The novelty of wearing a mask has worn off, and more kids are taking them off. I spent a fair amount of time during class this week showing empathy to their discomfort—I don’t like wearing one, either—and explaining why we’re wearing them. They didn’t seem to know. (That could be no one has explained it … Read more
I like to been seen. So do you. Might be in totally different ways or contexts or audiences, but we all want to be seen, understood. As a kid, I was introverted and socially anxious, good academically, and eager to please. In elementary school, I more or less spoke when spoken to. I remember clearly … Read more
I posted a bit about photographers wanting to use the Grinch for their holiday shoots and was schooled in copyright law in return. With permission, here’s what I was told. (Everything beyond this paragraph is not my writing, but most of it makes sense to me. Also, I learned a lot.) After you read it, … Read more
(If you missed the original post/project details, you can find it here.) Kids have been off and on with the sticky notes. I have needed to replenish them a time or two, but most seem to have chosen a couple, stuck them in their music binder, and not messed with them again. Earlier this week, … Read more
In blog writing, I have a few rules I’ve set for myself. Always proofread at least twice (once immediately and once after walking away, ideally for a day, but an hour will do in a pinch). Don’t share identifying information about people or share other people’s stories that aren’t mine to tell (unless I have … Read more
Yesterday, The Kid had his last track meet of the season. Because it’s hot here now, the meet started at 7 instead of 8. Call time remains an hour before the meet starts. Yesterday’s meet was just over half an hour’s drive from here. I was up at 4:30. Early morning temps were nice, but … Read more
In January, I wrote about a chart I’d made to track behaviors of health and self-care. I had thought—or, more accurately, hoped—that seeing holes in the list would spur me to do some of the things that simply haven’t been getting done, even if the increase was to once a week, or once every other … Read more
I was exploring WordPress, trying to find a way to change the way comments work. I’ve gotten several messages from people saying they’d like to comment but there’s no way to do it. There is. But not from the main feed. Let me explain. If you go to my website—heat-weirdlastname.com—the default page is the blog. … Read more
Last week, I answered a reader question about dinner. Planning. Dealing with busy evenings. Dealing with low energy. When I posted it to social media, I asked what others do for quick, easy meals. Here’s what people shared: breakfast for dinner We just had make your own taco night. Fry’s has great vegetarian already-seasoned meat … Read more
Question from a reader: What are some of your go to meals when you don’t feel like or have time to make dinner? I assume you plan out your menu for the week in advance? First, yes, we plan meals for the week, make a shopping list off of that plan, and shop from the … Read more