I distinctly remember the day that I packed up a laptop, numerous files, office supplies, and anything else I could think of in a rush of adrenaline. It was March 24, 2020, and I had been told I would be working from home until further notice. The offices were closing to the public and minimal staffing across our department had to be scheduled and organized. Covid-19 was on the move across America. For at least three weeks prior, we hadRead more
Posts tagged: #Change
A Slap of the White Glove
“Challenge yourself to be an example of change.”― Debasish Mridha Staying active in Wisconsin in the winter, during a pandemic, can be like staying sober after two or three beers. It’s difficult, especially when the fierce NE winds and single digit (F) temps make me shiver at the thought. Winter often has the effect of invoking hibernation – the desire to sleep and be lazy, along with watching TV from the butt indentation of the couch, writing sparsely and the lackRead more
A Change in Leadership
“Let us then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things.” ~Thomas Jefferson~ Today is Inauguration Day in the United States. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take an oath of office as our next President and Vice-President in Washington D.C. This day will look historically different as there will be no crowds on the National Mall, andRead more
Football and Grace
I woke up the morning of September 11th and scrolled through the news feed on my phone. Acknowledging the 19th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, I zoned in on a story that did not receive widespread attention. It centered around the start of football season in America and a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans and an action that left a disheartening shadow. At this game, during the national anthem, the Kansas CityRead more
Waiting for a Wheel
Waiting for a surrogate to fill time change present tense Waiting for revision of adult lines drawn dissolved in child’s sandbox Waiting for about-face pivoting in unison toward the ethical sun Waiting for diversity melting pot culture inclusive, welcoming Waiting for reconstruction of harsh society into tranquil faith Waiting for a wheel to turn down gravel path of communal restoration Waiting for metamorphosis butterfly dancing world God, make it so Read more
Digging Heels
Cognitive Dissonance The space in between thoughts and beliefs where the mind is consistent and not brain digs heels deeply reluctant, unwilling to admit mistakes unwilling to change thoughts justifying dissolving truth and reason dismissing facts believing the choice is right because it must be the longer it is believed the more certain it becomes blinded to the negativity taking sides heels digRead more
Rain on Fleshy Cheeks
Stop Inhale life Exhale sadness Draw in the earthiness of rain It cleanses pavement Soaks into human joy Stop Inhale life Exhale fear Feel the moist tears from heaven On our fleshy cheeks Tears of peace Flooding hearts with calm Stop Inhale life Exhale doubt Allow the rain to wash it Away to the gutter, the sewer Positive thoughts form a puddle In which to stomp and play Stop Inhale life Exhale the unimportant Let go of frivolous everything FindRead more
Three Times
Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ― Marthe Troly-Curtin It’s Sunday as I type, and eight inches of expected snow is falling to the ground. White and fluffy and accumulative. Meanwhile, a marathon of NCIS Los Angeles is playing on the TV and Gibbs the cat can’t make up his mind if he’s needy, hungry or needy. It is all I can do to not “waste time” on the couch. Lay sideways. Nap. Watch TV. It’s that kind ofRead more
Fear and Tribalism
Who among us doesn’t have the fear emotion? Fear of spiders, swimming in the ocean (sharks!), angry clowns, scary movies, speaking to a large group, dark basements, being alone, etc. I have a fear of June bugs, leeches and failure in critical situations. Who among us doesn’t equate ourselves with a tribe? Tribe of artists, philanthropists, religious leaders, doctors, lawyers, athletes, TV enthusiasts (couch potatoes), chocolatiers, sommeliers, etc. I am in the tribe of government employees, as well as theRead more
Chad’s Imagination
Artist Chad Brady has a huge imagination with winged murals in downtown Appleton. According to the city’s Public Art Map, there are 11 murals (along with painted traffic control boxes, sculpture and sidewalk poetry) in the downtown College Avenue area, discreetly waiting to be found. I came across a newer mural on Saturday as I hurried to the Farmer’s Market. The year before, the walls on this side street were completely bare. This year…butterflies! So many pretty butterflies! Chad has completedRead more
Wednesday Word of Thanks
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5187, creating “National Correctional Officers’ Week.” Each year, the first full week in May is recognized as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, commemorating the contributions of correctional employees who work in jails, prisons, and community corrections across the country. I thanked my co-workers with a white-chocolate raspberry cake (no ice cream) this morning. If you know someone – a friend, family member, neighbor, acquaintance – who works in a correctional setting, pleaseRead more
A Trusty Move
I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much. ~Mother Teresa~ Yes, He’s trusting me again. I am moving in three weeks. Three weeks. Three “it’s-going-to-go-so-fast-it’s-going-to-make my-head-spin” weeks. In a bizarre twist, the moving story has turned. Amid a crazy, overwhelming time at work; amid practicing for a play; amid renewing mom’s medical assistance; amid life. A change is coming soon. There will be little time for anything else. There are boxesRead more
