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What Are You Missing Most Right Now?
Here’s the question: WHAT ARE YOU MISSING MOST RIGHT NOW? Most of us are probably missing the freedom we used to have to travel, being with those we love without social distancing, and seeing the world. Plus, as I am working on my syllabus for feature writing, I typically instruct and assign an article about travel writing. This morning I woke up realizing I may have to take this assignment out. How can I expect the students to travel and write about their local travel in these present circumstances? This semester is going to be unusual enough without now having to rethink assignments. I’m going to have to get creative.…
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Podcast 13 – Ideas to Help Foster Creativity During This Crisis
It’s difficult to feel happy during a crisis when there is so much heartbreak happening on the front lines of this coronavirus pandemic. I know I’m feeling a little depressed by the situation and can only watch bits of news each day in order to carry on with the things I have to accomplish for my students and university as I teach from home. We are all doing the best we can, and being home hasn’t been all awful, but I do feel as if my creativity has been zapped a little. Do you feel the same way? Today’s Podcast 13 offers ideas for those of us writers who need…
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7 Tips for Working From Home During This Unusual Time
*** I shared a variation of this post a couple of years ago, and I thought it might be appropriate to revamp it now with so many of us working from home during the current coronavirus crisis. As someone who has an office on campus, but also works from home, I can tell you that it is often challenging to work from home, especially as others are working from home as well. Right now, my son is upstairs on Zoom listening to lectures from Widener University; my husband is on conference calls regarding business at the Orioles; my daughter is working on her sign language project, learning new vocabulary words;…
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Totally Slacking Off
I admit it. When I’m not working and am at home, I’ve been doing a lot of slacking off. It hasn’t been because I’ve wanted to, necessarily, although I do believe the “break” has helped my mental state a bit. But let me explain. Last month, I was sent to the emergency room at the hospital with a wicked back issue. I’d never felt pain like that in my life. I’d pulled it several times before (after having children, mind you), but nothing like that—ever. So, you see my dear readers, I’ve been in a bit of “recovery mode” after being diagnosed with a herniated disc and because said disc…
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When Giving Criticism…
One of the most difficult things to do as a teacher, reviewer, friend, or critic is to provide meaningful and helpful criticism. When you offer suggestions or input into another person’s work, if you don’t like it or think it needs perfecting, you have a right to that opinion. However, there is a way to make remarks so that they do not become hurtful to someone. Society today—in the throes of social media—is way too quick in this world to judge someone harshly and say, “it stinks” or “it just doesn’t work” or “it’s not good enough.” In this season of love and charity, being kind to others does matter.…
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So Much To Do, So Little…
Time. That’s right. So much to do, so little time. This morning began with an argument with my children AGAIN over wearing a coat to school. When will the madness end? I can’t waste anymore TIME on it, because I have a lot to accomplish this week. It’s a busy one…I have something going on every night this week, and a pile of papers still to grade, in addition to some committee work I have to complete, while also squeezing in some time to write. We all feel this way. Time is ticking, ticking, ticking by… There definitely is No. There isn’t. And this week for sure, I will be……
