Slice of Life

    • I already forgot

      It was during our second period of the day. My students were doing some book speed dating, when I thought, “Oh I should write about this!” It wasn’t the speed dating, but something a kid said or wrote that gave me that moment of inspiration. Of course, I didn’t get…

    • Idiolect

      I am going back to the classroom after a seven year hiatus and I’m FREAKING OUT! I wanted to write about that, but I have so many things to prep, some I don’t even know about yet. (My apologies in advance for late reading and commenting.) Anyway, I’ve been reading…

    • Tweenage dream

      In elementary school, my best friend and I would run home at the end of the day to catch whatever was remaining of the latest episode of General Hospital. (Funny thing is, I moved near the actual hospital featured in the opening sequence. I’m often brought back in time when…

    • A new project

      Last month, or maybe the month before that, there was a morning that I needed to stop into Trader Joe’s for a couple of items. There are two Trader Joe’s in my neighborhood—two! One is a half mile farther away from home and has a smaller parking lot, so I…

    • Field trip

      For years, holbox, has been on our list of eateries to try. But the list is long, as is the line at this place. It was recently awarded a Michelin star which hasn’t helped reduce the crowd so it often ended up being one of the last in line—until today.…

    • Flag Day

      Terrified. Enraged. Heartbroken. This is what it feels like to see and experience what is happening in our city, El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula—Los Angeles. To be clear, we are not a city on fire and overrun by rioters as some…

    • Cognitive dissonance

      It’s not unusual to see squirrels or coyotes in the middle of the street even as close as we are to the city, but last Friday we had some new wildlife stop by for a visit. I was driving around the corner from the house and my brain registered that…

    • Multiple meaning words

      I’ve been looking at LinkedIn and EDJOIN a lot this year. While there is a lot to love about working with teachers, I miss working directly with students. And it turns out I kind of hate being self-employed and having to hustle. I like to hustle when it’s planning units…

    • Project update

      Project update

      Last month, or really, the beginning of this month, I started a new craft—embroidery. I’ve completed a stitch sampler, meant to help beginners like me learn different stitches and a little bunny scene for my niece. (Her room is decorated with woodland animals and we have a recurring character named…

    • City wildlife, part II

      One thing we always do with my father-in-law is go for a walk or hike. Last week, when he and my mother-in-law were down for a spring break visit, we took a walk at the El Dorado Nature Center, just a short drive from home and right next door to…