Alarms

This year, at the senior banquet, I got the first shout-out. I don’t like being the center of attention, so I was both pleased and embarrassed. What does the graduating senior say of me, after two years in my class? “I remember Ms Schurman always used to say, ‘Wake up!” The purpose of education is, […]

Coulda

The happiest day of my life was the day I was the filthiest and the cleanest tired. I woke up jittery on the floor of a Mexican church, and pulled on overalls. All day we nailed two-by-fours and I drank gallons of water without ever having to pee. In the desert, you don’t pee or […]

Before I Get Old

When I was seventeen and attending a Pearl Jam concert, I was concerned that I was uncool because I had never been to Europe or had a boyfriend. Also, my pants were usually wrong, one way or another. At last night’s Pearl Jam show, I was afraid I was uncool because I am old. Thirty-three. How times change.

Weeds

In the spring the whole world explodes, and when things get going and grow, the weeds come, too.

This is the crankiest time of year for teachers. The weeds are growing. This time of year, we worry about what the students have done, if it was the right stuff, and if we told them the truth.