a prayer

Enter into me, where You already abide.

that's me

It's another one of those days.

I'm not a mother. 

Probably never will be. 

But I'm a woman phenomenally.

From one of my very, very favorites, Maya ....

Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

—Maya Angelou

i teach, therefore i drink

Teacher Appreciation Week? 

When did that start; and how have I missed said occasion before now? Sounds like an excuse for folks to toss a platitude or two (and maybe even a coffee mug) at teachers--all in an attempt to show support.

Funny. I've never been the beneficiary of Teacher Appreciation Week. Alas, my exorbitant educator's salary and subsequent insanely adventurous lifestyle are all the thanks I'll ever need. 

Other notable appreciation weeks: Grave Digger Appreciation Week, Stun Gun Dummy Tester Appreciation Week, Theme Park Janitor Appreciation Week, Toll Booth Operator Appreciation Week, and the Guy Who Scoops Up Roadkill Appreciation Week.

So, I guess ... to all of my friends and colleagues who were insane enough to take on careers in education: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Not bitter much,
Another grateful educator

missing my sweet jaxson

"The way to Cat Heaven

is a field of sweet grass
where crickets and butterflies play ....
In Cat Heaven, cats are so loved and spoiled
God lets them all lie on His bed .... "

from Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

On Tuesday I was forced to say a sudden goodbye to a treasured member of my family. An underlying and undiagnosed heart condition resulted in a blood clot in one of my fur babies. Little could be done.

Feels like something fundamental in my life has been zapped away. 

Jaxson was the best, and his mama misses him terribly. 

old try = new fave

I've now purchased three prints from the good people at Old Try, and each one has been better than advertised. Not only are their wares top quality, but they're friendly as the day is long.

Below: Texas A&M University 12th Man print, currently displayed in my living room:

I love their southern offerings--particularly their t-shirts (the Texas goodies are the best). My only regret: They haven't yet created a Lone Star flag of some sort.

For a great gift, splurge a little on their framing. Worth every penny.

san franpsycho

(saw a t-shirt with that apropos moniker & loved it)

As part of my and my colleagues' annual quest for increased knowledge acquisition, collegiality, and--in great truth--to fulfill those parts of our grants that require dissemination of our research findings ;), I journeyed to San Francisco last week for a professional conference. Crazily, in my 40 years of life, I had never before visited the City by the Bay. It was ... interesting. And pretty. And inspiring. And interesting. And hilly. And odd. And interesting.

I continue to be amazed at how different are these 50 united(?) states from each other (to say nothing of the regional differences within larger states like California, Texas, and New York). SF is most definitely not home to some of my most favorite things (trucks, howdys, welcoming hugs, lone stars, real cowboys); but it does have some pretty fantastic weather, bread, chocolate, and opportunities for people-watching.

A few San Franpsycho images I captured with my camera:

Alcatraz

Wharf

Ghirardelli Square

Golden Gate Bridge

Fisherman's Wharf

One parting thought (with a tip of the hat to Train): If I could wish upon a star, I most definitely would not hitch a cable car. That experience--along with the cab rides--took me about as close to heaving as has any icky vehicular situation I've ever endured. SF, your streets are a never-ending roller coaster. I just can't do it.