Bad Mom Ruins Elementary Christmas

I’m an urban secondary educator who’s moved out to the sticks. Although I grew up in a small town, Christmas changes from location to location. Things definitely aren’t the same in the city. I got Christmas all wrong. I knew I must get something for...

One Inspiration at a Time

Silence is a source of great strength  –Lao Tsu I write at 4AM. The moments before the birds sing bring me the most peace. My mind clears. Silence reveals the thoughts that drown in the clatters, jangles, and noise of the day. The fire glows, coffee sits to my...

Not Dead Yet. But Decaf Is Close

“I have a confession to make,” I said. “I’m drinking decaf coffee.  And it $%^% sucks.” Decaf coffee is what doctors sentence a person to when they have no more medical hope or advice for them. “Start drinking decaf.” It means...

Work Less. Smile.

“I don’t know if I can do this anymore,” she said. “I can’t teach first graders to sit for 180 days. I don’t even have time for my own kids.” Do you feel this way? Here’s two from my playbook: “I just corrected two hundred fifty packets and didn’t cook...

Drive Thru Coffee’s Slow–Make It Driveby

I look at the clock on the odometer. I want to stop for coffee. The drive thru is right there, beckoning. It’ll just take a minute. It’s quicker if I run in.  I look again. I’m already three minutes past my time–I’ll have to make it up on...