Slow to Speak
Today I must attend what I consider two very important meetings that I assumed would involve my talking for a significant amount of time. And I woke up this morning with no voice! I have laryngitis! As I thought about this, I chuckled in my head (because no sound came out!) that perhaps the Lord […]
Bring in the Experts!
I loved bringing in a professional writer–Chris Rosenblum, the Director of Communications for our school district–to my advanced writing courses today. Students loved engaging with someone who makes all the theoretical tips practical and real. In addition to bringing a wealth of interesting stories about professional work, he confirmed my insistence on strong verbs! He […]
A Little Writing Every Day
As you’ve noticed, I still write every day right here on this Live with Flair blog. And if you’ve noticed, as I’m sure you have, it’s not always earth-shattering, revolutionary, or even worth mentioning all the time. Sometimes, I have nothing good to say at all. So why sit down and write? If it’s not […]
Some Days, The Bus Does Wait
This morning on my drive into campus, I slowed down behind a campus bus as it stopped on its route. I watched the students pile out as those waiting to board stood patiently in the cold. I worried about them as the snow felt lightly. I enjoyed a toasty warm car. Then I saw her. […]
A Pause. Then a Stop.
Today, when I heard that Kobe Bryant died, along with his daughter, Gianna, our whole family paused. Then we stopped altogether. We huddled around the television, and I checked Twitter only to find the platform overwhelmed with users. My husband, who was traveling, told me how people were just shocked everywhere. I’m not even a […]
A Craft for a Winter Afternoon: Pour Paintings
I’ve been seeing beautiful photos and videos of “Pour Paintings,” and as I was cleaning out a closet today, I found tiny canvases. I remembered all the acrylic paints we still have in our craft bin, and then I remembered how much I loved making coasters for our coffee mugs. And then I remembered Pour […]
Frozen Grapes While Writing
I’m like a puppy. I need to chew. When I’m writing or especially when I’m grading, I like to munch on things. But if I munch and crunch too much, my jaw hurts. And one can only eat so many carrots. But I found something I love: frozen grapes. It’s odd: they freeze, but not […]
Never Too Old for a “Sick Tray”
After writing about taking care of yourself, my oldest daughter ironically runs a fever and stays home from school with a cough and aches. No matter how old they grow (she’s officially an adult now), they are never too old for the Sick Tray. Nobody is. You don’t grow out of needing loving attention when […]
Taking Care of Yourself
I’m constantly reminding students and my own family to hydrate, to sleep, to wash their hands, and to listen to their bodies if they feel run down. It’s that time of year. Students and friends endure the actual flu, and it’s no joke. So let me remind you: more water, more sleep, more hand washing, […]
Always Something Growing
I’m thrilled to report that the Norway Spruce bonsai seeds have sprouted (our second attempt to grow bonsai). We watch how they grow and unfold every morning now. They start as little Chinese lanterns that then splay out and reach for the sun. Downstairs, the plumcot grows; it gains enormously every day. I must strengthen […]