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Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month. I'll be honest, in previous years, I haven't given it much thought, but this year is different. I've done a lot more reading and research into what women's lives were like in years and centuries past. Even though things aren't perfect now for women, in the words of Loretta Lynn, "We've Come a Long Way Baby".

I was inspired to refresh my Little Free Library with books either about women or written by women. And part of my weekly "The Artist's Way" course homework was an exercise to write about women who've had a positive impact on our personal histories. I chose my 4th grade teacher, Miss Douglas.

My Favorite Teacher

Miss Douglas was everything 4th grade Betsy needed. She was fun, full of enthusiasm, had high expectations, ran a tight classroom, but did it in a way that felt kind and caring. I was a very insecure and sensitive child, eager to please and blossomed under Miss Douglas' tutelage.

One of the best things about Miss Douglas' classroom was the bongo board. I'm sure it would never be allowed today due to safety regulations, but it was the highlight of my 4th grade experience. The bongo board kind of looked like a skateboard, but with a cylinder underneath. You stood with a foot on either end of the board and tried to maintain your balance as the cylinder rolled back and forth. We were allowed to take turns on the bongo board when our work was done, so you know I was racing through my work to be first in line!

Another amazing memory about that year was the extra credit closet. Now, we didn't know there was an extra credit closet until the last day of school. At the beginning of the school year, Miss Douglas had stacks of extra credit worksheets we could opt to do, then turn in for extra credit. We didn't really know what extra credit was, just that it was something good.

Miss Douglas kept track of all the extra credit assignments in a special tracking sheet. On the last day of school, Miss Douglas pulled out that tracking sheet, then announced she had a special treat for us. She opened a closet at the back of the room, and it was filled with all kinds of cool toys and games!

Using her tracking sheet, she called our names, one by one, to choose something from the closet. Those who had the most credits, chose first and so on down the line. Everyone got something and (as far as I recall) everyone was very happy. The lesson I learned is that it never hurts to go above and beyond, even if you have no expectation of reward. And sometimes you will be rewarded, so just in case...

What I remember most about Miss Douglas is how she made me feel. She truly made me feel seen and accepted as I was. She encouraged me to make improvements but didn't expect me to be someone I wasn't. She was the kind of teacher you go back and visit when you're older because of the impact they made on your life (I did).

And nearly five decades later, when you're asked to write about someone who made a difference in your life, you are still thinking about them.

More fun facts about Miss Douglas.

Her name was Nancy Douglas and that's how she taught us to remember numerator/denominator when learning fractions. I never forgot that.

She signed my report card envelope on that final day of 4th grade. "Hi Betsy. Be a super student next year, please. I'll miss you muchly. Keep on smiling and singing. Happy summer! Then signed with her signature initials, the letter N inside a big letter D.

I Googled to see if I could find Miss Douglas and was sad to find out she passed away several years ago, but in her obituary, I learned she wrote a children's book. Sam, The Adirondack Railroad Cat was written in 1994, but I was able to snag a copy (a signed copy at that!) thanks to Amazon. It is a sweet story, and I will treasure it as a final memory of my amazing teacher.

February Reading List

• ​The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
• ​The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves
• ​The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves
• ​Sam, The Adirondack Railroad Cat by Nancy A. Douglas

I began a 12-week online course that follows Julia Cameron's seminal work in The Artist's Way. This book is touching and changing me in a profound way. I am thankful for the creativity that is already beginning to well up and seep out as a result.

I am continuing my love of cozy British mystery novels with two more Ann Cleeves selections from the "Vera" series. I have to admit, Cleeves' descriptions of Vera's body size are a bit aggravating, but the stories are amazing and maybe this is her way of showing Vera as a larger-than-life presence.

Finally, the children's book I mentioned previously. I love this sweet story of Sam and I can just imagine myself visiting the Adirondack Railway, seeing Sam lounging around and not being able to resist petting his warm soft fur.

What is the best book you read this month? Just hit reply and tell me all about it. I love adding new books to my ever-growing reading list!

In the pursuit,

Betsy

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