First, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I am writing this at 10:35am.  The day following Thanksgiving 2020!  I am sitting in my rocking chair / lounge chair in my living room.  I want to write a very brief article.   Last night, yes on Thanksgiving - we didn't watch WIZARD OF OZ or SOUND [...]

I began writing this article on Sunday, November 8 at 10:46am.  I am sitting in our quiet home.  Our grandson is taking his nap.  Our "grand-dog" is taking her nap on our couch.  My wife / daughter / son / daughter-in-law are shopping, primarily at Bass Pro Shop.  Just giving you the setting. My theme

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE IS NOT IN SUPPORT OF OR AGAINST THE CONCEPT OF HOMEWORK. ************************************************I care more about you than anyone else cares about you. By decreasing my expectations, I show this care and love for you. That previous statement is where we are heading and it is just another crack in the foundation of

Today was the fifth consecutive day of NOT being on Facebook.  I am going to guess what I missed since September 30 afternoon: Joe Biden did a great job at the debate. Donald Trump did a great job at the debate.  Donald Trump deserves to have COVID-19 God Bless Donald Trump.  Hope he recovers.  Schools

Wow.  I don't even know where to start.   At 10:30am, Thursday September 24, 2020.  I was starting my third period guitar class.  I received a phone call from the principal's secretary.   "Paul, I am so sorry.  Rob can not make it to the evaluation today.  He has just been called to an important meeting.  He

September 12 is the Day of Encouragement.  I had no idea.  The Day of Encouragement  was established nationally 2007 by President Bush.  The day following September 11, seems to be fitting to have a day dedicating to encourage one another and frankly starting with ourselves.   I am big believer that everything needs to start with

The fire control officer bursts onto the bridge, "Sir, I can't get to the engine room.  It's fire everywhere below."  "Go back and try again," McVay said.  Janney then appeared on the bridge, and McVay told him to take another message down to radio, "Say we've been hit be two torpedoes.  Give our latitude and

I am starting to feel the stress of "Dynamic Online "Learning."  I put "Learning" in quotes because I don't know what "Learning" is happening.  Calm down purists!  I am being sarcastic.  I got your jargon:  summative / formative ... I got it.  Yes.  Learning is happening..  We just completed three days of Professional Development using

Well, tomorrow (August 6th) is the first “official” day of the 2020-21 school year.  No doubt the beginning of a school year like none other of my 30 previous years of teaching high school music.  On the eve of my 31st year, I have some thoughts.  I am going to take a risk and be

On July 27, 2020 was supposed to be my first day of Band Camp!  However, since THE VID has made a bit of a comeback, I cancelled the band camp.  I have no interest in a “virtual-band-camp.”  For 27 of my previous 30 years of teaching high school music, I have hosted a band camp.