Why do bad things happen?
Have you ever noticed that people who say "God only gives you what you can handle" aren't watching their children starve to death in Somalia? Nor are they imprisoned in…
Not the surprise I was hoping for…
Eleven years ago, I began a search that culminated in disaster last week. Elysha graduated from Smith College back in 1997. She adored her college experience, speaks of it often,…
Happy birthday to me, Mom.
It's my birthday today, and it's sure to be wonderful. A morning spent with Elysha and the kids before I head off to school to spend the day with two…
Ted Lasso: Season 2 recap
Thoughts from season 2 of Ted Lasso, as requested by many. Spoilers ahead if you haven't watched: ____________________________________ I'm disappointed to see the show turning to more traditional sitcom scenarios…
Clara and Elvis
Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road" is playing. I'm sitting in front of my computer, listening and writing. Clara enters the room and says, "Dad, is this Elvis Presley?" "Elvis?" I shout.…
Where were you when? (Revised)
I wrote this about a year ago and have since added to the list based upon reader feedback and recent events. _________________________________________ I was born after Kennedy's assassination, so I'm…
Unsettling second generation
It's getting stranger by the day. I taught the uncle of one of my current fifth grade students back when he was in fifth grade. I also taught…
Pinewood Derby disappointment
It was a tough Saturday for Charlie. He raced in his first Pinewood Derby, a contest by which Cub Scouts transform a block of wood into a racing car and…
Jalloul Montacer on managing people (and teaching kids)
Back in 1997, I was managing a McDonald's restaurant in Hartford while attending Trinity College and the University of Saint Joseph. The manager who hired me, a man named Fred,…
Mike Pence is still not a good person
On Saturday, in a speech to the Federalist Society, former Vice President Mike Pence stated that “President Trump is wrong, I had no right to overturn the election.” This statement…
