We’re living in a country where the Republican vice presidential candidate believes that school shootings are a fact of life in contemporary American society. The answer, of course, is more guns because schools (and concert venues and churches and grocery stores and movie theaters and shopping malls and…) are “soft targets” which need to be … Continue reading How does one plan a national walkout?
Category: politics
Starting the school year off with a bang
Just another day in America yet, somehow, since it’s the day before my students return to their classrooms after summer break, the latest school shooting in the United States is hitting me hard. Why do we tolerate this? Why do we allow our government to do nothing? Why have we given organizations like the NRA … Continue reading Starting the school year off with a bang
Coming in for a (bumpy) landing
Arriving back at home from an extended vacation comes with a lot of mixed emotions. While there is excitement to be reunited with one’s beloved people and pets, as well as the comfort of one’s own home, there are other more complicated feelings. Knowing that after months of planning and anticipation, the big trip is … Continue reading Coming in for a (bumpy) landing
Recent realizations and impressions
We can all agree that travel is life changing, can’t we? Observing, and even participating in, life in locations away from home can be the impetus to expand one’s understanding of humankind and settings beyond our own. When I’m traveling alone, I often find myself taking mental notes of things I find interesting or enlightening. … Continue reading Recent realizations and impressions
Fussing and fighting
There’s no escaping the reach of American politics these days and flying thousands of miles away is not sufficient distance to feel removed. It’s a crazy time and, during our time in Italy, one of the first questions we’ve gotten, delivered in the most hesitant and polite manner, is wtf is going on in America? … Continue reading Fussing and fighting
Unseen and seen
While we were away last week, it seems we missed a couple of significant events. Apparently, mid week there was some weather which we were happy to have avoided. I love winter weather, but not the first week of April. At this point in the year, I want forsythia, not freezing temperatures and precipitation. In … Continue reading Unseen and seen
Read this: The Rent Collector
Over the years there have been a number of YA books that captured me completely and for eternity. Off the top of my head, I immediately think of The Book Thief, What the Night Sings and Free Lunch. Interestingly enough, each of these books relates a story of a young person or family struggling under … Continue reading Read this: The Rent Collector






