You belong among the Wildflowers You belong somewhere close to me Far away from your trouble and worry You belong somewhere you feel free You belong somewhere you feel free Tom Petty, “Wildflowers” Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and there’s no greater gift for your Valentine than the liberation from “fine.” And by “your Valentine,” I… Keep Reading
International Women’s Day
My heart feels so full today. I had a great weekend spent with teacher colleagues on Friday and my colleagues in life, my sons, on Saturday. Last night I was so deeply moved by the photos and speeches coming out of the 50th anniversary of the march to Selma, a time so symbolic of how… Keep Reading
I Have A Confession to Make.
I’m an unabashed hater of DT and make no apologies for it. And, I now recognize and admit freely, I have judged those who support him. And judged them deeply, without regard for why they may be buying the “outsider” line, why they tolerate, repeatedly, the ugliness of this man and how he walks in… Keep Reading
Word of the Day
My first thought as I wake up these days is “What’s the word of the day, God?” It’s been an interesting practice because I often get words I didn’t anticipate but, as the day wears on, turn out to be just right. Quiet. Patience. Presence. On this gorgeous fall day I woke up in the… Keep Reading
The Miracle of the 3-Hole Punch
In the copy room this morning, a miracle happened. Someone had come in during the dark of night and lubricated the 3-Hole Punch. You mean to tell me I can hole punch 20 papers at a time and they lift right out? Without pleading? Without banging it against the table? Hallelujah and Amen because this… Keep Reading
So I’m Not Alone?
I recently came across this hilarious and oh-so-true take on the 5 Stages of Death and Dying, only in this case, it’s the 5 Stages of Grading. I don’t know one teacher who adores the drudgery of grading; in fact when I ask teachers what they like least, “Grading” is often the answer (along with… Keep Reading
“My liberation as a man is tied to your liberation as a woman.”
I am deeply tied to my work as a Woman’s Studies teacher for many reasons, most of which center on the fact I empower my students by helping them find a more full and authentic sense of themselves. While I know I educate the handful of young men in my room every year about how… Keep Reading
Has it Really Been 20 Years?
I attended my 20-year high school reunion last weekend; as a good friend said, it really was more like a family reunion than anything else—a tribute to the special kind of group we were, a group we still are. I never doubted the fact that I wanted to attend this reunion; high school was an… Keep Reading
The Power of Yes
Much of my life I have said yes. This was both because I enjoy others and the opportunities they bring into my life and also because I want them to be happy because seeing them that way makes me feel happy too. I said yes too often, compromising more than my fair share of desires…. Keep Reading