If you’re anything like me, you find the psychology of cults very interesting. I cannot tell you the amount of hours I have devoted to reading about Heaven’s Gate, Scientology, Children of God, and Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Growing up, I had friends who were in a cult and I think that probably sparked the fascination …
Tag Archives: Life
Banned Books Week – Looking for Alaska
It’s my favorite literary week of the year! Happy Banned Books Week, reader! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Banned Books week I’ve provided some information, before I begin talking about my favorite banned books. What is Banned Books Week? Banned Books Week is the annual celebration of the freedom to read. Every …
Book Tour – I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
Today is an exciting day as I get to be part of Anne Bogel’s release tour for her new book, Reading People: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life, which will be released September 4, 2018. Last year, I was chosen to be part of Anne’s launch team for her first book, Reading People, …
You Can Always Trust Someone with Blue Hair
For the past month, I’ve had blue hair. And I’ve loved every minute of it Growing up, we weren’t allowed to dye our hair. And after I was an adult, I’ve always had a job that didn’t allow me to have crazy-colored hair. Even in the summers, when teachers allegedly have loads of freedom. (I’ll …
Cool June Morning Musings
It’s a cool and breezy morning as I sit to write this post. The temperature has been in the low- to mid-90’s this week, so sitting outside has not been on the top of my to-do list. But for whatever blessed reason, today it’s in the mid-80’s and breezy And I’ll take that any day. …
Big Thoughts in a Small Town
This past weekend, I played a concert in El Dorado, Arkansas. It’s one of my favorite symphonies to perform in. The town is charming, the symphony is talented, and the coffee shop is adorable. There’s even an independent bookstore. Seriously, what more could a guy like me want in life? Saturday morning, I woke up …
Life Lessons from Ponies
This weekend, I drove to my parents’ house to see my family and to play with my ponies. Let me tell you; there is no stress reliever like playing with a pony. Maybe it’s just the country boy in me, but being out in the sunlight and in the green pastures is so relaxing. My …
What I’m Reading Next
The school year is wrapping up and I’m finally reclaiming my time to read as voraciously as I want to. While most of my colleagues are planning their vacations or how they’ll spend time with family, or what shows they’re going to binge on Netflix, I’ve been working on my list of summer reads. To …
Pablo Neruda – A Master of Love
In continuing my observance of National Poetry Month, I revisited some of my favorite poems by Neruda. He was a master of the love poem. I’d have fallen in love with Neruda if he’d written these poems to me. Guaranteed. Neruda’s poems are beautiful in translation, but they’re so much better in the original Spanish. I don’t …
Top Ten Tuesday – Books Set in New York City
Another Tuesday, another Top Ten. Today, I am dreaming (as I often do) about New York City and my imaginary life there. Years ago, before I settled into teaching in small-town Louisiana and longed for something more exciting that a mid-afternoon nap, I dreamt of moving to New York City and making my mark. I …
