My life in middle school. 4 personal years (1968-1972) + 38 teaching years (1980-present) = 42 years spent in middle school. Oh yea. Really. And there is rarely a dull moment. Take today for instance. I gave my 8th graders an assignment to use their vocabulary for homes and neighborhoods. You have been offered a …
Category: main dishes
The right place at the right time
It has only been a little over a month since I returned from France. It was an amazing trip with my co-chaperone and 13 of my eighth grade students. While planning the trip, I discovered that there would be a guided tour in English at the Mémorial de la Shoah. My students and I discuss …
Sweet (and savory) memories
I've been MIA from my dear sweet blog. January brought the passing of my mom's dear sweet husband and that of my dear sweet father-in-law. I still catch myself not believing that they are gone from us. February brought a three-day trip to Washington, DC and the usual whirlwind of classes, lesson plans and the …
Snow Day 2018
So, I want everyone to know that I just got up off the sofa, out from under this amazing blanket (a late Christmas gift from an 8th grade girlie and her mom), put on my clogs, and braved the cold- 24˚F- to take a couple of photos for you. I am brave like that. Teaching …
Black diamonds
This is a trip back in time. Back to December 4, 2008, to be exact. I am not sure why I woke up thinking about this adventure while I was on sabbatical. Coincidence? Who knows. But what I do know is that once I pulled up this blog entry, I was transported back to the …
Casseroles and cakes
When there is a death in the family of a friend, Southerners head to the kitchen. We don an apron and heat up the oven. We get out the cast iron skillet, casserole dishes and cake pans. We need to feel useful and we know that there will be people who need to be fed. …
What’s your favorite recipe?
(Carlton Cards) I found this card to send to my turkeys in SP since I will not be with them for Thanksgiving. Too funny. I miss those turkeys. I will visit them soon. I promise. Today's question of the day... "What's your favorite recipe, madame?" Asked by one of my 6th graders after she told …
Random thoughts on a chilly November night
It's Veteran's Day. Armistice Day in France. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. I have visited the site of the signing of the Armistice, the replica of the train car tucked away into the forest near Compiègne in northern France. The original one was burned by Hitler. Merci, Ghislaine. Thank …
Your Loving Vincent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRDSTw6mNwY When I first read about Loving Vincent, I was afraid that it would not come to Durham, NC. My fears were confirmed when I started seeing lists of cities where it would be playing on the film's website and Facebook page. No Durham. The closest city listed was Fayetteville. Arles Lucy and I were …
July 28, 2008
The BFF asked me for "my" recipe for mussels- moules- during our Therapy Session this morning. I have Chef Érick's recipe. I can take no credit. Only credit for eating my weight in them! So, down The Sabbatical Chef memory lane we go. To almost the beginning. I haven't re-read it yet. I will. In …
the sabbatical chef 