Did I?

I am driving down 6th Avenue, the highway that hugs the Hogback and cuts through the heart of my childhood romping grounds. Traffic in the left two lanes is slow to break from the two lights that serve as my drag-racing Christmas tree, releasing us to quarter-mile glory even if we don’t all play. Slow…

Home

This month has felt like a month-long vacation. And I am ready to go home. I have enjoyed playing with different forms and topics, reading and imitating others, trying on new things and settling into familiar rhythms. Yes, March has found me swept out with the tide, some days only able to tread water for…

Coaches Create Learning Spaces, Too.

“You mean your office?” my husband asked this morning as I described the space set aside for me at my new school. “Office” does not seem the right word for the space I envision. This is not just a space where I will work to get things done. Learning will happen here. I will make…

Mind Before Matter

The bird feeder sways back and forth from the branch still spotted with snow. Saturated with spring thaw, the driveway holds footprints from this morning, from this afternoon, from the return home, like they were pressed in fresh concrete. The recliner lays on its side on the porch, having been pushed out of the way…

New Stance Unlocked

Yes, this could be another video game reference, if you were paying attention last night. Or… This could be extension of my “and” series of slices. Because it is true that each year does exactly this: unlocks new stances. Year one (as coach): I am not the expert. Year two (back in the classroom): and…

Audio Museum

We are in the midst of recording our audio museum exhibits. Excerpts from writings from the turn of the last century bring tears to my eyes as they are read by students a century and a country divided away. I am helping them get them ready to share, which means workshop. At one point today,…

Numero Dose

“You’re a part of history,” they say. I certainly don’t feel like it. And it makes me wonder if people who are part of history know it at the time. “Oh, this is so exciting,” they say. I certainly don’t feel excited. Every ache and discomfort makes me wonder if this is the upside of…

Start Seeing

Fifteen years ago on this day, I start seeing things differently. Long after midnight on this day, I start seeing my dad for the last time. I start seeing his life in his music, his love in our laughter. I start seeing the light of day as they wake me to say good-bye, and by…

And in Every Moment

The other day, a forever friend wrote a post prompted by this question: “What could you talk about for 15 minutes, with zero preparation?” She was quick to respond; her talk would be titled: “HOW TO LIVE SPONTANEOUSLY IN EVERY MOMENT.“ I, on the other hand, have thought about this now for two days and…

21 in 21

Inspired by Tina Boogren’s Self-Care for Educators’ challenge, here is my 21 in 21. Not a list of resolutions, but of things that give me something to look forward to and help me to realize #10 before the ball even drops: 01 Climb Bierstadt Get up there before the sun rises and climb. With my…