Tasty Tidbits

Just a Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:43:00 +0000

Kids in the Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:27:00 +0000

It Rarely Happens . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:28:00 +0000

. . . that we see the white stuff in Houston, but we are seeing it today! And getting out of school early for it too! Thank you, weather!

Old Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Charlie with Aunt Elizabeth, this summer.

Exhausted kids after a day at the beach this summer.

Molly having so much fun at the park!

Aaron and me being all cuddly!

Aaron cracking his naked self up in the mirror!

Goofy baby in the tub!!!!

Online - truly the way to go.

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Thanksgiving night, midnight. Scott and I were still up. He had been sleeping all day and was feeling pretty peppy thanks to some hydrocodone. I mentioned that I might like to go to Toys-R-Us. Just to see. The kids were asleep, and Scott assured me that if something happened, he would call me straightaway. (Since he can't lift more than ten pounds for a month (due to the surgery) and since we live like five minutes from Toys-R-Us.)

Scott said, "Well, I guess everybody needs to experience it just once."

I decided to go to Wal-Mart first. You know, to let the line at Toys-R-Us subside a bit. Not that I actually believed that there would be massive amounts of people at Toys-R-Us at midnight. Surey not!

Scott said, "Oh, yes, there will."

I got to Wal-Mart and it was virtually vacant. I was there for about half an hour, and by the time I left, there were freight calls over the intercom. Trucks were being unloaded at the speed of light. Aisles were flooding with people. I had to get out of there!

On to Toys-R-Us.

First of all, I had to park across the street. Cars were parked in the grass, and I flatly refused to park in the grass at Toys-R-Us. No way. I'll walk across the street like a civilized human being, thank you.

There is a Red Lobster just across the parking lot from Toys-R-Us. I was confused by the people lining the front of Red Lobster. Was there a Midnight Lobster Madness or something? Yet, as I found my way to the front of the store and tried to find the end of the line, I understood the reason for the line in front of Red Lobster. It was the continuation of the line for Toys-R-Us, a line that curved all the way down the side of the store, looped around the back of the parking lot, and ended at Red Lobster. I stood and looked in shock at the scene around me: a crowd of people already in Toys-R-Us; store associates standing at the door of Toys-R-Us, craning their necks to get better views of the crowd in the store and the crowd ourside; store associates cruising the crowds and talking on walkee-talkees; thousands, maybe millions of people waiting quite calmly to get into the store, as if it is just an everyday occurance to wait hours and hours in chilly weather at midnight to get into Toys-R-Us. They were chatting on cell phones, listening to ipods, and eating fast food.

How naive I was about the whole Black Friday thing! People take this very seriously, folks!

I left. I just couldn't do it.

I got home and got online immediately. You know what? The doorbuster deals were also available onine, and most of them with free shipping! I ended up avoiding the crowds and found everything I wanted online, with a little help from an offer I couldn't refuse.

By the way, if you have Craigslist available to you, use it. We (are probably horrible parents because we do this) get used stuff all the time from Craigslist. The stuff is always in great shape, hardly used, and cheap!!!! I think it is better than ebay, because you just go pick the stuff up, you get to look at it first to see if you really want it, and you don't have to pay shipping. (I am getting some Thomas trains thanks to Craigslist). A lot of times people are just giving stuff away, too. Just saying. Craigslist is awesome.

Two stores I didn't abandon (besides Wal-Mart, just to kill time): Dollar General and Bath and Body Works. Dollar General because they really do have great stuff for really cheap, and Bath and Body Works because I am addicted to that place and fully convinced that all of my girlfriends are equally addicted!

Happy (cheap!) shopping!!!!!

I Am Surprised!

