Usually by this time of night when I sit down at my desk to write, my head hurts. But tonight, my heart aches. I get lots of crap in my inbox. Loads of trolls find the time to rant anonymously about things I've written. I'm all for polite, thoughtful discourse and believe we … [Read more...] about Poverty Plays by Different Rules
values
Thank you, Teachers
My friend Becky posted this video to Facebook, and I was so moved I had to post it here. Teachers in this country get a bad deal all around. The joy and smile of a child can only carry you so far. Sure, the sense of accomplishment is priceless, but that kid's warm fuzzies … [Read more...] about Thank you, Teachers
ONE VOICE Rally for Public Education
It's no secret that I have strong opinions about the state of our education system. In my home state of North Carolina our education system is teetering on the cusp of major meltdown. It's in a state, I tell you. Teachers are an amazing ilk, and I think they deserve greater … [Read more...] about ONE VOICE Rally for Public Education
Food Bank Needs a Flood of Donations to Support Tornado Victims
I have been grappling with how to process and adequately express my feelings about the spate of tornadoes that hit North Carolina a couple weeks ago and those that ravaged more of the South just yesterday. My family was fortunately out of town when the twister hit Raleigh, and … [Read more...] about Food Bank Needs a Flood of Donations to Support Tornado Victims
Call of Duty
Target is good for a lot of stuff. What I didn't expect to find was a life lesson. We are such frequent fliers at a Target near our house that the workers know us by name and ask of the boys' whereabouts when they are not underfoot. I often come in with a travel mug of … [Read more...] about Call of Duty
The Beach and Bad Words
What mesmerizes me about the ocean is that it never stops. You cannot measure time by something eternal. The ocean dances to the metronome of the moon in a paradox of grace and rage. As we squished sand between our toes on our weekend beach getaway, I was once again moved by the … [Read more...] about The Beach and Bad Words
Crippled by Japan
March Madness has taken over my house. It's during times of sports foolishness mania that I feel the testosterone displacing what little estrogen rules this roost. The boys are watching the DVRed Wisconsin-Kansas State game (that started waaayyyy past bedtime last night) while I … [Read more...] about Crippled by Japan