I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Happy summer, everyone!

I am incensed. A young black man in Florida, women and girls all over this country. I have a twelve year old daughter. What is happening to her world? To the world in which I was raised? We must continue to stand up against racism and sexism. I want to fight back.… Read full post »

I want what you have.

The way your husband looks at you

with adoration

admiration

affection

joy

pride.

I want what you have

four family members on a Christmas card

all together

intact.

I want what you have

wedding… Read full post »

He’s one of those kids who is wired differently. Outside the box, the odd duck, however you want to put it. They are the ones we write about after all, not the ordinary ones. I had asked for him. We had developed a bit of a rapport when… Read full post »

Contrary to popular opinion, November is my favorite month.

November is the anniversary of my birth, a day I celebrate with enthusiasm, because the alternative sucks, and each year of my life I grow wiser and more relaxed. Age is a good thing.… Read full post »

I am delighted to have the opportunity to repost my first post. I was very proud of this one, and became supremely honored by cartouche's comments and  presence on my blog then, and on subsequent posts. I miss her.

(sorry about the font size change. It's taken me two years to… Read full post »

There was evidence early on, but I ignored it. The real impact hit right after the wedding, when I received a call at work from my insurance company. They wouldn’t be able to put my freshly acquired husband onto my auto insurance because he had a DUI. I sat at my… Read full post »

I pay close attention to lists of “must read” books. I consider myself educated and well read, and I hate it when I miss a reference to classic pop culture (“classic pop culture” – now there’s a phrase. But I think you know what I mean). I am usually… Read full post »

(This is a repost from last year with some minor changes- because why ruin a good thing?)

Oh, the arrogance of that title. But, what’s true is true.

While I was growing up, my dad worked very hard to support his family, but… Read full post »

Dear Beloved Homeowner’s Association,

Thank you very much for the notice outlining my recent infractions, and the follow-up notice assessing my fine. Every time I allow the weeds to get above one foot in my yard, I eagerly await your attention. I thoroughly enjoy having a petty bureaucracy wa… Read full post »

My 11-year-old daughter is a skinny girl. A very skinny girl. I was too. 

(I'm the one on the right, at about 13 years old).

At 15, I weighed 85 pounds, and easily passed for 12 whenever it was necessary to get cheaper entrance to… Read full post »

Seriously, I need specific suggestions. Nothing is like OS, but I am going nuts here with the lousy service. Please tell me other sites where you all are, and where I can post my writing the way I do here.

We are aimless

a little lost

the future unknown.

at a precipice

with no safety net

because you were that

for us.

You led us

with humor

        humility

        and grace

you backed us

   &nb… Read full post »

Warning for my family: there may be some things in here you haven’t heard before.

It was a small house; ruffled curtains at the windows, a circle of mismatched chairs in the living room. I sat down gingerly. It had taken a long time to summon… Read full post »

Happy Easter nad Happy Spring to all my friends at OS. My bun would say hi, but she's too busy disapproving:

Read full post »

I’m getting very close to the breaking point. I love my job. It’s not just a job, it is my life’s work. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.  No matter how bad it gets, I will probably still be doing it 10 or 20 years from now.

But I… Read full post »

“You’re a narcissistic, arrogant, racist moron,” I said.  Bracing myself against the wall, I placed a 2-inch high heel in his crotch and pushed. I stood there for a moment, observing my accomplishment; my neighbor on the ground, a startled look on his face, the smarm vanished.… Read full post »

Have you seen this? It's marvelous. Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon raise money and entertain us too. I love that some good is coming out of Rebecca Black's ridiculous presence on the interwebs. I adore Stephen and am fast developing an affection for Jimmy. Enjoy, it rocks!

  Read full post »

The scene: Average Italian restaurant in average California town.

The characters: Divorced parents taking 11-year-old girl out for dinner on her birthday.

The mood: Daughter is delighted. She loves having her parents in one place. And she gets… Read full post »

After reading your comments, I decided to give Glee a try tonight. And I loved it. Maybe it's because they did two songs from my favorite movie, Singin' in The Rain (also my favorite sick-day movie), as well as a number from Chicago. Maybe it's because that singing teacher is… Read full post »

I am bothered by the child in my class who hasn’t been at school for a week and a half and whom we suspect may be homeless.

I am bothered by the parent of one of my students who is “not satisfied” with her child’s Kindergarten… Read full post »

Driving in the carpool lane.

Exposure to current trends in pop music.

Eager opinions on everything you wear, whether you like it or not.

It’s okay to leave the news on.

She’s learning about idioms and puns in school and finally gets your jokes.

Enjoys Shakespeare.… Read full post »

I orginally wrote this in a comment on Walter Blevins' recent post on unions and public workers. I decided to post it here, because I want others to see it. My reaction to Walter's post was visceral. I respect his opinion greatly, and found his words thought-provoking; I don't want to… Read full post »

I'm too tired after a long day to imbed this properly. But if you have the patience to wait for the link ;), this video is a fascinating look at where we ought to go in education. Take a look, it's fun.

 http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html

By t… Read full post »

Outside of the obvious choices of my wonderful daughter, my loving fiancé, and the sparkly ring he gave me (if I ever get a picture that does it justice, I will post it), my favorite thing in the whole wide world is my rabbit.

Everyone should have a rabbit. It's like… Read full post »