This is my original blog. I haven’t updated for years. I keep it as a reminder of the journey.
Please see Broke Teacher for education and Poser Homestead for chickens, recipes, and dead zucchini.
Carrying People Through The Sand
There is a story that runs over and over again in many different forms called "Footprints." It's about a person walking in the sand with God. You see the footprints. Two sets of footprints, and then, at times, just one. The person laments to God, "God...these are the...
High School Loser Gets Second Crack at Prom
A fellow teacher tweeted that she had a great time prepping students for prom, and that she had a happy crew. Prom. That magical time in high school when people without boyfriends get cast aside wondering whether or not to buy a dress. I wanted to skip it altogether....
Getting an Early Start on Common Cores Using The Economist
I am reading my son's school newsletter. It does an excellent job discussing the Common Cores. I know this because I use Common Cores all day myself. The school is calling for a 50/50 balance of literary and informational text. I support this because I am a serious...
Disney Training Course: Free System for the Next Hundred Readers
All my friends go to Disney. I love Disney. I've been there several times. My parents did it right, though. They waited. I was nineteen. I didn't think I would enjoy a pilgrimage to see Mickey Mouse at nineteen. I was wrong. It was awesome. There were a few things...
Rhode Island Culture Lesson 1: Giving–Good. Bribery–Bad.
In the blink of an eye, comes a new day. It seems I have just put my head down upon the pillow, swirled some dreams around for a moment, and it's time to start again. Each day starts like this. Each day ends in the same way...so very quickly. Each holding its own...
Ripping Chicken Carcasses for Luck
It was lying on the counter. A wishbone. A small, dried wishbone from the roasted chicken my mother sent over a couple of days before. My husband saved it and left it on the counter. There it sat--dried. Waiting for a wish. There was a list of things to wish. I could...
No, I Do Not Want To Play Zombies-I’m Trying to Do Yoga
It's time for some yoga. I'm stressed. I'm new to yoga, but I've learned enough for a routine. I want to do better in my yoga practice. My friend is puts daily "yoga tips" on her LinkedIn and Facebook Pages. I appreciate the gentle reminder, but for me she ought to...
Hoodies will get you extra points
I think that computers and start ups are the only fields where looking like crap scores you points. Actually, it seems to be a badge of honor. No one wears a suit jacket. The guy with the suit jacket sticks out. Everyone wears a hoodie. I brought my one hoodie--my...
Never Pray for Patience, and Don’t Get Hit
When you pray for patience bad things happen. Never pray for patience. Bad things happen when you do. Bad things do not happen because you are praying for patience, they happen because if you want patience, you need to practice patience. You can only practice...
What is Your Superpower?
"Don't you ever sleep?" I asked my friend, Heather. She is always awake. Pretty much every minute. I can verify this because I wake up at about 4AM to write for a couple hours. She is there. I see her posts after I go to sleep at my somewhat religious 10PM. It's...
I Will Not Buy Cereal That Makes You Smash Your Head into Walls
Declan is a sophisticated five-year old. He's evolved from Nick and Disney Jr to regular Nick and Disney Channels. This is a milestone in our lives. One I don't love. There are some shows I avoid on the Big Kid stations. I stand firm on censorship with some, like a...
Birds Don’t Go to Meetings
Driving down the road, I see a flock of birds in the sky. A flock of about 150 birds. So many birds, it's like a giant cloud, except there is so much more grace and beauty. They sail on the wind--all flying together. Changing directions, zigzagging. In general, it...