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:23:00 +0000

Beautiful Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:45:00 +0000

I have this amazing friend from college, Brandi Haile. She is an awesome musician and she wrote a song that I just love called "Galaxy of Pieces." I was listening to that song (on my new ipod) on my way home from school today, and I love these lyrics:

And I had this dream that you were shattered / and there were pieces of you scattered all around on the ground / so many pretty pieces that I found / And I knew that I could never / glue you back together / but if I could / I was sure you would / be the prettiest stained-glass window pane / I'd ever seen / Prettiest pain I'd ever seen."

Notice the change from "pane" to "pain," which was something I noticed only today. And I started to wonder how pain could be beautiful, if it could be beautiful. The more I thought about it, the more true it became, that there can be beauty in pain.

Scripture says it quite clearly, that God will "provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair . . ." (Isaiah 61:3)

It is true that some of the most beautiful people I have known have been those who have gone through great amounts of pain and suffering. The people I am thinking of have endured things I can't imagine. And, even so, maybe because of . . . they are wise, giving, hopeful; they are open, without judgment; they have shining faces and lovely, honest smiles.

So maybe it is that beauty comes out of the pain, as the verse from Isaiah suggests. That pain, mourning, and despair can be traded for a crown of beauty, the oil of gladness, a garment of praise.

I hope so. I hope so.

Brandi's song spoke to me today in a way it never had. I love the image of the person who can never really be the same again after being shattered by pain, but becoming something brilliant and even more beautiful than before.

I have told many people that I am not ready to go on some big journey with God yet, and I'm certainly still not. I have known for quite some time that there will never be a going "back" for me, but maybe I'm seeing some new hope that the going forward will be better than I thought, maybe less scary; that the "becoming" will be worth it, and that maybe I can become something beautiful (which is way more than I ever thought possible) after all.

Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Eliza was a wizard

Molly was a princess

Aaron was a ninja

We went to the Fall Festival at a nearby church, as has been our tradition for the past few years. I thought it was way more subdued this year; not nearly as crowded as normal. It was really relaxing and nice. Scott stayed home with Charlie. We are horrible people. We don't dress up anyone under the age of two in this house! No, really, Scott's back was killing him and I didn't feel like chasing after four kids all by myself, one of whom cannot speak and runs after anything he sees with no logic or warning. So they stayed home and watched something scary. The three big kids were wonderful and had the best time ever.

(P.S. Scott has his back surgery in two weeks so he will finally get some relief. Yay! Sorry, I know that is completely unrelated to Halloween.)

First Five

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:52:00 +0000

I got the coolest First Five cards from Peanut today!

Thank you, Peanut! I love them!

I am planning to work on my First Five stuff over Thanksgiving Break. It hasn't been a year since I posted my First Five yet, has it????

To tell you the truth . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:30:00 +0000

. . . this whole looking for a new church home thing is really getting to me.

We like Gloria Dei, but it pretty far away.

We visited a church right beside our house yesterday. It is one we have visited before. It would be convenient, but Scott and I both know it is not what we're looking for.

I don't want to go to church because I feel guilty for not going. I don't want to go just because it is good for the kids.

I want a community. I don't want to be anonymous.

So I have been asking myself a lot, what is church? What is its function in society? What is it supposed to look like? What is it supposed to be? Do you have to wear dresses? How much of it is cultural? How much of it is tradition? Is there a balance? Who is the church? How is the church supposed to act? Do you have to meet in a big building? Does the church have to have twelve really good programs?

All of these questions, because I do not want to trade one church experience for another, do you know what I mean?

I miss Strawberry Community Church and First Baptist Church of Winterset so much. I miss those churches because we were a family. I miss those churches because the people were so real. I am longing for real relationships right now, and not for a community full of busy people. I know I am whining and I sound very judgmental. Sorry. I just remember the authenticity of those places, and I miss it.

That's enough for now.

One of my faves . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:51:00 +0000

OK, I cannot look at this site without my mouth watering. I'm not kidding. I get chills. It's a sad testament to the kind of person I am. I want to be buried in piles of earrings.

Look for yourself. Just remember to come up for air.

