Dear Ellen and Portia, I hope this letter reaches you–somehow–some way– before Christmas. Last year this time, we debated about sending a copy of my book, True North, to you via Santa at the North Pole; however, my five year old said, “Mom, if you want this to go to Ellen, just send it to her… Continue reading My Christmas Letter to #EllenDeGeneres
Today, December 3, marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2016. Each year is a theme, and this one is: Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want, creating a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities. Geoff returns home today after a week out at Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, Colorado. Breck… Continue reading Together in the Spirit of International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2016
Sigh. Sigh. Sigh. Deep breath. Deep breath. Deep breath. Count to 10. Count to 100. Listen to my kids count to 100 by 5s, 10s, and 1s and try not to yell at them. Try not to yell. I am not a yeller, yet I’ve turned into a yeller. People tell me I’m amazing. They… Continue reading I’m Taking a Break from Being Amazing
My grandmother ROCKED Thanksgiving, as do her children and my dad’s side of the family– equally talented across the board. Last night, Geoff and I could have been a Norman Rockwell painting for about 12 minutes, baking pies and prepping side dishes for today while listening to Christmas music. Kids were asleep after we had… Continue reading Thanksgiving Rolls in Heaven
Watch out East Coast: here comes a 16 year old boy kind of hurricane in the form of Owen, Bryce and Matthew. This summer, Owen will use the East Coast Greenway to cycle 2,900 miles from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida to build awareness for Adaptive Sports Awareness, a non profit organization he… Continue reading Owen’s Ride: One 16 Year Old’s Quest for Adaptive Sports Awareness
Last week at the post office, Carver filled out a Selective Service card for the military without my noticing. But he proudly tucked the card with his name filled in the boxes and hid beneath his shirt until we got home. “Mom,” he exclaimed, “I’m going into the Army.” Suddenly, he was 18 or 22… Continue reading Thinking of Children and Veterans this Veterans’ Day…
November is National Novel Writing Month– who knew? So, I find it apropos that this month is the one year anniversary of True North having arrived on my doorstep in ACTUAL book form courtesy of our fabulous UPS man, Ted Russell, and AuthorHouse Publishing. Four times of year, I receive a report from their marketing… Continue reading My Gift for You Today: Non-Election- Related Light Reading
Today, November 1st, is not only the Halloween Candy Hangover for schoolchildren everywhere; it’s also the deadline for some early college applications. I’ve had a lot of college essay reading this fall both from students and children of friends who know I’m an English teacher (Side note: it’s okay to send to me– love it,… Continue reading The College Essay: Clicking Send
You realize how much your kid listens to your conversations with your spouse when your 6 year old son is worried he’ll get pressure sores on his bum from some new pants which have buttons on the rear pockets. I try to explain that Dad is afraid of pressure sores because he doesn’t have much… Continue reading Autumn and Atrophy: Once the Leaves Leave…
The teachers at our elementary school have said to me on more than one occasion that if we believe 50% of what our kids tell us at home about their day, then they will believe 50% of what our kids tell them at school. There was the day Carver told Mrs. Rand that his only… Continue reading The 50% Rule
