The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Showing, Not Telling

        Showing, and not telling, is a writer's mantra. Here are a few of life's little snippets. See if you can tell what is being shown...


*  Yesterday, my class went on a field trip to our district's nature center. As the students stood along the edge of a pond, I had to request one kiddo move to the end of the line so they'd have "more room." I asked that same student to hold my hand as we walked through the prairie so they'd be safe. ("If we see a bee, I will get stung and not you, since the bee can see me more easily as I'm much bigger than you.") On the bus ride back to school, I requested that same student sit on the same seat with me, so we could "talk about the field trip." What am I showing you about that student?


*  Yesterday, one of my students stared at my hair and said, "Mrs. R, you have a black spot in the middle of your hair." (Let the record show it's an aggressive-looking gray and not black.) On a daily basis, my students are trying to help me out by reporting the hunks of my hair that are standing upright in an unsightly manner or hanging down when they should be pinned up (My hair! My hair!There are other things that hang down and steel struts can't keep them propped up) or they'll suggest (with their third grade candor) that I "should run a comb through" my hair. Immediately. What am I showing you about myself?


* Two days ago, our pony puppy (Radar) enjoyed his last free puppy play date. One of the local swanky kennels offered puppies under the age of six months a free day on the first Wednesday of every month. Radar just turned six months, so no more freebies for him. I watched other dogs get picked up. The staff took their time getting the dog. The staff and the owner spoke a few minutes about how well-behaved the dog was and what fun they had.  The staff smiled at the dog owners.


As soon as they heard me utter the name "Radar," one of the employees practically broke their neck racing to the back. Apparently someone put on a CD because I heard the faint strains of Handel's Messiah (the hallelujah chorus part) coming from somewhere in the building. When they emerged--with Radar straining and lunging and pulling--the employee glared at me as they muttered under their breath (something about "Satan's hound from hell") and as soon as I had the leash in my hand, they turned and ran back into the back of the building. Then, I heard what sounded like a blender starting to whir. Was there a celebration starting?


What did that show about my dog?

18 comments:

  1. Well I think it shows Radar is an exuberant dog who does his best to make life interesting and fun.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    1. Sooo, Pat. Let me know where I can drop off this exuberant, interesting and fun bundle of fur so you can share in the joy. ;)

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  2. Ha, ha to the piece about Radar. I so wish he could meet Biscuit because I think they would be partners in crime! Biscuit needs a buddy but so far have not found any that can take her Rambo ways.

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    1. Claudia--I honestly think Radar and Biscuit would be a good "match." He's pretty Rambo himself...

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  3. Um, you have a student that makes your hair stand on end and Radar isn't helping much, either?

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    1. Mama Zen--Unfortunately, my hair does that naturally. Sigh.

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  4. You showed us your student, your hair and your dog are all adorably full of an exuberance for living, just as they should be!

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    1. Tammy--You're certainly looking on the positive side of things--at least about my hair. ;)

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  5. I don't have enough hands for those students I need to protect :) but you have shown. not told us so much about each topic. You're good at that!

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    1. Linda--Yes, as preschool teacher, I imagine you need to be a set of conjoined octopus twins (with 16 arms) to keep a semi-handle on your students. Yikes!

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  6. Your dog needs somebody to hold his paw on a field trip, the teachers all retired to that margarita machine in the lounge after the final bell, and students never met a coiffure they couldn't dissect.

    That's my take-away.

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    1. Val--You are right on all three counts! Congratulations! You win a tour of our staff bathroom (complete with a small complimentary bottle of shampoo).

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  7. You have a difficult student but you handled that kiddo with kindness and ingenuity! You have unruly hair but you really don't care, and you have a challenging mutt and the doggie daycare are jerks. Did I get 'em all right? :-)

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    1. Cathy--You're right except with the doggie daycare people. I took a little (okay, a LOT) of poetic license with that one. They did none of those jerky things. I just needed a third thing, and I imagine they WERE eager to get rid of Radar. But I could be wrong...

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  8. Showing, and not telling is also an exotic dancer's mantra. What does that say?
    At least you HAVE hair. And a happy dog.

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    1. Jono--Are you trying to drag my blog into a risque spot? ;)

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  9. ha! Great clues. My take away is that you have a wild and unruly life, and that you're okay with that!

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  10. The first shows me that you are a nice and protective teacher and that you make sure your children are well taken care of. The second shows me that you have some crazy hair :-) and the third shows me that Radar is a lot like my sister's pup. RUN when you see it coming towards you.

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