“And Now There’s Zelda”

”Do not underestimate the difficulty in the shift from being the director of your child’s life to becoming a member of the audience. It will be your greatest transformation.” @heymom.co

Protecting our children vs. raising independent, self-sufficient adults.

There is a fine line. Knowing when to let go. When to hover. When to step in. When to back away. We love our children fiercely; want only the best for them. Keeping an eye out for pitfalls and traps. Looking out for their emotional well being.

BUT, there are some who cannot, will not, cut the apron strings. Keep a cynical eye on all who interact with their offspring. Dare anyone to come between them. Is that healthy? Is it logical? Is it what is in the best interest of the child…I mean adult child?

There are no easy answers. We can only let our heart lead us through the journey. Trust that we did the best we could. Fingers crossed that what our children become is all that we ever wanted for them…on their terms, not ours.

“The Women”

 

I sat with this book for days after finishing it. My thoughts, as the title suggests, went to the women. Wives. Sisters. Daughters. Grandmothers. This is what I was left thinking about…

From the book:

”We were the last believers, my generation. We trusted what our parents taught us about right and wrong, good and evil, the American myth of equality and justice and honor.

I wonder if any generation will ever believe again. People will say it was the war that shattered our lives and laid bare the beautiful lie we’d been taught. And they’d be right. And wrong.

There was so much more. It’s hard to see clearly when the world is angry and divided and you’re being lied to.” (455)

(This is the generation leading us today…)

As women’s rights are slowly being stripped away, what strengths do we possess? How can our voices be heard? How do we shape the world into a better place for all of us? Whose ear do we need to bend to affect change? What kind of courage will it take to fight?

The First Ladies of the United States: I see women of powerful men - standing idly by, waiting for the next photo op. The next gala event. What does their pillow talk sound like? Do they play “devil’s advocate"? Bring a voice of reason to the conversation? Share their empathy for others? Help steer a more humanitarian course for our future?

Thoughts again began to swirl…Voices of reason. Compassion. Devil’s advocate. Hero. Empathetic. Partner. Supportive. Strong. Tough. Protective. Complissant. Complacent. Passive. “Stepford” Wife. Independent. Dependent. Privileged. Gold digger. Heartless. Vindictive. Loving. Caring. 

Which words will we use to describe the women standing beside the men leading our great country? Only history will judge their actions and their inaction.

“Murder Your Employer - McMasters Guide to Homicide”

 

Imagine hating your boss so much you want to kill them. Where would you start? How would you accomplish the deed? Is this person worthy of all the planning and dedication you are willing to put into such an endeavor?

Would you need specialized training? Classes in forensics? Physical stamina? Acting lessons? A working knowledge of chemistry? How about a few physics lectures? Practical application? A meticulous plan?

And what if there was a place where you could get all those skills and the confidence to carry out your nefarious plan? Would you apply? Could you commit to such a rigorous education?

McMasters may be just the place for you. Goodbye boss!!!!

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

This year as I watched the Fourth of July fireworks, my heart was heavy and I wanted to cry. The crowd cheered as the night sky burst in red, white, and blue sparkles, and yet something was off. 

The music that accompanied the fireworks - more specifically the lyrics hit me hard. I was again reminded of lessons I taught in eighth grade. And the fact that this song, written and performed by Neil Diamond*, was a teaching moment…immigrants risking it all to come for a new life in a foreign land. A land they hoped would greet them with open arms. Diamond’s lyrics struck me to the point of tears…

“Far

We’ve been traveling far

Without a home

Not without a star

Free

Only want to be free

We huddle close

Hang on to a dream

Home

To a new and a shiny place

Make our bed and we'll say our grace

Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world

They're coming to America

Every time that flag's unfurled

They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there

They're coming to America

Got a dream they've come to share

They're coming to America

My country 'tis of thee

Sweet land of liberty

Of thee I sing

Today”

I’m not sure any of this is true today. The hope. The dream of a better life. The promise of freedom. If immigrants did not leave Europe in the 1600s looking for a better life - free from tyranny and religious persecution - would we have a United States of America today?

My thoughts shifted to the Declaration of Independence - the colonies’ letter of complaint to King George. I suppose there are different ways to interpret that document. Again in my classroom we saw those brave colonists as fighting tyranny and taxation without representation…BUT what if it was really about rich white slave owners who didn’t want to pay their taxes? Puts a different spin on it, doesn’t it? I’m coming to believe it may have been a little of both.

We fought for the right to govern ourselves - to put in motion an idea that had never been tried before. To risk it all for a better life. Hope. The promise of freedom. 

We embraced all who held those same ideals. The melting pot - the rich tapestry that is America. Let’s pray that we have not squandered all that our forefathers dreamed we could be. 

*lyrics have been edited, by me.