Here and Now

Ombre' within this throbbing drum beat rhythm of our hearts slow slowly slowing... as we barely breathe quiet darkness  gradually descends pulsing outward an imperceptible blanket softly falls late  afternoon shadows lengthen our hungry fingertips reach pulsing  towards the light cool air warm breath rises wide open arms embracing all that remains Angela Minard 2015©

It has been a wet and cool autumn so far, here in Kansas. I'm off of work for a nice long weekend, and the break from school, and autism feels nice. Yesterday the house was filled with the smell of freshly baked apple crisp, and all of my boys were home, and thrilled to be eating it. It is one of the things that they often ask me to make for them. I loved spending the day with them, and being home with my husband. Today, I do have to work from home for a bit. I'm preparing a presentation at work on something called "The Theory Of Mind," which is a term used for individuals who have a difficult time being empathetic or putting themselves in someone else's shoes. People with autism often have difficulties with this aspect of socialization. I've been procrastinating all month, so now I really need to finish it this weekend. Work has really been good lately. The student that I'm working with has shown some major improvements, and I also received an awesome eva...

Autumn Departs Warm autumn breeze blows the leaves from the trees. Dancing Fire Twist and Tease Until October leaves. Angela Minard 2009©

Lately, the stress of my job has turned me into a "weekends only" blogger. I usually write much more often, but work has been so busy that I haven't had the energy to get on the computer in the evenings. I have been working in a preschool in the afternoons doing assessments on two little guys who were just recently diagnosed with autism. They are so darned cute that I can barely keep from scooping them up into my arms and just loving on them! One of the boys is very high functioning, and is doing very well in the pre-school setting. The other boy has the double whammy of being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, so he is also dealing with the challenge of that on top of having autism. I was so nervous about my new placement, but I have really enjoyed being around the small kiddos, and the teacher and para's in the classroom have been very welcoming, so I think that I will have a lot of fun there. On Wednesday, I had a good therapy session, and was able to talk through ...

Warm autumn breeze blows the leaves from the trees. Dancing Fire Twist and Tease Until November leaves. Angela Minard 2007

The beauty of evening, as I sit outside on my swing. With each sip of wine, I listen to the repetitive scream of the cicada's last few calls of summer. The feel of fall is drifting around the corner. The touch of morning, cool and bright. Feel the change of seasons. The nudging rememberance that I am alive. I can do this. I will find my way.