Tell me this kid's not cute . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:05:00 +0000

Another Cryptic Little Story For Your Enjoyment

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a teacher who loved her students very much. The teacher knew, as all teachers do, that sometimes teachers have to make tough decisions regarding their students. The loving teacher knew that these hard decisions might make others feel less than happy.

One day, the teacher made one of those decisions. The teacher knew it was the right thing to do, but sure enough, someone felt unhappy about it. So the teacher had to deal with that, and things were upsetting for awhile. The teacher wished it would just all go away. But the teacher also knew that the hard thing was the right thing.

Now the teacher is kind of sad and taking a lot of tylenol for all the pain caused by tension in her neck and head. She is also using the Bed Buddy a lot, on her neck. The teacher will be happy to elaborate on the story in a private e-mail. The teacher loves all of her devoted fans who read her blog.

Gloria Dei

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:36:00 +0000

We visited Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston yesterday. It is right across from NASA! Pretty exciting. Even more exciting was the evidence all throughout the church and its members that they do what they believe. There were several mission trips in the works, and one that was just completed. The church places emphasis on BEING church to the surrounding community. The worship was amazing. The message was full of Truth. The members get together outside of the four walls on a regular basis. I'm not saying our search is over, but this is definitely the kind of church we are looking for.

Books

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:57:00 +0000

What is it about books? I love them.

Tonight we had a family outing tonight to the mall. We chose the mall that has the huge Barnes & Noble in it. Scott and I get 20% off there because we are teachers. Plus, it is just an awesome bookstore.

I spent most of my time in the children's section with the three big kids. I wanted all of the books. Just being surrounded by them made me happy. Curious George, Where the Wild Things Are, The Little House, Junie B. Jones, Harry Potter, Amelia Bedilia, Mrs. Nelson is Missing . . .

Scott had Charlie in the stroller while I stayed with the big kids and read with them. It was so much fun, and by that hour, we were pretty much the only ones in the children's area. Eliza kept running over to look at her favorites; Molly liked the princess books; Aaron wanted tractor books. I was happy to read with them while Scott picked out the Donald Miller books that I wanted.

I finally broke down and bought Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I have read it about a thousand times, and every time I do, I find something new in it. I also picked up Searching for God Knows What (also by Donald Miller). Scott found his treasures in the bargain book section. The kids each got a book, too, plus a couple of extras that I just had to get to add to their collections (Curious George Goes to the Chocolate Factory and The Velveteen Rabbit).

That's all. I just love looking at all those books. I love reading through them. I love that my kids love them. I could stay there for hours and hours and hours . . . but the store closes at 10:00 and we were all pretty tuckered out by that time. So we weeded through all the books that we had picked up and had to set some aside for later, otherwise we would have dropped about a hundred bucks! But it gives us something to look forward to for our next trip to the bookstore.

Looking

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:22:00 +0000

Our family is in the process of looking for a new church home. I have never thought of how weird that sounds until recently. To be "shopping" for a church; to be "looking" for one as though you have lost something. To weigh pros and cons as though buying a new car or something.

We joined our previous church mainly because I had become involved in helping with the small group ministry. I felt that if I were going to be involved, then I should be a member. This happened just shortly after we moved to the area. We hadn't visited many churches before we settled, either.

Now it just feels so strange. The only reason I have ever left churches in the past was because I moved or got a job at a church. Now it is that we have not left the community, but have left a church. Though I know it isn't, it feels somehow wrong or something. But we are certain of our decision and so we keep "looking."

Our church in Iowa was amazing. So full of worship and so mission-minded. It had such a heart for the surrounding community, and the people were not afraid to get their hands dirty. I was amazed at how the church reached out to everyone. The ministers and the members would drive half an hour or more to visit other members. (The church was surrounded by rural communities and lots and lots of corn). There were fellowships of some kind just about weekly. We felt like family with this church right away.

Same with the church before that. So community-minded, mission-sending, and it felt like family. Rewind to California. I was so close to my church family there, and that church was constantly in the community, worshipping God, and fellowshipping with one another.

