I've been reading three books, two on any given evening to the kiddos at bedtime: The British version of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, P.L. Travers' Mary Poppins, and Dacre Stoker & J.D. Barker's Dracul. In Mary Poppins, we recently read and listened to Jane, Michael, and Mary Poppins' visit to her cousin, Arthur… Continue reading Unwinding and Unfettering Upside Down
Building Brilliance Backwards
I've always struggled with learning in the classroom. The teacher talking sounded like indiscernible waves of noise, much like what is seen in the "Peanuts" strip. Really. The problem didn't have anything to do with teacher but me. I mean, there were ones who taught in a monotone voice or presented material far over everyone's… Continue reading Building Brilliance Backwards
Failure is Not An Option
I'm reading Sarah J. Maas's "Throne of Glass," because one of my kiddos asked me to. I'm about a third of the way through the first book. For the protagonist, Calaena Sardothien, failure in the battle to become the King's assassin is not an option. She cannot return to Endovier where she served as a… Continue reading Failure is Not An Option
Suspending Suspicion
I had been scoping out local coffee shops I hadn't visited yet, and one popped up on my Google Maps search that didn't involve traveling far. The locale, however, was suspicious. Okay, maybe "suspicious" isn't the appropriate word. Disinterested is more like it. It's in a wealthy part of Denver, where people spend large sums… Continue reading Suspending Suspicion
Arguing and Inviting a Bomb Cyclone
I saw a meme flash across my Facebook page the other day. It captured the heart of what's been on my mind recently. My eldest knows this best. This individual is a tween who will soon be ushered into the teen years, like it or not. As a part of this adventurous era, this child… Continue reading Arguing and Inviting a Bomb Cyclone
Captivating Voices that Dazzle and Boost Morale
I've been singing since I was young. I sang as a part of the chorus in Hello, Dolly! in the seventh grade and participated in other pieces and productions since then. Mostly as a part of a chorus or in choirs. But since high school, I've had a dream — one I don't really talk… Continue reading Captivating Voices that Dazzle and Boost Morale
Corrupted Love Vanquished by Single Mom’s Compelling Heart Story
Over the weekend, I was at the Denver Performing Arts Center's Boettcher Concert Hall for the DYAO (Denver Young Artists Orchestra) Spectacular, where conductor, composer, and arranger David Mairs talked about his World Premiere piece, "Dreamdancing." He talked about how it was his heart song, and he ended by encouraging all of us to write… Continue reading Corrupted Love Vanquished by Single Mom’s Compelling Heart Story
