by Jennifer Ellison
...this season of my life is about reclamation.
I can recall my first peek behind the curtain of writing as a craft. I'd written many analytical essays in college - I was an English major, after all, but it wasn't until I was in the classroom as an educator myself that I began having to break this complex craft down to such microscopic parts. Part of this was accomplished through reading Stephen King's infamous work of a similar title (don't worry, this blog will have far less expletives). I paired King's piece with Edgar Allan Poe's "Philosophy on Composition" and somewhere between these dark figures' opinions, I discovered something: writing is different for everyone - a rorschach of sorts. We bring ourselves, our experiences, our baggage, and our optimism to what we write. Readers, in turn, bring their own matching set of luggage and somehow, a partnership is forged; a mutual understanding generated, a commonality established, and a bond cemented. Consider every show you've ever watched, every book you've ever read, every song you've ever heard - how often in your life have you been touched, grabbed - shaken by the words of a complete stranger? As unique as the writer and the reader are - our collective experiences, fears, and aspirations are shared through this beautiful thing called art. That's what this will be. This site - this blog. These past few years, my soul has shriveled. I find myself thirstier than I have ever been for: joy, inspiration, excitement, serenity, peace, energy, and even closure.
Medina, TX
This year, I resigned from teaching after nine years; it was a difficult and heart-wrenching decision. I think of my former students daily. Since then, I've become an educational consultant and a proud, homeschooling mama. I have started a garden, become an amateur photographer, returned to journaling, and have been baking and cooking everyday (I even have a menu board hanging in the kitchen). Regardless, this season of my life is about reclamation. All those things we talk about that we want to do someday... well, someday is never closer than today. I do not have a green thumb, I am not artistically-inclined; cooking and baking do not came naturally to me. But I enjoy these things - I enjoy creating. This blog will be my journey: as a homeschooling parent, as a professional working with teachers in a rough climate, as a novice to gardening, as an apprentice to watercolor, and as I attempt new recipes to include smoking and grilling outside. I know that many parents, teachers, and aspiring artists are weary. I hope this provides you Salt, a covenant of friendship; Spirit, inspiration for your character and soul; Strength, a rare commodity and a necessity if we are to forge ahead. And we must forge ahead.
- Jennifer
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