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 …
Category: life
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 …
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 …
Courage
Downtown Durham April 10, 2019Photo by Jim Rogalski Just exactly what is courage and where does it come from? Are we trained to act courageously? Is it instinct? Are we taught courage? How do we know whether or not we are courageous? I have my own thoughts about it, but first I would like to …
Dear Blog,
First off, no, I am not dead. You probably think that, dear Blog, but I am alive and kicking. Yes, I still love you. Yes, I still love to write. What happened? You know, I am not sure. Mon dieu bon dieu, I had to log into the WordPress website and that meant I had …
Needs vs Wants
Princess rotary dial phone: image courtesy of http://www.pinterest.com When I teach the French expressions for "I need" and "I want" (j'ai besoin et j'ai envie), to make it more concrete we make lists. As concrete as possible works best for 7th graders. I do indeed ask them if their parents have explained the difference between …
Waiting for Diego
This time three months ago I was sitting around waiting for Hurricane Florence to pay me a visit. Yesterday I waited for Winter Storm Diego to quietly sweep in. I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to snow predictions around here. Several friends call it Snowmaggedon. Sister-in-Law sent this photo via Facebook- …
(Self)Gratitude
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." This popped up a minute ago on my phone. I have an app called Shine, recommended by the BFF, on my phone and every morning an inspirational quote is delivered to me. Do we over do the whole gratitude thing? Facebook will be full of Thanksgiving, Giving Thanks, Gratitude, …
November This and That: The “Lit” Edition
(artwork: Madison, 8th grade girlie) My "real" job involves spending five days a week with middle schoolers. Trying to guide them. Giving them opportunities to help others. Helping them learn how to study. Setting goals and working towards achieving those goals. Showing them ways to be kind. General nagging. Showing them the beauty of speaking …
Just because
It's been one of those days. I woke up with a stuffed up head and a few aches. I put my tights on backwards, peeled them back off and put them on again. Had an early morning meeting so not much time for coffee or breakfast. Or even checking emails. Managed to spill half a …
the sabbatical chef 