Whatever they thought they'd be doing right now, they're probably not. So many plans of our children and youth have been upended by this global pandemic. All of their activities, travels, competitions, and diversions have been interrupted. Normal things like play-dates, parties, dances, and "going out" look different. Their school year ended weirdly last spring, and even though some sports started up again in June, we've seen many instances of this team dropping out of the competition because of a member with Coronavirus, or that league suspending its season for the same reason. I don't … [Read more...] about Looking After Our Young
pandemic
The “Giant, Hideous Insects” All Around Us
A couple of weeks ago I posted a cartoon and a practice invitation for you to think through the ways we jump to conclusions about people, and what would happen if we reframed our perspectives. Here's the cartoon that prompted that post: I was picturing you telling stories like this one of mine, about the time I rounded a corner in an office building, late at night, thinking I was alone, and found myself nose-to-nose with a woman I didn't expect to be there. She was short, and had dark, wild hair, and she didn't expect me, either. I was so startled that I grabbed her shoulders and … [Read more...] about The “Giant, Hideous Insects” All Around Us
Lives That Count
We'll return to last week's "Reframing" focus and Practicing Foolishness prompt next week. It's not too late to share your responses! Do you find your eyes glazing over yet when the COVID-19 case counts get announced? Every day a bunch of numbers get shared by news conference and online sources, with dozens of shares on social media and e-mail. This many new infections. This many hospitalized. This many who have died in the last twenty-four hours. The numbers for our state, and for the nation as a whole, and maybe some specific hotspots where the numbers deserve some special … [Read more...] about Lives That Count
A Time for Foolishness
It tickles me that there's a day set aside for foolishness. April Fool's Day is a favorite tradition in my family. Or, if you asked my (now-grown-up) boys, it might be more correct to say it's a favorite tradition for me. Every year, I make it a point to see what I can get someone to fall for. One year, my husband was flattered that I had submitted his name to be a contestant on an IPTV "Chopped"-style competition for local chefs, and I had just gotten word that he was "in." My oldest son thought that was amazing, too, and was so proud of his dad. Until I told them it was an April Fool. … [Read more...] about A Time for Foolishness