Category: Life

Sunday Snapshots

It seems I haven’t seen the sun in a week; maybe because I haven’t. The sky cleared just enough last Sunday to view the Super Blood Moon Eclipse, but perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to read Lovecraft under such a sky – the rain continues to fall, the water continues to rise, and the weatherman predicts more over the next days.

Now, I tried taking pictures of said eclipse, but my iPhone doesn’t take great moon photos – shocking, I know.

So, what else happened this week?
 
Several of my history students presented projects centered on the Thirteen American Colonies; as part of that project, they cooked a meal and dipped candles:

Venison and Potato Stew with Greens and Spiced Cider

Beeswax Candles with Red Dye

 
Then, it was time to celebrate National Coffee Day:

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You wouldn’t know to look at it, but this medium dark roast with two cream and two sugar was FREE!

 
The celebrations continued – despite the rain – with the First Day of October!

For Krystal: Chi Frappuccino

For Me: Salted Carmel Mocha Latte

 
Finally, here’s a random picture of stuff left in my pockets at the end of the day:

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Oh, and I didn’t forget about the rain:

 

What did you do this week?

 

Do you have a suggestion for a poem, photograph, or future post?

Drop a note in the prompt box!

 

Don’t forget to follow me on:

Facebook – where I share news stories, articles from other blogs, and various and sundry miscellany that happens to catch my eye. It’s stuff you won’t see here! Well, mostly.

Instagram – where I show you my Life in Motion and share quotes and such. The widget only shows my last three photographs – don’t you want to see them all?

Twitter – where you can see my thoughts in 140 characters or less. Also, funny retweets.

This Rain is Ruining the First Days of Autumn

rain on window screenThe rain comes falls down and the water rises up. It was kind of nice at first: a calm, gentle rain – the kind that beats a calming staccato on tin roofs. One week later, the storm is a bad guest that won’t take the hint. It’s October; it’s supposed to be Autumn. Instead of preparing bonfires, raking leaves, and planning pumpkin carving, we should have built an ark. We should have been able to wander about in the cool fall evenings; instead, the parks are closed and I’ve been sent home early due to flooding. Ah well, a longer weekend to prepare for my classes. Oh, who am I kidding? I’ll binge on Netflix while power eating my way through our supply of “emergency snacks” and browsing the internet. I may even tackle that reading pile. If the rain keeps up, it’s entirely possible we won’t have school Monday. Thank goodness Hurricane Joaquin has made a right turn into the Atlantic – just so long as he doesn’t gain strength and circle back ’round with a vengeance.

Virtual Read-Out 2015

BBW_VirtualReadout_logo3_LGLast week I promised you a video for Banned Books Week.

Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve finished them!

Yes, them – as in plural. Well, not really plural. I filmed a much longer segment and then edited it down to qualify for the ALA’s Banned Book Week Virtual Read-Out playlist on YouTube. Seriously, you should check these other videos out; some of them are quite good.

Here are mine:

The Long Version

The Short Version

Monday Morning Grievance: Censorship

It’s Monday and I haven’t had my coffee.

Monday Morning Grievances Logo 1

This week book lovers across the United States observe Banned Books Week. In case you haven’t been able to tell, I strongly support the freedom of speech [and, by extension, the press]. Yes, I have strong opinions, but as one of Voltaire’s biographers summarized his philosophy:

I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

It seems as if intolerance has grown the last several years, with people of every political, social, and cultural stripe seeking to silence those politics, values, and practices differ from their own. And while I believe in moral absolutes, I also know no belief is worth defending which seeks to silence its critics. Healthy, honest, and open debate is a sign of thriving civilization.

I could give examples, but they’re all to clear. No one side or party or people is blameless.

I just wish people could realize that disagreement is neither hate, nor intolerance, nor bigotry, nor ignorance. Society has placed acceptance on a pedestal and adopted the mantra of “Agree of Perish”.

Ignore society.

Speak Out

Be Heard

You Are Entitled To Your Opinion

Reject the Censors

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What annoys you?

 

 

Have a suggestion for a poem, photograph, or future post?

Drop a note in the prompt box!

 

Don’t forget to follow me on:

Facebook – where I share news stories, articles from other blogs, and various and sundry miscellany that happens to catch my eye. It’s stuff you won’t see here! Well, mostly.

Instagram – where I show you my Life in Motion and share quotes and such. The widget only shows my last three photographs – don’t you want to see them all?

