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The Inklings?

My New Year's Resolution 2015 was to blog, and I can now officially and publicly declare that it was the first resolution I've actually accomplished in years - maybe even ever! I posted ten whole entries in the last year, and I'm kinda proud of myself! Silly, I know, but it is a big deal to me to be a writing teacher who writes, especially in a space where my students may view my writing. Took me a while to come to this understanding, but I'm here.

 Writing a million pages of essays for the Teacher of the Year business (only a slight exaggeration) nudged the teenaged journaler in me awake again. Rather than ink to paper, my fingers comfortably crafted and revised phrases digitally, and the words called to me. Frustrating and thrilling and frightening and curious, writing my heart changed me. And I found in it something that I actually authentically long to do. Mid experience - a conversation, a teachable moment, a hug - I begin crafting paragraphs in my head. The words "I should blog about this" pass through my mind marquee-style. The challenge, of course, is making the time to commit those thoughts to the blog. But now that I know that the payoff is worth it - so very worth it - I'm hooked.

 New Year's Resolution 2016 --> to blog weekly with my blogging buddies Fitz and Zuber. Fitz's idea. Says we are "The Inklings." Hey, if it's good enough for Lewis and Tolkien, then I suppose I can handle it! 
Confession, though? 

 I'm nervous.

 These two dudes are geniuses in the world of American history. They read like retired old ladies in a book club. Their brains are quick and witty and speedier (and younger) than mine. They crunch data and inhale statistics for snack. And, their blogs are awesome. I admire the way they wonder about and question the world and themselves. I giggle at their references and jokes (at least the ones I understand...). And somehow I'm supposed to compete with that?

 Nah, it's not a competition. All three of us are educators who thrive on those moments with our students when they "get" it. We love our jobs and enjoy working together. So while I'll remain anxious that I can hang with the "whippersnapper writers," I know I'm gonna love it. And I'm gonna need that support and motivation when the week is busy or tough or just plain seems uninspiring. The dudes will push me. They'll ridicule me if I don't write. To be honest, they'll probably eject me from the club if I don't do my part. So I will.

 Watch me.

 Here I go. 

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