I have no role model in my family to show me what life looks like as an aging healthy person. I don’t know what life expectancy is. I know one of my great-grandmothers lived to somewhere around 100 (she edited her birth certificate when she immigrated here so she could get work, so we’re not … Read more
I wrote this three years ago: Last weekend, my high school band teacher passed away. Since then, a group formed where tons of people who knew him (mostly former students) have posted memories. A [high school] band reunion is in the planning stages. I can’t help but think how much impact it would have had … Read more
I’m a big fan of reducing plastic consumption. It started when I was in chemo and a friend gifted me a Klean Kanteen. In the years since then, I’ve built up a healthy stainless steel water bottle collection, replaced all of my food storage containers with glass or stainless steel, eliminated disposables from the kitchen. … Read more
If you’ve been following my story with regards to bouldering, you know that in December, I gained the skill necessary to complete a route and competed in my first competition, and in January, I participated in my second competition. Both of these were driven by desire to climb in this year’s big competition in April. … Read more
I have had so many conversations with colleagues near and far recently, and there have been two themes with regards to deficiencies in many of our students (though I wish I could say the problem was limited to just students…). One is attention to detail. How do you teach attention to detail? A student in … Read more
I accepted a challenge on Halloween to blog daily. Beginning November 1, I’ve shared my writing here every day. Sometimes it’s easy; sometimes less so. I was never worried about having enough to say; I have plenty of thoughts to share and writing is so much easier for me than talking. I expected my biggest … Read more
We had another track meet yesterday. A lot of places were traded in the last 10 feet. (Not always 1st/2nd.) Most kids ran hard all the way through. But a fair number of kids pulled up before the finish line. Missed out on a last-minute take or were taken just before the line. As anyone … Read more
I’ve talked to so many people who have lost weight (intentionally) and kept their now-too-big pants “just in case.” If keeping the weight off is a priority, get rid of the pants (or get them tailored to fit). By keeping the pants, you’re giving yourself permission to gain the weight back. (The exception would be … Read more
So … I climbed on Tuesday until my hands wouldn’t hold onto the rocks on the wall any more. My forearms (from gripping) and lats (from pulling) hurt for two days. On the second of those days, I had a session with my trainer. Leg Day. My legs were hurtin’ the next day. And, from … Read more
A Facebook friend asked her online universe why cleanses and detoxes are so popular. My opinion? They’re popular because people believe they can trash their bodies for days/weeks/months/years and then “detox” for 2-5 days and call it even. It’s justification, and it lets people do what they want without feeling guilty because they “fix it.” … Read more