Create Safe Spaces
Posted on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
During the year I taught school in the early 1970s, some of the kids in my 8th grade homeroom became good friends, and often stayed after school to talk. A couple years later one of [...]
continue readingEnjoy Soy
Posted on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
I learned years ago that kids and food go together. One of my favorite things to do with kids is cook. I’ve had some frantic moments in front of a classroom remembering what I forgot–yes, [...]
continue readingRide a Bike
Posted on Saturday, February 20th, 2010
I remember the first time I rode down the hill toward the city park after my dad took my training wheels off. Such a feeling of exhilaration and freedom! I still like to ride my [...]
continue readingRide a Horse
Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010
After reading and re-reading my favorite horse books–Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty and My Friend Flicka–I bought a horse when I was in college. Well, actually two horses. The first was a green-broke Arabian gelding named Pegasus. He [...]
continue readingEmbrace Winter
Posted on Saturday, January 9th, 2010
It’s been an especially cold winter in many places, but kids (and adults) can have fun and get healthy by going outside even in frigid, snowy weather. Each winter I resolve to renew my relationship [...]
continue readingFind Refuge
Posted on Sunday, October 18th, 2009
I just applied to make my yard a certified wildlife habitat. I figured I might as well, since the deer have plucked my rosebuds one by one this summer and fall. Really, it’s a small [...]
continue readingShuffle Power
Posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Sexual harassment has touched many women and men; I have dealt with it personally only a year ago. We can only hope that instances of such insensitive, bullying behavior will decrease as our society evolves [...]
continue readingGive Feedback
Posted on Sunday, September 20th, 2009
The Chrysalis Foundation works very hard to collect accurate information about its work with girls in after-school groups. On this post you’ll find the Evaluation Tools for the Chrysalis After-School Programs for 2009-2010. I will [...]
continue readingLove Your Body
Posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009
There’s been a lot of controversy during the last week about a photo of a “normal woman” in the September issue of Glamour Magazine. Body image is certainly an area that trips a lot of [...]
continue readingGo Outdoors!
Posted on Monday, August 24th, 2009
The naturalists at Polk County Conservation are some of my favorite people to work with. I’ve facilitated adventure education programs with them, canoed, and learned to use GPS in parks throughout Polk County. Some of [...]
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