Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow. Thirty-one years of work ended. I went back to school as a fifty-one year old student, the old guy in the room. Student teaching for a year at a very large middle school was a delightful challenge. My 8th grade students are now in their early thirties. I often wonder about them and I hope they’re doing well. A masters…
Describe one positive change you have made in your life. The positive addition actually sounds negative, but the negative results in a positive. People who don’t struggle with anxiety have no idea what it’s like to be subject to the feelings and thoughts of everyone. Now, you’re probably thinking, “I care about how others feel, I can’t imagine not caring.” Most people have some level of…
DP-1885. The most influential teacher I ever had was Harry Wallerstein, my 5th through 8th grade band teacher. Mr. Wallerstein’s main instruments were cornet and French horn, but he played everything. His cornet looked like it had been through a washer and dryer, but what a sound! He also sang beautifully, and we often heard him singing down the hall. Harry was positive and encouraging, and…
What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times? Oooo, this is a good one! We watch “You’ve Got Mail” every year when school starts. “I would buy you a bouquet of sharpened pencils…” We’ve probably seen it twenty times, at least. I’d bet I’ve seen “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” fifty times. “Dan in Real Life” and “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” are Thanksgiving…
What is your favorite drink? Coffee with a good movie. Coffee with a donut. Coffee with sunshine. Coffee with Earl Klugh Radio. Coffee with a model railroad. Coffee with a calm lake and a row boat. Coffee with a wooden dock. Coffee with freshly cut grass. Coffee with a long road trip. Coffee with a short road trip. Coffee with a mini-cinnamon roll. Coffee with pancakes. Coffee with…
Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received. No hesitation whatsoever. The very best gift I have ever received is my wife, Mary. Then, our daughter. And then, our three sons. Then, our son-in-law. Then, our three daughters-in-law. And finally, our eight beautiful grandchildren. It all began with, “Would you be willing to go out with me?” And she said, “Yes.”
Have you ever unintentionally broken the law? It was May 24, 1976. We were on our way to my parents’ house near Peoria, Illinois. We were driving our 1970 Ford Country Squire station wagon. We rose above the crest of a hill and I spotted an Illinois State Trooper at the bottom of the hill. His cruiser was parked and the trooper was standing beside it. The officer had a radar gun in his hand,…
What were your parents doing at your age? My dad would be ninety eight, my mom would be ninety six. My mother died of cancer at 49. My father died of cancer ten years later. I am twenty-three years older than my mother was, ten years older than my father. My mom adored our daughter. She would have loved our triplet sons who were born five years after her death. She would absolutely cherish our…
If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why? Warning: This is a rant. If you don’t like rants, don’t read this. By my ranting, I in NO way mean to disrespect or disregard non-profit organizations who genuinely help people. These are not laws I would change, these are laws I would create. Non-profits begging for nineteen dollars a month would have to list the salaries of…
Write about your dream home. It’s a home where we are cozy and warm. I can go outside if I want to, but don’t have to. There are plenty of windows where the sun shines through. Our dream home is a safe place for animals to hunt treasure they buried. Birds know the feeders are for them. The home of our dreams is surrounded by trees. There is a nice lawn, but not too much. Lovely flowers are…
