I learned some things today.
I learned that copycat Starbucks vanilla bean scones are different from the original, but way, WAY better, like hover over the baking sheet still warm from the oven and eat them straight out of the pan hoping no one comes into the kitchen and sees you or worse asks for one because you do not want to share better.
I learned that sloths have bad breath and smell like wet dogs. (Thanks to the Cincinnati Zoo for its daily Home Safari Facebook Live Event, which I–and thousands of children–look forward to every day. Also, in case you didn’t know, the Houston Zoo is doing the same thing on Facebook. Yesterday I watched Dash the cheetah take a walk around the zoo on a leash and developed a new life dream: take a cheetah for a walk.)
I learned that my cats very quickly get used to on demand 24/7 lap and play time. They are currently living their best lives.
I learned that every single idea Amy Ludwig VanderWater has for keeping a notebook inspires at least one entry in my writer’s notebook. (Seriously, her short notebook talks are so good!)
I learned that Twitter is my lifeline–all the news, all the funny, all the heartwarming, all the reflection, all the learning, all the #QuarantineCats. (Also, if you’re not following the creator of the #QuarantineCats hashtag, Elle Maruska @elle_em, on Twitter, you should. They are an American living in Spain running an unofficial cat sanctuary among many other things, and they post great cat photos and super informative threads about how to take better care of your cats.)
I learned that subscribing to Disney Plus and having access to all the Pixar movies was my son’s life dream. (Who knew I could make him so happy spending just $6 a month?!!)
I learned that it’s just as easy to order new books online from my favorite independent bookstore, The Tattered Cover in Denver, as it is to order from a certain retail giant that doesn’t pay taxes.
I learned that it’s nearly impossible to keep track of all the characters in the beginning chapters of War and Peace. Reading slowly–three short chapters a day–is allowing me to appreciate Tolstoy’s ability to bring a character entirely to life with one sentence–even if I can’t quite remember who they are two paragraphs later. (Follow #TolstoyTogether for a slow-paced, 12-15 pages a day, virtual book club read of War and Peace.)
I learned that learning is keeping me sane during pandemic isolation. I am so grateful to all of the teachers, artists, writers, scientists, doctors, journalists, museums, zoos and more who share so generously online. (Check out #MuseumfromHome for more Twitter goodness.)
I learned that I’m not sure what is best for my students. I’m on extended break this week; I have until Sunday night to get my classes up and running for remote learning. I have been researching options and learning so much from reading about other teachers’ experiences, but I still have so many questions.
I learned that there are only 11 days left of the Slicing Challenge, and I am going to feel rather bereft to lose this community and the daily routine of slicing at the end of March.
Thanks to humbleswede for this format!
the dirigible plum 
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