Have you ever lived in the in between? You look forward to something but don't know if it's for sure yet? Some people call it a lack of vision. My issue is too many visions! Right now, the school I teach at is closing. I find myself without a job. This can be both exciting and terrifying...
Read moreExplore
A few months ago, I mentioned that I'm turning 50 this year. I had four roommates my freshman year in college and we have remained close all these years. The first of us to turn the big 5 - 0 goes this month. Her husband threw her a mega surprise party in Kansas City and invited us all to come. The other two roomies are in Atlanta, Georgia and have Delta flying privileges. They can fly anywhere for free so I knew they'd go. When I looked up airplane tickets for me (after all Kansas City is just a short hop away from Denver) they were over $300 EACH way. I knew this wasn't going to happen...
Read moreFire at the Arena
Our little adventure from last night.
Read moreWhat would you do with your last ten months...
Embrace your inner geek
If we're all really honest, I think every one of us is a complete geek about something...
Here’s the true definition: geek (n) a person who has excessive enthusiasm for and
some expertise about a specialized subject or activity
For me, I'm a geek about sloths. It all started 25 years ago when I was teaching 3rd grade students about habitats. We were learning about the rain forest and I discovered this forever-smiley-adorable creature. I could go on and on... BUT fast forward to last month. For my birthday my family took me to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for their "Survival of the Slowest" exhibit. I was able to see this guy up close. His name is Flash based on the character from Zootopia, a hit movie five years ago when he was born. Flash was mostly sleeping. I harassed the keeper enough to find out when feeding time was so I could come back - yes, here's the geeky part - I went back to stalk Flash during feeding time so I could see him do something other than sleep - and boy, did I!
The day my youngest and I returned, Flash knew dinner was coming so he was circling around the whole habitat. After the keeper came in and offered him healthy greens, he chose to eat his fiber biscuits. He’s a bit of a messy eater so he dropped them. No worries though. He simply stretched out and picked them up with his mouth - what incredible ab strength! He used his two-toes (which look like claws) to then clean out his teeth. From the incredible excursion of energy to climb around, eat and clean his teeth was enough to warrant a gigantic yawn. So cute! OK - I'll stop. I’m guessing you get the idea.
So, what are you a geek about?
Sometimes building character takes the ability to admit that we are special, unique, and yes - geeky.
Let me encourage you to accept that about yourself. You may feel like the only one who tries to show compassion, have integrity, or be respectful. If you can embrace your inner geek, it can give you the confidence to show character when it seems that no one else does.
Can you?
My time as an Online Teacher during Quarantine April/May 2020
I teach twenty hours a week at my neighborhood elementary school. Every weekday, I walk the two minutes to the school where my daughters attended. I pull gifted and talented students from their classrooms for eighty minutes of math and thirty minutes of Language Arts. Then over their lunch break, I run just about every club the school offers to any student interested. Mondays it is the Spelling Bee for 3rd-5th. Tuesday we have Writer’s Club. Wednesday I actually get to leave early. Thursday is Battle of the Books for 4th and 5th. After school on Mondays 3rd-5th graders can join me for Chess Club. Tired yet? Oh and Character Club met after school too. And that’s only HALF of what the full time teachers do!
I remember one afternoon this March walking out of the portable where my classroom is located. I crossed the parking lot to head home on a warm, sunny day and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Read moreA New Word
I have found that teaching the gifted and talented students has re-engaged my mind to new levels. I used to think about where words came from or who chose what word to mean what it does. But it's been a long time since I've pondered these things.
The tide is changing once again. Today I came across the word "august" in my reading and initially thought it was a mistake. Why would the author use a month of the year as an adjective?
Read moreDaddy's Girl
The following tribute can be found in the back of my latest book, Benjamin Blair and the Case of the Missing Noun Hound. It sums up why this project has been so special. He and my mom both brainstormed the birth of Ned the Noun Hound with me in the mid-90s. Ned has four friends that I hope to introduce you someday. But, those are other stories...
A Tribute to the Illustrator
Read moreGoing Back...
My youngest daughter’s GT teacher came into her class when I was subbing the last week of school. She told me she was leaving for a full time position at another school. My eyebrows raised as I considered what that could mean. After much discussion and prayer with my husband, I applied, interviewed (via phone during a camping trip!), was offered and accepted the part time Gifted and Talented teaching position at my daughter’s school.
I am going back.
After 13.5 years! I’m a bit shell-shocked thinking “what have I got myself into?” But I also lay awake night after night excitedly flooded with ideas and possibilities. I already love this staff and the students I’ll be working with.
And yes, I will keep writing. My next book should be out next month if everything goes well with the post-production. And there are more stories in my head waiting their turn…
Read moreThe History behind the Character Club Series
When I was in 3rd grade, I started a "Writer's Club" at recess. It boasted 2 members on day 1 and was just me by day 2 but I wrote a whole series called "Love is . . ." and still have them! They are folded pieces of paper, stapled with the funniest drawings. The "books" take you inside a 3rd graders mind, but don't have much in the way of story element. I grew up and pursued teaching instead. I taught 3rd and 4th grades for 10 years. The only thing I disliked about it was teaching writing - especially GRADING it! But towards the end of my full-time teaching years, I took some writing classes that turned my thoughts around. When our daughters were born, we decided I'd stay home with them. That began my second career. Ten years later when both of the girls were in school full time, I began subbing. Interacting with students again inspired me to once again explore writing. The dream had been dormant but not dead. Every once in awhile, I'd think of a plot and begin writing but give up after a page or chapter or two. I kept telling those who asked that unless God gave me an idea, I couldn't write. I also had a friend tell me that children's publishers are looking for series of books, not stand-alone stories. My comment was "I can't even think of one idea, let alone a series!"
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