Archive for January 2013

Look backwards to move forward – or something like that. About  2550 years ago the Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius advised “Study the past, if you would divine the future.” With the future coming at us faster than ever (it seems), I thought it might be a good thing to toss a thought or two about…

Risk – and its surprising reward. Often it’s difficult for us school folks to think outside the box. (“Oh yeah? Says who?” you ask.) Well, I think it’s difficult for us to get “outside of the box” because we operate within such a gigantic box each and every day. Very few people deal with the…

“Don’t even think about it, Buster!” That’s the kind of encouragement I got at home Sunday. It’s not very uplifting, right? So while you’re locating a crying towel or some kleenex for me, I’ll explain. Everything should’ve been fine. Sunday was a great afternoon for TV sports, particularly if you like Big 10 college hoops.…

Oh, oh. I just heard the word “stupid” on the radio. As you read this, please understand that this particular “Encourager” was a struggle for me. Here’s why: Given today’s topic and example, I must occasionally use the word “stupid.” And this isn’t easy for me. I grew up in the Flint area in a…

Hemingway’s best story – and its connection to what we do He said it. I didn’t. So please don’t “sic” your AP American Lit. teachers on me. But Ernest Hemingway called this story his best work. Here tis’ – “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” That’s it. Six words. And the rest of his story…