C. Streetlights's Blog, page 6

Could home and the ocean save my body electric?

Could home and the ocean save my body electric?,C Streetlights

The change in the seasons has me edgy this year. I can feel an undercurrent running through me that has me looking for Whitman warning me to sing my body electric. I felt its thrill in a breeze that refused to die in a clinging summer’s finger tips just this afternoon and for some reason I remembered a family vacation ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

Want to know how to get rich from Jesus cartoons?

Want to know how to get rich from Jesus cartoons?,C Streetlights

I have a lot of love for Jesus. Not in a raise my hands in the air and walk the aisle kind of love, but I love Jesus have faith in Him. I’m not going to put any bumper stickers on my car in His name or anything, though. And I’m not going to shove Jesus into people’s faces if ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

When It’s About Death, Memory and My Friend

When It’s About Death, Memory and My Friend,C Streetlights

There are some things you don’t get better at with age and one of those things is knowing how to handle death. Even though we might think we know all the right answers by now, Death always has the upper hand.It doesn’t matter how many articles I’ve read on the grieving process or how many blog posts about coping strategies ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

Keep Today’s Happy Thoughts For When Days Go Bad

Keep Today’s Happy Thoughts For When Days Go Bad,C Streetlights

My mentor teacher gave me some terrific advice that really didn’t have anything to do with teaching before I began my first year. It had to do with surviving which really, when it comes down to it, is what a new teacher needs to hear right before the first day of school. A brand new teacher is living off of ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

Community is all about me. Seriously.

Community is all about me. Seriously.,C Streetlights

My concept of community has evolved throughout certain periods of my life. I was naive enough when I was younger to believe that if I were loyal to my community than that loyalty would be returned. Whether this “community” was my school, work, church or literal community, it didn’t matter to me, I thought that if I invested my ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

This is Why Seeking Authenticity is not the Same as Being Real

This is Why Seeking Authenticity is not the Same as Being Real,C Streetlights

Wehave created an impossible standard under which to achieve happiness as adults. I am primarily referring to an epidemic that spreads faster than head lice and it’s this idea of authenticity or being true to yourself. I suppose this is where I should insert my disclaimer that in no way do I advocate group think, sheep mentality, or head lice. ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

Suicide Ideation: Hovering Between Crisis and Emergency

Suicide Ideation: Hovering Between Crisis and Emergency,C Streetlights

Afamily that my husband and I know fairly wellrecently had to make a judgment call that no parent would ever wake up thinking he or she would have to make in a typical day: Is our child in enough danger to herself that we need to immediately take her to the emergency room or can we wait until her psychiatrist ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

Will Patriotism Make America Great Again?

Will Patriotism Make America Great Again?,C Streetlights

The concept of patriotism is one that has evolved for me over time. It was easy for me to define when I was younger. To be patriotic meant to be proud of my country and to defend it against ideals that would cause it harm. I grew up in a staunchly Republican family, back when the GOP was a different ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

Boys will be boys? No, never. This is why.

Boys will be boys? No, never. This is why.,C Streetlights

I encountered many poorly behaved boys and girls,and even worse parents, in my years of education. It is, as they say, an occupational hazard. I do like tothinkthat mostpeople know how to adhere to the very basics of human decency, the first being “treat the elderly with kindness and respect.” This isn’t always the case, though, and I recognize that. ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn

My Son Left for the Army; I Hope We Got it Right

My Son Left for the Army; I Hope We Got it Right,C Streetlights

If you haven’t had a chance to read anything by my friend Bob Mueller yet, you have really missed out on some pure awesomeness. I first met Bob when he joined the Gravity Imprint back in the days of Booktrope. He republished his book The Sad Girl, a book following ex-con Danny who discovered he not only had a daughter, ... Read More

C. Streetlights,C Streetlights - I give a damn