Today is graduation day for my youngest son, Sam, so last night I ironed his gown.   Last time I wrote about ironing a gown, it was about my oldest son graduating--and the metaphor I used was how ironing that gown was like ironing out the wrinkles in our lives together.  That… Read full post »

I am cleaning out my desk today.  It is an annual event, and usually I do it the day that I think I can not possibly spend one more day with the seniors.  It gives me something to do so I don’t scream at them for blowing off yet another assignment.… Read full post »

We started Romeo and Juliet a couple of weeks ago in my freshmen English class.  Needless to say, teaching the play is daunting. (Think about your experience with The Bard when you were fourteen. Mine involved sitting behind mullet-sporting Tom Larson and listening to chain-smoker Mrs. Thompson… Read full post »

Oil and Water Do Mix

a pantoum for you

Of all the dabs of oil

I saw that sunny day,

the one with the stormy sea and Poseidon

turned my mind's eye inward.

I saw that sunny day

painting sure to take the breath away,

and turned my… Read full post »

I am in the midst of a labyrinth right now in my teaching life.  And not the good kind of labyrinth where one walks slowly and carefully so as to center oneself.  No, I am in the middle of the Classical labyrinth, replete with the darkness, the twisting paths, and the… Read full post »

We have always been a game-playing family. When I was young, it was Yatzee with my grandma as she patiently waited for me to count up the dots on each die.  As I got older, it was Monopoly with my brother and Chutes and Ladders with my younger sister. Of course,… Read full post »

  I buried my sister yesterday.  And I have spent days mulling over the words I need to say here and the words I want to say here about her.  There is nothing that I can add to the conversation about death, or spirituality, the meaning of life, or "what cancer… Read full post »

The hardest words to say to you today

are not the ones I've whispered in your ear.

The words "I love you"--easily I say.

I say them often for your heart to hear.

The hardest words are not profound, not deep;

they are the ones I need when not my… Read full post »

Sonnet 11

Today I jumped--and never stopped to know

the depth, the chill, the  murky silt within.

But if obscure, it's much too late, and so

I just enjoy the jump inside my skin.

Afraid of water have I been before;

I've stood upon the edge… Read full post »

 Sonnet #10

 I wonder if I'm turning down that road

I promised I wouldn't walk--ever again.

I think I trust the man and what he showed

to be the truth, won't cause me further pain.

My intuition tells me that it's right,

but yet, there're signs that make me wonder… Read full post »

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the… Read full post »

This week started out as a bit of a failure.  I was attempting my first triathlon.  The sun was rising above the lake in Madison, Wisconsin, I had two of my best friends with me, and I was going to be able to drink good beer after the race.  My goal,… Read full post »

I saw the film, Bridesmaids, with two of my colleagues this last Friday.  (I'm an English teacher, and I went with a math teacher and a librarian. Girls Gone Wild, we aren't.)  

After thinking about it for a couple of days, I decided that there are, in fact, 7.5 reasons… Read full post »

Common sense is not my strong suit, and over the years I have begun to accept it as an endearing part of my personality, albeit rather embarrassing at times.  I was 42 before I realized that the moon actually gave off no light (yeah, I know. duh.) And I still don't… Read full post »

I am a high school English teacher in a central Wisconsin town.  I have been in my position for the last 20 years; in fact, I celebrated my 20 years of service last year during a banquet with my colleagues, both from my high school and other people from our district,… Read full post »

Yesterday, on a beautiful midwestern winter day, I was snowshoeing.  the sun, the glistening snow and the soundtrack to Mamma Mia playing on my MP3 player.  It was a great morning and I was thankful for the day and for my good health, making it possible for me to get out… Read full post »

I wonder quite often about my job, in the true sense of the word "wonder."

 I'm a teacher and I think a pretty typical one at that.  After 22 years,  I still am able to recognize the good in my students and the good parts of my teaching.  I still… Read full post »

At the risk of sounding a bit like a creeper, as my students would say, I had them write a poem last week as a response to a poem written about Abraham Lincoln.  (they think I'm a bit obsessed with the man). My response poem, mimicking the style of the poet,… Read full post »

Courage in teaching is a tough one to define. . . I think about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Lincoln, and Atticus Finch. . .three of my best teachers.  And then I think about me.  I’m no Lincoln or King, although I do have one up on Atticus.  At least/… Read full post »

School started last week.  And already I might be getting myself in a spot of trouble.  Or not.  I teach a senior-level Oral Communications class (that's speech class, for the "older" folks. . .think sweaty palms and stuttering syllables) and I planned on using President Obama's speech… Read full post »

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting… Read full post »

Tomorrow, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will rule on a case that could make my school e-mail communication subject to the state's open records laws.  The court will decide if the public can review the e-mail of Wisconsin's public employees, including its public school teachers. 

 Whoa.&n… Read full post »

I suppose it's interesting that my first blog post is the day I need to put my 9-year old chocolate lab, Xena, down.  I'm sure there's a metaphor in here somewhere, but right now it's quite literal.  I am going to let my dog go.  She's been sick, and it's what's best… Read full post »