And who has a feather duster I can borrow?!? Seems I’ve not written since *checks notes* 2020, I guess? Sounds about like me. I’m certainly not going to bore anyone, including me, with a list of what these last five years have been like. But I will say, for posterity, that I’m unsure if my Read More…
Big Lesson Idea from Lockdown: Let’s Not Be Normal
Something keeps running through my mind, this the 57th day of sheltering at home (first by choice and then by decree). It’s not a novel idea, and others are thinking it, too. But it’s big. Massive. It’s an official Big Lesson Idea from Lockdown. And it’s this: We do not have to go back to Read More…
Shelter At Home: Day 50
Let me start by saying that I feel guilty. While this pandemic isn’t a good situation (obvs), and it’s scary as Hell, I am not bothered by the shelter-at-home at all. In fact, I’m thriving. I feel so much less stress, I’m cleaning my house, I’m enjoying figuring out things for work (and work Read More…
Lockdown Day 25: Diary Hodgepodge
In 25 days, I haven’t left the house except for walks, to go on the deck, and two car rides (the first to drop off donations, the second to pick up a standing desk and green screen from work, briefly). But I’m okay. I shared a meme the other day talking about how while we’re Read More…
Distance Learning? Ja, You Betcha!
Today, all of Minnesota and many, many other states, all started the distance learning portion of the COVID quarantine. There’s been much consternation–more so than I would have expected, because it didn’t scare me overmuch, but then again, I’ve taught an online creative writing course in the past, never seeing my students as this was Read More…
Agoraphobia in the Time of COVID
Another moment to grieve what was: My husband, the extrovert, who loves being around people and going out and doing things, is fearful of going to do his radio show, of going grocery shopping, because of what he might bring back. It’s quite probable that should I get the virus, I’d be one of those Read More…
Day 13 of Quarantine: Diary
Just some bits and pieces about this week; no through line. Today’s a diary. It’s been back to work this week, planning for the Distance Learning that’s starting on Monday. Other states have already said they won’t be returning in person this school year; Minnesota is doing remote learning during Shelter At Home (issued yesterday) Read More…
And Sometimes, She Doesn’t Run From the Past…
I run from nostalgia. I do not look through yearbooks (I don’t even know where mine is). I rarely listen to the music of my youth, and not just because I dislike 80s music. I even more rarely get together with old classmates and rehash youthful stories. It’s not so much that I can’t be Read More…
A Path to Balance
I’ve had this thought permeating my day. A thought about AFTER. What are we (teachers, Americans, world citizens) going to be like? Will anything have changed? What do I hope will change? I believe that we, as a culture, have been overextending ourselves far too much. We are all too busy. We work many more Read More…
Netflix, Coughing, and Corruption
Did I get any cleaning done today? No. Did my panic subside today? No, but there were diversions. I did have a joyful and productive 90 minute Zoom meeting with my principal and colleagues, and while we still don’t know for sure what’s going to be happening next week and beyond, we do have lots Read More…