Last weekend, my husband and I went camping in the Adirondacks. Our campsite was tucked away in a quiet corner of the campground overlooking a creek. The sound of water flowing over the rocks lulled us to sleep each night and woke us each morning. Friday morning, I sat watching the stream hurry past and noticed a small eddy next to the bank just below our campsite. This little pool of calm water looked so inviting, I was tempted to risk the steep hillside to go wading. (I didn’t; the drop was too close to vertical for my aging bones!)
It occurred to me, though, that I was already in an eddy of sorts. Escaping the hustle and bustle of school in early June is something I’ve never done, never even considered. And yet a weekend filled with hikes through the woods, afternoons with a book, and evenings by the fire was exactly what I needed to steel myself for the stress of the tasks I have to complete over the next two weeks. So today, while I was totaling book orders and scheduling curriculum writing time and working on a dozen other duties, I took a deep breath and pictured that little eddy, peaceful and serene, while the torrent went rushing by.
Thank you to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Beth for this space for teachers and others to share their stories each Tuesday. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
I need that little eddy! It’s on the horizon…Beautiful post so full of images and peace, Catherine. Thanks for sharing.
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e I think you needed to disconnect. Maybe you’ll go on a trip like this annually (in June).
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Beautiful image to hold onto for peace in these chaotic last few weeks! Last summer, I took a shell from the beach on a blissful morning with my mom and my children. I remember feeling such sensory pleasure: warm sun on my face, smell of coconut sunscreen and salt water, bright blue sky and white sand…I wanted that shell to connect me to that feeling long after summer left. This post called that to mind! Good luck with the end of the year!
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What a beautiful picture you paint. And then transferring it to school life, hmm. The “torrent ” rushing by filled with emotion, energy and urgency; it’s easy to get washed up in it and maybe away. Sitting back in an eddy for a while sounds like an excellent way to manage these last few weeks of school.
Hang in…and I’ll see you soon!
Julieanne
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Lovely to think about, Catherine. I’m so glad you had such a beautiful time there in the woods with your husband. What a pleasure before heading back to the other ‘things’. Thanks for sharing your ‘eddy’!
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I will be looking for my eddy while I get away a few days at a time in between TechEds training and WP teaching I love your appreciation for the calm moments we find in the busyness of life. Your words resonate with me.
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I’m so glad you had a chance to step away from the chaos and find some tranquility in these busy days. I’m determined to go camping this summer as I haven’t been in years–I’ll look for my own peaceful spot with your words in mind. Thanks for sharing.
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What a beautiful idea and image during this CRAZY BUSY time of year. I’ve never thought about “getting away” during this time to find peace and strength to finish the race, but it is a great idea…and I will think our YOUR eddy as I watch the river of school life reach the ocean of life.
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We all need time in the eddy. So glad you had yours before the end of school year chores began. Happy summer!
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So fun that you had a break in the middle of end of the year craziness! Good luck as you wind things up.
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The perfect metaphor! I like looking at the swiftly-moving waters of another school year (the one just past or the one coming up) from the peace and calm of this eddy!
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