Grandmas Goulash

Most days, I enjoy homeschooling. Miss Muffin does much of her learning through independent reading and activities. When I do need to give a verbal explanation, she is quick to grasp and apply the concepts that she has learned. I like correcting papers and reading her thoughts. What don’t I like? It’s something called Common Core. When I first heard about Common Core standards, I thought it was a great idea. We are a mobile society and moving is an integral part of many children’s school years. It’s hard enough to adjust to a new school and make new friends. If students had a standard curriculum nationwide, a six grader in Maine could move to California without repeating or missing portions of their curriculum. From a homeschooling standpoint, it would provide a roadmap to insure that my granddaughter was keeping pace with her peers in brick and mortar schools. I still think that’s a good idea, but unfortunately, it is not Common Core. Those standards explain what a child sho...

I love springtime in the South. While my northern relatives are still bemoaning the arrival of another snowstorm, southern trees are lush and  photographers in NC , TN and a host of southern states are out capturing shots of tulips and daffodils. As warm days transform into sweltering heat, however, I wistfully remember northern summers. Sun never turned the trees from rich green to a parched greenish-brown. Flowers and lawns flourished without regular watering and so did the vegetable  garden. As I look out the window this morning, the view is still pretty, but there’s no denying that the colors aren’t as rich as they were a month ago. The grass is always greener in the other fellow’s yard. That’s not just a saying. When it comes to southern summers, it’s a reality.

Thumbelina prayed for a seismic upheaval to hurl her from the malodorous depths of the boots. Joe studied his Father’s Day work boots and knew he’d soon be mowing green instead of putting on it. Whatever happened to ties? Bob claimed he was preserving the tread on his boots, but everyone knew he was just plain lazy.

Horace radiated excitement wherever he went. And chaos. Attorney, Chase Ambulanz, assisted the victim, after calculating his share of the personal injury suit. Joe was sure he had broken something. Worse yet, the other guy got the taxi.