Category: Blog Posts
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Dark Winter Months
We are in the middle of the long, dark months of winter. It is a time when some people struggle to keep focused and relaxed as they wait for spring flowers to bloom. There are many suggestions about how to get through these months by making them cozy, thoughtful, and deliberate. A quick internet search…
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A Few of my Favorite Things
The world we live in can be a crowded, uncomfortable, and stressful place to be. However, I think most areas have a portion of good to balance out these less favorable qualities. I happen to live in a beautiful place that includes a few of my favorite things – things that don’t exist in much…
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Unspeakable Grief
When I was in grade school, we used to have earthquake drills. The office would sound an alarm, and our teacher would tell us to crawl under our desks so we could practice in case there was an actual earthquake. I remember sitting under my desk, wondering how my simple wooden desk, filled with pencils…
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Time Travel
One of my favorite quotes about history comes from the author, David McCullough. He gives this bold challenge: Because you were born into this particular era doesn’t mean it has to be the limit of your experience. Move about in time, go places. Why restrict your circle of acquaintances to only those who occupy the…
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To Mask or Not to Mask
We have received recommendations in our state that mask mandates will soon be lifted – again. I have mixed feelings. I am a teacher and have spent my days directing discussions, talking, and encouraging, all while wearing a mask day after day. When students first returned from distance learning this past year, speaking with a…
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Verbal Elegance
The first time I heard of Amanda Gorman was at the inauguration of Joe Biden, when she stepped up to the podium, in her bright yellow jacket, with her hair held perfectly in place by a bold red headband. When she began to recite the poem, “The Hill We Climb,” which she had written for…
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And they Traveled Across the Ocean to the New World
When we read about someone going to the New World, we often hear a phrase like, “and they traveled across the ocean to the New World.” But this journey is usually only treated as a mere comma in their lives. It is insightful to take a minute and realize that it took great courage for…
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Happy 398th Anniversary
Three hundred and ninety-eight years ago today, Catalyntje Trico and Joris Rapelje were married at the Walloon Church in Amsterdam. Being a protestant in Europe during this time was extremely dangerous, with Spain seeking after those who chose not to be part of the Catholic faith. Both Catalyntje and Joris were protestants, and each had…
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Timeless Mindfulness
Many of us have struggled the past few years as our lives have been pulled up and thrown down the emotional rollercoaster Covid. The media is filled with solutions to keep your emotional health in check, and one word that continually rises to the top is mindfulness. I knew about mindfulness before the world paused…
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Look Past Your Own Two Feet
My husband and I enjoy running, so we head outside most mornings before teaching junior high to go for a run. During the short days of winter, we end up running in the dark. On trails. With headlamps. We run the same path every season, but this time of the year brings particular challenges. Besides…