When All Else Fails, Bring Chocolate
Sometimes I find myself having to attend meetings I don’t want to attend with people I don’t know. Sometimes I have to enter into hostile classroom settings with students who scowl about grades or class assignments. Sometimes I find myself at odds with a neighbor. As I prepare for a meeting today, I turn to […]
We’re No Fools
We actually bundle up in warm coats, hats, mittens, and thick socks and boots to walk to school this morning. Two neighbors call to applaud our bravery. We feel proud, strong, and so very courageous. Look at us! We walk a mile to school in freezing weather for exercise and community! We travel exactly to […]
The Best Two Hours of the Day
I have a new theory about my day: My day contains two great hours of creativity, productivity, and motivation. It all goes downhill after that. My two great hours (discovered after years of introspection and analysis) fall between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. During this time, I’m clear-minded, focused, and enthusiastic. After this time, I’m […]
I Know It Doesn’t Sound Romantic
My husband buys me a space heater as a surprise. I know it doesn’t sound very romantic. Just wait. He leaves a trail of words taped to the floor that eventually lead to my frigid, Arctic Basement Office. Here, I find a small Lasko space heater. I turn it on, and immediate warmth embraces me […]
Seeing Inside Your Knot
I’m trying to untie a jumbled mass of a thin gold necklace from my daughter’s jewelry box. A tangled knot on the chain challenges me to the point of frustration. Finally, I put the chain down and find the tip of a pencil to loosen the knot. I don’t even know where to begin; I […]
One Thing Leads to Another (Pictures of the Cauliflower Mac-n-Cheese)
First, flaxseed. Now? I’m pureeing cauliflower. I have photographic proof that I actually served cauliflower mac-n-cheese (only it wasn’t cheese; it was cauliflower). Adventures in Cauliflower Sauces My oldest says, “This is delicious. Who knew?” My youngest says, “No way. I love it.” My skeptical husband doesn’t say a word because his mouth is […]
One-Eyed Jack Learns Synchronized Napping
You know the story of sweet Jack. We found him wounded and frail with a broken tail, a cut mouth, and a missing eye. We nursed him back to health, and one day, he found his purr. Next he learned to meow. Eventually, he rediscovered normal feline behaviors and even developed courage. We know he’s […]
Attempting Homemade Naan
Last night, I attempt homemade naan (Indian flatbread). I’m learning that trying new culinary tasks–especially ones with great potential for failure–represents part of living with flair. I survived Italian Cooking Lessons, so why not try Indian food? If I’m not risking disaster, maybe the task isn’t worth trying. I make the dough and add fresh […]
When Your Greatest Strength is Weakness
This morning, I hear the Local Artist pray that our friend could “have the strength to rest” today. The expression sticks; it takes strength to allow oneself to admit weakness, need, and dependence. Authentic folks display weakness. They live in the beauty of weakness. They confess they lack power and ability, and that makes them […]
“You Keep Glancing”
This morning, I enter the elementary school’s gym to retrieve my daughter for her dentist appointment. It falls right in the middle of her very first band practice. I sneak in, and I’m overcome with the scene. The fourth and fifth graders–at their first band practice–do the best they can. It’s loud, squeaky, but actually […]