Random Mom Thoughts

The first modern American celebration of Mother’s Day was in 1908, but it wasn’t until 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national holiday to honor mothers. Through the years, greeting cards, flowers, gifts, and dinners became the norm to recognize mothers’ patience and unconditional love.

I am very fortunate to have been a mom for over forty years to two, very accomplished daughters, and proudly state I enjoyed most of it. However, there were times I thought I’d not survive. The tween-early teen years were challenging. You know what I’m talking about–those years when Mom didn’t know anything. In fact, my eldest said to me recently, “Every teenager hates their mom; it’s just part of the maturation process.”

“How well I remember, my dear. I rid the house of dictionaries and encyclopedias because you knew it all!”

Perhaps because my professional career was in education, motherhood came to mean much more to me than my kids. I morphed into an advocate for our kids, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, and zip code. Our children are our greatest natural resource. Our children are our future. Our children are our only hope to affect positive change. Our children should not suffer from malnutrition, homelessness, nor poverty. Our children should have equal educational opportunities.And our children don’t need to die from unnecessary diseases because they weren’t vaccinated, nor do they need to die from senseless, pissing contests by megalomaniacs.

I don’t believe any woman has to actually birth a child to be a mother. (Mother Cabrini? Mother Teresa? Mother Goose?) But every woman can make a significant difference in the life of children through coaching, volunteering, mentoring, helping, employing, and leading our young.

Today is May 10, 2026; Mother’s Day. Be a mom to someone who needs you. Thanks, Dr. Suze

The Best Laid Plans…

“Of mice and men” has its origin in the poem To A Mouse by Robert Burns and was used as a novel title by John Steinbeck. In short, both Burns and Steinbeck conveyed the message of the unpredictability of life, regardless of how well we prepare. Each of us has found ourselves in these unforeseen circumstances:

As a child: “Daddy and I are taking you to the zoo next Sunday.” Friday morning when I awoke, I was covered with chicken pox.

As a teenager: “So, you will go to the prom with me!” Of course, I was so excited when he asked. I had a dress, I ordered his boutonnniere, and made a hair appointment. When I got up on Saturday morning, my mom informed me that my date’s mother had called her and said her son was unable to go to the Prom that night. Why? Something about violating a family rule. To this day, I don’t know what he did; he never spoke to me again.

As an adult: I could probably write a novel about the numerous times life happened and plans were changed. Once I was having a dinner party, but when I awoke that morning, my refrigerator was dead. No repair folk were available for several days; party postponed. Another time the pocket door of my bathroom slid off its rail. I couldn’t open the door to get my hair dryer, curling iron, makeup, and other necessaries, so I had to skip the monthly school board meeting.

Then, I entered the septuagenarian age, AKA old age. The age when everything is unpredictable. The age when my plans are no longer set in stone. The age of: I’ll be there, the Lord willing and the creek don’t rise. I sincerely appreciate all the invitations I get, and please know that unless s#*t happens, I will be there!

Sick, Heinous, and Disgusting: CHICAGO

As some of you know, I’ve a young friend, Annie, who lives in a suburb of Chicago, where she and her husband, Ben, have a daughter in the first grade in a public school. Ben is an American of Filipino descent; thus, his skin color is mocha. Even though he is a corporate executive, his wallet carries his birth certificate, social security card, and a copy of his university credentials. In America? Hell, yes. Why? Because ICE is randomly zip-tying people of “color.”

Now, if you’re not appalled and enraged by Ben’s fear, imagine their six-year old daughter, who, too, lives in fear. Her teacher took them to the playground for recess this week, and ICE masked agents showed up! Fortunately, this teacher herded her crying students back into the building without incident. But the psychological damage done to children that day can not be minimized. Nor can we ignore the repeated “active shooter” drills, our children are subjected to monthly. In America? Hell, yes. Why? The NRA lobby.

However, Annie, Ben, and their neighbors met and decided to confound their dilemma; they organized. They escort kids to and from school, ‘they watch over the alleys and ingress points for several blocks surrounding the school to ensure every child gets home to a safe adult.’ In America? Hell, yes. Why? Good question.

Annie’s final comment to me: Sue, Chicago is under attack, but Chicago is rising. The unity and alignment I’ve seen as neighbors is inspiring. This is a veiled excuse to try to intimidate the people of Chicago, and it isn’t working. We will keep protecting our neighbors.

In America? Hell, yes! Why? BECAUSE WE ARE AMERICANS!

Do Republicans Care about Kids?

No, I’m not asking for a friend; I’m asking as a fifty-year, professional educator. Do Republicans care about kids? For from what I read and watch, they don’t. They rail about abortion, pass legislation about “woke” curriculum corrupting our children, but they do everything in their power to dismiss, or avoid, dealing with the critical issues our kids face.

