How To Beat the Winter Doldrums

This past week we had a snow day and even delayed openings and it was only the first week back after Winter Break.  Everything looked crisp and bright.  But now, the gray has kicked in.  The slushy dirty icky snow is pushed to the side.  The brown "grass" is poking through and the weatherman keeps delivering news of cold and potentially an upcoming ice event.  The sad abandoned Christmas trees are by the curbs awaiting pick up from the sanitation department. And, for me the worst, my kiddo has returned to college.  Perhaps you have seen this gem floating around on Pinterest and Facebook:



So, here I am.  Sad, cold and alone with my computer writing this uplifting (note the sarcasm) blog post.  I checked my email and did not see an invitation to present at Common Ground (according to their website notifications were being made by January 10th) so I am assuming that is a no-go this year and, although the thought of presenting was daunting, I was really looking forward to the whole experience of attending the conference.  So I was wondering how to turn this bleakness around and avoid writing the lesson plan and pre-observation question write-ups for my upcoming observation.  And then I reach into my trusty schoolbag and what do I pull out?  My 2014-2015 Collection Development Allotment letter.  It's like Christmas has come again! 

I love ordering books for my library, don't you? I keep a running list all year long of books that have been loved so much they need to be discarded and books that teachers and students requested but I did not have and books that I have read some good "buzz" about.  This year I also added some books that I need for my new curriculum. I have the students make lists of suggestions and they (and I) await our shipment each Spring to see what arrives.  So I am off to buy some of my favorite things (books) in hopes that each one will find a reader who will love it. 

Let's get inspired, you and I, by watching one of my favorites.  Enjoy!