The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings January 27, 2020 Can we say true heroism and humility are spelled the same?   “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” Arthur Ashe   Even though I am one of the…

Bird Droppings January 26, 2020 The fragility of life   Early this morning I was awakened by our dog and we both needed to take a potty break. Hearing what I thought was rain, more than likely a teenager’s car rumbling and popping. Whoever went tearing out of our subdivision about two in the morning…

Bird Droppings January 24, 2020 Looking within to who we really are   Where do I start several key elements of my day yesterday brought about thinking and pondering that lead me to now? It has been nearly ten years since I would sit with students and start talking about James Kavanaugh, author, poet, thinker…

Bird Droppings January 23, 2020 Caregiving and or cared for, we need both?   “To care and be cared for are fundamental human needs. We all need to be cared for by other human beings. In infancy, illness, or old age, the need is urgent and pervasive; we need caregiving, and we need the special…

Bird Droppings January 22, 2020 Walking and listening among the Cotton Woods   I walked outside earlier as I do many mornings listening observing trying to understand this reality I am walking about in. The sky was almost bright this morning with a very faint moon still hanging around and a few wisps of clouds…

Bird Droppings January 21, 2020 LIFE   Morning has been a special time for me each day, a new beginning. Several aspects make it special, first one of taking the dog out and talking with him as he sniffs and does his thing in the yard. Then I go to my writing and reading which…

Bird Droppings January 20, 2020 Can we define our own success or does it take another?   Recently teachable moments have been rare. Last week on spur if the moment I drew upon my experiences and while discussing the phylum arthropods. One of my favorites is the black and yellow garden spider, Agriope aurantia, or…

Bird Droppings January 19, 2020 Taking and making the most of each moment and learning about moleskin: I think we need to find the moleskin in education along with switchbacks   Waking up to my dog barking because he needs to run outside for a second is not the best way to wake up. My…

Bird Droppings January 17, 2020 How do we know if we are still human?   Perhaps it is from growing up in a situation where we were aware of special needs children and adults directly from the birth of my younger brother till his passing almost twenty five years ago that those in my family…

Bird Droppings January 15, 2020 Who is at the center of your universe?   “Tung-shan was asked, ‘The normal mind is the way; what is the normal mind?’ He replied, ’Not picking things up along the road.’” From Teachings of Zen, edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998   One aspect of the Zen teachings is…