None of the above churches were perfect. But we are not looking for a perfect church. We are looking for a church that consistently: worships (has a heart for worship), reaches out to the community, does and supports missions, and feels like family (gets together often and checks on one another). We are not looking for a particular denomination, though we do have certain doctrines that we adhere to and we want to attend a church that adheres to the same ones. We weren't Baptist in Iowa (sh, don't tell), but after I found out that God isn't Baptist (don't tell that either - there are some Baptists who still don't know), I figured it might be OK.

We are becoming discouraged, and especially having no family here, it is hard to be in "church limbo." We still have strong friendships to people from our other church, but not having weekly worship with a church family can just make you feel so empty. So, please pray for us as we search. We'll keep you posted.

Charlie's Appointment

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Charlie's appointment was yesterday. The orthopedist said that Charlie has congenital kyphosis. This is a condition that could lead to paralysis. By every indication (including what the doctor said as well as what I've found on the Internet), surgery is always the best option. Thankfully, we noticed the problem early and were able to recieve the diagnosis now, since the best time to operate seems to be before the age of five.

Now Charlie has to have an MRI to determine if he should have surgery right away or if we can wait a little while.

I am still kind of stunned, and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that one of my children has a progressive condition that could potentially cause serious medical issues. However, we live in a great place when it comes to medicine - Houston has outstanding doctors and hospitals.

And, yes, I am doing the mom thing: asking myself if I took enough folic acid in the beginning of my pregnancy, or if the medicine I took to stop my labor may have caused this, or did I eat too many brownies . . . even though know that this probably just happened because it did, I still go back in my mind and try to remember.

The above picture was taken of him just after his appointment. He was eating Oreos. :o)

School and Other Things

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:59:00 +0000

Today was the second day of school, and though I do not yet know all of the students' names, I am already starting to love them. I like to talk and joke with my students. I kind of like the teaching part too, but the talking and joking part is my favorite.

I get to be the cheer coach this year too! I'll have the JV girls. Is that a hoot or what? Stop laughing now. OK. That's enough. Really. Anyway, I have thoroughly enjoyed the girls so far. Right now JV and Varsity are practicing together, but in a couple of weeks I will have the JV girls all by myself! Other than getting to know the girls and going to games, the other things I am looking forward to are: once-a-month get-togethers, competition, and cheer camp! Rah!

School is already so much more relaxed than last year. First, I know the ropes a little better. Second, my hall is really fun. Also, we have an AWESOME chair for my department this year. I cannot stress this enough. She totally rocks, and I am not just saying that. I feel like I can breathe and be myself.

And as for other things . . . can I just tell you how much I love my family and friends? I have been thinking about this so much over the past few days. I am not a perfect person - not the best wife or mom or friend . . . my kids watch too much TV and often eat potato chips for dinner. Hardly anyone in my house sleeps in their own beds at night, and I am sure they will be emotionally scarred forever. However, whenever I tuck them into whichever bed they crawl into at night, they know that I love them. They smile and hug and kiss me. My husband talks with me about our problems. "Our" problems, because no problem is just mine or yours; we share them. We are a family. And my friends . . . you dear, dear ones, those whom I half-expected, half-wanted to hate me. You never did. How could I have sold you so short? If I have seen evidence of anything, it has been love and strength. My family and friends are so strong, strong enough to love and strong enough to accept, strong enough to cover over my mistakes. Strong enough to walk with someone through something very dark.

Much love to all of you . . .

Still On the Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:44:00 +0000

We got Baby Butterbean and ourselves all ready to go yesterday morning, only to get a call from the doctor telling us we would need to reschedule the appointment. We were disappointed. We wanted to know what is wrong with him right now!!!! But we will have to wait until Aug. 28 to find out.

