Uplift and Shine in Exactly 55 by Knott, Jessica https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction Write a story. Uplift the reader. You can use 55 words. No more, no less. We will be counting. en-us 2020-06-10 16:53:12 UTC 2025-12-12 13:59:18 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4d6.png There once was a girl from Nantucket, oops, wrong Padlet. This is a true story. I read Hillbilly Elegy and wondered if he was me. It is easy for me to feel like I don’t fit in. I don’t, generally. But, OLC. That place that showed me my way. And, I am found. Writ stop. bettyjobouchey https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/623849900 2020-06-12 11:12:06 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/623849900 untitled jlknott1 https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/627767736 I swam in the mall fountain once. My grandfather was talking to the other old guys. I jumped out a window once. Just to see if I could. I like rules. I hate rules. I never learned what the rules were. I still don’t know. I was feral. I am feral. It’s how I survive.]]> 2020-06-15 17:57:28 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/627767736 “Do you have a pressure cooker?” she asks me. Or did she ask, “Don’t you have a pressure cooker?”, implying that I should have one. “No”, I answer, while in fact, I do. Margie’s old heavy-duty one that exploded in the kitchen one day. BAM! Margie loved that pressure cooker. I have her thighs. phylisebanner https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/628942283 2020-06-16 13:28:28 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/628942283 Self-Seeding https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636499133 We made flower beds this year in our garden. So we dug, dug, dug and removed yard upon yard of soil. Unbeknownst to us, our lettuce had self-seeded and with the wheelbarrows full of soil also traveled little lettuce seedlings far beneath the earth. They sit, enjoying the summer and view of the garden.]]> 2020-06-22 18:38:41 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636499133 Savor the flavor mshellgren https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636580246 Once there was a delicious looking and smelling cheeseburger. As I slowly raised it to my mouth and closed my eyes, I anticipated the flavorful wonder about to meet my tastebuds. I chewed slowly and intentionally. I didn’t realize someone was watching in awe, capturing with their glance this intimate moment between woman and burger.]]> 2020-06-22 20:01:04 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636580246 jmoo https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636620746 2020-06-22 20:44:10 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636620746 Welcome to Curinga OLCInstitute https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636631680 I discovered my grandfather’s birthplace in Italy thanks to the tradition of naming children after our elders.  And thanks to Ellis Island ship manifests I learned Bruno and Lucia were my great grandparents. The same as my aunt & uncle!!! Why was my mom named Angela?  I made the trip to Italy to find out.  

]]> 2020-06-22 20:57:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636631680 Mexico 1992 clarkshahnelson https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636649208 Address says 517 but houses go from 515 to 519 and skip 517, my friend and I discover at dark, in a Mexican city. We knock on 519 and explain our predicament. They invite us in for dinner and to stay the night. We laugh, eat, play guitar and sing. Next day, we find it. ]]> 2020-06-22 21:19:31 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636649208 England 1994 adesinamedia https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636736620 2020-06-22 23:26:56 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/636736620 Boo https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/638958748 Since we started this journey, you’ve changed my life. So, can I have food love? Of course, you may find me curled up in strange places but someone in this house should get 19 hours of sleep. and we know it won’t be you! By the way, I’m ready for my supper. Of course I love being in your arms! But let’s be serious here, I can’t wait to be fed! 🐈]]> 2020-06-24 16:16:23 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/638958748 New Tech for 84-year old https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639151884 My mom is learning to use bluetooth microphone in video chatting. She is open to learn new tools and new technology! ]]> 2020-06-24 19:25:47 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639151884 MOVING IN A PANDEMIC: Change jobs, spend a night with husband in ER as pandemic emerges; move 37 years of materials from art facility to house; move 37 years of art and life from house to storage; sell house; move to Washington State, teach amazing students; attend OLC innovate, make good food, walk and shelter-in-place. jordahlkate https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639153107 2020-06-24 19:26:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639153107 You see, it's not about up or down, or back or forward. srestauri https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639154319 You see, it's not about whether you're going forward, or backward, or sideways. It's about keeping on, and moving in some direction, not being stagnant, and not being too scared to make a move. In times of struggle I've moved backwards more, and certainly forward less-but I've moved. P.S. 99 steps in Virgin Islands.]]> 2020-06-24 19:27:58 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639154319 A Storm Passes cfulghum1 https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639157229 Droplets of water cling to the green of new growth, illuminated by faint beams of light pushing
