Not long ago, I took a two-week holiday in Scotland in August. I use the expression “on holiday” instead of “on vacation” because that is what the people in Scotland say. The people I spoke with just do not understand the expression, “on vacation.” They inquire, “But what are you vacating?” Ah, yes. If they […]
Ten Reasons to Go on Holiday in Scotland Read More »
The grace of the Irish is what immediately comes to mind when I think about the two weeks I was in Ireland in July. Oh, I know that people usually think of the common phrase, “the luck of the Irish.” Throughout history, though, the Irish have not been particularly lucky. Think of the potato famines
The Grace of the Irish Read More »
A guy in Connecticut was arrested recently after he had a meltdown over a bad haircut. In spite of my current expanding forehead situation, I can totally relate. As a child of the sixties, hair wars comprised much of my life. Exhibit A was my high school. Every day, the dean of boys walked the
Follicular Assault Read More »
I went to hear my favorite poet speak, And was pleased to find that So many had come To hear and be touched by his gentle verse. And yet upon reflection, I wonder if we really heard The message he weaves through words. When it was all over, Fragments of a dozen conversations Drifted to
One of the books that I drew inspiration from during my teacher preparation days was How 2 Gerbils, 20 Goldfish, 200 Games, 2000 Books, and I Taught Them How to Read by Steven Daniels. His first year of teaching in an inner city school was a disaster. But he learned from it and became a
Classroom Critters Read More »
I was four years old, and we lived on the top floor of a fisherman’s house in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I could see the ocean from my window, and our landlord often brought us fresh seafood. My father, a USAF radar operator, worked lots of seven day weeks and double shifts because of the Cold
The Persistence of Doors Read More »