Prairie Eydie Writes A Fan Letter

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I am 17 days into the 30 Day Challenge.  I wrote to my doctor, nurse, and college roommate.  I sent a card of gratitude to the long suffering substitute who endured my squirrely students while I recovered from sinus surgery.  Sprinkled in the mix are thank you, birthday, and thinking of you cards.  Everyone I wrote to are people I know AND love.  Now I am ready to branch out and write some letters to people I don't know. 

Dear Sharon, I find that rotating the crops is very important . . .

I am going to write some fan letters. I talked this over with Prairie Sherry because part of the challenge is writing to people you normally wouldn't write to.  (Spoiler alert!!!  Prairie Sherry is going to write to Michelle Obama.  Knowing Sharon, she'll be asking for some organic gardening tips.  Sharon already has guns Michelle would die for.)

Is that my letter from Eydie?  I've been waiting 32 years for this!

I decided to start out by writing to Bruce Springsteen.  I have been a fan since Jr. High.  His photo hangs over my desk at work.  I listen to him when I cook dinner and on road trips to Costco.  (I am having a hard time getting rid of XM radio because of E Street Radio.)  My daughter, Lulu, cried when she found out "Brucie" wasn't coming to her birthday party.  

Prairie Eydie is determined to make Hummels cool

Now I am wishing that I chose someone easier to write to.  Someone like Oprah's best friend, Gayle. 

First dilemma.  What am I going to write this fan letter on?  Definitely not my on my Hello Kitty thank you cards OR on the homemade Hummel-reading-a-paper-on-a-toilet card.  The love postcards are all wrong as well.  (Actually the love postcards aren't really appropriate for anyone.)

BRUCE!  You are the cat's meow.

Second Dilemma.  What am I going to write?  I am don't want to be totally lame.  Like.  "I listened to "Born to Run" whenever I am going through a tough time."  OR  "I dance with my kids to "Dream Baby Dream" and it is my favorite song on your new album."  OR  "I know you were singing "No Surrender" to me at Alpine Valley back in 1986.  Do you remember?"

Prairie Friends.  I don't ask for much.  But I am asking for help with this fan letter.  I just want my form letter and glossy photo.   

Shake out your hand and keep writing those cards/letters!

Prairie Eydie

She's Baaaaaaaaaack!

So, where in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks has Prairie Sherry been hiding these past months?  I suspect some of you think I may have ended up in extended rehab after the wrist break and the heavy reliance on mind-altering and pain-numbing drugs. It is true that I spent a good part of January carrying on conversations with myself and wandering about the house trying not to bump into furniture.

Weep, Michelle Obama.

Truth is, the wrist is healing very nicely.  I'm not doing push-ups or bench pressing yet, but since these have never been a part of my health maintenance, I am not terribly concerned. Let me tell you what I have been doing.

Oops, no women in this pic.

Besides the teaching gig, I went back to my high school roots, and I am working at a new supermarket that moved into my side of Madison. Despite the fact that I am now working about 65 hours a week, I am enjoying the new challenge.  One of my favorite parts of the job is that I get to wear starched shirts, tailored black pants, and dress shoes. I have always been a sucker for a uniform. I do find it amusing that as a teacher I am required to wear a shapeless man's t-shirt with a cartoonish school logo and blue jeans every Thursday to boost student morale. Whose morale was ever boosted by tacky?

"Hey kids, let's learn about
literary devices

My job is customer service.  Yes, I am the one who gives you a refund when you go home to discover that you already have three containers of salt squirreled away in your pantry.  I give you your rain check when we run out of the $1.28 strawberries.  I sell you your book of stamps so you can complete Prairie Eydie's 30-day-card-writing challenge.  I can also satisfy your gambling addiction with Lotto tickets, rent you a Rug Doctor, send out your dry cleaning, create your money order, connect you to the bakery, cash your paycheck, hold your groceries while you run home for your debit card, and call AAA when you lock your keys and cell in the car. I like to think of it as professional problem solving. 

This week is my spring break at school, so I am "relaxing" at home. My challenge is to get the kitchen thoroughly cleaned and hopefully find my favorite paring knife that has been missing since my drug-hazed January.  So far I haven't found the knife, but I discovered that this family owns 27 pairs of chop sticks and something that pits, peels, and cuts mangoes. Continuing in my cleaning frenzy and being the eternal optimist, I have chipped 6 months of road salt off the Toyota.  I have tempted the weather gods even further by tossing the filth-encrusted car mats in lieu of spanky-new mats.  I am also helping our newest family member settle in.  

Oliver Twist Harry Houdini Puttmann

On Saturday I brought home a 12 pound bundle of tannish doggy fluff we have named Oliver, as in Oliver Twist.  The name was a no-brainer after he looked at us with these mournful eyes that seem to be begging for that extra bowl of porridge. Olly is nine years old, has no teeth, is a cuddlier, and a Houdini when it comes to slipping any sort of barricade I devise to keep him into the kitchen area while we are gone. I was sure that the last one was impenetrable, but he proved me wrong.  Olly has had a rough life. Found as a stray, he was rescued from euthanasia at a high-kill shelter by a local organization called Shelter From the Storm  He has been waiting for a home for six months.  He and Rory seem to have reached a detente that has both parties agreeing the share the downstairs sofa with me--Rory on my left and Olly on my right. Peace negotiations continue.  