If Republicans truly cared about children, they would/wouldn’t:

  1. Accept them all. Not just the wealthy white kids, whose private education they finance with public monies, at the expense of public schools, who by law must do their best to provide education regardless of race, color, ethnic background, native language, homelessness, or disability.
  2. They wouldn’t cut and gut food stamps (SNAP) that benefit over 16 million kids, nor place bureaucratic burdens on school breakfast and lunch programs. They wouldn’t slash the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides health care for half of all American kids.
  3. They wouldn’t gut Head Start, which provides early childhood education, health, and nutrition to low-income children.
  4. They wouldn’t have confirmed Trophy Worm RFK, Jr., who boasted heroin made him smarter and proclaimed children’s immunizations are unnecessary. Who will pay for the Iron lungs when Polio comes to Disney World?

If my facts, have yet to convince you that Republicans don’t care about children, consider these:

A. Pedophilia? Who cares? Epstein? Fake news. (Or was His Highness an uncover FBI agent? BULL S#$T) An eleven-year-old gives birth? Her stepdad thought she was cute.

B. School shootings, AKA massacres of children. Who cares? It’s only happened 229 times since 2018. Not a big deal. Kids? Who needs them?

Well, Republicans, who’s going to wipe the drool from your chin in the nursing home when you’ve decimated our children, our future? Further, please stop sending me your requests for money. I’ve been a registered Independent for fifty-six years and have no interest in donating to TACO man’s “$15 to get into Heaven’s campaign.” Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The Name Game: Migrant Children

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When I was in the Master’s Leadership program, the professor asked: What’s the most important thing about a person?

Though I loved this professor, I knew he was wily.  Two brave students attempted an answer, only to be told they were incorrect.  The professor walked to podium, cleared his throat, and we knew we were about to learn a very important lesson.  Ladies and Gentleman the MOST important thing about a person is his/her name!  A name that distinguishes him/her from “you,” “kid,” “son,” or “ma’am.”  As an educator you must value people’s names, whether they be teachers, students, and parents.  You’ll be surprised by how much they respect you. A lesson I’ve not forgotten.  

Know I have the utmost respect for migrant workers and am most grateful for their service.  I’m certainly not going to pick lettuce, avocados, nor apples as my career.  Even at my grandparents’ farm years ago, men wandered up the lane to help with haying season and combining wheat and oats.

I am appalled at the separation of children from their migrant families.  I am appalled the US government is spending millions to house these children.  But I am most appalled we do not know these children’s names.  Really?  WTF?  And now, the government is going to spend millions to identify them via DNA testing.  Hmm.  In this technological age, it was not considered to identify them first–through photograph, finger print, or number?  These are children–some toddlers.  I can’t imagine their terror.

 

people-id-solutionsUnfortunately, this is just another example of mbsp–management by the seat of the pants. No one seems to understand the consequences of a decision until they’re faced with reality.  Decisions are whimsical, often retaliatory to garner votes.  Certainly, none of the recent decisions can be viewed as thoughtful.  (Just wait.  The tariff position is about to decimate American farmers.)

Yes, I’m a teacher. Yes, I’m a child advocate.  Yes, I would gladly open my home, my extra beds, and my kitchen to six children.  And yes, I would know each of them by name.

A view of inside US CBP detention facility shows children at Rio Grande Valley Centralized Processing Center in Texas

I’m Paranoid

 

 

As an 18-year veteran of the school board, the last few months have been the most challenging I’ve ever witnessed.  I experienced both student walkouts for school safety and teacher walkouts for dismal state support for its public schools.  I grew up in an era of protest–the Kent State shootings and Viet Nam War sit-ins.  I watched on TV the riots in Watts.  I’m not Pollyanna; I knew the world wasn’t perfect. I was cognizant of war, crime, and cruelty against others.

I watched in horror the TV coverage of the Twin Towers and the shooting of Gabby Giffords in a Tucson parking lot.  I wept over the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  Afterward, our school district remodeled all of our forty-four schools.  Now, when I drive by each of them, the buildings are fortresses.  (If Phoenix water wasn’t so pricey, moats would have been added). Our front office entries are bullet-proof glass, and like the movie theater, I speak into a microphone and slide my ID through the little drawer for the secretary to peruse before I’m admitted.  I’ve undergone background checks and carry a fingerprint card.

Yet, in spite of all these school safety measures, school shootings continue.  Believe me, I’ve bent my head in prayer since Sandy Hook–my only weapon.  Thoughts and prayers are of NO use to dead children and school staff members; they’ve already met Jesus.

I am paranoid of what’s to become of us.  We live in an America rife with bullying, hate, anger, and powerful lobbies which control our legislators.  Each week we lose more of our most precious asset–our youth to senseless violence. Our children are counting on us to resolve this madness.

