Examining a Changing Academy

Hello from my upstairs office, As I move into my last month of teaching during the academic year, and there is an additional four week summer course to manage, I find myself stepping back to reflect on what being involved in some kind of teaching since 1992 has shown. When I took that first positionContinue reading “Examining a Changing Academy”

Imagining Possibilities

Hello from Iowa and a family ceremony, Family is such an incredible reality and yet simultaneously a concept. Family has always been something I have pondered because my family, and my relationship with those individuals has never been what is considered typical. The reasons for that are varied and complex, but trying to understand whereContinue reading “Imagining Possibilities”

Might True Religion be Religionless?

Hello from my office upstairs at the Mini-Acre, It seems like a normal February’s winter day for the first time in a year or more. A bit more than a dusting, but not a full-blown blizzard like many other places, made for some slow getting around this morning, but breakfast in Rohrsburg with two ofContinue reading “Might True Religion be Religionless?”

Time Passages: The Loss of Important People

Hello from my little corner in Panera Bread, As has been my practice for a few years now, and without my trusty accomplice, I am back in Panera sitting where there is an outlet and I can do work. It is Monday, but it seems like I have done three days work already, and itContinue reading “Time Passages: The Loss of Important People”

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”

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”

“Do you hear what I hear?”

Hello from my upstairs office at the Mini-acre, This past week has been a quick transition from fall semester to winter term. Over a couple of days, I was simultaneously completing the calculation and submission of fall grades and jumping headlong into the winter term while working with students to get them up and runningContinue reading ““Do you hear what I hear?””

When it’s Real and when it’s a Hope

Hello in the middle of a holiday weekend, Phrases like “it’s the most wonderful time . . . I’m dreaming of . . . In the lane snow is glistening . . . Marshmallows for toasting . . . It’s Christmas time in the city . . . I’ll be home for Christmas.” fill theContinue reading “When it’s Real and when it’s a Hope”

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 . . .”