Hello Readers! No time, no blog.

#youbum

Hey, it’s not easy writing when you feel like you aren’t a writer anymore.

It’s been a hot minute since I feel like I’ve had much of anything to say or thought that anyone would listen. No, no one wants to read the pity party blog, so I’ll stop now, but it’s been difficult summoning words.

#ItisfineWeallgothroughit

Well, not all of us, but it’s ok.

*Enter the narrator (hopefully James Earl Jones)*

24 hours later

Apparently, the words were not coming yesterday either! 🙂

FYI: I’m writing until my mind is clear, so this may be a big old mess!

  • Caitlin Clark. My goodness. What more can be said about this young woman that hasn’t been said already? National championship game, player of the year awards, Saturday Night Live, then #1 draft pick. As a middle-aged white guy from Iowa, I found the discussions about the appearance on SNL, both in the skit AND on stage with her friends at the end of the show interesting. I’m not going to weigh in here because, honestly, she’s the face of the WNBA. That’s all that needs to be said at this point. She’s beared this weight before, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
  • The Iowa Senate passed a bill to arm teachers in the classroom. As bad as that sounds (and it is bad), they added in a few little things to make it worse. The teachers have qualified immunity so if they accidentally shoot a teacher or student, they cannot be sued. They’ve made it so that if any schools decide to go this route, the staff member’s name will remain hidden. No open files. The House version passed in February (the bill was supported by the NRA and a right-wing Proud Boy type group, that’s it) added money as a grant for this program. This Senate version pulls this funded.
  • Yesterday, I had to address two fairly racist/offensive comments by 8:45. As a school of great diversity, I had to remind the students that their words carry the power to help or harm. I know, outside of the community, people simply don’t know what happens here, so out of fear or ignorance, there are things said. I have sixth graders, so that realization is there about how different they are when they leave the bubble here. The gentle reminder that the words they speak can work for them or against them was needed.
  • Just had a staff member come in and tell a story about her high school-aged daughter from last night. They’d gone to watch her younger daughter perform in an honor choir and on the way into the gym, her older daughter asked, “Who is Ethan Ol? His name is on all the school cars here. Is he someone who died or has done something?” This staff member was like “wth” so on their way out, the daughter pointed it out. It was the ethanol sticker that all school vehicles must display to show the fuel used. This staff member said their family was crying the entire way home.
  • We are getting rid of the last few chickens on our little piece of heaven, at least for the summer. They are at least two years old and haven’t laid an egg in two weeks. We want to be on the go more in the camper, so shortening the chore list isn’t terrible. Plus, we are around for the county fair, so we’ll be looking for layers kids want to sell. Homeground eggs are the best eggs, period.
  • We’ve had the chance to see our daughters twice in the last month, a rarity anymore. There are those days where you think, “Yes, my kids are independent,” but then think, “I wish I could see my kids more.” They seem happy with their respective positions in life, so I think we did an ok job of being parents. We weren’t perfect, far from it, so you worry, regardless.
  • Not only did I have to deal with comments from yesterday, I had to deal with a very offensive comment aimed at me. At 8:30, I was wondering if I have the stamina to make it to retirement. Of course I do, but 10 years ago, kids would have NEVER thought to say things like they do now. I sound like my dad (which is equal parts funny and terrifying), kids are different than when I started.
  • I’ll finish this mess of words by sharing what I’m listening to right now. I’ve had to staff members stop in and comment because I think my music selection surprises people. I started out with the Tribe Called Quest Recreational MixTape. It’s an hour and a half of this hip-hop group’s best hits, mixed into one continuous song. Simply magnificent! I finished the time with DJ Mattlo’s 90s 00s Party Breaks. This is under the YouTube name The Moment. This video is a guy in a bar with two turn tables, spinning vinyl to create an hour of solid hip-hop. Pretty freaking sweet.

So, that helps. If you’ve gotten this far, thank you. It’s been hard to get words down, so I’m hoping this will be the start of words starting to flow again because keeping this bottled up is doing me no good, none at all!

#justkeepswimming

Just keep swimming, indeed! 🙂