People always say “it’s like riding a bike” to mean that something should be easy when it isn’t. At the beginning of every school year, I struggle to set up my electronic grade book even though I use it every day for 10 months....
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Today I had a closeup encounter with a heron during my morning walk. Herons are notoriously shy birds, so I’m usually disappointed when they fly away before I can get close enough to really look at them. For whatever reason this heron gave me...
Today is a glorious summer day in Maine. Brisk temperatures overnight provided a little taste of approaching autumn for our morning coffee on the porch, but quickly gave way to high seventies with bright sunny skies. Perfection. It’s too nice a...
I’ve been in school for my entire life. From the first day of kindergarten through elementary school, middle school through high school, undergrad, then years of teaching high school English and getting a Master’s degree, to the present day, my...
I was on my morning walk doing some gentle side bends and realizing, wow, I really don't have excess fat on my torso anymore. Just defined oblique muscles right under the surface. Remember those old Special K ads? "You can't pinch an inch on...
Remember when you were a kid? As winter approached, our parents warned us about picking up outside toys before it snowed, knowing that once a Maine winter really arrived, it could be months before we see them again. I still remember pining for...
It's July, so in many ways, this is the anniversary of the "Super Shrinking Smiths." Last July, based on a comment someone had made, I created a Facebook page to detail our story, and it ultimately led to growing an audience for a memoir-style book...
Intermittent fasting is perfect for teachers during the school year. We’re too busy and distracted to think about food too much. It releases us from the tedious need to pack lunch and schlep dishes back and forth every day. It gives us more time...
I *love* the word Contemplation. I love the concept of contemplation. It's an introspective process, one where you take a thought or idea inside yourself and bounce it around gently to see if it settles in and fits. When I wrote Unmired, I called...
My friend Jeremy and I have shared the hour long commute to our teaching jobs for twelve years. Two hours per day. Five days a week. Nine months of the year. That’s a lot of airspace to fill. For whatever reason, we never developed the habit...
