Sunday, August 18, 2019

I choose to walk my own road

“The last of the human freedoms, to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”
― Victor E. Frankel 

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Summer Break

It’s been a pretty good Summer break so far.  I am still wondering what my future holds, but I am more confident that I’ll be able to teach for a few more years with some effort, if my health holds out, as I expect it will. The main trouble with getting older is that your health starts to become a major focus of what of what you can and cannot do.  When I was younger I never gave it a second thought. 

The Decline of Historical Thinking | The New Yorker

The Decline of Historical Thinking | The New Yorker



What are public libraries for? – Experience Magazine

What are public libraries for? – Experience Magazine



8 Ways to Read (a Lot) More Books This Year - Harvard Business Review - Pocket

8 Ways to Read (a Lot) More Books This Year - Harvard Business Review - Pocket



Should You Move or Stay Put?

Should You Move or Stay Put?



How to Be a Professional Dungeons & Dragons Master Hosting Games - Bloomberg

How to Be a Professional Dungeons & Dragons Master Hosting Games - Bloombergrelates to The Rise of the Professional Dungeon Master


Saturday, June 29, 2019

If You’re 65 and Still Working, Avoid Pitfalls and Maximize Benefits - Kiplinger - Pocket

If You’re 65 and Still Working, Avoid Pitfalls and Maximize Benefits - Kiplinger - Pocket



How Loneliness Begets Loneliness - The Atlantic - Pocket

How Loneliness Begets Loneliness - The Atlantic - Pocket



The Black Dog comes visiting.

“If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.”― Stephen Fry

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Saturday, June 22, 2019

Staying in Las Vegas

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We are here in Las Vegas at the South Point Hotel and Casino for LPSCon, for the weekend. Amber has a conference for Little Pet Shop toys, “LPS,” and we decided SouthPoint was within our budget.  The hotel is nice, we don’t gamble, so forget about the casino, and the food, well let us try to forget about the food also.  Next time it is back to the Red Rock for me, I will pay alittle more but it is a much nicer place.

Teach Your Kids to Mediate Their Own Sibling Arguments

Teach Your Kids to Mediate Their Own Sibling Arguments



Illustration for article titled Teach Your Kids to Mediate Their Own Sibling Arguments

Compassion

Today on NextDoor for Beaumont, there was a debate about the homeless problem in our town. While not bad, it is evident that it is getting worse and becoming more of a problem then it has been in the past.  While I don’t have the answer to the problem, the lack of compassion for the homeless was disturbing.  I know that with all my faults God has given me so much and that only by the grace of God and my hard work, I will remain reasonably well off.  Drugs and Mental Illness, I think are the main culprits in this problem and until society can find a way to help those afflicted, we will never cure the homelessness problem. 

Thoughts

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Bitmoji ImageHappy Father's Day to all my friends and family that are father's. 

Monday, June 10, 2019

Last week of school

It is the last week of school and the kids are getting alittle wild before the Summer Break.  I am doing okay still looking at how soon I can either retire and move or just retire and stay where I am at.  Either way I sure don't know if I can continue to teach.  I have looked at maybe going back to elementary school.  Izzy is still gone and I am struggling with the realities of my like and what it has become. It is not that it is bad but I sure would not say that it is easy.  I do have good kids and a wonderful wife, but life sure has gotten rough around the edges. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Do You Really Need 10,000 Steps a Day?

Do You Really Need 10,000 Steps a Day?



Image result for 10,000 steps a day

College Students Aren't Checking Out Books - The Atlantic

College Students Aren't Checking Out Books - The Atlantic





Image result for college library

I’m a Doctor and I Struggle to Help Men With Depression

I’m a Doctor and I Struggle to Help Men With Depression



Retirement

Well today, I went to a retirement party for three of my fellow teachers here at Palm Middle School.  I am jealous that they've reached the end of their time in the educational trenches. Things aren't getting any better in education and in fact for the most part, the kids are running the show.  Discipline is not being enforced evenly among the students if at all.  Morale is pretty low among teachers and generally education is at a low point.  I need some change in my career at this point, maybe another site or grade level. 

It's Time to Stop Wearing Burnout as a Badge of Courage | Shine

It's Time to Stop Wearing Burnout as a Badge of Courage | Shine



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Why Mental Health Is Crucial for Men - Mental Health Awareness Month

Why Mental Health Is Crucial for Men - Mental Health Awareness Month



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Monday, May 27, 2019

Memorial Day weekend

It was a nice weekend, I spent some time alone with both girls, individually which was nice.  Izzy and I went down to Redlands too Barnes and Noble Bookstore browsed for awhile, then had some Dairy Queen.  We took the long way home through Oak Glen and it was overcast but a nice drive. 

Amber and I spent Sunday alone and we cleaned her room together, it was a complete disaster, then played Minecraft.  She has such a good imagination and is a very skillful builder.  Down to the park for awhile. Then home to see if Debbie returned home. 

We celebrated both Debbie's birthday today and Amber's adoption day.  I grilled chicken on the grill and made some baked beans, tater tots, a green salad and of course the cake.  Which Amber decorated. 

Memorial Day

Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln
A salute and reflection of silence for the fallen brothers and sisters that have charged their memory to the preservation of our founding ideals.

How Dungeons & Dragons Can Help Kids Develop Social-Emotional Learning Skills | MindShift | KQED News

How Dungeons & Dragons Can Help Kids Develop Social-Emotional Learning Skills | MindShift | KQED News



Nice quote

It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.

VINCE LOMBARDI

Monday, May 20, 2019

I am reading this two books right now

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Alittle absence

Well things have been going reasonably good these last few weeks, I am still up in the air on how much longer I am going to work in education.  Retirement sure would look good but I am not sure it is feasible at this time maybe in a few more years.  I really think that as long as I am able I'll have to work.  I don't really know what else i would do to take up my time.  For me, idleness is the devils playground and I don't do well mentally without some stimulation/work. 

I have been reading alot this year so far and am going to easily meet and exceed my reading goal of a book a week for the year.  I really enjoy reading and have always been a big reader since I learned to read.  I have to thank my mother for instilling in me this love of reading and books in general.  I like self help, history, SciFi and fantasy for the most part. 

I do like the quiet and order of an early morning.  I need to get back to getting up early again and make it a habit.  I get up about 6:15 AM every morning, but I'd like to get up at 5:00 AM.  If I am going to do that I need to get to sleep earlier so good night for now. 

What Happened When I Made My Students Turn Off Their Phones - aeon - Pocket

What Happened When I Made My Students Turn Off Their Phones - aeon - Pocket



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If You’re Just Not a Morning Person, Science Says You May Never Be - Vox - Pocket

If You’re Just Not a Morning Person, Science Says You May Never Be - Vox - Pocket



Sunday, May 12, 2019

Does Depression Have an Evolutionary Purpose? - Nautilus - Pocket

Does Depression Have an Evolutionary Purpose? - Nautilus - Pocket



Mother's Day

It's been a mixed bag for me today.  Izzy is gone in residential treatment and I miss her deeply, it's just not the same without her.  One of my children is gone.  Amber has been playing in her room most of the day and Debbie is relaxing binge watching Netflix shows.  Testing is this coming week and the students have half days all week so that's nice.  I got a nice picture of my Mom today from Melissa. 


Monday, May 06, 2019

Happiness

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
DALAI LAMA