Extending Literacy with Pre-Service Teachers Asks Them to Think About Composing Stories for Their Future Students (I Began to Model Last Night)

Early in the semester, I shared photographs of a wiffleball, seeds, varying teaching mentors and books, and classrooms I've been fortunate to teach. What they didn't realize is that the photos were also used to guide a piece of writing I did for English Journal on the power of Writer's Notebooks and the need for kids to have journals for planting seeds. Several weeks have passed, and I had the students revisit a Padlet sandbox they played in with their own photographs (as a way to introduced themselves to one another). 

Last night, they created a new sandbox using only six photos....ones they might use to help write a book for their future students, about something they'd want to share. Because I'm in my childhood home, I modeled a possible kids's book I might write to help young people to understand generations. I was thinking about the number three, and how at any one time, most families operate with three generations: kids, adults, and greater adults. I found a photo of my dad and his siblings from Sherburne, New York, followed with the only adult photo I have of all three, when they united at Casey's wedding. I also shared my parent's 50th wedding cake, followed by a photo of my sisters and I from childhood, an updated photo from Casey's wedding, too, and then a photo of the grandkids, now, and how it all changes rather quickly. 

This is generational and it rolls rather predictably as one lives their lifetime. I am, because of the innocent years of perusing yearbooks, draws of photographs, books, and portraits not only in my parents, but at my grandparents, aunts, and uncles. That was my foundation for my adult years: the Crandalls and Ripleys. Of course, this is extended to the Isgars and Barnwells, too. 

Generations. 

I'm not sure what "kid book" I'll create for teaching purposes, but I had the students read Grant Snider's Poetry Comics and look at Thinking About Thinking so I could make my case about 'blocking out' the stories we hope to tell. With images, we're more likely to have the language we need to share our stories. 

I grew excited that the lesson seemed to work, and within minutes the students started filling their sandboxes with the stories they hope to write. 

Three. Three kids grew up and had kids of their own. These kids had/have kids of their own. And so on, and so on. 

And with that, let March march on. It's April tomorrow and that mean's #VerseLove 2026.

Although I Didn't Take Photos, I Found Others Who Have - Worlds Worst Shephard's Pie (Guaranteed to Feed Six)(Um...If You Like Shot-Glass Meals)

It's always fascinating when you work all day on Saturday and Sunday and non-educators ask, "are you really grading all this time?" Well, yes...and planning...and answering emails, and organizing grants. It really never ends, except when I take breaks to feed others, which I tried to do last night with a Shephard's Pie. It was a bake and go-at-it meal, but when I took it out of the oven, and began to put onto plates, I realized three of us would only get a couple of bites. It tasted alright but the fact it was a dinner for six is bull. Thankful that Doreen brought cookies for the folks so I could feed them those. Patheic.

I also gave both parents a heart attack when I screamed at the end of the UCONN/Duke game with the last minute shot and comeback. Even Karal jumped a few feed. "How are you even watching the game when your eyes never leave the screen or your fingers never quit typing?"

Um, I was watching out of the side of my eye. Amazing how strategic academics/educators become when they want to have some semblance of a weekend life.

If you type in pathetic Shepard's Pie dinners, there are photos to choose from....this one offering the most resemblance. 

Tonight begins class one with another to follow tomorrow. I'm trying to grade their work for this week so I'm ready for class tomorrow. We need to keep the semester flowing along. I'm actually looking forward to class because I'm super proud of what the students accomplished this week. They're listening and growing. Of course, I have to turn it around for Tuesday night, too.

By Wednesday, I should have more mental free time, I hope. Oi Vay. Monday and Tuesday classes mean yucky Saturdays and Sundays.

A 4.5 Hour Return to Syracuse Had Me Craving a Childhood Favorite: Chocolate Chip Cookies. I Don't Think I've Made Such Cookies in Decades

I finished The Status Game by Will Storr and started Kendi's Chain of Ideas. Both men can write. Both men do their research. Both men, in my opinion, will likely be discussed long after I'm gone as having their pulse on the insanity of these times. I had to laugh that Kendi's book has over 600 pages of citations, so he created a website to save costs for the book. That is an individual who writes with citations to others.  Now I'm curious if it is Chicago style or not. 

I thought I was going to blog this morning about the curse of getting behind a Price Chopper truck in the Berkshires, but then I hit a snow squall in Utica. By the time I got out in Syracuse it was 25 degrees. Brrrr. The good news is it is warming up to 60 all week. The bad news is it's almost 100% rain every day. It's all good. I'm here to offer care and do self-care grading...trying to maintain, sustain, and live a life of integrity. 

I did make the cookies, only because I found a bag of chips in the cupboard. It was only half a bag, so I smashed a candy bar into the mix, too. Probably added too much butter, but they're good. 

I won't have to cook because Meals on Wheels is doing that now.

I also learned that my father has a smart t.v.. I go in and warm it up so when he does go to bed, he doesn't mess up the remote control and end up knocking things over. Well, last night a blue screen came on and said that the cable box was overheating and to take caution. The culprit? Adult diapers on top of the box where it vents air. Good job, television. I didn't know it was in their wheelhouse to prevent fires. I really am impressed. 

Okay, today is Sunday. More NCAA basketball. The need to power drive through grading, and the hope to get classes ready for Monday and Tuesday. 

I always sleep great the night I drive to Syracuse, because I believe my aged eyes like to rest from being so alert on the roads. Maybe I'll be daring this week and even sleep in the Pepto Bismo bedroom. Probably not...but the bed is clear!

Well, I'll Need Another Tank of Gas Before I Depart, But All the School Goods Were Delivered: 8 Schools in One Day

All the gift baskets were filled, copies of No Place Like Home included, and I patterned out a circular drive from Stratford to Bridgeport to Fairfield to Westport to Ansonia back to Stratford, after I load Katniss Never Green-No-More for deliveries. It's always amazing to see how schools operate, including the ways they receive a man with a gift. Some schools buzz me in and allow me to go the classroom; others won't let me inside and send someone to retrieve the goods.

