A Life Worthy

Tag: a life worthy

  • Lessons from the Dog

    IMG_1742I’m way too much like my dog.

    And yet not enough.

    Confusing?  Tell me about it.

    Summer is here, and for me that means early morning walks with the lovely Mandibles of Death.  You may remember this pooch.  Her given name is Amanda, but she has claimed the title Mandibles.  She has earned it, too, being vicious in a way that only fluffy Golden Retrievers can be.

    I try to use our daily walk as prayer time.  The fresh morning air and invigorating exercise are supposed to free up my mind for communion with God.  That’s the plan, anyway.  As we cruised along the block today, I couldn’t help but notice that there are ways in which Mandy reminds me, uncomfortably, of myself.   (more…)

  • Bachelor Weekend

    lonely 2I really shouldn’t be left alone.

    Cathy and the kids are at a homeschool convention this weekend.  I had an unmissable appointment yesterday, so I was unable to go with them.

    That means I’m home.

    All by myself. (more…)

  • Real Men Don’t Wear Flip-Flops

    flip flopSeriously.

    I was in the market yesterday, and I noticed a display of flip-flops.  For those of you who don’t know, “Flip-Flops” is the technical term for inexpensive, backless sandals, usually made of rubber.  There are a variety of names associated with this casual footwear, but the intellectual elite know them as “Flip-Flops.” (more…)

  • The Final Anne-alysis

    paintbrushTake one small, inbred country town.

    Add a psychotic, delusional orphan girl.

    Throw in a splash of raspberry cordial.

    Mix thoroughly.

    What do you get?

    That’s been my question. (more…)

  • Good Enough

    English: 4th place ribbon for a race

    When is it good to say good enough is good enough?

    Last time, I was talking about the astounding level of mediocrity that I find in my classroom.  I’m not just talking about the things they don’t know—like my World History student who thinks that Christianity has its roots in the teachings of Confucius.

    Seriously.

    No, I’m talking about the level of effort I see—and the level of effort that is rewarded.

    What can I do to teach my own kids to be more than mediocre? (more…)

  • Good Job?

    thumbsFor the record…30% is not usually good.

    In baseball, batting .300 is only so-so.

    In basketball, hitting 3 out of 10 free throws is not impressive.

    In a classroom, 30% is an F.  Large-scale F.  Like, If the grades went any lower than “F,” you’d get that lower grade kind of failure.

    So why, when recording a stack of student-graded quizzes, did I come across a paper with “6/20=30%—Good Job!!” written on it? (more…)

  • Confidence vs. Arrogance

    English: A red exclamation mark Magyar: Egy pi...

    Am I a bold, self-assured man, confident in the gifts and talents God has given me?

    Or am I an arrogant jerk?

    That was rhetorical—you don’t need to answer.

    Please.  (more…)

  • Keep On

    trailOh, Yeah, life goes on

    Long after the thrill of living is gone…

    A singularly depressing and unwholesome song, yet possessing a kernel of truth.

    I’ve rambled on before about how theater is kind of a metaphor for life.  I think of this again as I prepare for the second-to-last weekend of Treasure Island.  (more…)

  • Anne-other Opening

    broken legThe hair is red.

    The gables are green.

    The clothing is Late 19th Century-Eastern-Canadian-hick.

    Hey kids—let’s put on a show!

    (more…)

  • Hair Today

    *Note:  My family still hasn’t decided what we will do regarding our dietary dilemma.  For those of you who are wondering feverishly what we will eat, I must say that I’m flattered…and vaguely disturbed.  Rest assured; it will be the subject of a post or two or ten once we figure it all out.

    So much for the Public Service Announcement—on with the post!

     

    English: Bald head
    Not me…not yet

    I fear my barber.

    Not the man, so much—he’s a nice guy.  I fear what he represents.  You see, every time I go to see him, I know that it may be the time.  The time when he says, “You know, Michael…you’re getting pretty thin up here…it might be time to try something different.”

    Different like… (more…)