For two weeks now I've been involved with the Seven Valleys Writing Project in their 3 week Summer Institute.  I don't know if there has been a time in my life since my teens that I've been this inspired and opened up to write as I have been these last few weeks.  On this beautiful 80 degree weather day with a pool just outside my window I'm still itching to write and write.  I am working on research about co-teaching, but I also am working on making a list of all the topics I'd like to research about, or have more time to delve deeper into. This doesn't even begin to say what this experience has been like for me. I have met some incredible people, hand opportunities to read and write creatively.  I am working on writing a novel about life for a young women growing up in the early 1960's, a time I have always enjoyed learning about and now I get to write about it.  I am immersing myself in the process too.  I've made a playlist on Spotify that I think my main character would be listening too.  I'm making a collage of clothing that she and her friends would wear, and activities that they would enjoy doing.  I've also written personal narrative, poetry, reflections, and work on my research paper.  One of the parts that has meant so much to me is that I have felt my writing grow.  My husband, my best friend, many of my friends, my sister, my fellow classmates have all wrapped their arms around me in support.  I found this quote, "Make your writing BLOW people AWAY,"  and it reminded me how I'm feeling. I woke up one morning and wrote for 30 minutes and what came out was one of my better pieces of writing.  It was very exciting.  I literally could feel the words forcing themselves out my fingertips.  I don't want this journey to end.  I don't know how the door to this writing will ever close.   I'm working on how to incorporate what I've learned into my daily practice as a Literacy Specialist.  I'm thrilled about this journey.