I love studying living things, and I was privileged to have a career in biological research. I used microscopes and microsurgery to examine the structure and function of organs in tiny critters, like insects and wood lice, and I was … Read more
On any given day, disappointments can be overwhelming, and conquering through praise doesn't come easily. Enter the life of a middle school Language Arts teacher. For the first three weeks of school, the program that we use for grades, … Read more
I have been dealing with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) since being diagnosed back in 2023. In my life before AS, I was actively involved in daily exercise, which included walking and weight lifting. The absence of that lifetime activity has … Read more
I suppose that we have all had dreams concerning what we wanted to do when we grew up. Years ago, I was in a meeting when amidst our time of discussion, one person asked the group, "What did you want to be when you grew up?" As we each … Read more
My wife and I once set up a kids' club for over 40 inner-city children each Monday night. They ran about screaming and shouting, thankful for a large hall to play in, especially during wet and cold winter nights. Beneath the hall, a small … Read more
In May 2023, I was a middle school teacher in Savannah, Georgia, USA. I had decided to move back home to Jackson, Tennessee, after the school year ended because I didn't want to teach secondary education anymore after ten years. I am … Read more
This is my second day home from South Carolina, USA, where my daughter lives, and I have done nothing but rest. Keeping up with a young family takes a toll on an old woman like me. We stayed up one night until 2:00 a.m. watching a movie. I … Read more
How many times have I done weekly laundry in my 60 years of married life? I've lost count. And yet the need still arises for me to continue. It is not hard with the modern convenience of washers and dryers, but the repetitive nature of … Read more
At the beginning of December 2021, I was unexpectedly informed by the Central Office that I would be retiring on December 31st. However, I had already petitioned the Texas Retirement System for my retirement to begin on the following June … Read more