City Daily Photo's June theme is ME. I found this out by looking at Virginia Jones' Paris Through My Lens blogpost. This photo of ME was taken by a student during our 2017 school trip to France. We spent a week in Paris and then headed south on the TGV to Avignon. It was a …
Procrasti-baking and the Power of Love
Yes, it's a thing. I saw it on Facebook and, frankly, I was relieved. The article, from the New York Times on-line, entitled Why Work When You Can Procrastibake? starts this way: All procrastibakers do not bake alike. Procrastibaking — the practice of baking something completely unnecessary, with the intention of avoiding “real” work — is …
Getting along
So, I have not always been a Kenny Chesney fan. (Sorry, Kenny.) Just for the past few years. Welcome to the Fishbowl, released in 2012, was the first album by him that I bought. And I still listen to it all the way through. The BFF saw him in concert a few years back and …
One day at a time
Today a very dear friend of mine taught me a very valuable lesson. She probably won't take credit for it. That's just how she is. We have taught together for 30+ years. We can finish each other's sentences. Kind of like an old married couple. We sponsor a club for 7th and 8th grade girls at …
42 years and counting
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 …
A new day
(from Positive Thoughts Facebook page) Maybe I am just a simple person. Maybe I was born under a lucky star. Certainly not with a silver spoon in my mouth or already on second or third base. I've worked hard all of my life. I have had good role models and mentors. Maybe sometimes I've just …
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 …
Searching for serenity
http://www.actsstore.org/ It's been one of those weeks. I am lucky that I have the Ex-Ex, some very good friends who love me, listen to me, and make me laugh (google tarantula burger and you will see what my BFF has been up to- hearing about that made me guffaw during our walk/therapy session this morning). …
Early mornings and muffins
I am an early riser. Mostly by choice. I love my quiet house. It's me and the cat- sometimes. Unless she has decided to go back to bed. Right now the heat is on because it's decided to go down into the 30's here again. I can hear birds chirping in the trees right outside …
The best job in the world
The best job in the world is not even a job. It's pure love. Love that is unexpected. Joy that cannot be put into mere words. I am the Gramma to this sweet girl. She is now 13 months old. She came over to hang out with us today. We went for several walks and …
the sabbatical chef 