In my mind today, I'm thinking about bucket lists. Face it. We all have a timeline. I've learned that life is for living and spreading love. This past weekend, I was able to check off one of my bucket list items: Hot Air Balloon Ride! It was amazing and even more beautiful because I could share it with my Grands. ...

Overwhelmed In my mind today, I'm feeling you guessed it students OVERWHELMED! We all get this way periodically. I've just been way off of my game as of late and I'm trying desperately to right my routine and world. As my dad always warned me about too many irons in the fire, my irons are glowing red and about to melt into the flames. ...

Fair Days In my mind today, I'm thinking about carnivals and fairs. Do you remember your first fair trip? Our little county has always been in love with the annual fair so much that they let the schools close the Friday of fair week...

Children of the Light In my mind today, there is too much. I've experienced every emotion possible since August 26th until now. As my husband escaped death and was given more earthly time, others have crossed over into the light of eternity...

Forgiveness In my mind, I'm thinking about forgiveness. Have you ever held a grudge? Did the sight of someone that hurt you make you emotionally, mentally, and physically sick? I admit it. I've had those feelings before. They were toxic. It made me loose my religion and control of myself. That's what hate, envy, and jealousy can do: make you lose your soul and control...

Beginnings In my mind today, I'm thinking about family, generations, and reunions. This afternoon I was engaging with some cousins as we embark on organizing and tweaking a reunion over Labor Day weekend. I remember as a child and teenager these reunions. ...

Back to School In my mind today, I'm thinking about the first day of school. I have many perspectives: child, teacher, parent, and retired. I remember when my mom would take me to get back-to-school stuff. I remember the smell of new clothes and shoes. ...

Arghhh, Mateys! In my mind today I'm thinking about pirates and their treasure. How they lock it away and hide it from the world hoping no one finds it. Where's the joy in having mounds of gold coins, jewels, and priceless relics if they are hidden away in the ground or remote caverns? If you have ever watched Pirates of the Caribbean, you understand the headache of possessing such booty. ...

Lighthouses and Yokes In my mind today I'm thinking about yokes and lighthouses. Crazy combination, right? When I opened my readings this morning the first line was "Take my yoke upon your shoulders." Students do you know what a yoke is? No, not the yellow center of an egg! That's a yolk. ...

Path to Peace In my mind today I'm thinking about pearls, swine, splinters, and judgement. The longer I live the less judgmental I'm becoming. I'm really trying to see God's purpose in everything and everyone. There has to be a reason, past hurt, or flaw in our past that causes us to become jaded, self-absorbed, unhappy, or angry. ...

Spreading Hope In my mind this week, I have been powering up for another burst of adventures. After the hectic weekend and my mystery machine, my van, trying to die on me, I've been resting. The kind of resting you just do absolutely nothing except basically breathe. ...

Becoming a Bystander In my mind today I've been a mixture of things. I've been in a slump on my writing. I miss my youngest because she's gone to governor's school. Medical bills just keep coming in every day. I get Medicare next month to help with my private insurance. ...

Abounding Beauty In my mind today I'm celebrating life and all of it's blessings. Just when you think your tank is empty and you're scratching the bottom of the pickle jar, beautiful things happen. This past weekend we took Abbey to governor's school. ...

Birthday Trappings In my mind today, I'm thinking about birthdays and trips around the sun. Beware! I'm going to be very raw today. I'm going to give you a peek inside the life of living with PMA/ALS. It's not in the least bit glamorous...

Memorial Day 2017 In my mind today I'm remembering those who gave their entire being, existence on earth, for their country. I remember teaching American History and the amazement that my students' faces had when we dove deep into the carnage and trappings of war. It was and is terrifying...

Choose Happy! In my mind today, I'm thinking about life and death. I'm thinking about purpose. I'm thinking about troubles. I'm thinking about the end of another school year and the summer break we all anticipate. We all have these thoughts. ...

Miracles of Motherhood In my mind today I'm thankful for miracles big and small. The miracle that I'm still here and so are my siblings is one I'm truly grateful to have. I am so blessed of the miracle of my mom, Rachel, who loves us unconditionally. ...

Shepherds, Sheep, Vineyards, & Stones In my mind today I'm thinking about parables. Don't you enjoy parables? They are stories with hidden meanings. Jesus gave us many parables: the Shepherd, the gate, the vineyard, and the church. All of us are mere "sheep" in this modern world. ...

Exhausted but Exuberant In my mind today I feel relief. I scathingly survived being a representative for our local library, McIver's Grant, at our city's EXPO. I started the day full of zest and ended it with a neck that would barely hold my head up, headache from oxygen depravation and CO2 collection in my lungs, and an almost paralyzed body. ...

Where's Hope? In my mind today I'm thinking about hope. Times today seem so muddled with tragedies: illnesses, death, dishonesty, shrinking middle class, drug addictions, disunity, consumerism, greed, crime, and depression. Whew! What a list? It makes me think of my teaching days. ...