New Learning-All Good

           I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today, and it's always good to read what everyone shares.  Thank you Stacey, Tara, Anna, Betsy, Dana, Kathleen, Beth, and Deb.
           It snowed all night and is still snowing today and most schools have a snow day. That usually doesn't impact me anymore, but this morning I was supposed to be at school early to observe a lesson. I'm glad I don't have to go out except to knock the snow off the trees. I don't know if this storm will reach you, but winter is here in Colorado today!

             I have a giveaway of a Christmas book here, if you're interested in winning a book!
      My view out the window across the street shows a doggie parlor, a flower shop, a neighborhood market, with people sitting outside at the few tables, sunning and drinking coffee. People on this side of the street walk by (I imagine) on their way to the coffee shop (independent) down this side of the street from the bookstore. I am taking it in, wondering what in the world I'm doing here, alone, waiting for the computer to boot and show me the inventory application. I am in my next volunteer time and this time without someone to guide me! 
           I've unlocked the door, turned up the heat, the lights upstairs and down, and the tiny light is on in the cabinet of curiosities. No, sorry, the cabinet of very collectible books! Now time to check the money, lay out the paperwork ready to mark sales and double-check my notes. Time to turn the "closed" sign to "open" and pull out the sale cart to the sidewalk. 



          I didn't have many customers today, and the volunteer coordinator dropped in to see if all was going okay. (I had a few questions). I liked having people in, talking with them about what they were looking for, helping one person find some children's books for a friend's baby, another find some older westerns. I found a book on the shelf that someone called about, then arrived later to pick up. And, I spent time browsing myself, taking in as much as I could so I could begin to know what books are on the shelves. 

What did I buy? You knew I would, didn't you?
        a coloring book for Ingrid about Mountain Lions, full of realistic drawings and information
        an old alphabet book, An Alphabestiary by a poet/ guest lecturer I had in college, John Ciardi. He wrote many other books of poetry and about writing. I loved the discovery.

So there is my day. What did I learn that applies sometimes to teaching?

• It's good to ask questions! Some things are confusing.
• Study the information given.
• Be patient, the feeling of knowing what you're doing will come.
• Starting conversations with customers is helpful, but some just want to browse (think). Leave them to their own devices.
• Enjoy the learning. It's good for the brain!