Our culture has accepted two huge lies.  The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them.  The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do.  Both are nonsense.  You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.  -  Rick Warren How [...]

As I listen / watch the hearings today … the questioning from Congresswoman Sewell to Ambassador Yovanovitch, I had a sudden moment of PTSD.  The PTSD moment came about when Ambassador Yovanovitch’s talked about her reputation being sullied.  How President Trump “sullied” her reputation.  Wow.  The Ambassador and I have something in common. What do

As with every generation gets to say, “we are living in interesting times.” Every day since November 8, 2016, I have greeted my FACEBOOK FRIENDS with the following message:  Good Morning. For TWO-YEARS-TWO-HUNDRED-SIXTY-NINE DAYS, I wake-up and realize, it is my choice to make my world better with God by my side. It is sad

As I write my blog, I know there will be all sorts of people (including my students) reading my blog and I am grateful for anyone who can sit and read what I write.  My writing is improving.  But, it is still not on the level of some sort of “word-smith.”  My writing style is

Had an interesting epiphany related to “patriotism.”  Or… lack thereof… Or… lack of knowing the importance of patriotism… Or … how many California teachers break the education code (sadly… from time-to-time, including me… THE DIFFERENCE… I admit when I am wrong… SOME / FEW / LESS THAN A 100 of my colleagues defend when they

It is time.  It is time to start sharing stories.  Write essays.  In my first book, I take the reader up to the beginning of my time at Kilarney High School (not the school’s real name; also, some of the stories may not have happened at the specific high school I cite; gotta watch the

“What are you doing Carleen?”  forty-seven years later, I still remember that question.  When was that question asked?  Days following my sisters sixth birthday.  Carleen (my mom) was Duke’s (my dad) wife.  Mom had had enough of dad’s abuse.  We never saw him hit mom.  But, my goodness… that countless times dad would be verbally

When did many people decide to relinquish personal responsibility?  I don’t have an exact time and date.  BECAUSE, THERE IS NO EXACT TIME AND DATE.  It may not be the correct question, “when did many people decide to relinquish personal responsibility?”  The question probably is close to “how come many people decided to relinquish personal

What a fantastic article.  I loved it and AT THE SAME TIME, THE REPORTERS FRUSTRATE ME… which may be the reason the article is “fantastic.”  I strongly encourage you to read the article. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-08-04/el-paso-dayton-gilroy-mass-shooters-data As I get ready to go to school to begin my THIRTY-FIRST CONSECUTIVE YEAR teaching high school music, I have grave

My summer has come to an end.  What a terrific summer it has been.  I was able to go to Disneyland with my family in celebration of Katy’s (our daughter) graduation.  I was so happy to have the opportunity to go to Disneyland with all of our family and two family friends.  What a great