Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. Carl Bard
Who Am I?
What a seemingly simple question and yet is it really? I thought I knew who I was for the bulk of my life. I was the second oldest of four siblings and the only girl. I grew up in a conservative, Catholic family. As the only daughter of an Italian father, I was indeed naive … Continue reading Who Am I?
Self-Care or Selfish?
Make it stop!!! Much has been made of the importance of self-care in recent years, and I have always found the topic interesting, eye-opening, and occasionally humorous. While working as a teacher in the public school system, I found myself, like many of my colleagues, overwhelmed, exhausted, and frankly, disillusioned with what had become of … Continue reading Self-Care or Selfish?
Imelda Marcos, Pat Palmieri and Me??
A small part of the Imelda Marcos shoe collection For those of you who are too young to remember Imelda Marcos, or even those who may have had more important things to do than read about the former First Lady of the Philippines, here's a quick lesson. Imelda was the First Lady of the Philippines … Continue reading Imelda Marcos, Pat Palmieri and Me??
Emotional Tides
Realizing I don't understand emotions any more than I understand the mysteries of the ocean When I discovered my ex was not only having affairs but was moving money to create an entirely new life apart from our family, I was understandably crushed. I went through stages: shock, pain, panic and finally anger. The anger … Continue reading Emotional Tides
We’re So Not the Murphys
When I was 8, my parents moved us out of the Bronx to a suburb in NJ. It did take some getting used to, but after awhile, we realized that what we lacked in convenience, we more than made up for in privacy. For the first time, I had my own room! In the Bronx, … Continue reading We’re So Not the Murphys
Me, Dad and Bogey
I turned on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) the other night and saw that “Casablanca” was on. I love black and white movies. Truth be told I love most old movies, although I am partial to musicals. Casablanca is a classic, albeit nonmusical, but still an amazing movie. When one of the classics comes on, I … Continue reading Me, Dad and Bogey
Respect in Special Education
I have been in education for decades. Yes, okay, I am old. This should come as no surprise if you've been following my blog! But my age aside, the trends I am seeing in education are becoming increasingly more disturbing. I addressed many of these in my last post, "When Did Schools Stop Being Schools", … Continue reading Respect in Special Education
When Did Schools Stop Being……Schools?
As someone who has been teaching for over 30 years, I have marveled at the evolution of teaching and education in general during not only my tenure, but during my lifetime. Prior to COVID-19, I was discussing this with a friend and colleague. We are both Early Childhood Special Education teachers and had just finished … Continue reading When Did Schools Stop Being……Schools?
Coronavirus: Birth of a Culture
For a long time I hesitated to write about the pandemic currently sweeping most of the world. I felt there was nothing left to say about it. It is all anyone talks about. It has changed the way we work, or if we work. It has changed the way we socialize, shop, eat, drink, entertain … Continue reading Coronavirus: Birth of a Culture
Beyond Substance Abuse
Last week my brother Chris would have celebrated his 58th birthday. As I reflected on the birthday that never was, so many memories flooded my mind and drowned my heart. As always, I felt a familiar tug of guilt: Could I have done more? Did any of my actions no matter how unintentional, add to … Continue reading Beyond Substance Abuse
In Defense of Christmas
When did Christmas become a "bad word"? Or I suppose the better question would be WHY did the word "Christmas" become something we are told to avoid? We can say "Happy Holidays" but not "Merry Christmas", even on Christmas day? I don't understand why this is considered offensive. I wish my Jewish friends "Happy Hanakkuh" … Continue reading In Defense of Christmas
New Endings 