It Flies By Too Fast, But a Chance Meeting in a Liquor Store in Norwalk = an Invite to See Friends & Family. It's All Good

Tunga and I made plans to meet halfway, so I could catch up with his trip to Louisville. He picked a seafood place, but I don't think he looked at the prices. The average meal was like $68 dollars. I asked him what he wanted and he said a burger, so we ended up at the Dry Dock & Grille in Norwalk. On the way in, I stopped by a liquor store to get goods for the weekend, and I thought, "Isn't that Claudia Connor?" It was. We haven't seen each other in a couple of years, and collaborated much on refugee projects in Bridgeport and supporting one another's vision.

Her son, Luca, was in our 1st Project Citizen and was featured in the JAAL article we wrote (he's a great lyricist and really bonded with Dave). We've also had Gabrielle, since, and Claudia said, "Hey, it's Gab's birthday and we're having a party for him. I sent Sam to the store and he came home with a tiny bottle of tequila, so I came back to get a bigger one."

Of course, the store's credit system was down, so we had to spend time chatting. She asked, "Why don't you and Chitunga stop by after you after dinner. We're only a couple of miles away."

And they were. 

We went for a birthday toast - it was so great to see the family, especially Luca. There was always something special about him as a writer, thinker, and dreamer. We all loved working with him when he went through our programs.

They have a beautiful back porch, and it reminded me of evenings in our college years where we'd make parties on Amalfi Drive with whoever could stop by.

Crazy coincidence, but I'll give credit to The Great Whatever. Claudia is back at Save the Children, and it was so wonderful to see her again. I hope this spontaneous gathering becomes more ritualistic. It was a nice Friday night surprise.

When a 10-Minute Activity Turns Into 90-Minutes, That's the Power of @kpchandl and A Good Fit - It Gets Teachers Thinking

Julie Roneson, my co-director for the summer work, was tasked with leading a conversation on Kelly Chandler Olcott's A Good Fit For All Kids: Collaborating to Teaching Writing in Diverse, Inclusive Settings and she began with Chapter One. She pulled forward 7 quotes from the writing and handed them out to groups to think about, write, and then lead a conversation, as we did a gallery walk around the room, where the quotes were also taped on white boards.

Quote, think, reflect, write, White Board, Lead Discussion, Group discussion, Collaborate ahead.

The KCO quotes led to deep, reflective, moving, and engaging conversations with the summer crew, which let to deeper dialogue, more inquiry, and even more possibility, especially on the collaborative part of working with colleagues to meet the needs of all kids in a variety of schools.

"It'll only take 10-minutes," Julie predicted. "Then we'll finish the day with the workshop we didn't get to yesterday."

I'm a facilitator with a lil' insight knowledge about KCO's book, but I tell the team, "I want to hear what you have to say and to learn how KCO's words inspire your ways of knowing." 

Yes, I was antsy. I had a 90-minute workshop up next, but I couldn't do it. They were so engaged by the quotes and what they were thinking as a result of A Good Fit For All Kids, that I knew I needed to seize the moment and let their processing go forward. It was too rich a conversation to push the original agenda ahead. The workshop could wait.

I have to say, it is surreal to have been part of something that had another 3 years of life, and to learn with Kelly Chandler Olcott's writing and its influence on classroom teachers. I don't have it here, but one of my teachers presented that she was thinking KCO actually is Kelly: COmmunity, COmmitment, COllaboration, and COnsideration. I wish I recorded the mini-speech. It was brilliant. In one chapter she took away these for words she wants to bring back to her middle school students.

This is all to say, "Dang. I was one lucky doctoral student to have the guidance of such a sage." 

I am, because of her. 

But now, I need to rest this brain. 6-hour daily institutes is something that might take a little while to adjust to again, especially back-to-back, day-to day. And these monsoon rains. How do we get the dogs outside?

What a week! So thankful to the NWP teacher leadership model.

2003 Flashback. Teaching in Denmark, Class of 2005 with Me, Writer's Notebook From that Year - Frog Sketches.

I always bring in the history of my writer's notebooks when I work with teachers to show how my thinking moved from text, to text and visuals, to visuals, to blogs (like this) which allow me to offer a little of both. I actually took 100s of photos of my notebook, because I was mesmerized by what I was doing so long ago. It is a timestamp. A moment in space. A talisman of who I used to be. 

In my sketches of that notebook are several Frog characters, including numerous comic strips and character reformations about what could possibly be a story frame for my thinking. At the time, I started a Comics club, and we looked at several graphic novels after school - a collaboration with the art teacher, and I watched my students for what might be possible directions to take. I thought I was an old fart then. I now realize I was still a pup.

