This is my original blog. I’ll still post from time to time. Please see Broke Teacher for education and Poser Homestead for chickens, recipes, and dead zucchini.
The Truth about Santa: A Little Boy Contemplates Gratitude
It's time to have a serious talk with the boy. I sit him down. "Listen, Declan," I say. "Santa's not getting you everything on this list." "Yes, he will." It's a hefty list. "No, he won't." I say. "How do you know? You're not Santa." It's true. I'm not. "I...
That’s a Wrap! Dealing with Wrapping and Christmas Greed
"Could you take Declan out so I can wrap some presents?" I sent the boys out to do I-don't-care-whatever so I could start wrapping. I go to bed early. I haven't been able to wrap with Declan poking his head out pretending to read, doing Rubik's Cubes or making...
How A Single “W” Changed My World–And Why It Will Change Yours, Too
I'm obsessed with the letter W. Not just any W--a specific one. It's the first letter in photographer Jodi Swanson's Women of Strength photo book designed by the amazing Erin Tyler. Erin made me fall in love with design, but I never imagined I'd obsess over...
Nightmares
"I had a nightmare last night," says Declan. "'I'm sorry about that. I have nightmares, too. " I say. “You, Mommy? What do you have nightmares about?" He leans in for the answer. “Running out of money. Being sick. Not being able to pay the bills…” “That’s not a...
What Teachers Really Do During Lunch
I have to go to the bathroom. I wish the bell would ring. It finally does. I really don't have to go, but I know I'd better try because I've only got one shot to go during the day...my mother always made me try "just in case." That and teaching made me paranoid. Most...
“The Fiery Furnace”–The Greatest Speech I Never Heard
If you haven’t heard Paul Burgett's "The Fiery Furnace" speech (here on Soundcloud) you must. It's one of the greatest speeches of all times. I like to listen to a good speech. A good speech makes me laugh then punches me in the gut, teaching a powerful lesson....
‘Twas the Month Before E-Christmas
Twas the month before Christmas and all through the house The tree decorated, no fight from the spouse. Each year we argue with all of our might About bangles and ornaments--those god-blasted lights. "The red bows are cluttered, they can't all go there!" I put more...
Food Freak Files: How to Say “Hands Off” Your Thanksgiving Food
Thanksgiving. The season of love, thankfulness, everyone posting the required message of love and appreciation for mankind on the way to Black Friday shopping. For food freaks, it's the season of selfishness and self-preservation. "I have to bring my own food to...
The Purest Smile
I put the phone in my pocket when I get off the train. I need to see the direction of the flow of people and get on my way. "Watch your step as you exit the train." It's the standard recording. I step out of the car and into the stream, the river, the ocean of...
Amazoning Your Christmas? Don’t Let Box Guilt Consume Your Life!
The boxes, oh, the boxes! My Christmas Amazoning has begun. Every year I make a bargain with my conscience. I'll pack waste-free lunches, bring my own bags to stores, buy in bulk, reuse dental floss... all to reset the bad environmental karma I get when I wrap...
There is No God but “That God…” and He’s the Same as Yours. Unless You’re Athiest.
There is No God but "That God..." and He's the Same as Yours. Unless You're Atheist... or How Social Studies Saved the World "There's terrorism in the world because they worship that god." "What God?" I ask. "Their God, Allah." Stop right there! Red flags fly when...
How Pokemon Cards Came to Represent Jesus
"Mom, look what he gave me!" It was a Pokemon card. It was shiny. I don't know much about Pokemon, but I know shiny is good. Conquests and wars have been based on nations getting more shiny things. "Can you believe it?" he says. "That was dumb! This card can...