This week I haven't felt too well, but I felt better yesterday and I feel better today. I spent yesterday shopping for school stuff. Scott has been at school getting his new room all set up. He has had to move rooms because his previous classroom (that has been his classroom for the past two years!) has asbestos under the floor and must be renovated! Yikes! Moving rooms is a huge job for a teacher, especially if you've been in one room for awhile and have made a little nest for yourself. So Scott is working hard this week. I'll be going up to my school to organize my nest tomorrow.

Last week we were in Arkansas. We got in some good Grandma, Pappa, Uncle Matt, Aunt Lisa, cousin Trevor, Aunt Elizabeth, and cousin McNary time. I also got to see my beloved Courtney and Rachel, my BFF of course! (CBB, make sure Rachel sees this!) I got to have long talks with people that I love about things that matter, and even though we didn't come up with any concrete answers, we felt better knowing that our struggles were the same.

We did fun stuff last week, like having Elizabeth go with us and the kids to Wild River Country; going out for Chinese food with the family; having the McNary cousins over for dinner; taking the kids to MidAmerica Museum, the Promenade, and Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs; and celebrating Daddy's 76th birthday with homemade chocolate meringue pie. Again, as soon as we learn to upload videos, you will be able to see some of our adventures!

So, I'm still on this journey of uncertainty and wondering. I may not ever have the answers I am looking for, but at this point, assurance and peace would be welcome friends in the absence of answers. What a year it has been! I think about it every day, how one event really has changed every aspect of my thinking. That change in thinking has in turn changed my life, my outlook. I used to feel like I was on a mountain and could see everything beautiful and green and clear all around me. Everything was in its place and everything made sense, everything mattered. Now I feel like I am chopping my way through a dense forest, full of trees I can't climb and rivers I can't cross and predators in wait all around me. Nothing is certain, nothing makes sense, and I'm constantly being tripped up by debris on the path, trying to figure out what matters.

Much love to all of you -

Spinal Scare

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Baby Butterbean is walking around here like crazy. He'll be running soon. It's crazy!

Not long after he started sitting up, I noticed something that I didn't like about his back. The lower part of his spine was sticking way out, curving outward, and he almost looked hunch-backed or something. I mentioned it to my doctor at his six month checkup, but the doctor didn't seem alarmed, saying that as long as he was sitting up fine and it didn't hinder his movement, it was nothing to be immediately alarmed about. We LOVE our pediatrician! Love him. And at the time, BB was going though some rough stuff with several bouts in a row of RSV, about which the doctor was alarmed.

Fast forward to BB's 12 month checkup, which he had just a couple of weeks ago. I again pointed out my discomfort with his spine situation, and the doctor spent a good bit of time examining BB's back. This time, he was concerned. So he ordered x-rays, and I got a call today that has gotten me unnerved. Even though the doctor said it is not an emergency, I'm the mommy! I have a right to be unnerved.

I still don't know exactly what is wrong, but to hear the words "malformation," "deformity," and "congenital" about a condition that involves my child made me want to cry. The doctor said something about certain bones not closing properly, a curving of the lumbar, and "spinal dysplasia," that is, if I caught everything! He may have said more . . . I don't know. Anyway, I had to get busy right away securing films of BB's xray as well as getting an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist.

BB is the one of my children who has ever had health problems. The asthma issues, bouts with RSV, even the eczema, have all been hard on me. I know that I am blessed, that there are parents who deal with so much more serious issues. Still, I am a worrier by nature, so it has all been kind of tough to take. I just want BB to be the happiest, healthiest baby around. And it's hard to be happy while being sicky. Still, I think he has weathered it all better than I have!

So we'll be meeting with the orthopedist on Aug. 12 and will know more then. I'll keep you all posted. Please keep my little Butterbean in your thoughts and prayers. He is so happy and cute and we are all so happy he's in our family. I just want him to be OK.