Funny I grabbed this particular journal off my shelf from hundreds of journals to share with a room full of teachers today. As I looked through this particular one, I told the teachers, "It's amazing. I remember, sort of, working on the entries in this book, but I don't remember the actual story,. I have, however, the story behind the story and perhaps that is most important. I mean, 2003....These kids are now 33 years old. They were just babies when I had them, influencing my life like I was mentoring theirs.

It was, though, also the hay day of my career. I loved the National Writing Project work I was doing in my classroom. We had a phenomenal administrator with a great vision. The State of Kentucky was full-throttle behind writing instruction in all content areas and genres. It was a dream. A journal of Frog journals makes absolute sense. We were licensed to mentor a wide variety of writing possibilities in our classrooms.

Four years later, however, it all changed. The work the teachers were doing was squashed and those of us pushing kids to their best selves became targets for administration. Only the new tests mattered. Real world skills no longer did. Testing. Testing. Testing.

And that's where we've been for way over a decade. That is a generation of kids, too, who have been taught little, but tested much. More than one generation, actually.

And all of this thinking was prompted by one notebook...one perusal from one summer with 10th graders on an overseas trip to Denmark as I opened to this page in front of teachers.

The world is definitely not that place any more. 

A visual launches memory. That's the point. 

I Now Understand FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Because I am Missing Out. But I Am Beginning the Teacher Institute Today, and It's All Good

Sue McV knows how to rub it in. 

All day yesterday I received photos of her in Kentucky hiking with Chitunga, eating ice cream with Chitunga, and even going out to dinner with Chitunga and Dave. What's worse is she took him to Nam Huynh's Eatz - Vietnamese Restaurant. Nam was in the graduating class of 2007, my last year for teaching at the Brown School. He's since become a culinary genius and able to feed all those that love and cherish good Vietnamese food (like me...and I couldn't be there).

I spent 14-hours yesterday working on today, the opening day for the teacher institute. Whereas K-12 educators have been face-to-face for months (in masks, of course), the University has lived by a different set of rules. Those of us on campus on a given day can be counted on two hands and two feet. This is just to say that the normalcy of getting normal summer operations underway is definitely not happening. I am just holding my breath and doing the best that I can. We were given incredible space in the Dolan School of Business and the facility is ridiculously nice. Alas, not sure where to print items or if I can get the technology to work. It failed yesterday.

As always, the teachers are my focus. It is such a pleasure to gift them with the National Writing Project tradition, good books, awesome pedagogy, leadership opportunities, and never-ending stimulation. It is professional development that works every time. 

Still, how great would it be to have summer off to travel to see Sue and Dave, too?

It's all good. I am now on a 9 pm bedtime and 6 am wake-up time for the next month (and it's been a while, because there was no teacher institute last summer). 

We got this. It's not noodle soup or a spring roll, but it suffices. 

There are No Coincidences (Except Ger Duany in I HEART HUCKABEES)...So, Villagers, Tell This Idiot What It's All Supposed to Mean!

I read the world like tea leaves. Ask my students in Kentucky, who used to pull random toys from a big barrel I had and from what they grabbed I would read their future. It used to spook them out. BRC - toy reader...

I sort of retired that ability and haven't thought of it much until yesterday. Guilty that I gave two days away to a wedding celebration, I got up early and immediately targeted a few pieces that needed final edits and submission. Not wanting to be late, I sat and worked until around 1 p.m.. As soon as I finished, I felt a sore on my nose and lo and behold, it was a zit. Just as I hit 'send' a zit appeared (I felt like Cynderballz). Then, I immediately look up from my self-navigation and there's a turkey crossing the road. I'm like, "What's a turkey doing in this neighborhood?"

The turkey strutted up the driveway, walked across my yard, then disappeared. As soon as he did, the mailman showed up with a package for Karal Carrot Cake. It's a bag of 20 squirt guns (somebody has been reading my blog). I took all of this as a sign that I probably should run the errands I was putting off, including the grocery store.

Well, Big Y was buy-one get-one free, so I went a little crazy. I've never prepared Shiitake mushrooms, but when I see a sale, I do as cheap people do...I figure it out. I also go steak tips, vegetables, salad, and I texted Leo, Bev, and Pam (my three-letter named friends) and asked, "Want me to cook tonight?" 

They did. And Kaitlyn and Dominic showed, too.

When I came back, I wondered if Karalynne was going to prove a good dog or bad dog. Um.....

