Yesterday, I had a comment from a friend on a post I had shared that suggested we should all just get along and stop "fanning the flames" with political comments and posts. I've seen quite a few comments like this in social media, as well as in conversations I've had. I attempted to state how I feel this administration is different from previous ones, but I didn't make much headway. Let me try to address this issue here. I've been voting for around fifty years and was interes

I usually begin with a story. Not this time. See, I've never had any contact with the IRS so I don't have a pertinent story. At least not now, although I'm sure I'll be audited after I write this. Now that we're in tax season, the IRS is in the news more, not to mention all of those commercials promising to help citizens whom have been targeted for not paying their taxes. In my book, Defining America , there is a chapter entitled "punching bags". It's a list of easy targets t

Let me begin with a story. Yesterday, a woman came by to give us an estimate on a new furnace. She was extremely knowlegeable about furnaces, heating systems in general, etc. I, on the other hand, don't even know how to shut off the power in the house, not to mention how to change the filter, or what pipes are for what. In other words, I'm pretty ignorant about such things as home maintenace, not to mention car engines, gardening, hockey, any form of technology, etc. I accept

Let me begin with a story. When I was teaching middle schoolers in a special education class, some had specific interests in programs outside of school. One was interested in horses, both in riding and in taking care of them while another wanted to become a mechanic. There were appropriate programs offered in the regional BOCES that provided wonderful opportunities. However, I remember a student complaining that other kids referred to him as a "BOCE". In the current political

As a teacher and as a principal, there were many times when students made a mistake. It may have been about behavior, academic work, or...

I'd guess that most of us have voted for a losing candidate at one time or another . Sometimes you're just a little disappointed and...

I can't tell you how often I think of ideas to write about in this space, only to be overwhelmed. I then forget all about it. Well, not...

Let me begin with an admission. There are certain media outlets that I find offensive, so offensive in fact, that I once asked a business...

This may be the most difficult passage I've ever written, harder than any blog post, book chapter, essay, etc. That's because I...