https://youtu.be/oeAN8Xxz0q4 Dr. Quentin Lee This man might be my new hero. He made me laugh out loud. I will need to channel his spirit in a couple of weeks as I will spend a decent amount of time reminding middle schoolers to distance, sanitize, and stay masked. Now, keep in mind that I come from …
Escape Goats
Quotes from Goats by Dan Monteiro, St. Martin's Press, 2018 Yes, I have a whole book of pictures and quotes by goats. The picture above is captioned Live like someone left the barn door open. Sound advice in normal times, n'est-ce pas? The title for this one: You can't graze the pasture if you don't …
Keep breathing
I am at the beach this week. Sunset Beach, NC where my family has been coming for 30+ years for vacation. Sitting on the beach for hours gives me plenty of time to think and reflect. And there is a lot to reflect upon right now. Our world has turned upside down. And some of …
Baking my way through the pandemic
Humpty Keeping Watch Over The Bread Dough, 2020 Right this very minute I should be checking student work, creating French placement tests, reading an article about how to be a better on-line teacher, meditating, doing yoga stretches, making lesson plans to finish out the year or doing something productive. Instead I am thinking of what …
A letter to my students
Teresa Ann Bell 1975-76"... Appalachian State ... French teacher ... enjoys reading, sewing, music, dancing, concerts, singing ... talkative" Dear 2019-20 Students, As you can see from the photo, I am going out on a limb here, out of my comfort zone. That photo is your French teacher, taken during her senior year at Harris …
Dear Mrs. Robinson
I have finished the book you gave me at Christmas and am now ready to submit my book report. I hope that you will enjoy reading it and I look forward to receiving your feedback. The Sabbatical Chef March 29, 2020 I am suspicious of people who do not like to eat. If I ask …
Gratitude- now!
I know, here I go again with gratitude and all that. It is sometimes how I get through the day. Well, that and making lists. As I sit in my "office" for hours a day, working on lessons, answering emails from students, colleagues, family, and the big wide world, listening to music clips sent to …
Saving my sanity
Spring in Duke Forest I have not posted since October 6, 2019. Shame on me. Could that be one reason why I am stressed? Feeling guilty? Writing is a stress reliever for me. I write for myself and am thrilled if anyone else takes the time to read my posts. So, thank you in advance. …
Falling in literary love
Charleston, SC Do you fall in love with authors or characters in books? Or am I the weird one? I fall hard. Many men and women have become the object of my affections. The latest in this line is Pat Conroy. And this is our second time around. I honestly do not remember when I …
Serial worrier
True confessions time. I am a worrier. Can an optimist also be a serial worrier? I know deep down that there is very little that I am truly in control of. When I really want someone or some circumstance beyond my control to change, my mantra is "It is what it is." The late dearest …
the sabbatical chef 