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a little outdoor therapy

  Like most people these days, I’ve had a little more time on my hands these days. Trying to fill it with good things. I mean, I have a to do list a mile long, but sometimes, the important stuff doesn’t make it on the list.  Today, it felt most important to have a little hiking, a little reading, a little writing, a little taking photos. a few little diversions… Today was also spent with a little swinging on theRead more
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a boxful of letters

I opened a box today. It was full of handwritten letters from war…not just one or two, but hundreds and hundreds…one written per day from Southeast Asia to Southeast Pennsylvania, from a man overseas to a wife and young son on the home front. My grandfather made sure to always write a letter to his beloved “bride” and their son, my Dad.  He was a man who laughed easily, loved well, and had wisdom and whit to share. Even inRead more

…a few thoughts on mashed potatoes…

It’s Thursday morning, and I just finished up my contribution for dinner tonight. I get to bring dessert, sweet potato casserole, corn, and …mashed potatoes. I had peeled the potatoes last night and let them sit in cold water overnight, just like I remember my “Grannie” and mom doing. I boiled them this morning and then got out the electric mixer to beat those potatoes…and as soon as those beaters started to spin, I could remember, “Now don’t add theRead more

…a few thoughts on proximity control…

“Proximity Control” is a term you often hear when educators are addressing the issue of classroom management. It’s the idea that an adult in close proximity can help control the behaviors of students–and that the very presence of an adult can make a difference (without words) in a student’s behavior and choices. Well, the other day, I came across a couple of photos.  These two, to be exact: It made me miss those days when my boys could fit onRead more
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Tease

So, I talked to my son Chase today.  He’s away at college, about 5 hours from home.  I wanted to let him know a few things including the fact that a package should be getting there on his birthday.  I kind of gave a disclaimer though, because I had made cookies and I said they didn’t really turn out well and so I didn’t send them….and this…this is what he said: “NOOOOOO!!” Oops. And so I right away finished myRead more
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at the table

It was a planning day at school today. There are lots of things I love about planning days. I can get caught up on things, collaborate with teachers, and ….listen to whatever I want to. I like having music in class. Lately we’ve been singing “Be a Learner”, “Sight Words Song”, and a really cool “RESPECT” rap. Even though I enjoy singing them with my students, these songs wouldn’t be on my song list. No, today, I got to listenRead more

Irish Blessings

She loved St. Patrick’s Day.  Over the years, I would receive sweet treasures around mid-March…bundled packages she’d send via UPS. One year, it was shamrock napkins and “Irish potatoes” …not real potatoes, but the coconut-covered-in-cinnamon Irish treat. Another year, the package contained General Foods International Coffee…Irish Creme flavor of course. That was my favorite at the time. She knew that because for a year and a half I went to college outside of Philadelphia and was about an hour fromRead more
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time well spent

So the cold snap has hit. Our weatherman said, “so the pattern is crazy cold for awhile.”  But it didn’t keep  Chase and I away from our walk at the river. Correction. It almost did. But we bundled up and braved the cold.  As we neared the river’s edge, it was cool to see how light danced and sparkled like stars on the water. The cold didn’t change that. The berries seemed even more red against the background of all ofRead more
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Be brave

Be Brave. and Courageous. and Innovative. Risk. Marvel at the world around you. Take it all in. Pour yourself out. …and see what you can do to impact, make it better, move the mountains, and widen paths so that others might just be inspired to  …be brave. Courageous. And innovative. And take risks. Marvel and wonder. And take it all in as they pour themselves out. And in the midst of your being brave, be sure, to take some timeRead more