Harmonious Groove

Blog, Poetry

Spice Cake…

August 4, 2019by Susie Krivacic1 Comment

baking blur cake cherry — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Spice Cake…

As I walk downstairs,

I can’t help but observe

the amazing aroma

of spice cake.

This is not a typical

cake choice for us

but it caught my eye

in the market.

So I baked with love,

and as it cooked in the oven,

I was amazed at the feelings

the scent evoked.

You see, even though it’s still summer

school starts in a week or two

and football season is just

around the corner.

So it feels like a transitional time

gradually leaving summer

and slowly meandering into

the autumn months.

And the smell of spice cake

makes me feel excited

for all that the coming season

has to offer.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Events, Memories

Back to School…

August 2, 2019by Susie KrivacicLeave a Comment

boy in brown hoodie carrying red backpack while walking on dirt road near tall trees — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

So we’re into August which means back to school shopping…Now, my kids are in college, so the whole frenzy doesn’t impact me. But my history as a classroom teacher and parent makes this a reflective time. Therefore during the next month or so I will sporadically address that monster known as “Back to School”.

The first item that comes to mind is markers. I have always been a Crayola fan because their colors are vibrant and they do not dry out as quickly as some other brands. But there is a particular type of marker that has gained favor and drives me crazy. The evil scented marker.

Why do these markers bother me so? It’s because they are very distracting to students during class. If a marker is needed, it cannot merely be opened and used. No, it must be smelled, and not just by the owner of said marker. Any student nearby wants to take a whiff as well. If collaboration is required, there is a rush to join the owner of those coveted markers. And there is always at least one student in a meltdown because he or she has only “ordinary” markers.

I respect every parent’s right to purchase whatever markers they desire for their child, but before you purchase, consider having a little empathy for the classroom teacher.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Nature, Poetry

Fresh Cut Flowers…

August 1, 2019by Susie Krivacic1 Comment

yellow mums orange peruvian lilies and carnation flower arrangement — Photo by heather bozman on Pexels.com

Fresh Cut Flowers…

Floral aroma

envelops the living room.

Single vase in view…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Work

The Contract…

July 31, 2019by Susie KrivacicLeave a Comment

person solving distance of points — Photo by Dids on Pexels.com

So the Orange County teachers here in Orlando, Florida rejected the contract offer that the district made, and I am so proud of them for it. It’s rare that a contract proposal is rejected, and that has always been a frustration for me.

Back in the 90s and 2000s. Broward County had quite a few “bad” contracts sneak by. I recall that for four consecutive years I made less money due to a low pay increase and a rise in insurance rates. It’s hard to see your paycheck dwindle.

Well, it finally happened. The Orange County teachers faced a similar situation, so they united and said, “No!”. In interviews, it was evident that even teachers who were not negatively impacted by the contract made a decision to decline. Everyone seemed to recognize that a bad deal is a bad deal.

So the teachers begin the 2019-2020 school year without a contract. This should call for “working to the rule”, which is when teachers refuse to do additional duties outside of their contract. It’s a strategy to force the district to come up with a more favorable contract as quickly as possible. This is an action that I support fully, however, typically teachers have a hard time implementing this plan as they feel guilty because their additional daily activities are “for the children”.

I’ll be watching the news closely in the hope that the educators stand their ground. Stay strong teachers…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Family, Poetry

The Dock…

July 30, 2019by Susie KrivacicLeave a Comment

woman and boy sitting on dock holding fishing rod — Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi on Pexels.com

The Dock…

Growing up in Miami

we were lucky to live on a canal.

Lucky because there was so much

that happened on the dock.

Just sitting with our feet in the water

helped to cool us on a hot summer day.

We had a very small boat anchored

that offered adventure as we paddled through the water.

We had homemade fishing poles:

sticks with a bit of bread tied to the end of the string.

And we felt such excitement when we actually caught a fish,

although we quickly threw it back.

Every spring the ducks would come quacking

with their dozen babies following behind.

The bread was handy again as we fed them

and pet the soft fur of the smallest ones.

And sometimes we even took a quick dive in

and splashed about with glee.

That was so many years ago,

but I will always remember

the fun times as we sat

on the dock…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Nature, Poetry

Sunrise on the Horizon…

July 27, 2019by Susie KrivacicLeave a Comment

seashore under white and blue sky during sunset — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Sunrise on the Horizon…

As I gaze out

onto the horizon

and see the sun

rising in the distance,

I feel a sense of hope

as each day brings

new possibilities.

