The Comfort of a Morning Dove

Hello from a few days of driving, visiting, managing, and grading, Those four participles seem to describe the great majority of what my adult life is; traveling and meeting or reacquainting with those who have blessed my life is something dear to me. Managing the tasks, the work, and then commenting and evaluating the writingContinue reading “The Comfort of a Morning Dove”

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”

Lacking Friendly Skies – Grateful for Friendly People

Hello well before 5:00 a.m., I am in the Charlotte/Douglas Airport after arriving and waiting until almost midnight before getting to a hotel. I was asleep not quite three hours and then up for a taxi back to the airport. Originally, I was supposed to already be in Costa Rica yesterday, but as noted acrossContinue reading “Lacking Friendly Skies – Grateful for Friendly People”

deoch don doras

Hello from Starbucks in the Commons, We are in the throes of the end of the semester, and I am doing a boatload in individual student conferences. The days have blended together so much that earlier today I was quite sure it was Thursday instead of Wednesday. Part of my cluelessness is the craziness ofContinue reading “deoch don doras”

Learning Moments Rather than Regrets

Hello from the little cabin, The past two days have been filled with laughter, memories, and enjoyment, but also a certain degree of wistfulness. How is it we continue on with our lives and things that had such importance get lost in our busy, scattered living of our lives? How is it that we canContinue reading “Learning Moments Rather than Regrets”

Facing Mental Illness with Compassion

Hello from a quiet table and pondering the struggle of so many, This past week I have been confronted with two specific incidences where a person certainly struggles with some form of mental illness. Let me begin with two important facts. I am not a psychologist nor a psychiatrist, nor do I have an MSW.Continue reading “Facing Mental Illness with Compassion”

Dreamers

Hello from my study on the Acre, It is hard to believe that Spring is here (and today certainly felt Spring-like) and we are almost a quarter of the way through this year. It seems like only a few weeks ago the semester began and the Christmas holidays were still visible in the rear-view mirror.Continue reading “Dreamers”

Our Notional Nation

Hello from the Acre, sitting yet again in front of the computer, It has been a beautiful week, enticing us to believe Spring is here, but it is mid-March, and my past experience, from a variety of places, has taught me to avoid the enticement. Take pleasure in the days offered, get outside and manageContinue reading “Our Notional Nation”