Welcome to our third annual Girls’ Night Out!
For the past two Octobers, we’ve gathered here to ask each other questions, hear each other’s stories, and celebrate this great community of women. It’s been fun!
Once again, I’ve gathered some friends for a GNO assignment: to share their favorite things. Continue reading
If you’re like me, you try hard to remain positive, look on the bright side, and count your blessings.
But some days, you just can’t …
I’ll never forget one day during my student-teaching in a second grade classroom. Early in the year, one student, a stringy-haired boy with scabby knees, was having a bad day. He eventually crawled under a table and refused to come out. I was eager to prove myself to the lead teacher, so I rushed across the room to coax him.
None of my persuading was working:
“Come on out, you’re missing all the fun! Your friends are looking for you at the Craft Corner. You are so good at reading…!” In fact, the more I talked, the further under the table he scooted.
Finally, the veteran teacher walked over, asked me to keep an eye on the rest of the class, and did something that changed me forever… (more…)
Have you ever come across a musician that makes you think differently, feel deeply, and want more of both? For me, Sherdonna Denholm is one of those.
Her bio is impressive: Originally a classically trained clarinetist, Sherdonna has a wide variety of musical influences. As a self produced Singer Songwriter she creates a soulful and honest sound by integrating thought provoking lyrics with beautiful melodies and textures. Her music has been featured on the #1 Women of Substance Podcast and Women of Conscience Radio program.
However, Sherdonna’s work reveals a soul that isn’t trying to impress anyone. Continue reading
It’s called Five Minute Friday. Each week, we write freely on a one-word prompt. Then we link up at the amazing Kate Motaung’s site. It’s a flash mob of writers- having fun and sharing their take on one word. This week’s prompt is: PATH
It stresses me out to imagine my life as a path. Continue reading
It was barely 9:00am. My son’s sticker chart was ruined, his time-out chair was hot, and our marble jar was empty.
And I was all three. Continue reading
An enthusiastic cheerleader’s voice boomed through the loudspeaker over our heads and echoed down the shiny, tile hallway. Our little group paused until it was over.
“Sorry about that. Big game tonight.” The assistant principal said with a smile. He then motioned us toward a doorway marked “125”. Inside, students were huddled together over papers and chrome books, talking and writing. They looked up at us briefly.
“This is one of our history classes. The students here are working on a group project,” he explained.
We watched for a while, then continued our tour. We were new parents and students, getting informed and oriented before the next school year. The following thirty minutes were spent moving from one spot to the next, as students pushed past each other in the hallway, reached across each other in the cafeteria, and talked over each other at classroom tables. It was a loud, busy place.
Personally, I loved high school, and happy memories washed over me that day. The energy of games, clubs, and social activities fueled me through my academics, and I thrived in it all.
But now, as a parent, I was seeing things through my daughter’s eyes. With her in mind, even this short tour made me tired.
She is extremely introverted person, and I realized I had to do some very intentional parenting for us both to survive until graduation day. Continue reading
A few weeks ago, my oldest son was playing guitar in our basement. The music was loud and he didn’t see me coming, so I stood and listened for a while. It was a piece I’ve never heard him play, but I instantly recognized his soulful heart behind it. Continue reading