It is so random. She has reign of the entire house and the two things she went after (and I have no idea how she got them down from the shelves they were on) was Neanderthal Poetry given to me by Kaitlyn, and a tiny spiral notebook of my Grannie Annie's. I was like, "Man. She knows how to get revenge." As soon as I walked in, she hid under the kitchen table. I couldn't even scold her. She punished herself. 

Anyway, I appreciate the squirt guns, and I should focus, focus, focus today. I needed the 5th to do the errands I didn't do on the 3rd and 4th. Meanwhile, Chitunga caught his flight to Louisville (he arrived safely). My heart is happy to know that he will have a short time with my KY family.

But it's been a while since I've been with a puppy, and I know they always go for the jugular when they want to spite you for leaving them alone. Sunday, she did it to Pam and today she did it with me. "I'll teach you for leaving me at the house all alone. You think that's okay? Well, I have something I want to tell you."

Ah...she needs to get used to it. She will be home alone for most of this week. And with this post, I need to let the routine begin.

And the Winner for Greatest Surprise Atop Numerous Surprises is Rona Preli, "Hey, Crandall. The Ben & Jerry Truck Will Be Here in 30-Minutes."

Ever since I met Rona Preli I knew that she was a planner, doer, shaker, mover, and over-the-top lover of family and friends. The wedding she and Ken threw, with Fran and Pamela Kelly, for Stephanie and Patrick was truly remarkable. Yesterday, on the 4th, they held an after-wedding picnic that began at 1 and went on to (well, I don't want to know). I lasted until 6. Tunga lasted until 11.

But at 3:00, Rona came by to announce, "I have a surprise for everyone. The Ben & Jerry's Truck will be in the driveway in 30-minutes. I hope you're ready for some ice cream."

Really? We spent 1 pm -3 pm having barbecue catered by a restaurant in New Haven; inside, there was a buffet of bagels, fruits, mimosas, and bloody Mary's. I was still exhausted from last night, and have no idea how the wedding party or parents had energy for this second day...

...with the grandiosity...

...and all that food...

I don't remember, exactly, what I had, but it was served over a cookie and had lots of hot fudge. When the announcement came we were told that the children and elderly go first. I asked, "Does that count me?" I was told, "No."

I demonstrated my patience. 

And I'm fried. I have no clue how any of them are standing, including Chitunga, who partook, full-heartedly, in the festivities....they had fireworks at night. I couldn't last that long. I've always been a bit of a party pooper.

Meanwhile, Karal had a naughty day. We left her and Jake at Pam's condo, where she tore up a bag and box of tissue, plus ate through a new dog leash. I have been counting my blessings that she's been so good, but I know there's an enormous imp in her (and she's been waiting to show it). She showed it.

Now I wish I had leftovers. I never got to the ribs or pulled pork, because everything else was so good. 

Today is recovery (still waiting to see if Tunga needs me to drive him to Laguardia - his first big-boy booking on his own. He's going to see Sue in Louisville and have lunch with Alice and Charlie, too). I hope he has a fantastic time on his first vacation.

And now...drum roll please...it's CWP all the way.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Stephanie Kelly on a Beautiful Wedding with a Wonderful Ceremony

 

There are better photos of the groom and bride, and I'm proud of Jake and Karal for having an uneventful night at home. They were left from 3 pm until 1 a.m. and all went. Everything was gorgeous, it was a spectacular location, and everyone enjoyed themselves. 

I'm sure they are ready to rest, chill out, recover, and reflect. All that hard work and poof! It's over. 

Pictured here: Kaitlyn, Pam, Patrick, Stephanie, Fran, and Dominik.

It's Nuts, Really, Karal. This Academic Life I Live, & I Am Glad You're Adjusting. But We Don't Go For Long Walks in the Rain. Nope.

Yesterday was a good day to stay inside, and the weather psychics were correct. When it poured, it poured. I actually did find a window where the pupperdoodle and I could take a 4-mile walk. Even so, she begged for more...and as I put together my final evening writing (more poetry...I'm a geek), she started doing sprints around the house as fast as she could. She then stop between my feet as if asking, "Can't we go outside and toss a stick or something?"

I wore my squirrel socks yesterday, a gift from Ranger Kristin Lessard from Weir Farm National Historical Park. It's from a story I wrote about a squirrel, squid, and flamingo (Write Out 2020). I put them on actually, because they never made it upstairs after the gifting. They've been on a table for months, and even though I've been saying I should store extra socks downstairs, I haven't. Why? Well, I sleep barefoot and come down for coffee the same. Then, if I want to leave the house, I'm always like, "Dang. I don't have socks downstairs." 

