March 2026 SOLC–Day 18
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
I’ve promised myself that I’m not going to write any more complaining posts about my school year. (Though I do think the tone sneaks through time and again…sorry!) So, Reader Beware! This one feels complaint-adjacent, but it’s what I’ve got this morning. #Truestory
I sit down at the table and pull my lunch out of my bag. First, a Tupperware dish filled with chopped fruit, next the small container of granola, and finally, a vanilla Greek yogurt. This is my work-day lunch every day. Seriously, I’ve been eating this for 113 days now. (Or 114? I’ve lost track!) Anyway, it’s healthy and easy. There’s no need to think about it in advance or to take a time-wasting trip to the microwave for any reheating. I appreciate the efficiency of it.
I grasp the foil tab and pull the lid off the yogurt, watching the thick white surface appear.
But wait…that looks a little off.
Instead of the smooth creamy surface I expected, this one looks sort of…lumpy? Curdled, maybe? (Can yogurt even be curdled? Isn’t it maybe already curdled? Where does Greek yogurt come from anyway? File that thought under “Things I think I used to know…” )
I lean closer and take a deep sniff. It smells fine.
I give it another concerned glance. It definitely looks different than usual.
I check the date, wondering if somehow I’ve pulled a random yogurt from the dead zone at the back of the fridge.. April 16, 2026
Hmmmm… so it should be okay. I guess I’ll know it’s bad if it tastes funny.
I dump the yogurt on my fruit and stir it in, then top the mixture with a generous sprinkle of granola. As I begin to tentatively dip my spoon in for a trial taste, I pause, my motion arrested by a sudden (somewhat unhinged?) thought:
Oh! If it’s off, you can get a mild case of food poisoning and not be able to come to school tomorrow!
I dig my spoon in and take a big bite.
It tastes fine.
Totally normal.
I’m not sure if I’m happy about that or a bit disappointed.
Nix the comfort zone 
Oh! This is funny but not funny. I wish it were easier to get a break from teaching when you need it.
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I know, right!?
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Sheer perfection at the lunch table – – I’m laughing and sharing your feelings about the lumpy yogurt consequences. I think if I were you, I’d have to err on the side of caution and stay home. You wouldn’t want a surprise sour stomach to suddenly present itself once you’re there because then it might take a minute to get a sub to come in. And counting the days? Yes, I’m there too.
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It’s been the kind of year where I’m hoping to catch my husband’s nasty virus or eat off yogurt just to catch a break. I’m even not minding having meetings mid-day and having to write sub plans to cover that time. This cohort has its good points for sure, but it’s supremely exhausting.
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Take a huge bite, right?!!! That was great the way you shared the same steps I go through when I’m not quite sure, and then you delved in for a huge bite, not necessarily to ease your lunch time hunger pangs.
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The potential pay-off of a legitimate sick day was worth the risk this year! I’m still not sure what was up with the yogurt, but clearly it was fine.
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When you described the yoghurt, I pictured cottage cheese. Brave decision. Or hunger directed decision. Then again the food passed the sniff test.
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More like an “I desperately need a break” decision! lol
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Like Terje, I thought maybe you had grabbed cottage cheese by mistake. Such a funny, ironic ending. Complaint adjacent, for sure.
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I’m struggling to write this year because I’m so dang tired and mostly what I’m noticing are negatives, even when I’m consciously looking for positives. Ah, well…this too shall pass. (In about 60 days)
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I eat Danon yogurt most mornings and have seen this weird consistency thing. I’m glad your yogurt was fine but understand the desire to find a “mild case of food poisoning” so you don’t have to go to school. And I think it’s fine to vent and complain in this space. I can’t imagine there’s a teacher who doesn’t relate to the very bad year paradigm, I certainly have memories. I’m sorry your year is one of those and that I haven’t kept up w/ all the posts related to that.I subscribe to your blog so will try to be more present and a better listener for those times you need someone in the virtual corner nodding.
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Thanks so much, Glenda. It’s a tough year for sure, but I really don’t want to wallow in complaints on my blog. It feels like letting a stain spread. Also, pushing myself to find bright spots or other things to write about helps me gain a little perspective. Maybe. I do appreciate your encouragement and support so much!
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Your slice kept me changing my reading predictions the further I read into the slice. First, I thought maybe you’d grabbed cottage cheese but wondered how that could happen when the containers are usually so different in size. Then I thought maybe you would keep everything separate, just in case the yogurt was bad; at least you’d have granola and fruit. But you didn’t. Then I thought you’d get sick. But you didn’t. Great use of structure and font changes to keep me moving smoothly between your actions and your thoughts.
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Thanks, Alice. I’m glad I kept you guessing!
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OK, this phrase hooked me! “complaint-adjacent”Love it! Thanks for taking us through your thought process. Hope you do not get sick!!
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No sickness. No day off. A win? Still questionable. lol
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Love the surprise of the big bite! You go girl! I agree with Aggie, I love the expression, “complaint adjacent!” I am taking on the challenge to using -adjacent in my next blog!
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I’m looking forward to reading that phrase on your blog. It’s fun to add -adjacent to lots of words.
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That same lunch every day is amazing. I read between the lines and notice what a busy life you must have. This was a well-written humerous slice.
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Having the same lunch is just easy. I do vary the fruit a little, lol, but mostly that’s the same, too! Glad you enjoyed the slice.
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OMG!!! I love your ending so much! It surprised me and also resonated with me.
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Glad you liked the ending. Like I said, #truth!
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You are braver than I am. I would have taken a small bite after the taste test! Yougurt is one of my go-to lunches as well. I hope your day is better tomorrow! My daughter and I (also a teacher) did a countdown today–42 days!
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I meant to say after the smell taste!
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Good Lord! I’ve been shopping all day I am tired…smell test!!!
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lol Don’t you wish there was a way to edit our own comments after we post them and then notice egregious errors? (not that yours were!) I think the big bite was simply a sign of my desperation. lol We still have 60 days.
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Plot twist when you dig in to take a big bite. Gave me good laugh! However, I do hope you don’t get sick because it feels awful even though it’s a good reason to stay home. Great slice!
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I did not get sick and I did not get to stay home. I guess it’s a draw. Glad you got a laugh from my slice. 🙂
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Love this idea of complaint adjacent–and once again, you show off your wonderful storytelling skills! Maybe this is a nudge to try something different for lunch after 114 days!
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What am I saying about myself if I also admit that I have the same thing for breakfast every morning? It’s like wearing a uniform, but eating one instead. (Okay, that analogy doesn’t really work well…lol) It just makes everything so much simpler. No decisions involved. Dinner’s a wild card though.
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Such an interesting slice about yogurt. I really enjoyed it and it took my mind off a whole lot of other stuff. I’m sure it was fine if it tasted okay!
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I’m glad you enjoyed the slice. Despite its lumpy texture, the yogurt was good, too 🙂
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