The Kohlmans

"There has recently been a national furor about school reform. One must wonder how it is possible to talk of improving schools while cutting funding, demoralizing teachers, cutting scholarships to college, and increasing class sizes." It just doesn't make sense - at least to me. I think that this article on CNN.com presents the viewpoint of teachers very well.Ravitch's book is now on my "to-read" list.

When I listen to songs, the words are what strike me. Last night was the first time I remember hearing the song "Bleed Red" by Ronnie Dunn. I pondered it last night as I fell asleep. I listened to it over and over again today while I graded papers. I can't get it out of my head.  Sometimes our world seems so broken. It is a difficult place to be. Some days it is so hard to feel at peace. I see the gap between reality and the ideal; it's hard to not know or see how to bridge that divide. I feel like this song captures some of these feelings so well.  Let’s say were sorry before it’s too late Give forgiveness a chance Turn the anger into water Let it slip through our hands We all bleed red, we all taste rain All fall down, lose our way We all say words we regret We all cry tears, we all bleed red If we’re fighting we’re both losing We’re just wasting our time Because my scars, they are your scars And your world is mine You and I We all bleed red, w...

This is what I did on my most recent snow day (yesterday)... Not just one - no! Two camera strap covers. I'm getting pretty bummed about all the snow, so I needed to make something bright and cheery. I used the tutorial here .

... Real, is the hand you hold 57 years Real, is a band of gold trembling with fear ... Real, like too much rain falling from the sky Real, like the drought that came around here last July ... The prayer they prayed when they plant the seeds And the chance they take to bring us our next meal I call that real

When your husband is a high school girls basketball coach (although I'm pretty sure I never would have done this!)... "We are made to persist. That's how we find out who we are." -Tobias Wolff At least they learned the quote of the week.

This is our Christmas gift from Jim and Sheila (Brad's aunt and uncle/godparents). It was just delivered on Saturday. I once mentioned in that I would love to have one, and, presto! here it is. (Edit: the embroidered jean quilt was my high school graduation present from my parents. My mom designed it and drew most of the pictures; my grandmas embroidered it.)