handwritten on March 11, 2019
Today was one of those sneak up Monday (hair attack) days. I woke up, looked like a rooster and thought to myself "boy am I in major trouble." This happens to me quite frequently where I feel the need to make a drastic haircut and about three months in, I realize just how long those locks are going to take to grow back. And for those who have fast growing, metaphorically beautiful gardens, my gardens of life tend to take their time blossoming into just the right shape. Every garden of my life has always taken a little extra care, a little extra weed killer and a whole lot of patience. I am smiling while I am typing this because I know the individuals who read this around me may find a...
handwritten on March 10, 2019
I would say around a year and a half ago (even a bit more now), we received the very devastating news that my dad had been diagnosed with cancer. It was a dark time for all of us (especially my dad) and before his surgeries began, I remember going out to eat at The Grand Concourse. I can remember the food tasting okay. Even though there were so many options and countless desserts, the vibe was different. The colors of the food looked dull. I do not remember enjoying the smooth coffee or the homemade donut or even the salads. Back then, life had been messy. Sometimes it only takes the weakening of one color in the rainbow to make the whole rainbow grow dull. Quite lliterally, color had been...
handwritten on March 9, 2019
My husband came home from night shift around 7:00 AM yesterday, and we decided a spontaneous breakfast out before he fell asleep was just what we needed. It is funny how sometimes an unexpected event and also the anticipation of delicious food can really heighten your senses. As we were traveling along and crossing bridges to get to the North Side, both of us mentioned the beauty of the blue skies and the sun that seemed like it was shining down on every neighborhood in Pittsburgh.
As we were eating our breakfast and sipping our coffee, we were joined by countless walks of life who must have had the Blue Skies Breakfast plan in mind as well. Two police officers were chatting and eating...
handwritten on March 8, 2019
Every so often what we teach at school creates a light bulb in the tiny whimsical body of the child we are teaching. And the beauty and the whimsy in this light bulb moment is one never knows just exactly when the light bulb will turn on. Somtimes, the engines of the mind are loud and crank up to full speed with a celebration and a resounding sputter. Other times, the light is whispered through the ear of another and sometimes the light bulb is so dim and celebtration so silent that if you blink or even cough, you could miss it.
Realizations are probably one of the most powerful moments in the classroom. Because often times the application of the problem or the life skill you are trying to...
handwritten on March 6, 2019
I think one of the hardest deeds in life is finding whimsy in frowns. But you know, it certainly can be done. Back when I was in high school (ages ago it seems), for concert celebrations, graduations and even some good old hot peanut butter fudge sundaes, we would go to KINGS. Kings was our official hangout of whimsical frozen delights. I believe it was one of my greatest friend's high school graduations, a group of us decided to go Kings and order what was called the frownie brownie. Mind you, this was considered whimsical fun amongst the band musicians that were my friends primarily. We ordered the frownie brownie sundae which consisted of countless scoops of ice cream and too many...