Impossible since neither have opposable thumbs.

Glad to have found my way back to the blog!
Prairie Sherry

Prairie Grl Goes "All Nancy Drew"

I haven't ordered this t-shirt. . .  yet!

I have wanted to write to my 4th grade teacher for a long time.  Over the years I have composed the letter in my head, but have never written, addressed, and stamped it.  In fact, I think I created the 30 Days, 30 Letters/Cards Challenge so I would actually write to her.

Travel back in time with me.

My younger brother, Pete, was born when I was in 4th grade.  Previously, I had a ten year starring role in the family as the youngest.  I was excited to be a big sister, but I became needy.  Needy & lonely in a way that quiet, bookish girls can become.

At least once a day, I would go to the back of the room where my  teacher quietly wrote lesson plans or graded papers.   Her grade book was immaculate, each percentage fitting perfectly into a teeny green box.  I would stand with my hands behind my back - waiting.  She would finish what she was doing, fold her hands on her desk, and look at me.  Then she did the most wonderful thing!  She would listen to me talk.  Believe me when I say, I would talk and talk AND talk.  I don't remember what I told her, but I do remember talking . . . a lot.  

She could have told me she was too busy.  She could have let me talk while she continued grading.  She could have run in the opposite direction every time she saw me coming.  But.  She didn't.  She gave me her full attention and listened.

Currently, I am a reading specialist for middle school students.  Students often want to chat with me.  Sometimes I don't want to chat.  I want to complete my paperwork, check my emails, and go to the bathroom.  Maybe even talk with an adult.  But.  I remember my 4th grade teacher and the love she gave me - just by listening.  Everyday.  No matter what she was doing.

I now have my teacher's address.  (A little "Nancy Drew Sleuthing" came into play here.  For some reason I knew that my dear friend is friends with my teacher's son.  See?  It isn't hard to find someone's address!)  After I post this blog, I will write her a letter.  I feel blessed that I am able to tell her how much she means to me.

Prairie Eydie

 

Prairie Grl Struggles With Her Own Challenge

I have only sent one handwritten letter since Wednesday's post announcing the challenge - 30 Days/30 Letters.  It is not because I don't have a list of people I want to write to.  It is not because I don't have something to say.  It is because I don't have the correct cards to write my messages in.

I went to Target today to find some birthday cards.  They all seemed lackluster and contrived.  A bouquet of flowers.  A fuzzy cupcake.  Soft focus children.  Dogs wearing party hats. (Well, I kinda liked those.)  Then I looked at the packs of "Thank You" cards.  Ugh.  Nothing says "Thank You" like a card with a teeny, tiny gerbera daisy on it.  It is rare that I don't find what I want at Target, but I left with just some mouthwash. 

Some of you know I make my own cards.  Cards I make need to have rick rack, polka dots, and hot glue goobers.  I need to find picture I like and pair them with colors that make me happy. 

Look at the fun cards Prairie Sherry made!  She made these after an 18 hour collage fest.  She never fails to impress me.

Now I am looking forward to a mega card making session.  Am I nervous about meeting my goal of 30 cards in 30 days?  A little.  So, if you receive a piece of lined paper, folded in fourths, adorned with a crooked "Hello Kitty" sticker, you'll know why.

Continue to move forward, Prairie Friends!  Make those trips to the mailbox memorable!

Prairie Eydie

New Prairie Grl Challenge

Even The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, has signed up for the Prairie Grls challenge.

The calendar it says it is Spring!  That means it is time for a new Prairie Grlz challenge!  (I debated waiting until April 1st to start the challenge, but I dislike the idea of waiting to start something.  I believe in starting things whenever the mood hits.  Not just on New Year's Day or on Mondays or on a full moon . . .  )

The challenge is:

30 handwritten letters/cards/postcards in 30 days

Make going to the mailbox an event again! 

Now, don't freak out and say "No way!" until you read my answers to frequently asked questions.

Do I have to write one letter a day?
Nope.  I actually started the challenge March 24 and wrote five letters in one sitting.  Your goal is to have 30 letters written in 30 days.

Why did you get to start early?
Because I needed authentic photos for the blog (see above).  It has nothing at all to do with my competitive nature.

Give me some ideas.  Who should I write to?
For starters:  college roommates, co-workers, friends, kids, loved ones, politicians, students, doctors, teachers, dog walkers, neighbors, authors, singers, baristas, organic farmers, people with birthdays,  and muses.  OH! Don't forget the Prairie Grlz!  That should get you going. 

What if I only want to write 6 letters in 30 days?
That is fine.  You can make your own rules, but that means I win!  (Seriously.  Set your own number.  I chose 30 because I want to push myself out of my comfort zone.  I have no idea what your number is, only you do.) 

