As the short-sighted GOP legislators in North Carolina continue to dismantle public education and undervalue teachers, I carry on my fight to advocate for public schools. I spend a lot of time in schools and with kids. Volunteering in my son's classroom is the highlight of my … [Read more...] about What Matters to Kids Today Part II
Dirt and Noise
Farewell Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferb are going on a permanent summer vacation. I am sad to see this duo go. Phineas and Ferb have been an almost daily laugh fest at our house since Bird and Deal were little. It's the first kid show that left me laughing instead of groaning. We all imitate … [Read more...] about Farewell Phineas and Ferb
What Matters to Kids Today
My laugh lines deepen every week. I know I'm in for a spiritual facelift when I spend time in my son's fourth grade class. I help the students with writing, and as with everything that centers around children, they teach me more than I teach them. These students are astute, … [Read more...] about What Matters to Kids Today
(More) Gun Safety Shenanigans in the State House
Have we become inured to or outraged by the daily reports of children killed by guns left unattended by adults? "Overall, the C.D.C. numbers indicate that gun deaths are trending somewhat upward as motor vehicle deaths continue on a steady decline, thanks in large … [Read more...] about (More) Gun Safety Shenanigans in the State House
Lemon Mint G & T – 5:00 Fridays TM
I have what you might call an accidental garden. When we renovated this house we had no idea what was going to sprout in the yard. It turns out that much of what we thought were weeds are actually coveted bushes. We had dug up some stuff that hadn't reached its prime bloom, … [Read more...] about Lemon Mint G & T – 5:00 Fridays TM
Advocate2Vaccinate During World Immunization Week
Don't google images of children with polio. Consider this a warning. You just googled "children with polio," didn't you? It's hard to imagine life before the polio vaccine. My father in law had polio as a child. Most of people in the women's groups I speak to have lost a … [Read more...] about Advocate2Vaccinate During World Immunization Week
Legacy
Unlike the board game, the game of Life doesn't have all its spaces neatly squared away in order. The natural order of things sometimes goes awry. Through our teens and 20s we see our friends through milestones. There are graduations and degrees and marriages and births. The air … [Read more...] about Legacy