The ocean waves

may crash on the shore

but they always recede

and leave smooth sand.

Just as each new day

ebbs and flows

like ocean water

on a morning beach.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Family, Poetry

The Nuggets…

July 26, 2019by Susie KrivacicLeave a Comment

yellow plush toy — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Nuggets…

They are two of a kind:

the nuggets.

My great-nephews

whose ages are four and five.

It seems that just yesterday

they were babies.

And then they crawled

and walked.

And now they are two individuals

with personalities all their own.

As I watched them this previous weekend

I pondered how time moves so quickly.

It seems just yesterday

their dad was a nugget himself.

Dashing about as only children do

exploring the unknown world.

And now he’s a successful adult

with children of his own.

And in what will seem like a blink of an eye

the nuggets will have nuggets of their own, too.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Family, Poetry

Reunion Time…

July 25, 2019by Susie KrivacicLeave a Comment

Reunion Time…

40+ family members come together

to hang out on Melbourne Beach.

We gather under umbrellas

and chill on the chaise lounges.

We play football, baseball,

and boogie board in the surf.

We swim in the pool

and relax in the hot tub.

We take over restaurants

and dine like kings.

We talk, tell stories, and laugh;

Oh, how we laugh!

We take so many pictures;

some formal and some not.

They’ll be compiled into an

amazing book for next year.

We gather in the party room

and tell tales of years past.

We are loud, and

we are fun.

We gaze joyfully at Mom and Dad

who got this incredible group started back in 1957.

And are grateful that they, along with Tammy, Bob,

and others lend their talents to make this happen.

Our time to visit.

Our time to catch up.

Our reunion…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Family

Baby Brother Beotch…

July 24, 2019by Susie Krivacic1 Comment

the-cardigans-1997-billboard-1548

So we’re at Bunky’s on Friday night in Melbourne Beach, and I’m enjoying wine and chat with my baby brother, Todd. (I always laugh at the phrase “baby brother” as he is 49 years old.)

Now Todd is forever the family comedian, and he’s always handing out challenges. As we’re talking we could hear the following playing in the background:

“…Love me love me

Say that you love me

Fool me fool me

Go on and fool me…”

Todd: “I bet you don’t know this band.”

Me: “Let me think a minute.”

Todd: “You’ll never get it. You just don’t know. You’ll never get it.”

Me: “The Cardigans.”

Todd: “BOOM! You showed me. I’m your beotch. Your baby brother beotch.”

Yes, Todd…You are my beotch. You’re also one of my favorite people. Love you, Dude. Thanks for always making me laugh…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Blog, Travel

Bad Coffee…

July 23, 2019by Susie KrivacicLeave a Comment

caffeine close up coffee coffee cup — Photo by Foodie Factor on Pexels.com

So I’ve been traveling for a few days, and I had the pleasure of going to the Meininger Family Reunion in Melbourne Beach. Shout out to Dad, Mom, Tammy, and Bob for all of their hard work. It was an amazing weekend. I’ll be writing more about it in forthcoming posts.

But today I had coffee on the brain because we are out of it here at home. This means my son, Ethan, is walking around none too happy. I suggested a coffee run…

So we’re at the Melbourne Beach Hilton which we visit every year. Everything about this hotel is fantastic, but I found one area they can improve. We had yet to make the in-room coffee, so I suggested Ethan give it a try. Bad idea…Bad…Bad…

There was an odd little coffee maker on top of the refrigerator. It came with these coffee filled disks, cream, sugar…the works. Ethan anticipated his coffee jones would be met by this little machine. It was not…To quote Ethan: “Mom, it looks and tastes like murky water.”

We headed to the lobby with the plan to drive around and find a cup when we ran into some of our family: Debbie, Katie, Danny, and our good friend Robin. They were holding steaming cups of the best smelling coffee. Turns out there is a coffee bar in the lobby. Ethan was extremely happy!

So Melbourne Beach Hilton, since everything else about your establishment is top-notch, I say ditch the in-room coffee makers and just direct everyone to the lobby. It’s a great place to meet up and catch your morning cup o’ joe.

Stay groovy…

–Susie