 out the darkness. Nature speaks with distinct sounds, forming a cadence of assurance that the
 violence from above has passed. The passing of a storm stirs gratitude for what follows. Quiet. Peace. Beauty. Waiting for this to pass. ]]> 2020-06-24 19:30:54 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639157229 In March, I felt paralyzed and afraid. In April, I tried to adapt and stay positive, with some success. By May, my need for preserving my mental health drove me to discover new ways to feel connected to a world that felt lost. My determination and hope increase daily, for myself and for my family. https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639157340 2020-06-24 19:31:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639157340 Hamachi the cat. Orange. Yellow tail. Teaching us how to tend to her. Bang on door with paws till we wake up. Jump up on sofa. mutual grooming. I brush, she licks. I hide my hand--raw from covid hand washing. She paws at the blanket. Where's the hand?! Must lick and love. More. Yes. https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639157862 2020-06-24 19:31:35 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639157862 https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639166209 Worst purchase of 2020, my day planner.  Every day seems like the last.  Weekends let me catch my breath to breathe.  Learned my husband is a loud talker and has no patience on the phone.  In the craziness of it all, a job change after 20+ years. Where do we go from here?  somewhere safe. ]]> 2020-06-24 19:38:45 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639166209 Last June we got chickens and built a coop. Last October we froze the rest of the pears. Last November we planted a garden. The Pandemic hit. Our blooming celery survived the winter, our chicken are laying eggs, and the sweet pear cake is cooling. https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639170761 2020-06-24 19:42:44 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639170761 Navy to Distance Learning lizbeaty https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639178368 Tons of sea stories … served in the Navy for 22 years. Moved so many times before retirement. Worked in supply chain logistics for 5 years. Followed a passion for learning. Started a degree in ID and new position in higher education last August. Wish I could meet everyone personally at OLC Innovate in Chicago!]]> 2020-06-24 19:51:01 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639178368 Not Hysteria: Dogs and Cats Together cogdogblog https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639178537 Despite the line from Ghostbusters, it's not a big deal. My stepdaughter returned home early from her last semester at UBC missing graduation, wanted a kitten. Felix the dog is calm, but has a history of chasing cats. But not Mags. Not only do they play, he seems to be teaching her his zen way.]]> 2020-06-24 19:51:12 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639178537 Even here, it is wonderful todd_conaway https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639187212 You might be tempted to think it is dark here, with little light, little warmth. But it is not. It is rich with life and there is beauty here too! Even here in the days that are less lit, and a little colder, it is beautiful. Don’t you forget that uplifting part of our story.]]> 2020-06-24 20:00:18 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639187212 I can't breathe... bali https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639190307 2020-06-24 20:03:53 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639190307 Bursting logan_437 https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639201900 I pick up a miniature broom, hand my daughter, who’s three, a miniature mop, and she says, “What’s this?” and I say, “Air guitar,” and she says, “What’s that?” and I say, “Air guitar,” and then I turn up the volume – “Fox” by Dogleg – and we leap from chairs and thrash/laugh/shriek louder, louder, louder, louder.]]> 2020-06-24 20:12:30 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639201900 plt6788 https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639368606 2020-06-25 00:02:41 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639368606 Rescue https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639978729 Beagle, Calvin,  11 years old, bowlegged and pigeon-toed, champion howler, joined our family on March 8th.  Lia, 9 year old,  Lhasa-Poo lets the old guy know who is top dog in this house. March 13th: my last day with my students. I set up shop at a card table. They doze. New lives intensely together.]]> 2020-06-25 13:22:53 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/639978729 Christmas in June delizabeth https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/641001314 As children, we got a new Christmas ornament every year. The tree told a story, with ornaments collected throughout our lives. I still decorate my tree with my childhood memories. It’s June, and from my makeshift office, I gaze at the tree I didn’t have the heart to take down. It still makes me smile.]]> 2020-06-26 12:50:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/641001314 Aunt Marilyn calimorrison https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/641287928 She once waved scarves for back alley races. Passed tools for fixing up race cars. Drank beer with the guys. Went to honkey tonks with her sisters-in-law. She was raised in Kentucky, never left her roots. Cats & yorkies were her children and fabric arts her joy. I wish her peace & relief from pain.

]]> 2020-06-26 18:24:17 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/641287928 maddieshellgren https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/839418789 2020-10-19 00:29:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jlknott1/2020OLCInnovate55Fiction/wish/839418789