The daily meanderings of a teacher

Tag: Life

  • Maybe some snow and ice and silence

    Bird Droppings January 23, 2026Maybe some snow and ice and silence “I have never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are, for the most part, more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers.” Henry David Thoreau, Solitude, Walden, 1854 There has been an attraction…

  • Trying to understand giving thanks, war, and Teaching and heart

    Bird Droppings January 22, 2026Trying to understand giving thanks, war, and Teaching and heart I seldom have a difficult time sleeping. I crashed the other night after a long day of cleaning up after my grandkids and a long week getting stitches out and closure on my surgery, and trying to keep up with my…

  • Why should there be no teasing?

    Bird Droppings January 19, 2026Why should there be no teasing? “Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, and is it true, does it improve on the silence?” Hindu proverb So, I often speak first and clean up afterward, simply walking away, leaving whoever I am conversing with confused. I have a…

  • Wind in the trees can be peaceful or bring fear.

    Bird Droppings January 13, 2026Wind in the trees can be peaceful or bring fear. I was sitting at my computer, thinking back to three years ago, when several storms had come through the area. Just before I went to bed, according to the weather, we would get another storm during the night. My granddaughter was…

  • A long drive, pondering solitude

    Bird Droppings January 9, 2026A long drive, pondering solitude It has been some time since I set down and wrote a totally original dropping. Three of my grandchildren spend the night, as they tend to do on Thursdays, we have supper, play around, and they sleep over. I am always getting late to my sunrise…

  • Looking in a different direction to start the morning

    Bird Droppings January 8, 2025Looking in a different direction to start the morning “Beginnings start in the east – from where the sun rises, we begin a new dawn. Each day is a good new day with a fresh beginning, a new start. East is the direction of the physical body and newness, including children…

  • Can we define our success, or does it take another?

    Bird Droppings January 7, 2025Can we define our success, or does it take another? Recently, teachable moments have been rare, as I have been very monastic between retirement, grandchildren, and cautious awareness. Yesterday, while grocery shopping, I ran into a former student of sorts. I think she was in a class with me when I…

  • The symbolism of the Totem Pole

    Bird Droppings January 6, 2025 The symbolism of the Totem Pole Growing up in my family, my father had made numerous totem poles in our backyards over the years. Each was painted with images of creatures. Eagles, bears, and wolves adorned the totem poles. The last one was torn down or fell only a few…

  • LIFE and FINALITY, two words that, as we get older, seem to be a part of our daily process.

    Bird Droppings January 1, 2025LIFE and FINALITY, two words that, as we get older, seem to be a part of our daily process. Morning has been a special time for me each day, a new beginning. Several aspects make it special; the first one is taking pictures of sunrises. Then I ran some errands, started…

  • I do wonder about getting older.

    Bird Droppings December 23, 2025 I do wonder about getting older. “Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Mark Twain I find myself using my age to my advantage when the little girl at the Kroger register asks if I’m a senior citizen. I carry my AARP…