Commit themselves to their own, each other’s, and the group’s well-being. This weekend I tried to remember the last time I promised to do something. I am not referring to showing up when I say I will or paying my bills. Both of those are promises of a sort, though I rarely call them…
One’s disturbed by stalled career, talking louder than the man he is with. Over coffee they lament their need to avoid the sad legless man. Their narrative calls unappreciated work “The cause of my pains.” One snaps his fingers — Was it the O of my mouth That brought his “Faggot!”? Or did my face…
Folded cardboard box Stays the earth’s damp, but rain Ruins doorway sleep. High end fashion pumps Click him into the day light — So close to his head. More, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, but not for him.
This past weekend I touched a $2,135 sweater. No one stopped me, so I touched the $965 matching pants. Over $3,000 before underpants or socks or shoes. As I am thinking this week about our long-term commitment to our own well-being, the well-being of others, and the well-being of all — well, frankly I cannot…
Paul and I had scores of favorite phrases that we’d use with each other repeatedly. The origins of some of the expressions are lost in the mist of time. Others were born in our childhoods and the circumstances of their first iteration were vividly etched on our corneas and brains. Among them were the following.…
The vote by UWM faculty this week to express their lack of confidence in the leadership of both the UW System Chancellor, Ray Cross, and the Board of Regents prompts me to reflect on my identity as a UWM alumnus and academic staff person. Even as I write this post, I am tempted to use…
Most people who know me even a little would doubt that I know or care much about baseball. As a child I needed glasses long before anyone knew I did, so no matter how hard I swung a bat or stretched for a ball, it was always just beyond my reach because I could not…
When my late husband died and his body was removed from the house, I was suddenly very much alone. Dear friends were at hand, but there was no one to go to bed with and sob, no one to wake up with and sob. So when I awoke on December 25, 2015 a widower, I…
As my semester is winding down, I am mentally reviewing the class that I taught this semester. It is loads more fun to review my lecture notes, slides, and activities than to read papers or prepare for the final. I have been teaching for 47 years; I think I would like to make it to…
The casual observer would find me a bit odd when it comes to organization. For example, one could notice that my computer files are pretty orderly, but my emails are a mess. I have very organized closets, and fairly well organized file drawers, but my desk top is a disaster zone. Cufflinks that I wear…
Creating Community for Everyone 