The Pathology of Hostility

Hello from an afternoon break, I regularly find myself questioning how did we get here. How did we become so polarized the idea of working together is a pipe-dream, so divided that our response to disinformation or even an insurrection has become commonplace or we see such incidents of things from stalking to swatting asContinue reading “The Pathology of Hostility”

The Importance of Integrity

Hello from my upstairs office, When I was younger, while I did not frequently lie about things, there were times I probably stretched the truth to some degree. Most times it was because I feared a spanking, which my mother was particularly adept at administering. There were times I perhaps revised the facts because IContinue reading “The Importance of Integrity”

Our Propensity for Drama

Good morning very early Wednesday morning, After an incredibly wonderful, though a bit chilly and wet New Year’s Eve, it seems in spite of vaccinations and a good coat and scarf, I have managed to become one of the numbers (statistics) of which I wrote in my last blog. I have been the majority ofContinue reading “Our Propensity for Drama”

More than a Number

Hello from my living room, It is quiet and peaceful; I returned from a wonderful family Christmas, back in Iowa for the holiday for the first time in a decade. Currently, the music is off; the fireplace is burning softly; and I closed my eyes for a brief minute or two. At the moment, afterContinue reading “More than a Number”

Understanding Family

Hello from my office on an early Friday morning, The week of obligations classes, office hours, and other requirements of the week is complete save a departmental meeting, which I cannot seem to find the information for. Hmmmm . . . Earlier this morning, Jennifer, my niece, and her husband, John, departed to return toContinue reading “Understanding Family”

When the Daily Norm is anything but . . .

Hello from my desk on the mini-Acre, I have been commenting, grading, and managing student writing most of the weekend. It is Sunday evening, and the 1st of October. We are into the last quarter of yet another year, soon what will be a third of another decade, and not that far away from anotherContinue reading “When the Daily Norm is anything but . . .”

Immortality Isn’t

Hello on the traditional end of summer, Queue up your favorite Eagles tune or claim to be a “parrothead” even if all you know is “cheeseburger in paradise” or “Margaritaville,” but the last couple months have rocked (pun intended) my musical world. While other members of the Eagles had already passed, the weekend news, informingContinue reading “Immortality Isn’t”

Someone to Believe

Hello from a Mediterranean Coffee Shop, We are down to hours left in the class portion of the semester and finals begin on Monday. I remember customarily feeling both anticipation and exhaustion as I faced the impending end of every semester. Part of it was pouring everything I had most of the time into everyContinue reading “Someone to Believe”

Lonely as a Cloud

Hello at the end of a long day, I have been in my office most of the day working, and there is more to do, but my eyes are tired. Working to review student’s submitted work can be exhilarating and exasperating in the same moment. I am excited when I labor through a cover letterContinue reading “Lonely as a Cloud”

Critical, Thorough, and Intentional

Hello as I wonder yet again, It is shortly after midnight, and feeling exhausted earlier, I laid down. I feel asleep and awoke more than once listening to the news of the day. Now I am as wide awake as if it was time to get up in the morning, after a restful night’s sleep.Continue reading “Critical, Thorough, and Intentional”