Yesterday, I remedied that by putting on the squirrels. I needed a yellow pocket square and headed to the usuals to find one: Burlington, Marshall's, TJ Maxx. They didn't have any pocket squares. Shoot, they didn't really have ties. I thought, "Ugh. I probably should try Walmart," and I HATE GOING TO WALMART. The one in Cicero, NY, isn't bad, and I can tolerate the one in Shelton, CT, so I went there.

No ties. No pocket squares. Ah, but they did have a sewing material section, and swaths of interesting material. It was cheap. I bought on block for a $1 and then a back of scrap material for $4 (30 cloth prints). I will make my own pocket square, and with what I don't use, I will either quilt (NOT HAPPENING) or use to wrap crap when gift-giving. Clever Crandall. Tricks are for kids.

Hmmm. Now I'm anticipating a post for Sunday morning and thinking, "I'm unlikely to have one up in time because of the wedding festivities." So, perhaps I'll pre-post today or sometime later tomorrow, a late post."

 And with that, I need to get my day going.

Because They're Going to the Chapel and They're Gonna Get Married - the Night Before the Night Before, a Small Gathering to Tap Glasses

...and I'm just a guest...which is a great location to reside.

Patrick and Stephanie are marrying on Saturday. Yesterday, I went and got clothes for the wedding because, truth be told, I've only dressed up from the waist up over the last year, and this is a real gathering, with real people, for a special occasion. A new sport coat, slacks, a new shirt, and then not just one, but two new pairs of shoes (I'll decide what pair will be best once Saturday morning arrives).

Leo, Bev, and I went to Pam's after she assisted my shoe shopping (besides, Karal needed an out-of-house experience). I brought over burgers, beans, but forgot the buns, but Pam had a tomato salad, so while she putzed forward with her pre-wedding work, I put together a plate that looked more gourmet than it actually was.

...and it was delicious...

And Chitunga called and said, "I need to get something to wear for the wedding," I headed home quickly and we went to shop, Crandall style, and got him several shirts, a vest, and pairs of pants (he has to work, too). 

Then he and I sat in the driveway of Mt. Pleasant, talked life, and caught up on his work, my work, Syracuse, Karal, and how quickly the life swirl goes on and on and on.

Inside, Karal found a lacrosse ball to play with. 

So, here's to all parents, everywhere, who have dedicated resources, finances, and time to the happiness of their kids, especially those who are encountering wedding expenses. Phew. 

I never got the gifts that come from showers, and weddings, and the what-not, and I told Chitunga, "Dude. It's a big economical advantage to have so many friends and family to invest in your future. Get married, so all that shebang comes your way."

And then I handed him the garage-sale find of Cherry Heights, the refurbished table, and $10 investment, and said, "Well, this is how I've always rolled. Sorry I'm not so fancy."

He laughed. I laughed. And on Saturday, we're going to dress up and be fancy for an evening with friends and people we enjoy and love.

Ah, but Friday...I have a teacher institute to run next week after the 4th of July comes to a close. I'm on my computer all day today.

Karalynne Was Introduced to an Invitational Leadership Institute Speed-Planning Event on Mt. Pleasant (& Julie Captured this Photo)

Actually, Karal is more than enthusiastic to be friends with anyone who enters our home, and the more she likes you, the more she's obsessed with your feet, heels, and toes, all to get your attention. I haven't invested in a squirt gun yet, because she doesn't give me problems, but when others come over, the more you ignore her, the more she wants you to know she loves you with love nibbles. It's fascinating really, if not annoying. We're getting there.

So, Julie captured Karal in my arms where she was content, but I couldn't get any work done. When it's just the two of us, she's self-occupied.

I think she has separation issues. Not Julie, but Karal. After Julie left, Karal went to sleep and I noticed she was having a dream where she appeared to be suckling like a puppy trying to get milk. She's done this before and it is adorable, but in 1 year of life I wonder about how much imagination a dog can have within their dreams. I think it is charming she reminisces about feeding as a pup. But then she wakes herself up, she is alarmed...and immediately looks for me, jumps in my lap, jumps down, and falls asleep again. I think she may have been outnumbered in her litter and, as a result, is now always craving milk she wasn't getting. Maybe that is why she became a bitter to get attention, and why she bites.

It's all a hypothesis trying to figure out her psychology (in the same way you can all psychologize about my pervasive writing about her on this blog - yes, after a year of Covid, she's something beyond the routine that is educational and interesting). I thank Julie for getting this photo.

If I was a good friend I would have taken a photo in return of her underneath the piles of books I gave her. I love working with her and am glad we'll host a summer institute for teacher leadership, yet again.

Rain today = cooler temperatures. Phew. So ready for it.