Northern Noise

 When I majored in English in college, I chose to focus on writing, not literature.  After my first class, I faithfully wrote for at least 15 minutes a day and I continued that practice for many, many, years. Once life happened, and I got busy with teaching, I wrote much less consistently.  I kept a journal off and on, I felt inspired to the occasional short story, essay or (bad) poetry.   So I am going on year 3 of retirement and it's time for me to start living the life I want.  It's way too easy to just let the days go by without really being productive.  So there are some things I need to put more energy and commitment into.  1.  Less mindless phone, more reading.  And not just online - although I love the Atlantic. Reading at bedtime instead of Faceback is an easy practice to embrace. I'd love to be able to talk to Bob about the things I'm reading; new ideas to bring to the table instead of same ol'. 2.  I need to start writing again.  Maybe taking a plug at th

 I wrote my last blogpost in April - fresh into retirement, about to head south, and convinced I'd be a regular contributor to my own blog.  Yeah - not so much.  But here it is, April. What's new?  I absolutely love being in Georgia, my house in Georgia, and spending winter in Georgia. I absolutely did not miss Fairbanks cold winter and snow. Not at all. I was able to walk the dog without adding 15 lbs of clothing, and boots, and hats and gloves and girding the loins to handle the frigid air that freezes one's face.  I like being retired. The Fairbanks School District appears to be in the middle of a massive shit storm and I'm glad I'm not there. I miss my friends and the really good people that I knew in the district. Good people do not a good system make, when the system is determined to be dysfunctional. I totally do not mind spending 24-7 with my husband.  We drive each other just crazy enough, but really do make a good team.  I'm currently in Rockaway Beach

I love my little house in Fairbanks.  It's not fancy, it's an awesome location, and its where we raised our family for the last 20 years.  But even I have to admit that a winter out here in the hills can feel long.  Last year there were a few times Bob had to plow with the 4 wheeler 3x in 2 days. So spending the winter in Georgia not only gives us a bit of break, and gives us a new adventure, it also puts us close to Bob's mom.  It's a win-win-win.  So at this time next week, I'll be sitting in my little house in Blairsville, Georgia. It's not fancy, it's in an awesome location, and with a few improvements it's going to be lovely. It will (eventually) have more space, closets, and a family room/ tv room which are all things I'm excited about and our Fairbanks house doesn't have. What I'll need to adjust to is living in rural Georgia.  Things I already have realized - There is no package liquor store in Union County; there is moonshine for pur

Well, it's official.  I'm done with the public education game, at least here in Fairbanks.  You might say that I graduated, and finally get to leave school.  I knew it was time when my filter stopped working as effectively.  I told Bob that I never back down from a fight for the right things, but I've lost patience fighting stupid. So far my retirement accomplishments include finishing reading a third novel, removing social media and email from my phone, a haircut, some meet ups with friends, and plenty of naps. Bob tells me it's okay to feel weary as I leave working life behind.  And apparently I'm supposed to listen to him because he's been retired a longer while and is the expert. Hmm. 

I try to make sense of the world.  And dammit it's hard to do.  1) The office of POTUS is no longer something to be admired, or aspirational, or model of how to be the best of our world.  2) It's September 14 and it's way too warm and I've got the windows and doors open and the dogs are running in and out as if its summer. 3) My truest love is being a good and responsible son and papa and visiting his mom and then his dad, taking our youngest with him. I don't like it when he's gone. 4) I'm 50 years old and I still don't have it figured out. Oh well.  There's always bourbon.

How does one make sense of the world?  Donald Trump is president of the US.  Perhaps more shocking, the president of the US tweets inflammatory, derogatory, un-presidential rants.  The president of the US attends the Conservative PAC conference alongside openly white supremacist hate-mongers. The president of the US attacks the free press, denigrates women, appoints anti- public education advocates to lead the Dept. of Ed and an Interior Secretary who works to decimate national park lands.   Depending on your definition, there have been 7 school shootings since January 1 that have resulted in death. ( How Many School Shootings in 2018? )   Today, Vladamir Putin shared that Russia is developing new nuclear weapons to combat the USA.    I'm not sure I can make sense of all this.