My writing teacher, the late Donald Murray, once said that over time he found himself returning to the same topics. In his case, two of his topics were serving in WWII and the death of his adult daughter. His words drift into my mind as I notice I’m starting to write yet another blog about . . . Read More
When I was a kid, May 1st was a day of connection. We’d make little baskets and fill them with lilacs, popcorn, and candy, then deliver them to friends’ front doors. It was a sweet way to remember close friends. It’s not a practice we see around here. And with social distancing in place, as . . . Read More
On my way home the other day, I noticed a yellow sign next to the Circle K at the corner of 40th Street and Baseline. I hadn’t seen it before and realized it was a marker for something that had been near and dear to my heart years ago, the Japanese flower gardens. Long before . . . Read More
I can tell it’s spring, and it’s not just the weather. All kinds of blooming is happening at the Seed. I noticed dozens of pink and purple blossoms on our peach tree, and the apple tree has buds as well. Things are blooming inside the building, too, as was evident in the K-1 class last . . . Read More
It’s impossible for me to see wild geese and not think of Mary Oliver. High above the Platte River on a wintry Nebraska day or passing through the desert at the change of seasons, the wild geese are poetry in action. These words at the end of Oliver’s most famous poem, “Wild Geese,” have sustained me . . . Read More
As an alum of Arizona State University, I often receive ASU publications. One arrived last week that caught my eye. On the cover was a delightful photo of Alberto Ríos, an ASU professor, Arizona’s first poet laureate from 2013-15, and a former Seed parent. I read the engaging article about Alberto, his life, and his work . . . Read More
Everything changed a month ago and I’m still regaining my footing. It hasn’t been easy and I know, in comparison to a vast majority of people on the planet, my life is blessed. I know the shift that needs to happen is within and that’s where my focus lies these days. Looking for inspiration last night . . . Read More
On Monday morning I looked out my window and saw a mama quail and her three just-hatched babies scurry across our garden. The babies looked like puff balls on wheels. It’s hard to believe something so young could run that fast. I stepped out to catch a photo of them, but alas, they were too speedy. . . . Read More
Last Wednesday Danielle and I moved everything out of our office. A steady stream of staff, parents and kids stopped by to ask if we were moving. No, just clearing out decades of accumulated stuff (mine) to make a new space for the next version of the Seed’s leadership. We stripped the walls, moved book . . . Read More
Thirty years ago I met a poet who changed my life. That poet, Georgia Heard, is still changing lives. Currently writing a book about heart maps, a technique developed to help young poets find poetry in their lives, Georgia asked if I’d be willing to try out heart maps with the Seed third and fourth graders. . . . Read More