Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the tag “relaxing”

22 Jul 2026
7 Comments

Hammock Day!


I roundly celebrate hammock day!

I set up my hammock as soon as I possibly can, usually after June stops being so snively. A damp hammock is not joyful. Positioning the hammock so it gets a bit of the morning light but not too much of the afternoon sun is tricky, or it used to be. I solved the dilemma by purchasing a couple of patio umbrellas and then rigged up what I call my cabana curtains, which diffuse the direct sun. I then double pad for comfort with a couple of pillows.

Bliss

A side table for sunglasses, chapstick, binoculars, and my cool drink in my trusty Zulu.

I complete the scene with a good book. Usually there is a gentle, refreshing breeze which wafts my curtains. The Hubs refers to this set up as my Sheba time.

Naps are delicious in my hammock.

However, the last couple of days have seen temps over 85 and even setting up a fan by the hammock can’t combat the heat and I hide inside until evening, then it’s hammock time once again until bedtime.

I stubbornly keep my hammock up until the very last remnants of summer fade. I’ve been known to cozy under a special insulated blanket just so I can enjoy a wee bit more time in my hammock.

Here’s to the joy of Hammock Day!

The best part of summer is hammock time.

Posted in reflections and tagged , , ,
26 Dec 2018
10 Comments

Give Me a Break…


December consists of hurry up and wait.

At school we hurry through the last unit, hoping to complete it before

a)an unexpected snow day hits

b)the current bout of flu doesn’t empty out the classes

c)too many of my students leave for early vacation.

At home it’s a flurry of hurry as I shop, package, insert, check lists, pull down boxes, search and find–that is, when I am not grading those last minute assignments.

The wait part is counting down days to Christmas Break. We voted to make 12/21 the exit day in order to have an extra week at the end of break, instead of at the beginning. Fumes of distinctive burn out permeated the hallways on Friday. Everyone was tired. I know waiting so long for the break to begin will mean I enjoy that much more–right?

I did a happy dance in the kitchen on Saturday 12/22. Walked around in the brisk, sunny, pre-snowstorm. Definitely appreciated the Christmas weekend. Love being on break.

It’s Wednesday. Umm, how long before we go back to school?

It’s true: You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can’t take the classroom out of the teacher.

So far I’ve read two books, answered a dozen Quora requests, watched three movies, straightened up my Hamlet unit, polished my Merchant of Venice lesson plan, finished a puzzle, made a batch of cookies, tried out my new walking poles (thanks, Hon), slept in (6 am!). Now what?

Sheesh–I better figure out something about down time. I’ve got about four years to retirement.

They say knitting can be fun.

Posted in holidays, humor, reflections, Seasons, stress, Teachers and tagged , , ,
27 Jan 2018
3 Comments

In Between Aah Weekend


As I sit in my lounger recuperating from a week of giving finals, grading essays, posting grades, and planning next quarter’s lesson, I take a moment to breathe an “Aah.”

The weekend in between semesters is rather delectable. Finally–no papers to read and grade and no last minute adjustments to lesson plans. I embrace the leisurely weekend ahead. A good book to indulge in. A nice nap to appreciate. Maybe some shopping. No guilt. I am in between semesters and there is that hint of June frisking in the distance, even as snow falls.

Any other teachers out there feeling that in between “aah”?

Or maybe you’re a student feeling the same way.

Hoping you all have some “aah” time before Monday.

Posted in reflections, school, Teachers, time management and tagged , , ,
02 Jul 2013
5 Comments

Summer Sensory


Summer from my backyard…

comforting drone of the neighbor’s lawnmower

thrum of rising heat

tantalizing waffs of barbeque

smiling inducing laughter and squeals of the VBS children at play

drone of ovehead planes taking in the view

piercing horn blasts of the A-line trains traveling north and south

conversation snatches of runners and bikers passing by

bass thrum of teens cruising around

crescendo of motorcycles out for a spin

the dip and dives of swallows catching supper bugs

robin chirrup, chickadee beckon, crow squawk, dove wing chrill, chipmunk scold

sprinkler tick, tick, ticky, tock

aspen leaf lift and swish and sway in the cooling gift of breeze

Ahhhhhh, mmmmm, summmer…..

Posted in Poetry, reflections, summer and tagged , , , , , ,

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