Loved seeing blackout poetry in classrooms, including this variation of circling and shading. To each poet, their own.

Laundry is done. House is back to the return-home form when I came home to a clean space. I need to pack up, ready the dog, and then will hit the road to Syracuse again, books downloaded and ready to go.

As for the grading...I'm not quite sure how and when I will get that all done. 

UCONN Women's Basketball still looks good....love the way March can offer a friendly hug with entertaining basketball games. Now for a happy Saturday and self travels. We got this. 

A Brief Foo Foo Fee Dinner at Founder's House in Milford Before Reconfiguring Another Week Away from the Stratford Home

I waited all day for one more package to arrive, only to find it was sent to the University in the afternoon, making it impossible to get materials to schools yesterday. I will today to work my magic, but I had, as always, a great time putting together the teacher care packages. Everything is in now and they're ready for deliveries. 

I also got to visit Lordship House, the venue to a a CWP event mid-April and the view of the Long Island Sound is simply spectacular.

Dinner at Founder's House was a spur-of-the-moment decision because Beverly is visiting Shirley in Venice, Florida, and Leo needed to eat. Actually, we all needed a good meal and great company to get our minds off the world and onto fish in mushroom sauce over risotto (at least that is what I got -- one for the record books. Cheers to the chef). 

I'm going to inhale/exhale and get to the grind this morning. The teachers will be pleased to have the care packages arriving and I will be happy to once again invest in them with the Cornelia T. Bailey grant. The spring peepers are also singing, so there's that magical night sound in the air again of frogs orchestrating their love songs. That is pure bliss, in my opinion.

Here's the Friday traditions, world, with best wishes for a spectacular weekend. Cheers. I can't wait, too, to get back to the grading needing to be done. I always feel like I'm drowning when I'm not on top of the assignments coming in.

Here's to Advocates of Visual Thinking and Learning. Wonderful to Experience Temple Grandin in Action Last Night at the Quick Center.

Dr. Pierre Orelus initiated the diversity lecture series under Dean Robert Hannafin in 2017. Each year, his committees seeks to bring a scholar to campus to represent the School of Education and Human Development. This year, under a recommendation of Dr. Alyson Martin with the perseverance of Dr. Nicole Fletcher, the team brought Dr. Temple Grandin to campus, author of many books, visionary for neurodivergent thinking, and advocate for the diversity in learning.

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is a professor, best-selling author, animal behaviorist, and autism self-advocate in top demand as an international speaker. An extraordinary inspiration for autistic children and their parents, she is the subject of the Emmy and Golden Globe winning HBO film, Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes and Julia Ormond, and she was also one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2010. 

Diagnosed with autism when she was three, Dr. Grandin’s mother rejected her doctor’s advice to institutionalize her, and provided her with intensive speech therapy, a structured home and a nurturing school environment. Later, with encouragement from her high school science teacher and an aunt who ran a ranch in Arizona, Dr. Grandin pursued a career in animal science. With unique abilities to think visually and recall small details she began to design humane live-stock handling equipment, eventually revolutionizing the industry. Today over half the cattle in North America are handled in a system she designed. Other professional activities include developing animal welfare guidelines for the meat industry and consulting with McDonalds, Wendy’s International, Burger King, and other major companies. 

Dr. Grandin has authored over 400 articles in both scientific journals and livestock periodicals on animal handling, welfare, and facility design. In her book, Thinking in Pictures, she makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers’ In a recent interview she stated, “I read in the paper that Google was starving for talent. Well, these geeky, quirky kids, we need to get them interested in science. They’re not going to get interested if they’re not exposed to it.” Of her many books, Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human were both on the New York Times best seller list. 

Dr. Grandin’s numerous awards include honorary doctorates from McGill University, University of Illinois, and Duke University. She is a fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and a past member of the board of the Autism Society of America. Dr. Grandin obtained her B.A. at Franklin Pierce College, her M.S. in Animal Science at Arizona State University, and her Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois. She is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. 

I am now in possession of three of her books (autographed) and curious as to what else I might learn from how she's brought greatness to our world. 

 

And the 130 copies of James Bird's NO PLACE LIKE HOME are in My Possession. Now to Get Writing Tools & Notebooks into Schools

Oof. The trees want to start destroying my sinus system. I had a pretty decent day of productivity and then, while teaching, the first burst of Spring gunk seemed to get in my nostrils and forehead, causing me to want to lie down with a heated wash cloth to keep a migraine from coming on. Still, I was active in the morning, made it through classes, loved teaching the students I have the honor to work with, and came home to close my eyes and call it a day. 

I wish I had the answer to preventing the ugliness of a sinus system.

I am excited, however, to deliver to 8 schools and over 100 kids the materials to lead to the 2026 Writing Our Lives & Bravely Belonging - There's No Place Like Home workshops to keep Connecticut writers moving forward with their own education. I can never be prepared enough on how fast the time flies when things really get moving. 

On my own Homefront, mom is at home and the recovery is continuing. The little sister is holding down the fort and the older one is ready to return to all the greatness she does. We can only approach it all with patience, tenderness, love, and care.

And I have a hangnail. They bite, too. I need nu-skin. 

Today, without classes, I'm running around doing the errands it requires to finish the preparation work of school deliveries. Tonight, too, I have the honor of attending Temple Grandin at the Quick. 

Finally, another Tremfiya shot inserted. Stay away psoriasis. And this, my friends is a humpday post. 

A Room Full of Students - More Hands - Make the Work Week Easier. Shouting Out to the Team of Extending Literacy Learners for Their Help This Evening.

