Sustainability and the importance of equality in education

I am SO proud of my sister Linda. She is a teacher at Imago Dei Middle School in Tucson. She and her students participated in the School of the Future Design Competition this past year, and took 3rd place in the country - against all odds.

watch the video:

escapes

Some photos I took

Hard times for some = opportunities for others

Have you heard the news? The economy is bad.

If you are fortunate enough to have a good job, a roof over your head,  health insurance, and plenty of food in your pantry - you CAN do something. With so many folks falling on hard times it is our responsibility as world citizens to take care of each other. Even by doing small things, we can make a difference. We cannot rely on ’someone else’ to do these things. So what are you waiting for?

Here are some ideas:

• Donate to Modest Needs
• Support the Capital Area Food Bank (or a food bank in your area)
• Adopt a family in Fairfax County Virginia (use google to find a reputable organization in your area)
• Help an elderly person by spending time or helping them with errands
• Participate in the help the homeless walkathon

There are so many creative ways to help. If you have ideas - let me know! I will write about them here and post them in other places as well.

Stop thinking about yourself and just do it!

Virginia, the Vote, and Inspiration

I am up at 4am. Dressed and ready by 5. Have my coffee in-hand, along with portable soccer chair stepping out the door for what is one of the most exiting, inspiring days of my life. When I arrive at the local high school at about 5:15 am, there are more than 300 folks in line. I have goose bumps.

What inspires me most is the number of young folks, looking very close to 18 - and the diversity in that line. I see so many folks I know from the community - teachers, coaches, neighbors and friends. The feeling is electric - it’s history in the making.

I am inspired today. Inspired and thankful. Thankful to live in a country where we can stand side-by-side with others who we may not agree with, but still show mutual respect. Standing next to neighbors who, in the end, care about the future of this country just as much as I do.

I hope that after today, regardless of the outcome, we can all stand together and do what it takes to make our country strong again.

AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk - will you help me to prevent suicide?

Tomorrow morning, I will be joining hundreds of others for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Out of the Darkness community walk.

It’s a short walk — only six miles (nothing like the 20 mile overnight dusk-till-dawn walk I did last year (see the video on my blog - link below).

Those of you who know me well understand that this cause is near to my heart, as I lost my mother to suicide when I was 21 (she was only 48). I also lost two childhood friends (brothers) to suicide, and just this past spring, my son tragically lost a high-school colleague as well.

There is still time to donate! I am asking all of my friends and colleagues to support this cause. To do so, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/5h4nzb

You can also read my full blog post about this and take a peak at the AFSP video.

Have it your way, but don’t get too crazy

Vote. It’s important.

Use this site to register to vote, request and absentee ballot, or find your polling place. They make it super-dupe EASY for you to make sure all is in order for election day:

 VoteForChange.com

Please share this with friends - Democracy works best when everyone participates.

walking (again) to prevent suicide

I decided to participate in another AFSP Out of the Darkness walk this year - on October 11th. It’s one of their community walks, only six miles (nothing like the 20 mile overnight dusk-till-dawn walk I did last year - see the video below).

So I formed a team named “Lumos” - all of you Harry Potter fans will understand what that means (it’s the magic spell for ‘light’).

Those of you who know me well understand that this cause is near to my heart, as I lost my mother to suicide when I was 21 (she was only 48). I also lost two childhood friends (brothers) to suicide, and just this past spring, my son tragically lost a high-school colleague as well.

If you would like to donate or be part of my team, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/5h4nzb and sign up.

lunch

I ran across this today. I forgot how funny this movie is. I think this is my favorite scene. Whatever happened to Molly Ringwald anyway?

more about “lunch“, posted with vodpod

My Outlander Obsession

I have spent the past several months living in 1700’s Scotland with a beautiful time-traveling woman, kilted clansmen, a brief stay in Paris - then on to colonial America. All of this includes page turning adventure along with an intense and passionate love story intertwined with fascinating historical facts. I am so obsessed that I am beginning to dream in gaelic.

These book are long, but I never want them to end. Next to Lord of the Rings, these are absolutely my favorite books (and that is saying A LOT!).

What a geek I am.

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series Outlander Dragonfly in Amber Voyager Drums of Autumn The Fiery Cross A Breath of Snow and Ashes