F is for Flowers.

 

The kids and I planted many packets of wildflowers in one of our garden boxes. We watered religiously and waited and waited. A cat decided that our garden is a great place for a litter box. I have multiple cat defense barriers. The damn cat still digs and poops. Sorry cat lovers. I do not like cats and this hideous feline has solidified my hatred. (Being allergic was the biggest prior factor). 

This lonely flower is the sole survivor in our wildflower experiment of 2026. It isn’t much but that flower is hope and believe it or not it still brings me joy everyday when I water.  

Do I know what kind of flower it is? Is the kind of flower my favorite this year? You bet!

T is for True Confessions

 True confessions:

I love hamburgers. 

I eat ketchup on eggs. 

I have students I would not want to meet in a dark alley. 

I have students I would do anything for. 

I laugh so hard at a few girls in my health class. 

I did say: “I can’t learn it for you” in class this week. 

I am so glad it is the weekend. 

I need to get out of bed. 

I am not writing this in Thursday, it is Saturday. 

I lie to my kids all the time. Hmmm…Christmas. 

I’m a little behind on writing. 

I love that the current temp is 66 degrees.

I like baseball more than football.

I like rugby more than football.

I hate that streaming has ruined sports watching.

My new tag line is: the first time I married for love, next time I’m marrying for money.

I really don’t think there will be a next time. Single is easier.

I’m delaying getting a workout in.

I’ll let you know all about the rainy bike ride I’ll take.

I’ll probably forget that promise.  

W is for Wanderlust…

 Wanderlust: the desire to travel the world. 

Oh what I would do for another chance to travel with my mother. 

A very memorable roadtrip was to The Apostle Islamds of northern Wisconsin. 

It was a girls’ vacation with Sue and Seester Andi. We had a blast. Madeline Island was a highlight. We had to take a ferry to get there. 

Lake Superior is a cool destination and being around boats always adds to the vacation. We explored the whole island but were highly impressed with a local outdoors bar. 

The atmosphere was amazing as was the food. It was like a little shack. The walls were covered with silly signs. I always love a good pun so I was in heaven. 

I love that I have so many sweet memories from times With my mom. She was always up for adventure and made life fun. Miss you mom!

T is for Timeless…

 Timeless: things that never go out of style

Dolly Parton’s first album released in 1967. She was 21 years young. Today, she passed on to the diamonds in the sky. I found out in the middle of a class activity in my health class from my students. And I have to say, it took me a few minutes to compose myself to be able to carry on with that activity.  

As a five year old, I carried a guitar around my house and I was a singer. I’m sure much of my inspiration came from Dolly. I don’t remember specifics of Dolly but I do know she has been in the fabric of my background forever. There isn’t a time on this planet that Dolly wasn’t a part of. I’m sure you also have memories with Dolly. 

She wasn’t only an inspiration to girls with guitars, her reach was huge. She campaigned for good in this world. She was kind and generous and also had some spice. She is what we needed, what music needed and what the world needed.  

I think that genuine voice and creative talent seemed to be something that would last forever. As I scrolled through social media, there were many people who said they just weren’t okay because they didn’t ever think she could ever die. Her nephew had the daunting task to announce her death and even he mentioned how for years he put the idea behind him as if it would never happen. Today, we lost a special one; may Dolly continue to shine for us to feel.

Dolly Parton is truly a timeless icon and I’m so glad I got to live in a world with her in it. 

M is for Mania

 “Mania: excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm; the object of such enthusiasm."

I got into teaching because I had some passion. I was passionate about helping kids learn that they were capable. I also was passionate about sports and writing. In what world besides sports writing could I combine those? I started out teaching English and physical education. What a combo. Turns out it wasn’t “marketable” to keep my position because it would be hard to fill. Funny…it hasn’t been open in 25 years. But I am thankful I got a certification to teach health as well. Anyway, as I taught my current students to throw frisbees at each other this week, I was reminded of just how much gratitude I have to be able to bring energy and passion to something as simple as sport skills. 

Sports truly give me so much joy and how blessed I am to be able to call what I do “work.”