I needed to have 150 writers' notebooks assembled - six boxes of composition books with grant-focused stickers, and the students came to the rescue. What would have taken a day to do, they accomplished in 15 minutes and, yes, there is something therapeutic about peeling stickers and putting them on a book.

Done. 

Most of yesterday was spent catching up on grading and readying for the evening work and although it was a bit frantic in my not-screwed-on correctly brain, we accomplished the evening goals and were able to move the course along. 

I'm also thankful for Dr. Rona Preli who forwarded a salad my ways because it had garlic in it and she can't eat garlic. I took that bad boy home and ate it for a late meal. It was spicy, but oh-so-good. If it wasn't for that salad I probably would have had a handful of peanuts.

Karal, too, adjusted to alone time on Mt. Pleasant, which she hates, but we did get a little hike in, too...midday to clear my brain. 

Today is another day...another round of figuring things out and trying to stay afloat. I see you, Tuesday. We got you, too. 

Well, It Rained. I Finished Applegate and Move to The Status Game by Will Stohr. Walked Karal and Temporarily Resettled

The gray and rain is normal for March, I guess. Traffic was smooth, but on the backroads of the Berkeshires, getting behind Sunday drivers is maddening. I was good, though, I stayed engrossed with my Audible books, tearing up as Christina Applegate concluded her memoir beautifully and then moving to The Status Game: On Social Position and How We Use It. I am thankful to Nic Stone for the recommendation. I'm intrigued. 

The premise is that, as tribal creatures, our DNA is mechanized for social grouping and, over 1,000s of years, we've built our stories on the way we position ourselves in groupings of others, creating a status. So far, the book has dealt with duals, sports, suicide, serial killers, and the phenomenon of social media and how that status of likes and selfies and positioning, etc. has created a dilemma for all of us as th online presence is hypnotic and messing with how we measure status. 

Me? It's a weird concept for me, because I've always been interested in social groupings, tend to weave in and out of them, but much prefer days of solitary independence. I've never wanted to be part of the group that would have me, as Groucho Marks often quipped. as its member. It was interesting to listen to the theories of we moved to material items to name our status since WWII: the cars, the tools, the clothing, the technology. We gravitate towards goods (even foods) because they are a way to give us status and, hence, meaning for our lives. A house of books...well, that puts me in the tribe of scholars and educators. They are my trophies for building an identity. 

That makes total sense.

I prepped some of my classes, grabbed milk and bananas at Big Y, and settled in to watch more college basketball, although I don't appear to have any of the channels with men's games (just the women's on ESPN). I can't keep up with the way networks are dividing up the sports world viewing. It, too, is part of status building and, gosh darn it...it's March.

Here's to a Monday back in Connecticut. Best wishes for a week of care and recovery for all.

Leaving Dad with Good Garlic Chicken for the Next Few Days While I Return to CT to Regroup, Organize, and Return.

Having a Wegman's down the street is a blessing and the Kansas BBQ sauce in a crock pot with drumsticks, garlic, and Buck's season makes for melt-in-your-mouth chicken that is perfect with vegetables and pasta or rice. For some reason, Mom and Dad had a tray of 16 sticks needing to be cooked, so I threw them in and ta-da. Deliciousness. 

Sad to see both Fairfield Women's and Louisville Men's team go down in the tournament. Excited for Syracuse and Louisville's Women's teams, though. Keeps me engaged with he madness of March. 

I probably should have spent more time grading and planning for the week ahead, but cleaning my sister's room for two days to organize for their sleepovers and parental cares took a lot of time and energy. I did the bathroom last night, as well, hoping the house will be left in good condition for a...hopefully...Monday return. As Mike fixed (or attempted to fix) Mom's chair, Karal loved hunting for Bridge Mix, chips, and pretzels that fell from inside the chair when we tipped it over to try to re-attached the wood frame on the left arm. .

I think Dad enjoyed the day of basketball, although he changes the channel and can never find his way back to what he was watching. 

I've been wearing the same four outfits for two weeks now, and to be honest, they are most comfortable clothes. I wish we only needed to wear sweatpants and pull overs. 

Not sure when I'm taking off...might walk Karal before I go, since I didn't get her to the streets yesterday. Prayers for easy traffic on my return. 

Hitting the SEND Button Never Gets Old (Even If Another Hit It). The Ball Is Over the Net, Hopefully for the Last Laps.

For three I've been mentoring a student as a Corrigan Scholar, and our time together went forward because we've been writing for publication as the final stage. When he chose this was what he wanted, I knew immediately I would do everything in my power to make sure it happened. It most definitely looks like it is happening, but I never have total faith until I have a copy in my hand. 

Even so, it feels good that we are in the last steps and what comes next should be the copy edits. 

As for the 81 traffic today and the mad woman who was beyond irate at it, I feel ya. Twice: to drop Cynde off and to pick Cynde up I dealt with that traffic. I'm still rolling my eyes. But, it is what it is.

I really wanted a Friday-pick-something-up-dinner, but Dad got hungry quickly and I knew I couldn't leave him alone. He'd try to cook while I ran out, so I made a fast dinner and then started tackling another project, including a few loads of laundry.

Newsflash: Dad doesn't like half-moon cookies. He also didn't like the pastries I got him, he told me, as he was eating his third in a row. That' about how it is going. He's low maintenance, but the needs he has an are enormous if you're not keeping an eye out for him. 

Now, it's another Saturday. Many good women's and men's basketball games today. Let the adventure continue. 

At This Point, It's About a Happy Stomach and Contentment. Not Cinnamon Cake This Time, But Banana Bread for Butch.

The part about mom being at Upstate, is all her bananas were left at home. They were getting Brown quick and I thought, "It's been a minute since made banana bread. I should give this a shot." This is exactly what I did. And there were enough bananas to make two loaves. Of course, when I gave dad a warm piece, he proceed to frost it as if it was cake with butter. I found it tasty on its own.

