Next Generation

Years ago I used to have my students do a word ladder every Monday. It was a fun way for them to exercise vocabulary, spelling, and logical thinking skills while I was conferring with them one by one about their independent reading. As the curriculum changed, eventually I phased that activity out in favor of other tasks that allowed them to connect their reading to their writing, and I hadn't thought about those puzzles in years when the other day one of the students in my intervention class asked me if I had any word ladders for the Greek and Latin word parts we were studying.

"I don't," I answered, "but I'm not sure how that would work."

"I love word ladders!" she told me. "My fifth grade teacher used to give them to us all the time.

"Funny!" I said. "Who was your teacher?"

"Ms. D." she replied.

"Ms. Katie D?" I clarified.

"Yes!" she confirmed.

"Well," I laughed, "she used to love doing them, too, when she was in sixth grade. In fact, I think she used to sit right where you are sitting now."

"Wait. What?" Her jaw dropped. "Ms. D. was in your class?"

"I know, right?" I agreed. "I can hardly believe it myself!" 

Fahrvergnügen

As hard as I try, I often fall victim to the rush, Rush, RUSH energy that seems so prevalent everywhere, but especially here, in my hometown. On the many occasions when I find that I have tried to squeeze a little too much into the minutes before my departure time and as a result I am running late, you can find me cussing, switching lanes, and running yellow lights along with my fellow DMVers. Oh sure, once in a while I take a deep breath and remind myself that time is a human construction, and although those times are still much rarer than I'd like, I really do think I am improving in managing both my time and my stress.

I have a friend whose son just got his learner's permit. "He wants to drive everywhere!" she told me. "And I'm happy to let him."

"I hear you!" I answered. "The traffic around here almost makes me wish for self-driving cars."

That was last week, but this week?

Enter our brand new 2018 Subaru Outback Touring-- Man! I am looking for excuses to drive that car! Red light? Yay! How long do I have to play with the radio? Yellow light? I better slow down... after all, that would be the most prudent course of action. AND as always, I can not wait for my next

Road trip!

Puppy Play Date

What do you do when the weather is cold and wet and there’s still a 55 pound puppy to wear out? Why, push back the furniture and invite over a few of her doggie friends to wrestle for an hour. Yeah, that should do it. 

Allocations and Expenditures

A few years ago I started using an app to count calories so that I might shed some of the pounds I had gained as I approached my mid-century. If there's one thing I've learned about myself over the years, it would be that I respond diligently to a daily obligation. Perhaps it's the routine, or the minimal requirement of a day by day commitment, but take this blog for example-- I have written millions of words a couple hundred or so at a time, and I also lost 50 pounds by trimming a few calories a day. Enter my newest endeavor-- to count all the money I spend each day. Based on my income and fixed expenses, my goal is to save more than ever by making small adjustments every day.

Unfortunately, in the time I've been using it, I've gone over my allowance 40% of the time and bought a new car.

There's always tomorrow.

That Train

has left the station.

Super Bowl Sunday

Although I am in my own home, I feel like a visitor to a strange land. Who knew that coverage of the big game started at nine a.m.? I have been in and out all day, but I do have a couple of observations: the Twin Cities are certainly looking their best-- frosty cold and all snow and ice castles, and FYI? The puppies picked the Patriots. Oh, at 6 p.m. the beer is cold and the dips and snacks are ready, and for the first time in many years, I'll be watching the spectacle. I really don't mind football, and I'm even kinda looking forward to the commercials and halftime show.

The Dining Hall

An enterprising chef and restaurateur in our area has opened what is essentially an upscale food hall with some full service tables. Having all eight of the restaurants in his own group makes it possible to offer a consolidated menu in a space set just off the main mall walkway. It is dubbed the "Dining Hall" which to me has a rather unfortunate association with college food plans.

I wanted to love it, but although I did not, it definitely surpassed its namesake, or at least what I remember of it 35 years later.