When I taught school, each year began with a day of teacher training. Presenters came in to talk to our staff about subjects like team building, new teaching methods, and personal development. One time, we all met in our school’s multi-purpose room and the question posed by our facilitator was, “Who was your most influential teacherContinue reading “Time Well Spent”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Little Lift
Only a week into October and I’ve got pumpkins on my mind. They’re literally everywhere! Lining walkways up to houses, overflowing in bins at local supermarkets, and populating patches in every city in our county. Stores feature them in holiday displays, coffee shops entice patrons with pumpkin flavored ones, and fall festivals adorn booths withContinue reading “A Little Lift”
Arils of the Punica Granatum
Jane Grigson, the English cookbook author and food columnist of the late 20th century characterized it as “no more than a closet of juicy seeds”. Poets around the world have referred to its seeds as ruby-red gems, and award-winning baker Kate Lebo wrote, “Cracking one open feels like lifting the lid on a jewelry box.”Continue reading “Arils of the Punica Granatum”
Let it Rain
I’m usually quite agreeable, but I have to take issue with a song that the American pop duo Karen and Richard Carpenter released in 1971 entitled “Rainy Days and Mondays”. I don’t object to either, but it’s the refrain “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down” that I find questionable. Mondays? Well, maybe whenContinue reading “Let it Rain”
Pillow Talk
When buying things these days, there are three questions that most often come to mind. They are, is it supportive, is it comfortable, and maybe most importantly, is it machine washable? Yes, this where I am in my life now. I no longer want to make-do, settle for, or fuss with anything that isn’t justContinue reading “Pillow Talk”
A Long Way
Thirty-five years ago today, Robert and I, along with our families and close friends were sailing aboard The Majestic Princess in Boston Harbor at sunset as we exchanged our vows. Time sure passes fast! And around this time last year, I posted Good Advice, words of wisdom my relatives offered at my bridal shower allContinue reading “A Long Way”
Time for Calm
No matter how much I enjoy the warm sunshiny summer, I adore the cool crisp autumn, too. Changes abound! New landscape shades, new harvest offerings, new fall practices. Hello September! So glad you’re here. This month, I’m looking forward to attending the last of our outdoor jazz concerts, wearing my warm fuzzy sweaters, and samplingContinue reading “Time for Calm”
Summer Cinema
There’s no mistaking the recognizable Dun Dun Dun Dun song, that simple tune with a two-note ostinato composed and conducted by John Williams. Evoking feelings of suspense and excitement while conjuring up scary images, it can only belong to one movie. That movie is one I recently watched again in celebration of its 50th yearContinue reading “Summer Cinema”
Lighten Up!
You’d be hard pressed to go through one day, perhaps even one hour, without hearing or seeing ads on any of your devices touting the benefits of lightening up. These messages are usually aimed at what we eat, exercise we do, or maybe even the clothes we wear. Just this morning, I received an emailContinue reading “Lighten Up!”
Face Value
Around for centuries, they’ve been a part of beauty routines and rituals throughout the world. Ancient Egyptians made theirs from clay, sometimes adding a touch of milk and honey. Similarly, mud ones were common in Greece. Romans were known to prepare theirs with eggs, yogurt, flower petals, and cocoa butter. In India, herbs, oils, andContinue reading “Face Value”
A Journal Journey 