L. D. Parker

This is the third part of a tale of education, the government, and rats…for the first and second parts, check the previous posts. “So You’re Lisa!” Harmless enough, right? Except I heard that phrase at least a dozen times yesterday afternoon. And it made me really uncomfortable – but I recognize my comfort level here isn’t really of any sort of importance. I was invited on a walk-through of the school that I’ve previously discussed yesterday. I’m pretty sure I was invited

This is the second part of a tale of education, the government, and rats…for the first and third parts, check the other posts. Seriously people…those of you who know me know that a spotlight is *not* my idea of a good time. In fact it’s generally my worst nightmare come true. I worked in the theater industry in college – on the stage crew. THAT’S my idea of fun – near the dramatic, creative, awesome people, but dressed all in black behind the scenes. So last Friday, I felt

This is the first part of a tale of education, the government, and rats…for the second and third parts, check the other posts. Bigboy and Hunchback. Two names I don’t think I’m going to forget anytime soon. Why? Because they are the names of the rats that are terrorizing, and on occasion attacking, the students and staff at Roosevelt Senior High School. Perhaps I should say “have been” simply because today happens to be the last day of school for this school year, so thei

I just had the privilege of having the most fascinating visit to my hooligans’ school. Ordinarily my wonderfully amazing fantastic father (love you still Daddy!) picks up my kids from school. However, due to extenuating circumstances, I’m on kid duty for the next few days. I arrive at the school and am standing out front talking to a couple of teachers that I’m particularly friendly with. My Young Hooligan (YH) sidles up and says (quite loudly) “Are you talking about Mr.

I find myself this evening virtually sitting in a corner weeping softly to myself. I am losing my son. I am losing him…to the P-Word. No, not THAT P-Word you pervert. He’s only 9. Well, ok, in today’s society… But it’s not THAT one. It’s worse. It’s the word that leads to the other P-Word. It’s PUBERTY. *SOB* Today as bath time approached I noticed my son was being much more secretive than usual. Now in the last 6 months or so he has become more private. No longer

As a parent I find my children fascinating—most parents do. But for me, it’s a little different in that I’ve found children fascinating my entire life. I’ve been told I have an old soul, and would buy into that given that I always felt older somehow than my peers. Now, I find children fascinating in so many ways, but in particular when they are playing. I like nothing more than to sit in a room separate from the kids and just listen to what they say and do. It provides an

Life is all about reaching markers of achievement. From the moment we’re born everyone around us counts them. Our first word, first crawl, first step, first haircut, first date, first wedding…ok, we all hope there is only one wedding, but… Today was my youngest son’s graduation from Kindergarten. A big milestone. Now, there is part of me that wonders why we celebrate a “graduation” like that. He’s not changing schools—nor are any of his classmates—he is just moving up a