Health
Lessons From Laryngitis
Having temporary laryngitis was a gift. Being sick away from home made me think about the role I want to play in other people’s lives when I see them struggling….
No More Bad Hair Days
In the days before mousse and gel and other hair care products, I used to pray to G-d to make my horrible curls go away….
My Cat-Eye Glasses
When I was in elementary school, I had a really good friend named Andra. We did everything the same. We dressed the…
Lessons From A Meat Truck
One year ago I bought truck meat. You heard me. Not one but two cute dudes drove into my driveway offering me steaks, chicken breasts and shellfish. Initially, I was skeptical. But I saw the meat had come from a reputable company, a name I recognized. So I figured, why not?…
In Praise of the Pencil
A few weeks back, Monkey came home in a tizzy. “I’m out of pencils again,” he announced. Nonplussed, I told him there were under three weeks of school left and that I was pretty sure he could make-do with his nubs until June 20. He started at me with contempt. “Are you serious?” he questioned. “I have exams! I need pencils! Ticonderogas. Now!”…
Lessons From Splinters
The last time I had a splinter I was a pre-teen. Yes, I have managed to remain splinter free for nearly 30 years. Until this Monday night….
Friday Quick Question: Should We Pet Dead Squeyls?
The other day I saw a sign that read: “Free Babies Clinic.” Which I thought was weird. It was a warm day, and I imagined folks handing out babies like ice cream cones. What exactly is going on? I wondered. But as I got closer, I saw that the sign was actually advertising a “Free Rabies Clinic,” which made me wonder: Are we giving people rabies these days? And who would want that? Even for free?…
An English Teacher's "Happy Ending"
I went back to Massage Envy to get my April massage, which just so happened to fall on April Fool’s Day. Boy, did they get me!…
Lessons From 6th Grade Health Class
The other day Monkey came home wanting to know how old I was when I learned about HIV/AIDS. …
Lessons on Slowing Down
People often ask me, as a person who has spent nearly twenty years in the classroom, what I think about AP classes. Should their child take this AP or that AP? And they are often surprised by my my response that nobody gives a shit about AP classes. Really….