819 Parker Street



I used We Are All Here by Tomie dePaola, as my mentor text for this setting snapshot.

There I was, standing in 819 Parker Street. My mom had driven me, my older brother, two older sisters, our cat, a litter of kittens, and our dog all the way from Kansas to Ohio in a station wagon. It was late August and I would be starting first grade in a few short weeks. My dad came to our new house a month ago so he could start his new job at the university. Our house on Parker Street felt huge. We had five bedrooms! My sisters were already arguing over who would get what bedroom. I knew, since I was the youngest, that I would have the smallest room.
My new room was the perfect size for me. The closet was deep with double doors that swung out. There was a wide window with two smaller casement windows on either side that cranked open. From that window, I had a view of half of the front yard, the irises by the mulberry tree, the big oak tree that shaded most of the house, and our front porch. And if I looked sideways through the window at just the right angle, I could see all the way up our long front sidewalk, past the mailbox, across the street to a house that belonged to a little girl who would become my new best friend.

16 comments:

  1. It sounds like it was a very happy place for you and that a new beginning was a positive one. Sometimes the littlest room is the best room. Size is not everything:)

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  2. Even though you didn't mention specific memory events, I could tell there were many happy times in this home for you. Great visual image for me of the carful you had traveling. Great snapshot!

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  3. This is a great slice, Diana. I love the description of your room. I have always been a lover of small, cozy spaces and this sounds perfect!

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  4. What a great slice! So clear and vivid. A great mentor text to use with kids as well. I love that because you are the youngest you get the smallest room, but it was the perfect size for you! Love the way you end this too. . . can easily lead to another slice!

    And the newspaper clipping? Did you save that? How very special!

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  5. Fabulous picture with your post. Gives me ideas--thanks.

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  6. I love the way you included the ad. It made a strong connection between the words and my mental picture of the house.

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  7. You transported me through time. I could visualize this home and enjoy the glimpse of an important piece of your life. At the same time it triggered memories of my own. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. You transported me through time. I could visualize this home and enjoy the glimpse of an important piece of your life. At the same time it triggered memories of my own. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. Addresses of different moments of our lives...sweet memories...well, for the most part. Love that you have the house newspaper clipping.

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  10. I love the way you placed the words, the overview first, then on to the best part, the room, & from that, the friend! It is a lovely introduction to a good story. Will there be more? I liked the photo of the ad too.

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  11. Oh I love this post and will use it as a mentor text for the wonderful way in which you brought this much beloved home into focus. And the ad! Perfect!! imp

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  12. You are taking me back to our family house and my room. Still there but it's not the same.
    Great photos to frame your pieces.
    Bonnie

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  13. Great description of your special room and the view. It reminded me of my high school years. Love the mentor text. Tomie is awesome. :)MaryHelen

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  14. This is wonderful, and I love that you have the newspaper listing for the house. How cool is that?! And how long did you know your new best friend before you discovered that you could see her house from your perfect-for-you bedroom?

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  15. Thanks for modeling for me - I work with preschoolers and don't always get to use mentor texts in the same way!

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  16. I love the photo with this slice! I still dream about the home I grew up in.

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