Schools
If you give a co-ed a chandelier
Whether it’s grandma’s silver gumbo spoons, a tiara or a spinning baton, Southern girls have always been drawn to sparkly things. That’s why the trend to “bling-up” the dormitories of co-eds around the South has taken off like wildfire. It’s yet another outlet for our love of all things pretty. But now, The Atlanta Symphony…
Read MoreThe attack of the thoughtless leprechaun
Feiciano was a college student from Florida A&M University who was one of the full-time aides in my public school Pre-K classroom. At the time, I thought he was a very grown up adult, but now that I’m the mom of young men that same age, I see what a fun-loving big kid he was.…
Read MoreAll parents should home school (?)
Every parent should home school — but hold on, before you yank Junior out of the 4th grade at Possum Valley Elementary, let me explain. After home schooling one of my sons for a few years and sending the other all the way through public schools, as well as teaching in a public system, I’ve come…
Read MorePicnic in the dark
Before I show you my eclipse picnic, I want to say: Shame on the schools and teachers who didn’t allow their children to go outdoors to experience this beautiful phenomenon of nature. What a great science experience, that even prisoners got to enjoy, but many students here had to sit inside and watch it on TV.…
Read MoreDancing Jule and a little story too
The Fairhope Writer’s Group has been busy promoting our book, “The Original Fairhope Guidebook.” Above with me on the left, are co-authors, Jule Moon, Ron Meszaros and his wife Ellen Grigg — who is the wonderful artist for our book illustrations, Phyllis Pittman and Rosanne Gulisano. Those missing, or else running through the deli, are…
Read MoreShow a little kindness
For the past few weeks, a story has been making the national rounds about Florida State University’s Wide-Receiver, Travis Rudolph, who visited a local middle school and in an act of kindness, sat with a student named Bo, who was all alone at the lunch table. There weren’t just a few empty seats around him,…
Read MoreTrue love found in the cafeteria
My college son returned home for the summer and I could tell he’d found a new love back at Samford University. It was a shock to realize he’d actually become quite fond of not one, but several ladies on campus. It’s true. The cafeteria staff has stolen my son’s heart. It’s difficult for me…
Read MoreCounting blessings at Cracker Barrel
Years ago, I taught in the Pre-Kindergarten program in an inner-city public school, and realized the students were confused when we read stories about Santa Claus. I finally grasped that it wasn’t the Jolly Old Elf who puzzled them, but the concept of a fireplace was totally foreign to a group of children who lived…
Read MoreStep Sing!
Step Sing! It’s a 67 year old tradition at Samford University in Birmingham where my son is a student. When my parents attended school there (then, Howard College) Step Sing was a much smaller production, literally done on the steps of one of the buildings, although my Mother said she remembers Step Sing being held…
Read MoreWhy we’re leaving public school
This is the story I wrote for the Gulf Coast Newspapers describing why we made a big decision regarding our son’s education. Check back in the days to come for updates on how our new way of life is going. I feel like somewhat of a traitor because with my whole heart, I’ve always loved…
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