I haven’t blogged in a long time and I’m feeling so overwhelmed with all the things I should blog about that I don’t know what to say!

I’m at Caribou (of course) because this is where I feel creative. I am here to write up a little memoir about a teacher of mine who is being honored tonight for 25 years of teaching at New Testament Christian School.

I love this teacher and I had her for 5 years of my life. I am, however, at a loss for words. What do I say in 3-5 minutes about someone who shaped my life as a little girl and taught me through the hairy junior high years…and still gave me hugs when I wasn’t her student anymore? I wanted something profound and meaningful but all I can think about is how many coupons she would have earned after 25 years of attendance…

I suppose most people wouldn’t have a clue what I’m talking about when I say coupons so…Mrs Runge did something called “Store” every Friday. You could purchase items at this store with the coupons you had earned. You got 3 coupons for each day you attended school and then there were many other various ways to collect coupons throughout the day. You also lost coupons if you were not behaving.

I also keep thinking about this blessing song she would sing over us every morning. I remember rolling my eyes many times when she did this, but now I almost tear up thinking about how meaningful and wonderful that was. I plan to sing this to her tonight.

My brother and I are doing this speech together tonight…both of us are feeling writer’s block. I have our opening and our closing, but the middle is very wide open.

I attended a PPA conference on Tuesday night. PPA is Professional Photographer’s Association. They had their 2010 tour and the main speakers of the night were amazing. I felt so inspired, but then I got home and just felt overwhelmed and inadequate. They made us pledge at the beginning that we wouldn’t get overwhelmed it was pretty funny. But no matter what, I do feel overwhelmed with information and unable to put this good stuff into action.

One of the things they talked about is how people should surround themselves with things that inspire them. It could be interesting textures, colors, items, people, music…the ideas are endless. I think this is a good spot for me to start so I plan to pay attention when things make me “light up” and try to find ways to surround myself with this.

I love writing and reading. I am still feeling the effects of a book I read a couple weeks ago. I have read two other books since then, but both seem simple and easy (which they are). I keep coming back to the other book, A Garden To Keep by Jamie Langston Turner. The way it was written woke something up in my brain and pushed me to think and interact with the characters. Some of the words melt on my tongue while others I hold in my hand, feeling them and tossing them around. It inspired something in me.

Inspire: to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence. Inhale

I love the definition “inhale”. That is such a good description. When I truly feel inspired it’s like breathing in fresh air.

So what inspires you?

What is your “fresh air”?