In order to illustrate the gift you are to this earth, I’m going to take a crack at writing a children’s story. Sorry there’s no artwork. My drawing is more horrific than my poetry. *** On a hill in a flowered field I found a wishing tree. Like a firework in the sky, its branches exploded inContinue reading “For Our Favorite Pinch-Sitter,”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
To the Hardest Class I Ever Taught,
I am so happy you graduated years ago. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like teaching you through a screen after March of 2020. During a lesson about the life cycle of a chrysalis, I gave a paragraph to read and instructions to highlight where you found proof that butterflies come fromContinue reading “To the Hardest Class I Ever Taught,”
To my graduating seniors and my colleagues retiring
Congratulations! I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye to any of you. I moved, in the middle of a global pandemic. I’ve thought about you a lot lately. It’s painful being so far away. I wish I could celebrate you and witness you cross the stage. I’d give you a really big hug. ProbablyContinue reading “To my graduating seniors and my colleagues retiring”
Dear [Insert State], Merry Friggin’ Christmas.
I don’t mean to cuss. It’s not becoming of a teacher. But I swore never return to [insert state]. EVER. That is until…well, you’ve read my other pieces. But here I am, decades later, unable to leave, being held against my will. What gives? [Insert state] must be mad I told everyone what Renee saidContinue reading “Dear [Insert State], Merry Friggin’ Christmas.”
For the Student Who Never Spoke (Or the Alternative Cinderella)
Dear Student,I don’t draw (except for chromosome diagrams and Punnet squares…and poorly). I don’t draw words; I don’t pencil stories; and I refuse to sketch poetry. But my dream is for you to unfold in a compositional mural, so I traced a fable. Sorry if I infringe upon dear, old Walt. He copied anyway (fromContinue reading “For the Student Who Never Spoke (Or the Alternative Cinderella)”
Yo, Ride-share Driver, No Hablo Español
Flip left and right to understand. Excuse the broken language; I stopped studying long ago, but I did my damndest not to rely on a translator. Quiero escribir una carta auténtica, a pesar de la barrera del idioma. Yo, Rideshare Driver, No Hablo Español. You remember me from the airport. From the backseat, I attackedContinue reading “Yo, Ride-share Driver, No Hablo Español”
On the Eve of an Anniversary
Three years ago my student’s father dropped dead.She’s had a lot to lift since then.You should see how strong she is. I wrote her a letter. She needs to read it. Sunday, I offered The Secret Gardento a little portal and dedicated it to her.I became a teacher because of that storyI question if I canContinue reading “On the Eve of an Anniversary”
To My Fellow Educators: Quit.
Ain’t nobody prayin’ for us. I hope this letter reaches you,@norealbalance.
To the Driver of a Subaru (maybe),
I’ve been getting pretty close to giving up. This writing thing is tough, and, well, I’m a dinosaur. I don’t understand the media-socials. I tried emailing important people, pleaded with writers in groups, I created a twitter account to send direct messages (but then got locked out); hell, I even dropped a note in aContinue reading “To the Driver of a Subaru (maybe),”
I Suspect the Jeep Community Is Responsible.
My blog traffic, day-to-day, ZERO. Social Media bumps, on average, ZERO. Thumbs ups and hearts, nill. Until two things happened: I posted a letter to my Jeep family, and I ducked a Wrangler. The next day I awoke to over one thousand views and social hits. Even a few personal notes of encouragement. I amContinue reading “I Suspect the Jeep Community Is Responsible.”
No Real Balance 