I also made a pot of chicken noodle soup - even added celery and I hate celery. Dad ate two giant bowls and loved it. I thought it tasted kind of meh. I never really liked chicken noodle soup, but there has to be variations in the recipe to liven it up some. I did add ginger and even red pepper, but I thought it had little flavor.  

The rest of the day I worked, problem-solved, advised, responded, double-checked, attended, and prayed. Also go ta walk in with Karal, which was nice because it was above 30 degrees. Dad had baseball movies on all day. In fact, he found his own way to turn on the t.v., which is very unusual. It's been at volume 48 ever since (I'm sure you can hear it...just open a window and take a listen).

Also got to spend the evening with Nic Stone and Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz (two of my favorite people I've been fortunate to meet). They were in conversation about Nic's books for adolescent readers and th way it all connect with Yolie's theoretical understanding of knowing thy self, and the necessity of archaeological work.

And back to Dad's tv-watching. All day long, movies play that have always been in the backdrop of my life, but I never had time to watch. I still don't watch, but I listen and have to look up from time to time. The actors in the movies are 30 years older than the age I probably should have watched such flicks. Now, at 53, it's sort of surreal and have flashbacks of the cinema that every day people watched. 

If you are a teacher, you don't have time to keep track of the ways generations are entertained. You're too busy doing the job you signed up for...so watching flicks from the past, I simply have to laugh at how foolish a generation of entertained beings have been. It's precious and all I can say is, "God Bless Our Species." 

TGIF.

The Trip to Wegman's While Home in Syracuse to Get a Roast Beef Sub Will Never Get Old. Now They Know How to Make a Sandwich.

Did the grocery run at Wegman's which meant I was also able to put in an order for a roast beef, provolone, loaded sub on an everything roll. Although Dad ate most of it, I did get my bites in while doing office-at-the-parental-front in the morning. Delicious. 

Also traded Cynde, and I visited Mom at Upstate. Her roommate was definitely not going allow them to chop off her toes, so she left. The procedure was supposed to be in the morning. Whoever it was...mom thought it was a man, but it was a woman who likely smokes 2 packs a day. She was not having what the experts had to say, so called her daughter to come get her. Nurse told her it was not the medical recommendation to leave the hospital, but that woman was keeping her toes. Of course, the rotting grapes under bed begged to differ. I said, "Mom, look. She left her toes."

Believe it or not, another batch of assignments came in so the grading must commence once more. Ugh.

As for Syracuse construction....I'm still wondering who thought it was a good idea to do major road work on I-81, 481, and I-690 all at the same time. 

I can breathe a sigh of relief, though, that the temperatures look like they're on the upswing again with no snow in the near future. I sure hope so. 

Another cup of coffee, and back to emails, grading, meetings, and grants. 

Phew! Ten Years Ago Today Seems Like a Different World. Jason Passed. There is No Annual DC Trip with NWP. Definitely A Marker in Time

In yesterday's Facebook memories, a picture of Dr. Jason Courmanche (UCONN), Danielle Peretti (then Grad Students at UCONN), and I while in Representative John Larson's office, someone took our photo. It was right before doing a shot with the politician and his staff, too. It was St. Patrick's Day. We used to meet every March during my Spring Break to lobby with the National Writing Project. It was part of the work, a reunion, and time to advocate for teachers and schools. 

That was also the year that everything in DC began to change. The Tea Party voted out funding streams that supported NWP work, many of the Senators and Representatives from parts of the U.S. no longer were interested in hearing teachers from their State, and then the larger political craziness began, followed by Covid, followed by more and more and more political crazy. 2016 to 2026 have been a decade, indeed. 

I miss our DC trips through, which also involved one night of tequila somewhere...we often met Jason's friends who lived in the area. He was an every man's man...loved by many. And now he's been gone for over a year. Daniel, in fact, is acting in his position as the other National Writing Project Director in Connecticut.

And University administration is ga-ga over A.I. and Departments of Education are Defunding grants, programs, and support for children in the United States is at an all-time low. And I see the photo of me in DC....driven by a career in education, a doctorate, the opportunity direct my own National Writing Project site and give back all the greatness it game me as a teacher....I see Jason who had the same love and pride for the work as I do, and I see the hope that March always brought us when visiting our Congressmen and women from all over the U.S., our Representatives, and how none of that exists any more. Poof. Gone. A photograph of what once was. And what it was, was the heart and soul of the best professional development for teachers ever...an investment in educators to work towards best literacy practices with all students...all with an emphasis on writing.

Perhaps historians of the future will look at the phenomenon of blogging and read what they may see as a silly bunch of words talking about investing in years, and supporting youth to write, and having politicians that represent the people....and start laughing, because it would be so odd to the world views they might have. Why would kids write? Why have teachers? That is so 2016!

Okay, Wednesday...time to flip some things around. Mid-week. Let's restore some sanity, okay?

Yellow? Yellow? Can You Tell Me What Time It Is? What Did the Banana Say to the Alarm Clock? Nothing. Bananas Can't Talk.

It's best not to ask, says Cynde. Don't open his drawers. You don't want to know. Don't I? Why Wouldn't I? Apparently there's food stored in there, too. I mean, the banana stored on the clock has me curious.

I've come to expect the unexpected. So, Perhaps it is best not to ask questions. Maybe Dad stores it there because he loves to pull the one-liner, "No. It's a banana in my pocket."

Hoping mom is getting the rest she needs, even though the circumstances aren't the greatest. Hoping my students thought the online class was worthwhile, as I wan't there to teach in person. Hoping there's not too much snow out there right now. Hoping I find inspiration to teach class tonight. 

"You're just like your mom. Chasing me around with that medicine stuff," avoiding the appealing fruit he placed on the clock. 

And the Monday warm temperatures have swapped for winter chills again. We knew this was coming. 