Twitter – where you can see my thoughts in 140 characters or less. Also, funny retweets.

Sunday Snapshots

This post is being published later in the day for two reasons:

1. My weekend schedule changed and I was not able to edit and upload my photos as per my normal schedule.

2. There is a large pressure system moving through and I’ve spend the last several hours in a reclined position trying not to pass out or throw up due to the pain surging through my back. Thanks, dude who ran a red light four years ago, totaling my car and causing 3+ months of swelling on my sciatic nerve. I remember you every time we have a storm.

Anyway, here’s a few things that happened this week.

As usual, food featured prominently.

IMG_4077 Krystal’s developed a kick for Zaxby’s Fried House Zalad with Zax Sauce instead of whatever dressing they include. I made a mistake on this order and purchased grilled chicken instead of fried. That’s not why I took this photo, though. No, I photographed this salad for the approximately 4 small pieces of chicken it contained. Seriously, Zaxby’s? If I’m paying $8 for a chicken salad, there had better be chicken on that salad. I’ve found more chicken in a McDonald’s four-piece nugget.

IMG_4082 I have one particular student whose family continues to be amazing. I’ve taught at least one of their children every year since I began teaching, and they’ve become one of my staunchest supporters. This year, they’ve begun sending in breakfast sandwiches at least once a week. I cannot thank them enough; as much as I like off-brand blueberry toaster pastries and coffee, it does get old. This same family just signed my up for a 5K on October 17 – I just can’t believe the generosity they bestow.

IMG_4079 Every year the Physical Science class creates cell models.

This year, one student made her model out of pizza ingredients.

IT WAS AMAZING

Honestly, it’s one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting.

If she didn’t get extra credit for the taste, she should have.

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In case you didn’t know, this week marked the beginning of Autumn here in the Northern Hemisphere. As such, it’s time once again for fall comfort foods like tomato soup and grilled cheese. Moxie, tortilla chips, and saltine crackers are an added bonus. Krystal suggested I make this for supper – and she was totally right. It was perfect.

Despite popular opinion, I’m not totally serious 100% of the time.

Meet Buddy the Skeleton. Yes, he’s a discount Halloween decoration, but from what I can tell he’s almost anatomically correct – the only discrepancy I’ve found is fusing in the knees. Anyway, I just couldn’t resist taking a few humorous photos – and my student found it hilarious, too. It was a good way to wind down after a test.

We also worked on the pilot episode for nerdeektv.

This was taken in “Wardrobe”.

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Oh, and here’s two of our promotional videos!

NerdeekTV is a nerdy/geeky webshow put on by cousins with a shoestring budget.

Tune in beginning October 31!

Finally, here’s your internet funny for the week:

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What did you do this week?

 

Do you have a suggestion for a poem, photograph, or future post?

Drop a note in the prompt box!

 

Don’t forget to follow me on:

Facebook – where I share news stories, articles from other blogs, and various and sundry miscellany that happens to catch my eye. It’s stuff you won’t see here! Well, mostly.

Instagram – where I show you my Life in Motion and share quotes and such. The widget only shows my last three photographs – don’t you want to see them all?

Twitter – where you can see my thoughts in 140 characters or less. Also, funny retweets.

A Letter to the Muslim Women I Saw the Other Day

sorryDear Ladies,

I saw you the other day.

I – stopped in the turn lane.

You – trying to cross the road between the tienda and the fast food place.

One of you pushed a stroller.

There was no crosswalk.

I watched the light cycle.

I watched the drivers pass you.

I watched their expressions.

I watched your frustration.

When the light turned, you’d made your way to the relative safety of the center line.

And I thought about letting you cross.

I could have let you cross.

I should have let you cross.

There was no reason not to let you cross.

Except I didn’t.

Too Busy

Places to Go

People to See

At least, that’s how I justified my actions.

Really?

Too busy to stop for fifteen seconds?

Too busy to speed a mother and a child on their way?

Too busy to be a decent human being?

Too busy to live the values I claim to have?

It’s true: you were Muslim and I a Christian.

SO WHAT?

My Bible tells me to treat others as I would be treated.

As a runner, I know what it’s like to cross a busy road.

My Bible tells me to honor and respect women.

What if the woman had been my mother?

My Bible tells me to love my neighbor.

Stranding my neighbor in the middle of the road isn’t love.

In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite of the Good Samaritan.

And so I’d like to say

I’m Sorry

And if I ever get the chance, I’ll do better.

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