RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

MY WORD FOR 2022/FIRST BOOK FINISHED IN 2022

2022! How did we get here so fast, and yet there were days when, sick of 2021, we thought it would NEVER arrive.

A word I intend to investigate and incorporate into my life is…

GRATITUDE

To begin a personal study of this word/emotion, I read Oliver Sacks classic set of essays, Gratitude. Written during a time of illness and impending death, Sacks explores this often neglected or overlooked emotion. Four short essays make up this slender volume…

These essays are as elegant as their cover suggests.

I had checked this book out once before, but fearing it would be depressing, and preferring to read happier things at the time, I returned it to the library unread. Actually, it was far from depressing, but was uplifting and calming. My favorite essay of the group was “Sabbath,” exploring the human need for rest. Perhaps because I knew the author would soon be experiencing a final rest, his reaching out for rest as a way to gain peace and acceptance, took on a whole new meaning. The essays are little masterpieces in themselves and reveal a very interesting man who managed to live a “good life” and be grateful for all Life sent his way. It was a darned good read.

Thanks, Evin
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6 responses to “MY WORD FOR 2022/FIRST BOOK FINISHED IN 2022”

  1. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    Gratitude is a great word.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    Gratitude is a wonderful word. My word for 2022 is MOVE. I spent most of last year sitting in a chair reading, blogging, reading blogs and watching TV. Needless to say, physically, I am in worse shape than I was in 2020. I gained weight and my joints are in bad shape. If I want to live longer, I need to take care of myself, thus, MOVE. I want to make sure I walk, dance, swim or do something for a minimum of half an hour a day at least 6 days a week, doctor’s orders. My first book of the year was Dolly Parton- Songteller: My life in lyrics. It was a very uplifting and enjoyable story. I actually moved a lot as I played her music and danced!

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      I LOVE it. Sometimes I dance around the kitchen and living room to the music on the Country Christian radio station. I bet the Good Lord doesn’t mind!

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. Carla Avatar
        Carla

        I love it! Just read about David, the Lord loves to see us show our joy!

        Liked by 2 people

  3. Rae Longest Avatar
    Rae Longest

    I agree. I think it actually PLEASES Him.

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  4. Writing Notes Avatar
    Writing Notes

    Gratitude. That is definitely an emotion we can never express enough and one we can always express more of. This books sounds like a deeply moving read. I’ll have to add it to the ole TBR.

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