Just glad there are more bananas in the kitchen. I might go around the house and doctorate all the clocks.

Shhhh' It Happens. Twenty Years Later Before a Commencement Talk the Birds Keep Doing their Do Upon Me. This Time, My Car (Oh, & Then There's My Dad)

I knew on Saturday that the birds bombed my car. I have no idea why they hit my car on both sides, when there are no trees for them to branch upon. Yet, plagued Katniss-Never-Green-No-More was attacked. Cynde said, "you should get it washed," but after picking her up at the hospital the car wash by her house was closed. I learned yesterday it was down. I tried again.

Why? Apparently, while making breakfast, dad went outside to 'clean' my car with a paper towel. When Cynde and Mike visited in the afternoon, they asked what the 'hell' happened to my car. We guess dad washed it with a paper towel, which resulted in smeared bird shit on the sides and cross the windows. I only got a photo of the driver's side. At one point I panicked thinking he went out with soft scrub and wiped down the entire care. Nope. It was absolutely bird shit, dried to look like melted marshmallows dusted across the metal frame.

After fixing a fridge door (another story), I went out to see the car. I rolled my eyes and took Karal for a walk. I needed mental space and fresh air. I returned and took dad with me to get it washed. I told him I was going to make him get out of the car so he could follow me into the wash. He needs a bath, too (and he promised he'd take one). He hasn't. 

It seems cleaning up crap was theme for Sunday, and I'm glad mom was finally getting a hospital room of her own. Nobody likes being in a hospital. 

The car wash did what it needed to do. The crap came off. I came home to cook Dad a dinner and then called cousin Patrick to talk with him, my Aunt Bobbie, and my Uncle Dick. 

Okay. Time to wrap up. Got to get tonight's class ready, in anticipation of just about anything that could happen. 

Hit the Pause Button & Spending More Time in Syracuse to Help Out the Parental Units Where I Can. Extra Sets of Hands & Eyes Are Needed.

I made the right call. I realized this when dad tried to use the remote control to call Karen Pera and later tried to change the channels on the t.v. with the phone. I was packed to leave for CT when mom's medical issues of the week came to a head and she thought it best to go to the ER to find out what is really going on (which we're all glad she chose to do). The stomach issues, swelling, breathing, heart troubles, and loss of appetite seemed to signal it was time. We convinced her to let us drop her off at Upstate so we din't trigger the gossip circle with an ambulance. 

I picked up Cynde, she stayed with her all day, and I picked Cynde back up when it looked she was going to be kept overnight and they hadn't found anything conclusive. After we left, they did a CT scan and we are now waiting on results. Funny how a niece in nursing, passwords, and today's MyChart world can allow us all to get nosey from various locations.

I ruled out pregnancy early on.

I returned to care for Papa Butch. Kept him fed, pacified his emotions and worries, and helped him find television to watch, and finished grading all the material that was turned in. Should I have to stay another week, I can teach my courses from my parent's house.

For now, however, we await news and work to figure out a plan of action from there. I charged up the iPad and that is with mom in the hospital, so at least she can communicate with us and not be absolute bored with the inattentiveness of medical personnel. I appreciate the great work people do in the medical profession, but it is beyond frustrating when they are non-communicative. Of course, these things always happen on the weekends...

And for these reasons, I'm pausing my usual play mode. I'm not sure where the week ahead will land, but I'm thankful I have the options to take a timeout so I'm useful to items much more important. 

So, now...bring on Selection Sunday and the Oscars. More importantly, give my mother good news to bring her health back to par. 

Stocked Up the Parental Unit's Fridge & Cupboards, Got Some Grading Done, Walked Karal in a Squall, & Now Needing to Return to Connecticut

Truth be told: I wish I could finish out the semester remotely. Teach from Amalfi Drive. Balance out being a good son and maintaining a teaching career. Ah, work doesn't work this way. Perhaps during Covid-19, but not the years following.

Made omelets for lunch, sloppy joe's for dinner, and another cinnamon cake to leave behind (wondering if Dad will devour this one like he did in the last one). 

Karal and I walked when I needed a break from grading and somehow timed it with the snow. We maintained the pace, even if were both became frosty with snow layer upon us. It was cold. 

Didn't make it to Wegman's this trip, but hit Price Chopper up a few times. There is lunch and dinner for a week, and leftovers to get into as soon as Karal and I leave. Soft foods. Easy to cook foods. Finger foods (like donuts and muffins, which my father will have gone by the time I hit Albany). 

Suppose I'll need to fill the tank. Need my morning coffee first. No rush. Sun's out in CT and I'll lose myself listening to an audiobook. 

Time to get back to the Stratford routine. 

Cuz-o-War After Cicero Country Pizza Dinner, a Day of Grading, the Return of the Cold, and More College Hoops

As I began noting earlier this week, Spring Break matches nicely with the beginning of March Madness, and even though I typically keep the volume off and just look up from time to time, it is 100% conducive with a week-long grading fest (of course, I've only finished done class and now have the other one to dig into). 

Mom wasn't feeling well, so Dad and I drove to Cynde's to get Karal out of the house. It was also physical therapy in the afternoon, so resting wasn't the usual option. It might have been the lunch, too. Kielbasa, taters, and salad didn't appeal to either parent. We had Cicero Country Pizza which tastes exactly the same as it did 40 years ago (it's the Sicilian crust and the sauce....very memorable). I'm amazed the restaurant is still doing at it has always done. That is not the way of all eating places.

I love seeing Lucie and Karal play (talk about two names out of the 40s & 50s), and when they leap from couch to couch. They're both strange pups, but somehow accompany one another well. Love when they begin cuz-o-war. 

Hoping for another productive grading day today, knowing I need to get back to plan the week ahead. And yes it was cold. Yes, it snowed last night. Yes, it hurt. And yes, I knew it wasn't over.

