Three years ago today, I lost my dad.His bad habits are what eventually killed him, but he was an extraordinary man who did not fully embrace his own capabilities. He was by far the smartest man I've ever known, and I'm fortunate that I inherited a little bit of that. He was my mentor and one … Continue reading Heroes
Tag: Life
Time
Sunday was my 38th birthday. I'm not sure how that happened.I understand the conception and birth thing. Time has passed, and so on. What I don't understand is how I can be two years shy of forty when on most days I have to remind myself that I'm an adult now so I should probably … Continue reading Time
Breathing
Today, I started the fifth week of school.I managed to survive the first four weeks, and I finally feel like I'm mostly caught up...for now. As any teacher can tell you, there is always work to do, even over the summer. It just happens from time to time that there may not be anything pressing … Continue reading Breathing
Summer
I told myself once that if I ever decided to quit teaching, I would not make that decision during the school year. Why?Because even though the school year is mentally and physically draining...Because even though by the time May begins, I'm marking off the days on my calendar until summer break begins...Because even though after … Continue reading Summer
Ants
My dad built the house I grew up in right smack in the middle of a flood plain on about an acre of land. He had the builders bring in piles and piles of dirt to build up the area where the house was to be built, and then had them dig back down to … Continue reading Ants
Explosions
I used to love going to the movies. In high school and college, the movie theater was my go to location if I was bored. At home, I had a nice collection of VHS tapes (dating myself here) and DVDs that I would watch over and over. Adulthood, career, and marriage didn't slow down my … Continue reading Explosions
Choices
A couple of years ago, my social studies department head asked if I would be interested in representing our school and department at the school district's annual job fair. I work in a large, well respected district. Thousands of people drive fairly long distances in order to have an opportunity to work in our district. I … Continue reading Choices
Sunflowers
I love that my kids always want to help me with my garden. Even when they plant the seeds too close together and I have to replant them...even when they step all over the green beans while trying to pick strawberries...even when they freak out at the sight of an earthworm but still want to … Continue reading Sunflowers
Famous
Not me...my ancestors. I, hopefully, will never be burdened with fame (or infamy).One of the interesting aspects of history for me is studying my own family's past. Now I don't get carried away with genealogy and historical records. I just like to piddle with it every now and then. One of my aunts has traced … Continue reading Famous
$1.25
When I was in the second grade, I had a blue pair of KangaROOS sneakers. (Remember those?) I thought they were the coolest thing in the world because they had this little side pocket that zipped up that I could put stuff in...very small stuff, but whatever. They were cool and that’s all I cared … Continue reading $1.25
Reflections Of A Middle Aged Nobody 