"Crucified Fattie" © 2010

This is the second and final installment in a series about how, thin or fat, a person is a person, never a caricature.  Part 1 can be read here.

Those of you who have read about my shattering experience as a new parent know that sleep deprivation/… Read full post »

"Crucified Fattie" © 2010

When I was 16, I could see the truth.  I'd always been quick to internalize cues from others.  Pretty girls were a pleasure to have around; everyone thought so.  Fat girls with bad complexions were a waste of space. 

My dad used to ma… Read full post »

CLICKABLE LICKS LINKS BELOW! 

Yes!  The contest you've all been waiting for!  With PRIZES!  (*see below)

May your holiday weekend be tumescent with jollies! 

Does anyone else find the attempts at erotica available everywhere online, including here at OS, to be exqu… Read full post »

I know I come across, often, as a prissy nitpicker over any number of things--quote attribution being only the latest case in point.  I've debated grammar, historical accuracy, popular culture, and glurge in general (my favorite word of late--originating from Snopes.)

I have no personal axe… Read full post »

My husband, Will, made this 3 1/2 minute motivational video for my sophomores in resource English.  He asks, "WIIFM?" or "What's In It For Me?"  I'm sure I'm biased, but I think it's fantastic. 

Many of the kids I see are deeply unmotivated.  They expect to rece… Read full post »

As I enter my tenth year of teaching, I realize how fortunate I am to have a job that indulges my passion for lifelong learning, my creativity and my quest to excel. 

I teach students with reading and writing deficits, but I also visit general education classes as an itinerant… Read full post »

To Arizona Governor Jan Brewer: 

I don't appreciate your mockery of Obama's birthday.  How petty.

This bit of vile hypocrisy and exploitation of the gullible courtesy of: http://www.happybirthdayfromaz.com/  

But here's what you really need to hear: I CAN'T AFFORD T… Read full post »

  Read full post »

I am consumed with guilt.  Now, there's a start
To sonneteering, ah! the finer art.

Yesterday, in a comment at Ken Honeywell's second attempt at swatting people with his sonnets, I committed an atrocity against my favorite sonnet poet, and I could hardly sleep for the remorse.  So I am hereb… Read full post »

Ken Honeywell/Frank Indiana challenged us to a sonnet competition.  I've decided to go for the Wanker Award. 

I was a teenaged female version of Byron when I was in high school: misunderstood, alienated, touched by greatness.  Well, I got the touched part right.

Without further ado, he… Read full post »

Amazing.  A black widow spider has built a sticky, messy web in the eaves directly to the right above my front door.  As I write, Betsy industriously adds a couple extensions down to the concrete porch.  It's early yet here, and I'm toying with not calling the exterminators.  Some… Read full post »

When I was younger (and had more brain cells) I studied a little text called Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals.  I've no doubt some OSers are more familiar with Immanuel Kant's philosophy than I, but for the purpose of this discussion, I'll summarize Kant's main point. … Read full post »

UPDATED - 7/14/2010 

I have hurt the feelings of a friend by parodying her writing too closely.  I am not sure yet what I should do, but for now I'll acknowledge that some of my examples below are too cutting and I am guilty of incivility.  There's a point at which teasing is… Read full post »

Even a teacher can dream of being rich.  My visions of wealth are modest, as I figure modest dreams are more likely to come true.  Will and I manage to feed and house six on my salary, which has been $46,660 for three years straight now, due to the mess we Arizonans… Read full post »

My daughter Becca figured out the secret to happiness at the age of five:  set goals, have a routine, enjoy your work but take time to play.  Here is the list she once taped to her wall in order to organize her school day.

How did she become so wise? … Read full post »

I HAVE JUST POSTED A REQUEST FOR CRITIQUES ON THIS PIECE.

June 1971.  We were visiting Aunt Mibbs in Pensacola.  I was 17, you were 8.  It was not a lighthearted visit.  Our aunt was dying of lung cancer and goodbye was implicit in every word.  Dad gave us a… Read full post »

Found this today on Becca's facebook page.  The kids protested the lack of bike racks on campus last fall by locking all their bikes together.  Seems kinda silly and ineffective as a protest, but, oh, what a photo opportunity! 

My daughter, Becca, could pos… Read full post »

1.   What is your favorite word?

 I've actually had a favorite word for decades: serendipity.  It is a rare ephemeral state, wondrous to experience.

2.   What is your least favorite word?
 
 I don't have a least favorite word.  Any word can be used as a w… Read full post »

Beauty in a working-class neighborhood.  See below for cropped version.   

If only it were as easy as cropping a photo, to prioritize the beauty all around me.  I regret my state's preponderance of socially conservative and fiscally libertarian politicians, as I… Read full post »

(UPDATED BELOW)

The Republicans From Hell.  Yeah, that's my state legislature.  I am so proud to be a constituent of District 18: to Russell Pearce, Cecil Ash, Steve Court, and all the other Republicans who voted on strict party lines to slash funding to Arizona public schools, I hope you'r… Read full post »

Oreo!  Here kitty kitty kitty!  Aw, honey, you can't stay out here.  It's too dangerous.  Do you want to end up being Squashed Kitty on Alma School Road?  You're very persuasive, peeking out at me like that.  You really are.  I know you love it out here.  … Read full post »

I could really, really use advice on this.  I wrote this years ago.  What I wrote has potential, but I've been stumped for how to finish it.  I've never figured out the plot pyramid--I tend to get bogged down in rising action and stay there.  I'm not askin… Read full post »

At age 6, perched on the toilet seat, I submitted to a daily ritual as my mother French-braided my hair. Her deft tugs disciplined every lock into tight obedience. I was Rapunzel, bearing burnished ropes of hair coveted by all.

Decades later, I found my severed childhood braids carefully stored… Read full post »

News Anchors: We've had recent word about a possible earthquake felt by residents of Mesa, Arizona within the last hour.  Here's News 14's Tonya Thompson on the scene.

Reporter: (pokes microphone in front of Cindy's face): What did you feel and when did you feel it? 

Cindy Ro… Read full post »

Beauty is everywhere, even in a dilapidated unkempt house and property.  We don't garden, but our trees and bushes have other ideas.  They seem to beg for attention.  Today I gave them some.  Now I'm sharing with you.

This is something I experimented with in Picasa. … Read full post »