Cutie

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:33:00 +0000

What It Is and What It Isn't, But Mostly What It Is

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:12:00 +0000

I don't claim to be an expert on anything these days, except maybe in messing up. But I have been learning a lot about what it means to minister and be ministered to. I have been more guilty of what mistering is not, than what it is, and, yes, a couple of items on this list are borne of frustration, disappointment, and anger. But the majority of it is born of humility. I have been humbled by true examples of ministry, and when I am out of this and on the other side and when I (if I) become the person (I hope) that I'm meant to be, I want to help people, to minister. I am also learning that I didn't know as much as I thought I did about anything, including ministering (maybe especially ministering). Thank you for ministering to me. Thank you.

Ministry drives an hour (or five or ten) to sit with someone, listen to them talk, listen to them cry.

Ministry speaks words of healing.

Ministry is available at a moment's notice; it makes time.

Ministry tells someone that they are worth the trouble.

Ministry does not just send an e-mail or two and leave it at that.

Ministry lets someone know they are loved.

Minsitry loves someone in the midst of their unloveliness.

Ministry does not wait to be asked.

Ministry calls you every day, whether or not you want to be called.

Ministry doesn't always ask, "What can I do?"
Ministry just does - something, anything - because ministry knows that doing something is better than wondering what should be done.

Ministry helps you laugh through tears.

Ministry does not just wait at an alter, but pulls you toward it.

Ministry hugs with big, big hugs, and long ones.

Ministry has big shoulders, and lets you use them.

Ministry does not judge, but ministers with the grace already experienced.

Ministry does not always say what we want to hear, but always says what we need to hear, even when it is painful (to say and to hear).

Ministry wounds faithfully.

Ministry does not just listen, but hears.

Ministry offers hope.

Ministry is not afraid of you.

Ministry is not afraid of the hard stuff.

Ministry is not afraid to get dirty.

Ministry will sit on your bedroom floor and talk with you for an hour and a half (or more).

Ministry says, "Call anytime. Anytime," and means it.

Ministry knows what you can't ask for, and offers it anyway.

Ministry remembers you next week.

Ministry believes for you, when you cannot believe.

Ministry meets you where you are.

Ministry accepts you just the way that you are, right now.

Ministry brings chocolate. :o)

Ministry lets you have another cup of coffee.

Ministry says, "I will always be your friend, and nothing that you do or say can ever change that. I love you."

Ministry is personal.

Ministry can save your life.

You Are One, Little One!

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Our sweet Baby Butterbean turned one on Friday! It's hard to believe that he could have started out at just a little over 5 pounds. Now he is my chubby little monkey. I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that we've had him in our lives for an entire year.

We love you Baby Butterbean! I'm so glad you are part of our family!

Summer School, Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:50:00 +0000

I think I have realized the reason I agreed to teach summer school is that I had a subconscious need to be punished for all the bad things I have ever done in my life.

The Teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Donut) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:03:00 +0000

East of Houston
a teacher
her students

Many days she wonders
Sometimes she knows

Three dots tattooed
Between the thumb and first finger
She knows

One of her students broke a finger
It was black and blue,
purple
so swollen

The teacher said to her,
Why don't you go to the doctor?
That must hurt . . .

Her beautiful student
with the loveliest dark eyes
framed by long eyelashes,
curly, curly hair
and a ready smile
said to her,
Miss, you don't know . . .
you don't know how it is
with us.

Edgar was in the hall
laughing with his girlfriend
and talking to Jose,
who said,
My uncle has some of that stuff
it was in his car last night
we can get some tonight . . .

Jose and Edgar
laughing, jovial,
always ready
with a greeting
for the teacher.

Today she knows
what tonight will be
for the two boys

The teacher sits at her desk
in a school
just East of Houston.
She sees the large, round city,
a gray outline each morning
as she follows lines of other cars
going that way . . .

And knows that what is there
and East of there
and West and South
of the round, gray city
is a world filled with people
wanting to escape

and those people have children
who want to escape, too
But until they can,
she will teach them
from a book filled with stories.