Children’s Author Festival 2024
One of the biggest perks of retirement is that I now have the time to devote energy to important causes. As a career elementary teacher, I will always support anything that promotes education and...
View ArticleMake America Kind Again
I’ve never posted anything political in the 5+ years and 209 posts I’ve written since starting this blog. After this piece, I’ll resume that same approach. Those familiar with me know I like to write...
View ArticlePicture Book Reviews
Even though I was an elementary teacher for 31 years, it’s been years since I’ve read a picture book. Part of that is because I taught in grades 2-6, and most second graders have progressed from early...
View ArticleMy Heroine
Sometimes special individuals come into our lives and make us better people for having known them. I will be forever indebted to my friend, fellow teacher, and former principal, Nancy Wheeler. She was...
View ArticleGuest Post Book Launch—Jacqui Murray
Happy Monday! I’m excited that my first post of 2025 will help spread the word about Jacqui Murray’s new book Savage Land Book 1, Endangered Species. For those who don’t know Jacqui, she specializes in...
View ArticleThe Ideal Traits of Good Friends
There are certain things that all humans desire in their lives. While our basic needs include food, shelter, and clothing, people thrive when they connect with other people. Having taught somewhere in...
View ArticlePassing on Your Life Story
One symptom of aging is that I spend more time reflecting on my life. I suspect this is partially due to being retired and realizing I still have things I want to achieve while I’m able. I’ve never...
View ArticleBlogging Questions After Six Years
Roman general and statesman Julius Ceasar once said, “Experience is the best teacher.” While I’ve always believed in that philosophy, a few things still baffle me about blogging, even after enjoying...
View ArticleHow Do You Want to Be Remembered?
I recently wrote a piece about the company Storyworth. Each week, they send me a prompt to respond to. (If I don’t like their question, I can make up my own.) At the end of the year, Storyworth...
View ArticleWhat Can I Not Live Without?
As a semi-practicing Catholic, our religion encourages (does not require) us to give up something for Lent, a period (40 days) of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (acts of charity), in preparation for...
View ArticleThe Stories Behind Sad Songs
Blogging buddy, Clive, https://cliveblogs.wordpress.com/, runs a regular feature called Tuesday Tunes. I look forward to his weekly musical choices, usually a combination of recognizable music and...
View ArticleFinding Joy in Others’ Accomplishments
One of my favorite sayings is the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” which emphasizes the importance of a community in helping to nurture, guide, and support children. We can...
View ArticleFighting the Inevitable
It’s human nature to think more about age as we get older. Still, despite my daily aches and pains, I feel relatively young. The hourglass of life flipped a long time ago, but I intend to remain active...
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