And I think I need to go to Wegman's.

A Gray, Rainy Day for Grading (He Tries to Tell Himself) But He Sees a Spider Plant and a CNY March Cloud Cover with Some Light & All Feels Comfortable

Dad killed the cinnamon cake for breakfast. Guessing he got good and sugared, because it sent him directly to the couch for a nap that lasted most of the day. Louisville won its basketball game. Karal didn't get a walk. The parental units ate McDonald's after news of more medical items needing an eye to keep up with them. The mid-life children, aging parents part of the life cycle.

Perhaps that is why a scene out of the window from North Med caught my attention. The cracks in the sky letting some light down (Lord knows Syracuse fights such light with all its might), the spider plan which was throwing offshoots for the picking, a small pond and leafless trees. The shine of the light trying to peak through the gray seemed to calm the moment.

I also took Alyssa and Bri out to The Retreat...good catching up with them both. Always a good location for a meal.

I seriously need to get serious about serious grading today. I have to put a dent in as much as I possibly can before the weekend, which I need to use to kick multiple plans into action.

Hard to believe it's already mid-march 2026. Also hard to believe the post Spring-break pace is about to launch in 3...2...1. Ugh.

Grading it will be today...and errands. Hoping the rain will keep me indoors once more. 

Spring Break Isn't a Bad Time to Align with Conference Tournaments as Day Long Basketball Seems To Serve as a Decent Distraction

Although I need to be grading. I did conduct an interview in the morning, hit send on another project, attended a national webinar to raise money for teachers in Minneapolis to buy books for kids, and baked a cinnamon coffee cake. Karal was also walked, although she had so much energy all day, especially when Casey stopped by because she had a hair appointment in the area. She finally tuckered out around 8 p.m., but I didn't think she was ever going to settle.

Syracuse lost. Seems to be a common saying to sum up their season. Louisville plays tomorrow. We shall see. Doesn't seem like the tournament has the hype it had during all the years I lived in Kentucky.

Mom has doctor's appointments today (maybe a haircut) and she has her black shoes ready to go. ESPN is only showing Division III games, so I'm thankful my ESPN app online was able to access the games I really wanted to watch (while Dad ate two places of cinnamon swirl cake). 

Got to talk to Sean-man, albeit briefly, as he's up at Clarkson getting ready to head out of his Spring Break - he's off next week and is hoping for a trip to Sydney in the Fall.

It was a beautiful day. 70 degree temperatures with cooler winds...great for hiking around the neighborhood. I do need to tackle materials to be graded, and put it off 24 hours because they're calling for rain the rest of the time I'll be in Syracuse. I figure hunkering under a blanket while the wet stuff falls from traditionally gray CNY skies is totally conducive with a day of assessing student work (although I am trying to have some semblance of down time...just a little)

I Can Hear Abu Hollaring, "Noooooo." My Once-a-Year-Facial Cleanse. I Shaved Down to the Skin, Just Because I'm On Break. The Goatee Will Return

I could never do a ZZ Top beard.  I'm rather regular with the goatee, but trimmed at level 2, because after a certain length, the hair starts to get greasy. I hate when the facial hair gets greasy. And then there's a time that the trimmed hair just gets too think, especially underneath my nostrils. So I shave. I look weird. I get it. It always grows back.

And it grows back all white. There's a little pepper in there, but for the most part, my facial hair is all snow. So, shaved, I look younger (and weird). It is what it is.

Made a pot pie for Mom & Dad last night, worked on a couple of pieces to be published, also shaved my father (whose facial hair was much longer, needing me to go to the store to get shaving cream and better blades), and walked the dog. In the evening, I enjoyed the 3-peat win of the Fairfield Women's Basketball team who outlasted Quinnipiac for another championship. I'm happy for them because they are a fantastic crew of human beings. 

And now for Tuesday...the other day this week will be warm with sun (then the rain returns)(then the facial hair returns).

Shhhh. I know I should be grading and I will regret I haven't started. I promise I'll get on it. But I want to enjoy the sun while it's out. 

Thankful to My Friend Dr. Michelle Farrell for My Penzey Spices Full of Love, Hope, and Meaning. Looking Forward to Getting Them Into My Food

The temperatures warmed up. I got office work done at my parents in the morning, ran errands for them in the afternoon (as they napped), and managed to stop to get them chicken pho and shrimp pho, which I think they enjoyed. Something about the spring forward loss of sleep made me crave one more bout with the universal stomach balm. 

Karal and I also got a long walk in, brushed her down (she's shedding like a fiend), and played some ball. In the evening, I caught the Siena/Fairfield game at night, and began thinking about my Penzey spices back home and getting them to work in all the outdoor cooking to come.

Hoping for a beautiful world on my back porch and with the summer grill.

Looks like two more days of sunshine before several days of rain and a return to snow. I want to take advantage of those days before the temperatures drop...need the Vitamin D and dread the inevitable that winter is not over. I am calling it now. 

Now, I need to think about another day in Syracuse. Mondays are so much better when they come without meetings and don't require courses to teach. I shall enjoy the time to catch up on grading. 

Made It to Central New York and Rode the Entire Way Up with Christina Applegate at My Side (Not My Usual Listen, But Super Glad I Did)

Truth is, I viewed Kelly Bundy in the same way that Christina Applegate did. I had not idea that her character was a spoof on the kind of rock chick at the time, nor that she was far away from what that character portrayed. I also didn't know we were the same age, so much of her memories aligned with my own, including the high school years of finding punks to hang out with, seeking a counter-culture, and trying to make sense of a post-80s childhood. It makes sense that the original plan was not the Huxtables.

Another truth is I would never have paid further attention to her, except the show Dead to Me came highly recommended, it caught my attention, and I enjoyed the performances from the beginning. That is why Season 3 threw me off. What was going on with Christina Applegate. I immediately started reading everything I could, channeling my Grannie Annie who always claimed she much preferred a memoir over any one else's fiction. A lived life holds the greater wisdom.

