parenthood, porch breezes, college football, and the occasional thesis on growing up and growing old in the south
When my phone rang I had just dropped off a bag of biscuits in the workroom. The last day of first semester is the second busiest day of the year for a high school counselor; second only to the day of graduation. And I wanted my co-workers to have the fuel of Chick-Fil-A in their … Continue reading On Jack, and healing hearts made full.
Our dear dog Munson made the journey to Heaven this morning. I have no doubt he has already gotten the lowdown from our dear dog Jake on where to get all the ear rubs, treats, and tennis balls he can possibly stand. Munson went from being a poor homeless puppy on the street riddled with … Continue reading A life lived like Munson
So today is a whole thing. "BOOK em Danno I'm FIVE -OH!" Mostly I want to thank all of you. I mean, there's my mom who was literally there from the very "slimy, whiny, crying, life with active lungs is so really really hard" start...Thanks Mom! (and Dad too, as he had to somehow stomach … Continue reading I’m FIFTY!!
When did being forced to anticipate something and wait for it become an extinct practice?
In the wake of this week's college admission scandal, where elitist parents used their enormous bank accounts to gouge back door entrances into the Admissions offices of their kids' "beyond reach" schools, I thought I'd share some good news that is tangentially related. I have a student who is first generation college bound and has … Continue reading Of trailblazing and SAT scores – a tale of doors both open and closed
It was hard to tell if there were tears welling up in her eyes. In the Counseling Office of a high school crying girls are a dime a dozen. I once listened to a freshman girl blubber through unintelligible word phrases and a half of a box of tissues only to learn her dad had … Continue reading Encouraging words and positive momentum, a school counselor’s tools to use
My favorite day of the year. Not sure where it started specifically. But I'm sure it's rooted in memories. Like when the candle wax dripped on my hand, the Athens UMC sanctuary alit naturally while Silent Night rings out. Or when my Anma raises her fingers and shakes them to "...five golden rings..." Or when she finally … Continue reading It’s Christmas Eve y’all…
"My heart is RACING!!" The smile on her face was as electric as the tension in the stadium. And it was all I really needed. I'm not a real professional sports kind of guy. For sporting events I prefer a campus back drop and marching bands and actual cheerleaders compared to this fancy new Mercedes-Benz … Continue reading Twelve seconds at peak parenthood
Coach: "How's a beer sound Norm?" Norm: "I dunno. I usually finish them before they get a word in." That's just a brief moment from one scene where two authentic characters engage in a humorous and memorable interaction. What a breath of fresh air. Because in just the past couple weeks I've seen promotional commercials for a … Continue reading Thomas Magnum didn’t drink New Coke
"Which is clearer...A, or...B?" My view through the optometrical torture device shifts from a very clear L C O P M to one that maybe, just maybe is slightly less clear. "Again, which is clearer...A, or...B?" I struggle. The optometrist really sounds like she knows the answer, but just like most every math test I suffered … Continue reading Refocusing these corrective lenses
