Tag Archives: personal

Why we must stop for death, dear Emily

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My students are working on Civil War projects, and obviously, the subject of death has been part of the discussion.  The Civil War is ancient history to them, and even to me, Matthew Brady’s intense images of the dead on … Continue reading →

Posted in death, experience, family, loss, memory, motherhood, photography, rituals | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Why I teach

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

This email  came to me this evening.  Sometimes, teaching 7th grade is hard. Recently, with hormones flaring, it has been a challenge. But, all in all, I have the best job in the world.  Evidence follows. “What do you think … Continue reading →

Posted in education | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

When you’re fifteen

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Gorilla Girl’s favorite music is Taylor Swift’s Fearless album.  She got the CD for Christmas, and we’ve been listening to it in my car endlessly.  One of Gorilla Girl’s favorite songs on the album is a song called, “Fifteen” about … Continue reading →

Posted in experience, growth, identity, nostalgia, stories | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“A Teacher’s Lament” by Kalli Dakos

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Don’t tell me the cat ate your math sheet, And your spelling words went down the drain, And you couldn’t decipher your homework, Because it was soaked in the rain. Don’t tell me you slaved for hours On the project … Continue reading →

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The bicycle thief

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

When I was in college, I dated a boy who was an artist. I still have two of his sketches hanging on my walls (EE calls it the wall of honor, or something).  When we hung new art by a … Continue reading →

Posted in biking, class, education, experience, painting | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

“My Father Teaches Me to Dream” by Jan Beatty

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

You want to know what work is? I’ll tell you what work is: Work is work. You get up. You get on the bus. You don’t look from side to side. You keep your eyes straight ahead. That way nobody … Continue reading →

Posted in corporate greed, dreams, family | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Cheese-topped onion soup: lessons in patience

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Dorie’s recipe for cheese-topped onion soup says you have to be patient while waiting for the onions to brown.  Patience is one of those things that it is easy to have in abundance at the front end, but much harder … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, cheese, family, family meals, food, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Bonnie — a woman who paved her own road

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My mom’s friend Bonnie  died several years ago. She was only 59,  considerably older than my mom when she died, but still too young. I accidentally discovered that she had died when I posted about Glen Campbell‘s performance at the … Continue reading →

Posted in connection, experience, family, feminism, friendship, inspiration | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Rhinestone cowboy

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

It is uncharacteristic of me to watch award shows, but for some reason, I saw a bit of the Grammys on Sunday night. The Glenn Campbell piece really struck a chord. Not because I am or was a big fan, … Continue reading →

Posted in education, experience, family, memory, nostalgia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What do sick days and cotton candy have in common?

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

It’s been a while since Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl were sick enough not to go to school, but when it comes, illness seems to linger like the stickiness of remembered carnival cotton candy. Like cotton candy, though, and despite … Continue reading →

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