Ordinary Life

The idea was to allow them to honor their dad, despite our lack of money.  I encouraged it and even offered to help.  He said he couldn't accept the gift from his children because his new wife may feel disrespected. Perhaps he is living his best life now, but I admit my lack of envy.  In the morning, I found two forks and the tribute diminished.  They'd had cake for breakfast and assured me the disrespect he'd shown them was perfectly delicious.   

I've wept with ghosts of Christmases past. But, oh! We've laughed as we reminisced, too.  I've soaked up the joy of this Christmas present: having my children present.  I've been haunted by the darkened rooms of Christmases  yet to come.  But this little light, born unto us, is mine - and yours as well.  Darkness can't put it out.  In fact, the dark helps us to find it.  *** As we watched old family videos, through laughter and gentle tears, I realized that almost everything I've ever photographed or recorded has really just been me, telling a story about how grateful I am for this life.  Back when I put this video together, I wanted my children to know they are deeply loved - by me and their Creator. That they would learn how to multiply that love and spend it lavishly on others, like Scrooge on Christmas Day.  That desire has only deepened with time.  Further up, further in and farther along... Merry Christmas from me and the Fantastic...

My brother and I used to play a more extreme version of Floor Is Lava called 'I Can Do Something More Dangerouser Than You Can' (we have both increased orgrammar skills dramatically since the game's creation) In our version, not only was the floor lava, but the furniture was  akin to an Indiana Jones scene, requiring great leaps,  twists and tumbles. Hazards were everywhere.  After one of us cleared various obstacles, the observing sibling declared ' I can do something more dangerouser than you!' followed by a declaration of what new stunt we would be tracking onto the routine. (I will flip from the ottoman to the sofa like you did AND jump onto the chair!)  The game continued like that until we got caught standing on the furniture and had to think up something new to play.   Years later, I heard the little song "Anything You Can Do I can Do Better" and I realized it was the same concept of our childhood game.  Last year, I turned 40  This...

My second book released today on Amazon:  50 Things To Know About Teaching STEAM:  https://amzn.to/2K2h8WY   The publisher ended up modifying the cover to fit the overall series theme, so if you see two different covers, that's why. Same content inside - and that's what really counts, right?  Please don't feel compelled to buy this book if we know each other. My goal is to add to my long dormant resume and build a portfolio to share my writing style.

In case you're wondering, 160ish pecans collected in a park from one's distant memories equals roughly 2cups of shelled pecans after taxes, duds. and the quality control efforts of a junior chef supervising the making of pie. pie. Another helpful tip you may want to tuck away for future reference: in a pinch, kitchen tongs can double as a nutcracker.  Things I've taken for granted:  every pecan in every pie, ever proper kitchen tools #TakenForGranted #ThinksGiving #Thankful

Had I not found the old park, it may have been possible to convince me I'd dreamed it. Just beyond the canal, I found the sturdy wood-beam and rubber-tire playground equipment situated  below the factory road in an area known to locals as 'The Valley', right where my memory said it ought to be. Being a Valley Girl in these parts is not synonymous with wealth or privilege- in fact, it tends toward the opposite pole. The pleasures there are simple and more affordable to come by. As a young mom, I went a stretch of time without a car, so when I finally had a way to get around, going to the playground was one of my simple pleasures. This particular park was an especial luxury- its peaceful setting at least five miles from our Valley house- much further than I could push strollers and haul babies. As Rye explored the park broken in for her so many years ago by her siblings, I walked the track that circles the park. On the foot path in front of me sat a lone peca...

Whew! Finding the FiveStar with only fumes in the tank.  Things I've taken for granted: gas stations everywhere GPS navigation #TakenForGranted #ThinksGiving #Thankful

Ah, the simple joy of freely drinking. Things I've taken for granted: water fountains #TakenForGranted #ThinksGiving #Thankful

 "COMMON SENSE AND A SENSE OF HUMOR ARE THE SAME THING, MOVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. A SENSE OF HUMOR IS JUST COMMON SENSE, DANCING." ~ CLIVE JAMES  

“Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.”  ―  Kate DiCamillo,  Despereaux   ' It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them.'  P. G. Wodehouse On Tuesday, I will apologize.  To the sort of people who demand apologies and invite the press.  I will apologize for being too Public School for their Christian School sensibilities. And I will do it because... I've learned to walk away.  I will say the words they want to hear - cry "Uncle!"  to bring them cheer. As they smile with smug delight, I'm walking away and I'll be alright.  "Look what we made you do! We finally got the best of you. "  Truth is, they already had the best of me, but I ?  I was chunking pearls at swine.  ** Special thanks to the mid-90's-Newsboys  for...