Teaching
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Kittens
Kittens It’s hard to believe that it was only eight days ago when I took in this beautiful creature. Our neighborhood has unsterilized feral cats and I’m on a mission to spay and neuter. Momma cat and her kittens have filled the void of loneliness from missing Buddy with love. New life. New hope. She gave birth to 6 kittens on February 10th. Help in our Community If you live in Lee County and have a feral cat population in your neighborhood, Animal Services can help you. Check out this page: TNR Trap-Nueter-Return Here are some interesting articles on why the TNR program was started as an alternative to euthanizing feral cats.…
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Valentine’s Day Treats
Valentine’s Day Treats It’s almost my favorite holiday! Valentine’s Day! Why is it my favorite? Not because I want roses or chocolate, although Mr. Rausin, feel free to surprise me. It’s my favorite holiday because we celebrate love. Valentine’s Day is about letting the people in our lives know we love them. Here are some great Valentine’s Day ideas that don’t break the bank and show those we love how much they mean to us. Heart Wreath. Website: No Time For Flash Cards Teacher Valentine’s Day Gift. Drink Tumbler. Website: Mama Cheaps Book Bucks! Website: Imagination Soup Easy Valentine’s Day cookies. Website: Family fresh meals Valentine Snickerdoodles Valentine Pupcakes Valentine Cupcakes with a candy…
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Innocent and Assumed Guilty
Innocent and Assumed Guilty This morning I had a taste of what it feels like to be questioned by police and I have to say it certainly didn’t feel good! Here’s the story: I woke early to take Arielle to the airport. After having her home for a glorious month it was time for her to return to college. Obviously, I wasn’t feeling very chipper. I said good-bye, watched her wheel onto the plane and then put my head down and left the airport before anyone saw me blubbering like…well, a mom who has to say good-bye to her baby. On the way home over our beautiful Cape bridge I noticed the…
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Catching Fire and Helping Children
Catching Fire and Helping Children I was watching Catching Fire with my family. In the scene where Katniss and Peeta are giving a speech to District 11 they’re told to read their speeches from prepared cards. Peeta looks at his card and begins to read as the crowd stands emotionless, then he puts down the card and speaks from his heart. When he does he and Katniss inspire the crowd. Sitting in the theatre it suddenly occurred to me that writing is the same. If I throw away everything that is on the surface and dig deep, connections are made. For adults it takes courage to go deep and slice through the layers…
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Procrastination
Procrastination Writers are often faced with great resistance, otherwise known as procrastination. For me, there is a feeling within that I must write, yet when I sit down at the keyboard suddenly I’m checking email, Facebook and Pinterest before I click to open my manuscript. I learned from watching an interview with Steven Pressfield on Super Soul Sunday that what I’m feeling is resistance and when the pain of resistance becomes greater than the pain of facing a blank page then I’ll get to work. It’s like when I was little and learning how to dive. I would stand on the edge of the diving board for a loooong time staring at the water – afraid.…
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Respect in the Classroom
Respect “Dad needs to show an incredible amount of respect and humor and friendship toward his mate so the kids understand their parents are sexy, they’re fun, they do things together, they’re best friends. Kids learn by example. If I respect Mom, they’re going to respect Mom.” Tim Allen “When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” Dalai Lama I remember when I was in school the feeling we all got when we knew our teacher was out and we had a sub. Usually word would spread in the hallways before class. Having a substitute teacher meant a relaxed free period. Oh, I remember! Now, I am…