And Christina Applegate's memoir, You With the Sad Eyes, was exactly that. I have my car loaded with books I want to finish this week, but made time for this memoir, simply because I'm intrigued about someone who was in the limelight, only to learn that the limelight was somewhat of a miraculous story full of hardships, chances, coincidences, and difficulties. Who'd of thought the bombshell was a ball of total insecurities?

Either way. I enjoyed the book and am thankful, too, that Chitunga is doing my taxes. What this means is I need to be by the phone to answer is pop-up questions. Hope I won't owe too much this year. The promotion for Full puts me in another category of nail-biting. We shall see. 

Only time will tell. And now whenever I hear Cindy Lauper's song, I will be thinking of Christina Applegate. The memoir really did take me by surprise as it was not anything like I thought it'd be. 

Special Visit from Cousin Mark - a One Night Stop-Over, Mini-Reunion for Not Only Us, but the Dogs. Great Night.

I hunkered around another 24 hours because my cousin Mark was in Boston visiting his daughter at Northeastern and hopes to stop by for a night on his way home. It seemed like a good idea to me, as I was able to get a few on-campus pieces checked off before he arrived. 

It was a quick trip. A walk, dinner, some college basketball, sleep, and departures. He's heading back to Amagansett and I'm heading up to Syracuse. 

Mark arrived with Webster and he gets along marvelously with Karal. The best part of having both is the amount of play time they get with one another. When we went to Bin 100 for dinner (tuna, mussels, pasta...all good) for dinner, we came home and both dogs were good and settled. 

Been an interesting run, thinking about our 20s, 30s, 40s, and now 50s. Interesting to think about the youth work we both do and how we stay true to the ages we love, we have gotten old. It is fascinating to reflect on this history as it has happened....time...changes...the stories. He updated me on Babs, my Aunt's sister, and his cousin in Utah. Babs moved to Utah when she couldn't maintain her own home in Seattle. Nope. The stories don't sit still.

Today, I hope to travel to Syracuse where I'll reside for a few days to regroup. 

Last night, I found comedy with Mark and the dogs as they all fell asleep. I ended up watching the gams on my own. Always great to catch up. Always. 

More Than Six Years Ago Ger Duany's WALK TOWARD THE RISING SUN Arrived for Feedback. And Yesterday a Collaboration Arrived in the Mail.

A super shout-out to Drs. Steffany Comfort Maher and Alice Hays for their outstanding vision for creating Identity, Criticality, and Advocacy in Young Adult Literature: Training Teacher to Empower Students in the ELA Classroom. When I saw the call, I pitched the idea to Ger Duany, author of Walk Toward the Rising Sun, to share ways I've used the book in my own teaching and to offer hope to young people who arrive to the United States from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. This work arrived in a much different period of history, when classroom teachers sought all the ways we could find to support the young people we work with and teach. Chapter 14, our chapter, is entitled "How to Become the Sun - Walking with Ger Duany," and highlights not only the incredible life journey he's lived, but all the curricular modifications made with students as I taught it several times across multiple courses. 

Advocating and out of the classroom is central to my life mission. 

Fortunate for me, I was able to utilize a friendship and Ger's work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (he is an ambassador) and to tap on the identity framework offers by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad to highlight identify as a location for hosting conversations with young people. I framed the writing in the Jesuit traditions of human togetherness: Who am I? Who are you? Who might we be together?

I was out with students (celebrating their presentations at a national conference last Friday) and came home to the arrival of the publication. Projects such as these are years in the making and I'm always happy to see them in print. 

It's now time to transition thoughts to CNY celebrations, including Papa Butch's birthday (which I'll be late for because my cousin Mark is driving through town and we have much to catch up). Bring on the Pepsi cans, coin purses, snow blowing, and lawn mowers. I'm looking forward to cooking meals for the parental units and laying low on various chairs over the next week. Hoping the warm weather predictions are true so I can walk several miles to make up for the delayed steps from blizzards, ice, and rain. I just need to move. 

It's Friday...I'm in over drive getting as much prepared for the weeks to come, as grant work takes planning, time, much energy, and tremendous foresight. I'm using my arrival to Amalfi Drive as inspiration.

In the mean time, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!

In Celebration of Staff Who Do the Work of Giants - Retirement Worth a Lunch and a Heart-Felt Hug

If you serve as Chair of Rank & Tenure, you become of any and all who support the process and work with incredible integrity. The legacy of incredible staff is also passed down, so when you hear such a hero is retiring, you stop the world and you take her lunch.

Lucky for me I had a mother who did the work of giants, even as administrators made more money, created the work, and took the credit. I've always been the behind-the-scenes fellow, recognizing the on-the-ground labor of who makes things work. 

I'm so happy for Joan Millen who will work her last day on March 9th. I got lucky and was able to take her to lunch yesterday with my friend Dr. Michelle Farrell. Molto's. What an incredible lunch meal. 

I left for schools soon after and got to spend the day dreaming up possibilities with administrators and teachers. There will be more of that today, as I try to find away to work in grading.

Woke up to delayed schools because of supposed frozen rain yesterday, giving me an unexpected two hours. With released time, my imagination runs wild and I get myself into trouble.

Also had a ZOOM meeting with an intellectual and National Writing Project mentor. It's hard not to love the work we're fortunate to do, even at times of educational disparity. Go, Teachers Go! I see you.

Motivating Adolescent Learners with Literacy Night: Course Readings, Lesson Plans, Theory, and Well, Little Red Balloons to the Rescue

First of all, I rarely frequent Family Dollar, but they have balloons. The contact high was also palpable, as the store had that special stench in every aisle I perused in search of the balloons. It was a $1.50 well spent, and a special shout-out to the Class of 2006 who were only motivated by keeping a balloon in the air and learning conversationally, rather than with a text. You do what you have to do to keep kids engaged and curious of the content to be delivered. 

