How many times have you heard (or said), “Why do I have to learn algebra? It’s not like I’ll ever use it in real life!” As a parent, I’ve had to get quite creative – justifying algebra and several of its equally frustrating peers – to help my kids understand[Read more]
I got some great presents for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, from friends and family who really know me – handmade gifts (a pillow made from flour sack towel I fell in love with), guilty pleasures (gel pens), splurges (a Netbook and a new handbag), and a gift[Read more]
I hope you’re sitting down – or at least holding onto something sturdy – because I’m about to consciously let my worlds collide. This Sunday, I’m preaching at a small Presbyterian church in southern Indiana, filling the pulpit while their pastor is on vacation. I don’t accept many opportunities to preach[Read more]
Last week, instead of teaching something specific, I let my upcycling students “shop” from what I’ve collected in the Creative Reuse Center and come up with their own projects. The creativity and chaos that followed drew some attention from students passing by our room on their way to other classes.[Read more]
Do you save your old spice tins? For the longest time, I’ve coveted vintage spice tins I see in magazines and online, used to organize art supplies or as a home for tiny succulents. It turns out what I was really coveting was their exterior, because the spice tins in[Read more]
It’s the busiest month of the year for the U.S. Postal Service. Last December, they delivered 16.5 billion letters, packages and cards between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. Hard on them, but nice for the rest of us. It’s fun to receive mail that isn’t a bill or unsolicited junk,[Read more]