Essays, second drafts, and a little inspiration Table of Contents Featured Essay Notes Writing Prompts What I’m Reading Quote Subscriber Content Featured Essay Effort and Faith: Are They Enough? Over the past month, I wrote a lot about Anne Frank — just one quote even! I mean, if I can type up three blog postsContinue reading "Second Pass | February 2026"
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 theContinue 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. Unfortunately, my Amazon Associates link is no longer valid, but I'll still share where you can buy these books. Cheers! Dear Delia edited by Michael J. LarsonContinue 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 amazedContinue 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,Continue 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 slideshowContinue reading "Teaching is Improvised Theater"
Second Pass | January 2026
Essays, second drafts, and a little inspiration Table of Contents Featured Essay Notes Writing Prompts What I’m Reading Quote Subscriber Content Featured Essay New Year Thoughts: whose time do I protect? I chose teaching partly because I like the classroom, and partly because it buys me something rare: summers. Three uninterrupted months where no oneContinue reading "Second Pass | January 2026"
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’llContinue reading "Inventory of 2025"
Strip Club Experience: Sad Women and Stupid Men
In a strip club, the narrator and Mika navigate a foreign environment. They encounter indifferent dancers and a mix of patrons. Despite initial nerves, they interact with a dancer named Layla, who shares her interests. The night culminates in awkward experiences, and they ultimately decide to leave.
Travel Reflections while SEO Tagging and Blog Reminiscing
The author shares their feelings of being overwhelmed but looks forward to visiting Montreal for Christmas festivities. They reflect on updating SEO for blog posts about their 2023 European trip, particularly focusing on their experiences in Paris. The author plans to write more during Winter Break and asks readers about their holiday plans.