That’s the question I was asked last week, and the question that I’ve seen in the amused or befuddled eyes of people who know that this has been the Summer Of Buffy for me. Taking a step backwards, when Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the religion practiced by my dad and my daughter, I scoffed. Laughed at their insistence that
Read moreEveryone talks about “reaching out” and “building relationships,” especially with people who are different than ourselves in some way–race, status, age. At school, the battle cry for 5 years has been “Rigor, relevance, relationships,” with the a priori that without relationships, we won’t be able to create rigor or relevance. And even though I understand the effectiveness at having good
Read more
I wrote this in 2003 for Devin. I don’t remember exactly why, but he needed a sample of writing for a class…or something. It’s possible that no one has read this except Devin and I, in fact. I’m pondering what I could say in a follow-up. I live in Lima, Ohio. I was born here, lived here though a much
Read moreDear Limaland, I have a favor to ask. Maybe I’m presumptuous to imagine that all 60,000 or so of you will pitch in to help, but it’s the season for surprises. For a few weeks, could you all believe in Santa? And—more importantly– Santa’s elves? I know that’s asking a lot from some of you, the Grinches and the Srcoges
Read more“Tell all the Truth but tell it slant- Success in Circuit lies” That’s the beginning of an Emily Dickinson poem, one that I’ve been thinking about lately. Truth sounds so simple, so black-and-white, but in my experience, that’s often not the case. Perspective, background, audience, purpose—all those and more impact what “the truth” is. That’s without even considering Truth, as
Read moreI’ve made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no longer a possibility. Yet when I talk with my gardener, I’m convinced of the opposite. ~Bertrand Russell This is a picture of my Christmas cactus, blooms bursting open on every stem. I’m always confused, then curious, then thrilled when I
Read more“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye land/ Serve the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing../Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise/ Be thankful unto him and bless His name.” Psalm 100: 1-2,4 Every once in a while, I need reminded that music is fun. I get all tangled in questions of
Read more“If this isn’t good, what is?” Kurt Vonnegut It’s 9 am, and I’m sitting in a lobby at the Ohio Northern University Chapel. My daughter Bethany and three other Lima Senior students are in the chapel, practicing music as part of the ONU honors choir, and the guest artist is the woman who played Ariel on Broadway’s version of The
Read moreTeaching is a young person’s job. At least now it is. With all the ills of society being blamed on teachers, the brave, confident people who go to college now to become teachers seem to walk into their first classrooms not just certain they are prepared, but somewhat disdainful of experienced teachers. We’re the ones to blame for the mess,
Read moreSteel Magnolias. Terms of Endearment. Bridget Jones’ Diary–chick flicks! Ick. Not a favorite genre of mine…in fact, I tend to dislike chick flicks. If they happen to be romantic comedies, maybe…Runaway Bride (with Gere), Only You (Downey), Hope Floats (Bullock/Connick)–I like those ok. But generally….no. But for the next 5 or so days, I’m living a chick flick. My college
Read more
The Wave Returns 