Southwestern Pennsylvania has been blessed with hot and dry weather this summer. We had had 12 days above 90 degrees, and many more in the high 80's with very little precipitation. In fact, we are close to a drought, but having that extra roll on the golf course is worth it.
I am trying very hard to find things in life during the pandemic for which to be grateful. Looking around, those things were so not difficult to find.
I am so happy that my knee is feeling better and I can play golf again.
I am so glad to see my golf friends.
I am thrilled that I refinanced my house at such a low rate.
I appreciate that my church has services online.
I am happy to live in a neighborhood where neighbors are more than neighbors, they are friends.
Good weather makes me smile, especially since I have a convertible.
I have worked hard to lose 10 pounds. :)
For the first time since I retired in 2011, I am grateful that I do not have to be in the classroom and/or teach online.
We live in difficult times. I am sad often, because I live alone, and alone has been tough for all these months. But when I am sad, I reflect on all that I have. A friend asked me how I am able to come back time after time, setback after setback, and the answer is this: I practice gratitude. Being grateful puts everything in perspective.
Today would have been my 39th wedding anniversary, if only my beloved husband had not passed in 2012. I am now and will be grateful forever that we had such a beautiful life together.
Please hang in there. Yes, the pandemic is difficult. Please look around and find those things for which you are grateful. It will help.
Here is a picture of Scott and me - August 7, 1981. We were 29 years old.
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school. if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com and a company called www.StreamableLearning.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
Visit Dede's web page for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics.
I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired!
Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom. Check them out! http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/
Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book. I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading. Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
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