I wrote this after a Tarot card reading I performed around identifying my spirit guide(s). I came up with a type I call the “Philosopher-Explorer.” The following was handwritten in the span of 15-20 minutes. These are merely notes rather than a complete thought. Bear that in mind before you read further, please. This descriptionContinueContinue reading “Fingertips of the Universe”
Category Archives: Personal Essays
Bring Back Letters – March 11, 2026
Dear Reader, In writing a post on letters, what better method than a letter itself! Of course, I felt a little cliché using form to express form. Clichés most often belong in the trash. Sincerity and originality are the hallmarks of a good communicator. However, my affinity for letters allows an occasional cliché. I needContinueContinue reading “Bring Back Letters – March 11, 2026”
Make Teaching Boring
Ironically, I discovered the idea of boring teaching in a place built to harvest our short attention spans: TikTok. Here’s another video in support of the method. The idea isn’t to make education dull, but to encourage self-engagement and critical thinking. The irony here is that a short-form content platform creator is encouraging the embracingContinueContinue reading “Make Teaching Boring”
When Faith is Lost
I’ve analyzed Anne Frank’s quote, “A person who’s happy will make others happy; a person who has courage and faith will never die in misery.” Now, I’d like to test this, specifically to see what happens when kids lose faith in themselves and when the system as a whole is lost. Student Growth There areContinueContinue reading “When Faith is Lost”
Courage and Faith
“A person who’s happy will make others happy; a person who has courage and faith will never die in misery.” Last week, I mentioned this quote from Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl that struck me. This week, I’d like to assess the second portion, which tells us that courage and faith are theContinueContinue reading “Courage and Faith”
Book List of 2026
Last year, I read 11 books. That feels tiny, but several of these were beefy or dense. In any case, I’d like to read 12 books this year. Cheers! Dear Delia edited by Michael J. Larson and John David SmithThere are a number of Civil War diaries out there, offering excellent sources of firsthand experiencesContinueContinue reading “Book List of 2026”
Anne Frank Speaks Still
“A person who’s happy will make others happy; a person who has courage and faith will never die in misery.” Anne Frank Not many 14-year-olds could offer a quote of this caliber today, semi-colon notwithstanding. Yet, as my 8th-grade English classes read Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl, I can’t help but be amazedContinueContinue reading “Anne Frank Speaks Still”
A Memorial to Franklin: My First Sourdough Starter
November 2024 — December 17, 2025 I had mentioned to a few new friends that I wanted to begin baking sourdough. One of those friends brought me a starter in the central room separating the academic and dorm wings. The first name that popped into my head was Franklin. Thus, he was born. Although discarded,ContinueContinue reading “A Memorial to Franklin: My First Sourdough Starter”
Teaching is Improvised Theater
Act I: Opening Night The students enter, claiming seats at the U-shaped desks. They’ve brought in Tic-Tacs and gum just to spite the “no food” rule. Giggling and whispers fill the air before my performance begins. At the lectern, I study notes to make sure I don’t miss anything. Today, I’ve sworn off a slideshowContinueContinue reading “Teaching is Improvised Theater”
Inventory of 2025
I’ve started two different drafts prior to this in an attempt to publish something of note. Frankly, I feel like crap, and my creative flux capacity hasn’t been charging – may need a new alternator. Still, the whole purpose of this blog is to keep me writing. So, let’s write….or, I’ll write, and maybe you’llContinueContinue reading “Inventory of 2025”