat, guess the habitat has been taken, or perhaps it’s just a rat who smells an opportunity! Enjoy your fabulous day, and reading that poem will send them off beautifully.
Love this poem, Margaret. Keep those tissues handy friend.
Happy wedding day, Maggie!
Wow! What a rich slice and celebration – and what a beautiful poem. Bring tissues for sure! I started tearing up just reading that poem on my screen. 🙂 Have a great day!
It’s early evening here and just thinking about your day today. Beautiful poem, beautiful reason to share it.
As others have said, what a rich, lovely post, Margaret. The poem is amazing. Wishing you a day full of love and joy!
Here’s to a joyous day filled with happiness. I love the gator mural. The mascot at the middle school where I taught was also a gator.
I loved your names for this animal – Mr. Rat and Ratty Rat. We see rats due to our ravines and green belts and abundant ivy and I despise them.
Margaret, I have been thinking of you and the wedding. The poem is beautiful. I can’t imagine reading it and not choking up. I celebrate all of the good times that you will experience in this weekend event. Many blessings!