Lately, in my endeavors in my various classrooms, I’ve been discussing kindness. As well as the flipside of kindness. In these conversations taking place among students in 5th grade all the way up to my college students (some of whom are in their 40’s), the talk often revolves around two things: how to spread kindness in the world and what to do with bullies or unkind people. Teachers lead these kinds of talks. It comes with the job. Parents do as well. I spend a good deal of

I haven’t been able to write since the shooting. If we’re decent human beings, these events knock our souls around. If we’re decent human beings with children of our own or close to other people’s children, there’s a devastating anxiety and extra heartbreak. For those of us who are teachers or any person who works in a school or classroom of any kind, there’s something else about it for which I have no words. Which I guess is why I haven’t been able to write. Twenty-three yea

Pictured here in my inspiration station is a small collection of the love notes from my husband. Over the years, they arrived with boxes of chocolates of flowers and I believe in keeping them where I can see them because words possess a power that I love, and when on paper, they’re forever. All over my house there are words: notes taped to walls, quotes everywhere. Because words and I are great friends. That’s true of any English teacher, but for many people words are tedious

Valentine’s Day is also my husband’s birthday. A double whammy of activities and events revolving around decadent food and fun. So, we make a week of it, not just a day. This week and weekend, we plan on indulging in a few of our favorite places of food, beverage, sweets, and entertainment. Each one inspires us in what they produce and offer the Lehigh Valley. FOOD Union and Finch: We love this place! The atmosphere is casual enough to be a no Spanx required evening, the food