Hey There, You’re a Rock Star

 

FreeVector-Rock-StarsYears ago, I co-taught Sunday school with another church member, and one Sunday she said, “Sue, I’m tired of my nomadic life on the road.”  I knew she traveled several times a month leaving both her husband and children to fend for themselves.  But she was making mega bucks.  “You know I have a teaching degree I’ve never used.”

No, I didn’t know it.  “If you think you want to teach, I can arrange a interview with our HR assistant superintendent.  You realize you’ll never make the same amount of money you make now.”

“Of course.  There’s more important things than making loads of money.  I need to be with my family, and I want to make a difference in the lives of kids.”

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“Deb, teaching is the most important profession in the world, for without a teacher there can be no nurse, no attorney, and no plumber.  I’ve observed you; you will be fabulous.”

Deb was hired as a teacher in a Title I elementary school and earlier this week emailed me:  I’m so proud to work for such a supportive governing board and superintendent.  You’re rock stars.

Rock stars?  The true rock stars are you and your fellow teachers.  You who are paid $35-40,000 per year to educate our future.  You who collect warm clothing for children in need.  You who tutor children at risk.  You who work tirelessly day after day to ensure each child maximizes his/her potential.

Curiously, I’ve never swooned over The Beatles, Smash Mouth, nor Justin Timberlake.  Yet, I’ve been euphoric when I witnessed the myriad of student accomplishments made possible by caring and dedicated teachers.  So unless Bruce Springsteen wants to run away with me, teachers will be my #1 rock stars!

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Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too

In the midst of everything gone awry both nationally and internationally, my blog today takes a new turn.  Do any of you recognize this former Youngstown, Ohio resident?

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His name is James Jonah Cummings, AKA Jim Cummings.  He was born in Youngstown in 1952,  attended St. Columbia Elementary and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1970.  Curiously, both my brother and I are trivia addicts–we collect random stuff in our minds.  Jim Cummings is the most recent.  He’s:

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True, he ‘s been the voice of Winnie since 1988 and the voice of Tigger since 1989.  Currently, in production, he will be Christopher Robin’s voice too!  Jim has a fascinating repertoire of voices.  He was the Darkwing Duck and the Tasmanian Devil.  His voice has also been used in  The Lion King, Aladdin, Shrek, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and a myriad of other films.

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There you have it.  Another great story from Youngstown, Ohio.  And a worthless piece of trivia to consider and to share with others.  But how cool is it to tell your kids and/or grand kids Winnie and Tigger are from Ytown?  Though AA Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh, was from England, a teller of taller tales could further suggest Mill Creek Park is, indeed, the hundred-acre wood! 

 

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Gullibility: $

 

 

New-Small-Designer-Slim-Women-Red-font-b-Wallet-b-font-Thin-Zipper-font-b-LadiesMe thinks there is a substantial percentage of American consumers, who are so gullible they pay outrageous prices for routine items.  Of course, my daughters are in that group. To me, a handbag or wallet fulfills a need.  To them, it is a fashion statement.  So I ask you: when was the last time you ogled someone’s wallet at the store checkout?  When was the last time you coveted someone’s choice of paper towels or toilet paper?  When was the last time you envied someone’s plastic bottle of water?

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This week, I was early to an appointment, so I entered a designer grocery–the kind which caters to folk with more money than sense.  I perused the inflated prices: boneless, chicken breasts at $5.99 a pound, broccoli crowns at $4.99 a pound, and the deli was serving $10 a cup coffee.  I found this curious as the day before I paid $1.47 a pound for boneless chicken breasts.  Obviously, something is seriously wrong with my palate.  Chicken is chicken.  Beef, however, is another matter.  (Ribeye steaks are far superior to round steak.)

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Yet, the most outrageous item I saw on my adventure was one, peeled navel orange in a plastic container. It’s price: $6.00!  Had I known folk were so gullible, I would have picked my plentiful oranges, peeled and contained them, and undercut the price by one dollar.  Damn!  I’d be wealthy!  Maybe, next year.

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Happy Thanksgiving from a First Grader

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My blog publishes early this week, as I’m off to the South for Thanksgiving.  A teacher friend of mine asks her first graders each year to write a recipe for preparing turkey.  This one made me roar with laughter:

Go buy a pink turkey the size of your face, about 10 pounds, from Home Depot. Put it in a pot with chunks of black pepper.  Cook in the oven for twenty minutes at ten degrees.  Serve with a few strawberries and lots of goldfish crackers.  

Chef Micah titled his recipe Turkey Trot.  Unfortunately, I’ll be out of town.  Sorry to miss his culinary masterpiece.

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Happy Thanksgiving!