Last Thursday I cried at work
Working at a small nonprofit at the end of a calendar year is stressful for many nonprofits, the end of the year is like working retail, only instead of sales, what matters is donations, how many and how much. All of this affects what happens in the coming year—and has a tremendous effect on the … Continue reading "Last Thursday I cried at work"
Getting it all wrong at Georgia Public Broadcasting
Last Friday Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), the ONLY television and radio entity serving all of Georgia, announced it is cancelling its most popular in-house produced program, Political Rewind on June 30th. The show, nearing its 10th anniversary, grew from a once-a-week program on Friday afternoons to five days a week at 9:00 a.m., with a … Continue reading "Getting it all wrong at Georgia Public Broadcasting"
Silence from new school board leaders isn’t helpful
Last Thursday, January 19, the Washington County, GA Board of Education held a called meeting stretching into the very early hours of Friday morning. Spanning almost 6 full hours, the Board got updates from school and administration leaders. Following the presentations the Board adjourned for an executive session. This was the second meeting the newly … Continue reading "Silence from new school board leaders isn’t helpful"
Save thoughts and prayers for your place of worship
“There is something deeply hypocritical about praying for a problem you are unwilling to resolve.” – Miroslav Volf Yale Center for Faith and Culture Yale University There are elections in November. If you think access to assault weapons in America and the ease of buying and using weapons made to kill multiple people in seconds are … Continue reading "Save thoughts and prayers for your place of worship"
When is the Supreme Court going to address the easy access to safe vasectomies and government funded erectile dysfunction meds?
We need money to fight for women’s access to safe, legal abortion and birth control. Have any of us ever read about a man dying from a self-induced vasectomy or cooking up their own erectile dysfunction medicine ? Planned Parenthood, National Abortion Rights League, and the American Civil Liberties Union, are leaders in this critical … Continue reading "When is the Supreme Court going to address the easy access to safe vasectomies and government funded erectile dysfunction meds?"
Examples of people who give up, and those who don’t
Two things keep circling in my mind as I put clean sheets on the bed and fold laundry- Amber Schmidtke, PhD wrote in her weekly Covid-19 report (yes, Covid is still a thing in our world), “..Friday afternoon seemed like the right time for the United States Centers Disease Control and Prevention to give up … Continue reading "Examples of people who give up, and those who don’t"
What’s for dessert tonight?
Thinking about something yummy for dessert tonight? Last week this family favorite was so popular with my friends that they are asking for the recipe. German Chocolate Pie is easy to make, and with a dollop of fresh whipped cream is a perfect dessert any night.
“Just get it over with” does not come with guarantees
This past Wednesday morning health and biology research scientists joined National Public Radio reporter Rob Stein for an interesting discussion on the Omicron variant, its explosive ability to spread, and what that might mean going forward. I am adding emphasis to part of the interview that really stuck with me, as so much of the … Continue reading "“Just get it over with” does not come with guarantees"
When a number doesn’t reflect your accomplishments
Humans love rankings. We want the teams we cheer for to be Number 1, our hometown the cleanest, our grilled cheese the cheesiest. Americans certify BBQ and chili contest judges so we can be confident who makes the best in any contest. Rankings may demonstrate things that can be measured with known metrics, but some … Continue reading "When a number doesn’t reflect your accomplishments"
A survey is only as good as the controls it sets
Lunches have been packed, sleep routines reset, and spelling words called out since students returned to classrooms across Georgia. Now parents, teachers, and students are reviewing progress reports and sizing up what happens during the next half of the grading period. This point in the school year also gives school leaders an opportunity to review … Continue reading "A survey is only as good as the controls it sets"
I love a good Open Records Act request
With the return to classrooms across Georgia, I have been following the Covid-19 numbers in public schools in our state. Dismissing the recommended guidelines of the CDC, and the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, many superintendents and school boards are playing doctor with the health of their own communities. The outcome, with … Continue reading "I love a good Open Records Act request"
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians about living in a community
Throughout the pandemic, and now with the easy availability of life-saving vaccines to slow the spread of Covid-19, I have genuinely struggled with how people of faith, who are often in church or other places of worship multiple times a week, claiming that not wearing a mask, gathering shoulder to shoulder, and now not being … Continue reading "Paul’s Letter to the Galatians about living in a community"
When schools think it is ok for a drunk to drive the school bus
Watching the schools prepare to reopen in rural Washington County Georgia is like watching someone pour gasoline on top of an already burning fire. As Covid-19 rates soar in a county that stubbornly refused to access tested and proven vaccines when a state-run vaccination site was set up in the county, the Board of Education … Continue reading "When schools think it is ok for a drunk to drive the school bus"
Before I walk the dog this morning
A few thoughts running through my mind before heading out to walk my pandemic puppy Abbie- Donald Trump is both dangerous and pathetic in his delusions of returning to the White House. Michael Flynn is a disgrace to the people who serve in the military with integrity. He’s also a threat to the security of … Continue reading "Before I walk the dog this morning"
A suggestion for Atlantans frustrated about access to vaccinations
Governor Brian Kemp’s administration has excelled at how to not handle this year-long pandemic. The roll-out of vaccinations has not been an exception to their poor performance in the past year. That a vaccine is available is a surprise to no one, but the state’s preparation for access to shots has put us last in … Continue reading "A suggestion for Atlantans frustrated about access to vaccinations"
It took three weeks for David Ralston to grow a spine during a pandemic
The Georgia General Assembly convened three weeks ago. Twice-weekly Covid 19 tests are required for Senate and House members. The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC), and other outlets, are reporting that House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, expelled fellow Republican David Clark of Buford today for refusing to be tested at all since the session began. … Continue reading "It took three weeks for David Ralston to grow a spine during a pandemic"
We have work to do
A few thoughts on a week that should change our country forever- A Capitol police officer, attacked with a fire extinguished by domestic terrorists who have also proclaimed themselves to be “blue lives matter” supporters, has died. The person/s who attacked him should be prosecuted for murder and sent away for life. If you know … Continue reading "We have work to do"
Public Service Commission candidate wants to close the digital divide in Georgia
The lack of fast, affordable, reliable internet in rural Georgia has been laid bare during the pandemic. With teachers, students, and parents trying to work, teach, and learn from home, families and companies without adequate internet service have struggled. Some school systems provided hotspots if they could afford them, but without cell signal, the hotspot … Continue reading "Public Service Commission candidate wants to close the digital divide in Georgia"
Lindsey Graham misses “the good old days of segregation”
Clearly South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham thinks there is no need to hide his racism any longer. Hear him for yourself. Support his opponent Jamie Harrison if you have no interest in returning to what Graham believes were better days.
When reality overtakes fiction
If you are not familiar with Professor Heather Cox Richardson, she teaches at Boston College. Her Letters from an American are daily posts carefully crafted with links to sources. I am reposting what she posted on October 2, 2020 with my own emphasis added to some of her observations. October 2, 2020 Heather Cox Richardson … Continue reading "When reality overtakes fiction"