What if I write all 30 letters in 1 day?
FaNtAsTiC.  Then YOU win. 

What should I write?  Purpose please.
Reminisce about a fun time
Say "thank you"
Send a joke
Believe in someone
Share a recipe
Doodle
Say "Hi"
Catch them up on your life
Send a photo
Write a haiku
Say congratulations
Express yourself
Write a pun (that is for you, Kristen)
Cheer someone up
Cheer someone on

Can I work on my SMASH journal and The 30 Letters Challenge at the same time?
Good question.  YES!  As you are finding things for your SMASH journal, you will probably find stuff to send to others.  (Kinda like If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.)

Do I get extra credit if I make the letters all pretty?
I have been a teacher for 24 years and I am not a fan of extra credit.  However, I am a fan of buying the perfect postage stamp.  Right now I have Johnny Cash stamps and Ray Charles stamps.  I also love putting stickers both on the letter/card and envelope.  It is an extra dose of goodness!

Does my letter need to be handwritten?
Yes.  After being declared "dead" on the internet, even Jon Bon Jovi realized the importance of a handwritten note.

 

 

Well?  Are you in?  I hope so.  (Drop me an electronic line to let me know how it is going, though I do accept handwritten notes.) 

 

Prairie Eydie

Prairie Eydie SMASHES her journal - Part II

Prairie Friends, I hope you spent the weekend gathering up ticket stubs, cartoons, drawings, quotes and whatever else brings you joy.  (If you feel lost, make sure to read Friday's blog, Prairie Eydie SMASHES her journal - Part I)

Let's continue our journey through my SMASH journal . 

 

Your SMASH journal is a great place for all those vacation postcards you never sent.  (Let's face it.  You KNEW you'd never send them, but were just sucked into the gift shop vortex.) NOTE: I have yet to see Pa's fiddle in person.  It is not in DeSmet, South Dakota as I once thought.  Rather the fiddle has put down roots in Mansfield, Missouri.  (Prairie Sherry and I will be making that trip in the near future.) 

 



What about all those "I Love You" notes from your loved ones?  The above note from my oldest erased all the times he puked in my hair and pooped after I just changed him.  He earned extra points for writing in pink marker. 

 

As an artist, I like to collect poems and quotes that I might be inspired to use in one of my collages.  The above is a poem called Arriving At Your Own Door.  I had to add it to my journal after finding out Oprah had the poem painted on the wall in some room of her house.  (I want to say "bathroom," but that doesn't seem right.)  Here is the poem, by Derek Walcott, just in case you need it too. 

 

Arriving At Your Own Door

 

The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

 

 

 

Things to keep in mind.

 

My sentiment that "Most Things are Better With a Glue Gun"  seems especially pertinent with a SMASH journal.  A simple glue stick will work for some flimsy stuff, but not everything.

 

SMASH journals are for everyone!  Prairie friend, Jenell, said her young daughter, Lilly, knew just what to do with her journal.  (Jenell was a bit flummoxed, but that is understandable!)

 

Don't worry about chronology.  It will drive you crazy.  Just start with whatever makes sense to you.

 

Don't search Pinterest for ideas if you are at all insecure about your creativity. This journal is for you, no one else. 

 

Plug in that glue gun and let me know how your SMASH journals are coming along!

 

Prairie Eydie

 





Prairie Eydie SMASHES Her Journal - PART 1

A couple of years ago I bought my first SMASH journal.   (I used a Hello Kitty sticker to camouflage a greasy splotch on my SMASH Journal's cover.)  You can buy SMASH journals at Target or Michaels.  Or you could just use a spiral notebook or a three ring binder and build your own.  (I have been giving SMASH journals as gifts and no one seems to know what to do with them.)   

What is a SMASH journal?  It is a journal where you can keep all you scrips and scraps.  All your quotes and doodles.  All your notes and cards.  All those pieces of paper you want to keep, but have no place to keep them in.  There are NO rules with SMASH journal.  For some people this is frightening and for others it is exhilarating!  

Let me take you on a tour of my SMASH journal.

My ticket stubs have finally found a home.  David Sedaris, k.d. lang,  Stephanie Miller & the Sexy Liberal Show.  (I went to the Sexy Liberal Show with Prairie Sherry  My.  Goodness.  I blushed through the  entire show.  Prairie Sherry did not.)  I scratch notes next to the tickets because there are no rules and I can.

 

 

Once in a while I get a sweet letter from a student and/or parent.   These letters must be preserved because they are so rare.  On days when I wonder why I continue to teach, I open up my SMASH journal and am reminded. 

These two pictures of The Indigo Girls (minus one of the Girls) and James Taylor were on my refrigerator for years.  They traveled with me from Madison to Seattle to Milwaukee and back to Madison.  Now my fridge is crowded with kid art work, so the Girls and James have taken up residence in my SMASH journal.  I can visit them whenever I want to.

What about all those little drawings and pieces of writing that you love because they make you smile?  Glue them into your journal and keep on smiling.

I will continue my SMASH journal tour on Monday.  In the meantime, start gathering up the scrips and scraps of your life.

Prairie Eydie