I mean, it’s pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? I am thinking about success. It feels like that should be the end of it. But it’s not. Why? Why isn’t anything that simple? Come to think of it, over the course of the last year, very little is as simple as it feels like it should be. … Continue reading
Thinking about being busy
When the pandemic started everyone thought it was going to last a couple of weeks, at least the people I knew, and it felt like a mini vacation. I dropped the mantle of being busy and sat back to enjoy my two weeks. Then it turned into four weeks, then another month, then the rest … Continue reading
Thinking about Hygge
Every year in December I select a word to live with and explore for the next twelve months, starting on New Year’s Day. It is my form of resolution setting. Last year I picked Hygge. For those of you who don’t know this Danish word, it generally means a feeling of comfort and coziness. Hygge … Continue reading
Thinking about music
I often play soft jazz, classical, or some other form of non intrusive background music in my classroom. First of all, it stops the inevitable moment when the room is actually quiet because everyone is working and then someone says, “It’s so quiet in here!” Which, of course, leads everyone to talk again. Having music … Continue reading
Thinking about paperwork
I get it, paperwork is important, but come on, how many times can you file the same forms before you’re just killing trees? Not to mention the ‘we’re going 21st century, no more killing trees!’ plan which switched everything into pdf versions of the papers I used to be able to fill out on a … Continue reading
Thinking about car repair
I know, for the most part, it’s so mundane and often so annoying that it’s something many people purposely don’t think about unless they have to. I’m not going to go all ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ on you and suggest there is something deeply meaningful in getting your car repaired (although if … Continue reading
Thinking about taking a break
No, not like Ross and Rachel. I know, I thought of that line too. But I’m thinking more about the break I took between the end of August and the beginning of 2021. For those of you who don’t know, I am a teacher and this year has been a mile a minute, never ending … Continue reading
Thinking about moving
I’ve moved around a lot in the last few years and when it is you moving it is just a wearying and worrisome process that feels never ending. Changing addresses and getting doors re-keyed, giving away things that won’t fit the new space or that no longer fit your life, and figuring out where things … Continue reading
Thinking about summer
As I watched the sun set I realized again how different the light is in the summer. The golden tones that make it seem so slow and easy to do nothing. After this series it got dark, that thick deep violet where your eyes can perceive light but the camera can’t and you can see … Continue reading
Thinking about those questions kids ask
Why is the grass green? Why is the sky blue? Do fish drink water? Why don’t dogs talk? And so on, and so on, ad infinitum. If you’ve ever spent time around children you know that as they get older the questions only get more complex. If you’re feeling stuck at home, and aren’t we … Continue reading