Tax day has come and gone. Four years ago we had four inches of snow and it was snowman-building, wet, slushy, packing snow. This morning a boom woke me. Thunder. And then the tap, tap of raindrops on the window. Round one. The meteorologists have been consistent all week about a weather alert. (As consistent as the #1 WNBA Draft pick!) We need the rain. Parts of the state remain in a severe drought status. But I’m kinda partial to one weather at a time. It’s too warm for snow. What a relief! But it IS warm enough for severe weather. The 70s. Possible wind, thunderstorms, hail, and tornados. D ..read more

Misting again. I parked as close to the entrance as possible. A quick “in and out” as I only needed three things. Habit had me grabbing a cart instead of a basket. Soda sale required a minimum of three for the price. Not today. The sale on cut fruit and veggies caught my eye. One of each. Yes, please. My favorite sliced smoked turkey is on sale. Score! “I have crackers, so cheese?” But the end cap with queso on sale caught my eye so another yes. A different cheese. I’m up to five items and ready to be done but . . . NO chips so instead of carbs, a dip for my veggies and on sale at half price ..read more

What’s so important about March? 5 Important Things Writing every day with slicer friends Conference tournament excitement NCAA brackets Being in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen Needing ideas for slices every day 4 Flowers that bloom even when covered with snow Days when temperatures rise above 70 Reading and responding to so many clever slices Needing ideas for slices every day 3 The yo yo temperature swings of 50 degrees in less than 12 hours A #G2Great chat with Nawal about Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations Needing ideas for slices every day 2 Keeping track of so many more tasks than ever d ..read more

All Fridays are good for a myriad of reasons. But this Good Friday . . . Nestled between Sweet Sixteen for Men’s and Women’s basketball Temperatures in the low 70s Sun shining brightly Sun . . . that bright star, finally gracing us with its presence Perhaps you have the day off (or part of it) Perhaps you can linger in the weekend. My Good Friday ’24 Meatless Snackless Soaking up the sun Counting my blessings Preparing for the Easter celebration. What’s up for your Good Friday? Do you celebrate? How? _____________________________________________________________ Thank you, Two Writing Teachers ..read more

It’s Thursday and the #G2Great chat returns to Twitter tonight. We know that the bluebird is not what it used to be, but we also acknowledge that this chat is going to be amazing! At #NCTE22, I watched promo shots that Stenhouse was producing. Worse, I even interrupted some of those to chat with Nawal Qarooni as I was so excited about her book and that is what we will be chatting about tonight. Check out that title. The whole title. Not just the three first words that are so important but also the subtitle with “Elevating” and “Collective Care”. What is literacy? Tell me more about “nourishi ..read more

“Ugh,” I mutter and NOT under my breath. “No, I will not be using the app today.” I place my order. Count my change. I pull ahead in line. It’s drive-through fast food and I just want some food quickly. But it doesn’t matter. I’m inundated with offers to use loyalty programs at the grocery store to save money. Of course, it will encourage me to buy items I don’t need or really want to SAVE money. REALLY? It’s the constant messaging whether in texts or emails of “offers” that sends me over the top. NO NO NO NO Not for shoes, Not for gas stations, Not for groceries! Are these gimmicks (loyalty p ..read more

“”Of course, it’s political.” “But how can that be? Aren’t there some basic qualifications?” Fact: Job confirmation hearing this morning at 7:30 am for the Iowa Director of Education Previous directors have had PhD and EdD after their names as well as decades in education. Here are the requirements for a person to obtain an initial administrator license in Iowa. (Though many have admin licenses already.) The candidate proposed by the governor who is facing Senate confirmation today. bachelor’s in political science is not eligible for a teaching license has zero teaching experience has no adm ..read more

The timer works and I can smell the success. The aroma from the roasted beans circulates. I’m ready to grasp a cup of the magic elixir of life and hold its warmth in my hands. To personally breathe in the scent that has hung in the air for the last 30 minutes. Am I ready to leave the warm cocoon of my bed to soak up this magic. This dark brown, aromatic liquid may not exactly match the definition but it’s absolutely required on cold, dark mornings. Coffee is my morning go to and necessary to “get up and go.” What’s your “go to” early morning drink? How necessary is it? _______________________ ..read more

I woke up at two and thought of an idea for today’s slice and immediately fell back to sleep. I was awake again at four and had an even more brilliant plan for today’s slice and immediately fell back to sleep. So now I’m debating – slice or sew because I definitely planned and prepared for success. I finished my quilt top goal yesterday, the quilt of valor, just before the game began. I had low expectations as I knew the first NCAA tournament game would not be easy. And it wasn’t. But a “W” is a “W” and every game will be a tough one. That’s our bracket for sure. I had kinda hoped to have mor ..read more

It’s Saturday, what shall I do? Check my “To Do” list. It’s filled with tasks. But it’s Saturday! I have a game to watch at 2 pm. It’s Saturday, what shall I do this morning? Read, write, think, and then there’s that silly “To Do” list. It’s Saturday. My day to choose. What shall I do? This cartoon catches my eye. One less idea for Saturday. What if? Yes, what if, I finish up sashing and borders for these blocks I inherited from Quilt Guild this week? Another Quilt of Valor on the precipice. And, (drum roll), after all, it is on my “To Do” list. It’s Saturday, and I now have a plan for this ..read more