Slice of Life Story Challenge 2020 Day 18

Today, March 18th, 2020, I’m participating in Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Our nature walk had felt good.  Even a little exhilarating.  Now confined to mostly home quarters, we all agreed that spending time in nature seemed important.  Brilliant March sun had promised us all a golden spring experience today, but now the breeze clawed at our faces.  Time to turn back and head for home.  We were cold.

IMG_6440

As we made our way back across the bridge and toward our house, we spotted the truck.  I watched as it slowed down and parked dead center on the opposite side of the bridge from where we walked.  On the side of the truck, a logo read, “Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.”

Suddenly, I heard my wife’s voice, “Oh girls!  We’re in for a treat!”  Curious little voices erupted into a cacophony of questions: “What? What’s happening? What are they doing?”  I even wondered to myself, “What is going on?”  With no traffic on the road, the five of us crossed to gain a better vantage point.  Two men emerged from the truck, both wearing hip waders.  The driver, donning a stocking cap with a brim and dark sunglasses, circled round the back of the truck and climbed up on the passenger side.  Glistening silver box-like chambers rested on the truck bed, fueling curiosity in my three daughters and me.  What kind of truck was this?  And what were we about to witness?

Pulling a large net from behind the truck’s cabin, the driver lifted a lid of one of the silver tanks.  He then inserted the net.  And then it happened.  Fish stocking!

Author: Lanny Ball

For more than 29 years, Lanny has taught, coached, presented, staff developed, and consulted within the exciting and enigmatic world of literacy. With unyielding passion and belief in the possibility of workshop teaching, Lanny has worked to support students, teachers, and school administrators around the country in outgrowing themselves as both writers and readers. Working first as a classroom teacher, then as a coach and TCRWP Staff Developer, Lanny is now a literacy specialist, working and living in the great state of Connecticut. Outside of literacy, he enjoys raising his three ambitious young daughters with his wife, and playing the piano. Find him on this blog, as well as on Twitter @LannyBall. Lanny is also a former co-author of a blog dedicated to supporting writing teachers and coaches that maintain classroom writing workshops, twowritingteachers.org.

14 thoughts on “Slice of Life Story Challenge 2020 Day 18”

  1. Well that is a lesson I never got in school! The suspense in your piece was gripping, and the reveal a treat. I imagine there are lessons upon lessons upon lessons in that walk.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. What a fun sight to see! And nice to note that with all the craziness going on, some things are happening right on schedule. It also seems a lot of Slicers, including myself, are turning to the outdoors to regain some balance to our days. Not necessarily a bad thing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. I love how you finished this with the video! What a cool blend of text and media! This must have been so fun for you and your family to witness. We all need a little unexpected fun right now, don’t we?

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment