The arrival of the Dog Days of summer have gotten me thinking about my childhood – in particular, playing Kick the Can, a popular after-dinner pastime in my old neighborhood. Each night, kids who lived within a two-block radius of our house would slowly gather, like itinerant moths drawn by the first flickering flame of a Lone Star lightning bug display. I grew up during the 1950s in far West Texas, about 30 miles from the New Mexico border, where it was crucial to wait until nightfall to … [Read more...]
Taking a Stand
If an alien landed in our country during the past year or two and began following the news, he or she might conclude that American is a nation at war with itself, based on the ugly level of public discourse that too often goes unchallenged. As I think back to my time as a teacher, principal and school superintendent, I would have never accepted the kind of rude and disrespectful behavior we’ve become accustomed to these days, without an intervention. As an educator, however, I also realize that … [Read more...]
What Difference Does It Make?
If you’re a parent, grandparent or caretaker, you know how important the first day of school is. Regardless of if your child is enrolling kindergarten or beginning their senior year in high school, having a good start to the academic year makes all the difference. Take a kindergarten classroom, for instance. An ambiance on the first day that invites exploration, excitement and a feeling of safety can erase the difficulty of a parental good bye. When I was a superintendent, I marveled at the … [Read more...]
The Poignancy of Anne Murray’s “Snowbird”: A reminder of life’s changing seasons and sadness over what might have been
Springtime has been quietly creeping back into the West Texas landscape these past few weeks and, I must admit, its arrival comes none too soon for me. The warmer weather that accompanies the vernal equinox brings with it returning flocks of migratory birds whose noisy cacophony in the early mornings and around twilight is like that of Midwest retirees, just off the plane following an extended stay in the Florida sun and eager to catch up on the local gossip. Spring has always been my … [Read more...]
Musical Memories: Ripple
It was about 25 years ago when I first became acquainted with the music of the Grateful Dead. Unlike many of the other rock bands or mainstream music acts I’d grown to know and love in the 50s, 60s and 70s, the music of the Grateful Dead always had seemed somehow different and less accessible to me. Ironically, my first true introduction to the band came later in my life through my daughter Laura. As we sat in Laura’s living room one evening, “Ripple” began to play. I was immediately … [Read more...]
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