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”

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”

A Few of my Favorite Things

Hello from my office, I have caught up on my morning class requirements, need to work on Spring things, and I hope to get some cards completed yet today, but I want to write and reflect too, so it seems, for the moment, the writing wins. When I was in elementary school, my hometown hadContinue reading “A Few of my Favorite Things”

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 . . .”

A Date of Triumph and Tragedy

Hello from my office at home, It has been a long week, and it seems just when I think I have some things figured out, I don’t. The fall (and late summer too) have been incredibly busy, to the point of taxing, but I am maintaining. Maybe not as well as I wish, but theContinue reading “A Date of Triumph and Tragedy”

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”

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”