Voting For Hope

I am a mother. I am a teacher. I am a Christian. Each of these identities, both individually and combined, means that hope is an essential part of who I am as a person. You cannot carry life beneath your heart for nine months and agree to nurture it for the remainder of your life…

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My #OLW for 2019 is Connect

Finding one little word (#OLW) to guide my year is usually a challenge for me. Some years it has been an epic challenge. My life is no less of a mess than previous years (see 2018: Question, 2017: Light, 2016: Cool, and 2015: Simplicity), but recently I have been putting a lot of thought into my Spring Semester teaching plans…

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I found a poem in a Wikipedia article

I try to write in my journal regularly because life is hard and I need a safe outlet but also because I know that many seeds must be sown. I write a lot about my daily life, worries, and troubles because I’m human. The struggle is real, but none of these things are unique. There…

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My #OLW for 2018 is Question

I have made no secret of my love for the one little word (#OLW) concept rather than focusing on a New Year’s Resolution. I find tremendous comfort choosing a focus word to guide me. However, every year I struggle greatly with the choice of the right word. Perhaps because my life is such a mess.…

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Personal Foul: Ad Hominem Attack(s) On Higher Ed

Dear Gov. Bevin, My original plan for this morning included spending a few carefully hoarded hours to write something fun and maybe frivolous to satisfy myself as a writer and give myself a little break from my hectic schedule, because I have been working seven days a week (yes – including the long holiday weekend)…

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I’m Not OK But Thanks For Asking

I’m not OK, but thanks for asking. No really. I know I have a well-deserved reputation for sarcasm, but that was not sarcasm. I can’t tell you how much it means that so many people care about me and have gone out of their way to check on me – reaching out across the country…

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Night Walk

Moon shine brings night shade Fresh-mown grass sweet underfoot Frog harmony lulls Soft black fur between fingers Mint leaf breaking on tongue

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Saucijsjes

The thing to remember about cooking with grandma is that Nothing is exact No measuring cups or spoons Just dollops, scoops, and pinches Everything is by touch and taste Until it is right   First divide the sausage Six to a pound if you are feeding the family Twelve for a party Already I’m cheating…

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To Camp

Soul sick and weary The road to Yosemite Promises cleansing Never the same journey twice Bonds renewed, joy recovered   This Tanka poem was inspired by our yearly (sometimes twice yearly) trek to deliver our son to church camp in Yosemite, Kentucky. He has fun with new and old friends, but it is also a…

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For Camp

Sandals Sneakers Socks Boxers $20 for Canteen Shorts Sweatpants T-shirts Hoodie Bible for study and leadership Rain poncho Toothbrush Toothpaste Comb Ukulele for musical interludes Shampoo Soap Sunscreen Sheets Playing cards for rest period Pillow Blanket Towels Swimsuit Benedryl for allergies

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The Last Straw

You are the last straw the final stroke the crack in the dike the match to the powder   Image from Flickr

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