Students came to class last night, across a variety of content areas, and began the night with questions to be answered, all the while keeping the red balloons in the air. I liked the carnival atmosphere and enjoyed the smiles they had on their faces and the fact they didn't want to end the activity (I've found this to be true with most audiences). We moved to course readings, more textual lineages, and then the content-specific lessons they created for reading Victory Stand: Raising My Fist for Justice.

The students also did a psychological questionnaire online to get feedback on what motivates them best, and what kind of 'doer' they are. I'm in the middle and tend to be motivated by joy (hence the balloons) and an intrinsic drive that isn't bothered much my extrinsic awards or being criticized. I just am who I am. I'm Popeye, I guess. 

This morning I'm out in schools. I will have a fantastic lunch to applaud an amazing staff member who is retiring, and I will come home to motivate myself to start grading the big projects that arrived this week. I will also try to find a way to unwind and sleep properly, as I'm spent.

It's Wednesday. And I hear the temperatures are about to climb. I can't wait to get out of the wet, cold cycle we've encountered throughout January/February. 

Cheers. Get yourself a balloon.

Um. Who Am I? What Day Is It? What Just Happened? Oh...Tuesday. Another Marathon Day with a Little More Stretch Time. Phew

The day really began at 6:30 a.m. and ran until 9:30 p.m.. My intention was to get home midday to walk and care for the dog, but there wasn't even a second where I could attempt to go to the parking lot. This is to say that a Nurse Search candidate was well-received, we passed many items at ESTP and at Academic Council, the dice I rolled with new instruction for Extending Literacy went exceptionally well. I wanted to shift them to reading non-fiction so paired a current event with a reading of James Bird's Wolf Club. 

First: a short PBS News Hour video about Punch followed by an article I found written in India: Why the Internet Can't Stop Crying Over Punch the Monkey, 

Then a distribution of several Grant Snider comics from Thinking About Thinking.

This followed with passages from Wolf Club that pretty much brought forward all the learning from the video, article, and the comics together as a theme for reading the James Bird novel. 

It was a nonfiction lesson to help enhance the reading of fiction. In that sense, a very Kelly Gallagher-esque article of the week. The better part...the graduate students could stop and think about their learning so they, too, could adapt to older kids in their elementary teaching. I love when everything comes together as if I'm a professional who knows what he's doing from time to time. Better yet, I love with lightbulbs go off in the heads of my students and they thank you for teaching them and stay after to discuss their thinking even more. It's fascinating when you have those days as a teacher. 

Of course, waking up this morning, I realize I have to start all over again tomorrow. But I'll get there...I just need the coffee to kick in first. 

They Tried with Brian, but the Good News with Plate Syrup is It is Easy to Correct. A Celebration Two Weeks Later

The problem with a busy schedule is there's not much time to celebrate the milestones. Dr. Michelle Farrell has been trying to get me out for weeks, especially since I said the one thing that makes me happy is to go to a diner and get an omelette. That finally occurred yesterday with home fries and rye toast. I was beyond happy. The surprise came with a slice of cherry pie and singing waiters/waitresses. Brian (equivalent to moron in Danmark) was celebrated, naturally. It was an easy fix.

I'm not even going to try to comprehend the schedule I need to keep today and tomorrow, so I will just say that most of Sunday was spent getting ready for evening classes, because there's no time to prepare during the days. Yes, I told my nurse colleague I could be at their job search because I cancelled my yearly checkup. She wasn't happy. I was honest with her. They will just tell me that my sugar is high, my blood pressure is high, and I need to do something to bring down the stress. I assured my nurse friend that cancelling a doctor's appointment was one way to subdue the stress. I know what they are going to tell me...I just need to find a way to keep up with the job I currently have. 

As I talked with her, she pointed out how silly that sounds. It's true. She's in the same boat, and she reminded me that they will replace us within milli-seconds should we no longer be able to work. I agree. I just need to pull away from the dysfunction and stop trying to fix everything (even though that is what I do because I love the job I do and my students). Stand back and let others see it all for what it is.  

Karal and I got a long walk in yesterday, although it was very cold on some streets where there was more shade. The warm sun didn't quite reach those areas. But when walking in the sun, it was really nice. 

I am, though, forever grateful for my birthday omelette and the numerous spices purchased for me from Pencey's. Yes, barbecue season is around the corner. 

I'm read for tonight's class and will make it around 5 p.m. - just in time. Tomorrow night's class...well, I need to figure that out some time on Tuesday. 

Happy Monday, folks. Hope there's rye toast somewhere near your horizon.

I Can Always Count on This Look in My Day-to-Day Routines. It's the Won't Leave Your Side Co-Dependent In-Your-Face Love of Karal the Dog

When I go to bed, there is no dog. When I wake up, there's a dog curled up behind my knees. Then, this dog comes downstairs with me and sleeps until noon. She wants a walk by then and returns with the need to be in my lap, on my shoulders, at my side, or playing a game. When you don't do what she wants, she growls, stares, barks, growls, and stares again. If it wasn't so cute, it would be outright creepy.

I used weekend day one to, well, review articles, grade, and attend funerals. I will be doing the same on Sunday, without the funerals. Monday, as typical, are loaded with meetings until I teach at night. I need the weekends to be ready for the week. Also had a long overdue conversation with a colleague who is missed very much.

(I need to point out that as I write this, I'm getting the 3rd degree from a growl-talking dog). 

I'm also looking forward to getting a diner omelette for lunch as friends are taking me out for a belated birthday. I'm inhaling and exhaling, as I need to be all-in this week, at the same time I need to find a way to ease up on the insanity.

Oh, snap. It's already March. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!