a weaver’s prayer
In a reality shaped out of instant gain We buy our garments ready made … Continue reading a weaver’s prayer
Category: Autobiography
Believe the Beloved
This is a German Bible a friend found for me cheap at an estate sale. It was published in the 1800s in Chicago. Studying Luther’s translation of the Bible (circa 1522) I am struck by how words change their meaning over time, in German, and also in English. Language is a living thing. The word belief, (glauben in German) used to mean “beloved”. It was not about mind. It had nothing to do with facts or proof. It was about heart; connection and adoration. To believe in someone or something meant to give them your attention, to prioritize them, and … Continue reading Believe the Beloved
Fight Flight Freeze FAWN
Ever wonder why people often stop making sense when they are arguing? The answer is in our bodies, not our minds or souls. Arguing people are triggered; their bodies are in fight-or-flight. Remember that regardless of what you believe about morality or our immortal souls, our bodies themselves are still mammals. (If you doubt this truth, just try to mess with a mother’s child, and see what kind of Mama-Bear response you get!) In my decades of teaching, especially when it comes to de-escalating upset students, I have found it helpful to, for just a moment, set aside all my … Continue reading Fight Flight Freeze FAWN
The Dam of Tears
Why did I cry so much about the damn dam while watching Frozen 2? It’s a kid’s movie about a woman who magically creates ice. ummm, ok, Shalay’s tears, whatever. Y’all, it’s also a movie about a community that hid the evil it employed to establish its wealth, and literally dammed the resources away from the people whose land was stolen. I cried when I saw the film because I had recently learned the history of the indigenous people who lived in my hometown, and the role that the dam played in the theft of their land. I, like Elsa, … Continue reading The Dam of Tears
For Dr. August DeBerdt, beloved Teacher.
My beloved professor passed away last July. August DeBerdt was born February 19, 1934.So in honor of his birthday, better late than never, I wanted to share some of what I learned from him. I attended Berry College in 1994. A small liberal arts college in the foothills of Georgia. It was difficult for me as a first generation college student. I was excited to learn. But I was scared to death. I wanted to hide my head from the horrors of the world. But I was also impossibly curious. I wanted to be a writer. So, rather against my … Continue reading For Dr. August DeBerdt, beloved Teacher.
an 80s poem for my brother
Once in a Lifetime By Shalay for Russ When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderfulA miracle, oh it was beautiful, magicalWe were moving in stereoWe were the pirate twins But then I was stunned and amazedMy childhood memoriesSlowly swirled pastLike the wind through the trees I had to watch what I say or they’ll be calling me a radicalLiberal, oh fanatical, criminal I ran Didn’t think I needed anything at all which of us is another brick in the wall? Hey you, out there in the coldGetting lonely, getting oldCan you feel me? You might think … Continue reading an 80s poem for my brother
a conversation with the wind
When in the realm of too-sentient things I hollered and flapped and broke both my wings I wailed and screamed and beat my breast The wind blew by And whispered, “Just rest.” I screamed to the wind that there was too much to do The wind agreed, that he was busy too. “Well, how can I rest, while I’m running this race? I never get ahead, a slave to serotonin, confined by time and space, You wouldn’t know! You just swirl around, as free as you please.” And then the wind made an amused little breeze. “Me? Where I want? … Continue reading a conversation with the wind
My translation of the Lord’s Prayer
Our parent who art everywhere Hallowed be thy name Thy love-order come, thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our basic needs and forgive us our mistakes As we forgive those who make mistakes against us Lead us not into selfish delusions But deliver us from choosing evil For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory Forever Continue reading My translation of the Lord’s Prayer
half blind and half deaf
As a language teacher, I know about communicating. I also know how often people think they have communicated, but they really haven’t. I love to play the game of Telephone with my students. We start a whispered sentence in German, and by the time it gets all the way around the circle, it is usually completely garbled and hilarious. Or we play a similar game, except with sketches that get passed around. It shows them how fragile communication really is. “Purple monkey dishwasher” is my husband’s name for the phenomenon in which you explain something to your students, they nod … Continue reading half blind and half deaf
What the Taxidermist taught his daughter about value
When I was about 10 years old, a well-dressed white lady walked into my dad’s corpse-scented taxidermy shop reverently holding the body of a hummingbird that had smashed itself into her picture window. “How much will it cost me to … Continue reading What the Taxidermist taught his daughter about value
The Taxidermist’s Youngest
This is the excerpt for your very first post. Continue reading The Taxidermist’s Youngest
The Taxidermist's Youngest 