Author: Ruth Ayres

Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
writing workshop

180 Reflections — CHECK! (Ruth’s SOLS 21/31)

Ruth Ayres4 Comments

Here's a little slice from my life: Stacey and I have completed all 180 reflections for our book! All that is left is the introduction, closing thoughts, and compiling the appendix. We'll discuss our final reflections on Wednesday and complete the revisions. (Plus I have to write the opening to the Assessment chapter.) I know… Continue reading 180 Reflections — CHECK! (Ruth’s SOLS 21/31)

writing workshop

Spring Cleaning (Ruth’s SOLS 20/31)

Ruth Ayres3 Comments

Today we did a little Spring Cleaning and a bit of organizing. The kids cleaned their rooms. Andy did a couple of "handy-man" projects around the house. I organized my studio -- again. It seems every few months I change things a little in there to make myself more effective when I create. It feels… Continue reading Spring Cleaning (Ruth’s SOLS 20/31)

writing workshop

Dinner Alfresco (Ruth’s SOLS 19/31)

Ruth Ayres6 Comments

Tonight we ate dinner outside. Although it was a little chilly, we gathered around a patio table with some of our closest friends. The kids ate on a blanket in the grass. The breeze carried their giggles to us. Perhaps it was because of the sunshine . . . Perhaps it was because I spent… Continue reading Dinner Alfresco (Ruth’s SOLS 19/31)

reading

Reading the Old-Fashioned Way

Ruth Ayres5 Comments

I'm working as a coach in a ninth grade class. The class is filled with students I know from elementary school. There is one boy who was an avid reader in 4th grade and has become the kind of reader who likes to distract everyone else during reading time. He pretended like he had never… Continue reading Reading the Old-Fashioned Way

writing workshop

I’ve Become an Abolitionist (Ruth’s SOLS 18/31)

Ruth Ayres3 Comments

Six months ago I learned the truth about slavery. There are 27 million people living in slavery worldwide. A slave is someone who is forced to work for little or no money and is not free to leave. In our modern society, there are 27 million slaves. Many of these are children. As I've learned… Continue reading I’ve Become an Abolitionist (Ruth’s SOLS 18/31)

writing workshop

It’s So Simple

Ruth Ayres6 Comments

On Monday I attended an All-Write meeting with literacy coaches across Indiana & Michigan. One line from the meeting has been glued to my mind. Kristen Horrell and Karla Hayden commented about Workshop teaching: "It's so simple!" they said. Sometimes we spend our time making things more complicated than they need to be. If we… Continue reading It’s So Simple

writing workshop

Perspectives (Ruth’s SOLS 17/31)

Ruth Ayres3 Comments

I've been serving on a committee at my church for a couple of years. It is a committee which was formed for a purpose and now the purpose is almost complete. I was heavily involved in the process early on, but haven't been as active the past several months. I was honored to be asked to be… Continue reading Perspectives (Ruth’s SOLS 17/31)

slice of life

My Playlist (Ruth’s SOLS 16/31)

Ruth Ayres17 Comments

I used to be the kind of writer who needed silence. Then I became the kind of writer who could write with music, as long as there were no words. For many years, I used music in my classroom with a strict no words policy. Then I started writing a book. And had a tough… Continue reading My Playlist (Ruth’s SOLS 16/31)

writing workshop

First Book EVER! (Ruth’s SOLS 15/31)

Ruth Ayres3 Comments

While talking with Stacey, Sam demanded that I staple a handful of pages he was pushing at me. I tried to quiet him. He was having none of it. "Momma, this needs stapled!" I covered the phone and said, "I'm on the phone with Stacey right now, go find Dad." "I know you're working on… Continue reading First Book EVER! (Ruth’s SOLS 15/31)

Nancie Atwell · writing

The Zone

Ruth Ayres1 Comment

I've been thinking about Nancie Atwell's book, The Reading Zone, lately. Last week I gave a lesson about this idea in a ninth grade class.  This weekend I've realized how this concept is important for writers too. We must intentionally focus in order to write well, even when we don't feel like it. I'd like to… Continue reading The Zone

writing workshop

Got’Cha Day (Ruth’s SOLS 14/31)

Ruth Ayres8 Comments

Two years ago our daughters came home. We celebrate today in honor of the remarkable way families are made. I'm reminded how family isn't about blood and genetics and giving birth. Family is about love and support and time together. Sometimes I forget we don't share the same genes. There are times when they are… Continue reading Got’Cha Day (Ruth’s SOLS 14/31)

slice of life

Early Morning (Ruth’s SOLS 13/31)

Ruth Ayres12 Comments

The house is still right now. Everything is in its place. I like to be up before everyone else.  I like to make the first noises of the day. I like to relish in being home. No rushing for me today. Somehow this makes it easier to get out of bed. Soon the tea kettle… Continue reading Early Morning (Ruth’s SOLS 13/31)