Miscellaneous

I have a question for you.   How are the tweens and teens in your life doing now that they are back in school after the holidays?   In our family, even though our teenage grandkids are vaccinated, super good about wearing their masks, and thoughtful about what they do and where they go, two…

On February 28, 2008, I recorded the following experience in the journal I was keeping as a requirement for my qualitative research professor. My professor and I had been discussing the introduction to the first chapter of my dissertation. I told her about the high school counselor who told me I wasn’t smart enough to…

That definitely did not turn out as planned.   Sue Diamond, a wonderful supporter, wrote to tell me that she loves our emails but had to give up trying to read last week’s post because the font was too small.     I wrote back and told her I really appreciated her support and suggestion and…

Several years ago, my wife and I were visiting our son and his family who were living in Germany at the time. Traditionally when we visited, we took a family trip and spent a week or so visiting another part of Europe. On this particular trip, we decided to visit Spain, which included a visit…

Ready or not, the New Year is upon us.    I take heart this year in the agony and ecstasy of British biking.   After years of near constant crushing defeat, coach Sir Dave Brailsford changed the course of history with a daring gamble.   You see, Sir Dave was not only a cyclist, he…

For years I have envied people who could sing or dance or play an instrument. In my lifetime I have tested my abilities and discovered that music is just not part of my DNA.    Several years ago, I discovered that even though I have no sense of rhythm whatsoever, I have a bit of…

Sometimes you only have to say, “Hey, look out the window!”   And your teenager glances up from their phone, looks out the window, and, even if for just a moment, you share the beauty of a sunset, or a hawk in flight, or whatever; the “what” isn’t the most important thing.   That’s exactly…