What's Up With the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

What’s Up With the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

(Sung to You Give Love a Bad Name)

because everyone KNOWS that Bon Jovi SHOULD BE in The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame!

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame.

What’s up with The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame?

Our lyrics file has a story to tell

Prayer, Bad Medicine, they should ring a bell.

All our fans wonder what you don’t see.

They feel our passion, yet we can’t break free.

Oh, oh, you’re loads of fun!

Oh, oh, why yes that’s a pun!

No one can stop us.

Our work is not done.

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame.

What’s up with the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame?

We play our concerts

And you play your game.

What’s up with the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame?

What’s up with the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame?

Amazing smiles as we look in the pits.

The crowd sings along, as we play our hits.

A Rock band’s dream, you again deny.

You can’t bring us down cause our limit’s the sky!

Oh, oh, we still have fun!

Oh, oh, we’re still number one!

No one can stop us.

Our work is not done!

What’s up with the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame?
(Whoa) Rock N Roll (Hall of Fame)
(Whoa) Rock N Roll (Hall of Fame)…

The Old School Teacher

The "Old School" Teacher

What good is teaching if it’s just for you?

Don’t you know I sit and have no clue?

You’re boring, scary, and I know you don’t care.

Oh, and did I mention, you don’t grade fair?

You’re proud of the years under your belt.

Too bad you’ve no clue how I’ve felt.

“Old school” is out but it seems you forget.

You talk 90 minutes and make us all fret.

How can you look in the mirror each day

knowing your damaging kids for pay?

I want to bust out of my skin and scream

SHUT UP!!… but that would be a little extreme.

You get away with less than world class.

Nobody likes when you’re sarcastic and crass.

Too bad you don’t care if or how I learn.

I can’t believe you are so stoic and stern.

If just for once you could see through my eyes.

You might understand and be quite surprised!

Then maybe just maybe you’d plan and prepare

engaging lessons that show us you care.

Piece by Peace

Piece by Peace

Moving the pieces, insisting they fit

That’s what happens until you admit

These pieces don’t work like the others do

My child has autism. He’s among the few.

Piece by piece, the puzzle takes shape

Though unlike others, there is no escape

Why can’t they see how it makes us feel?

Why can’t they see that this is real?

I weep for the ones who don’t understand

And those who are scared to lend a hand

For the meek who look the other way

or the ones who just smile and bid you good day

Social situations are like tropical storms

Their differences are noted and not the norms

             If only everyone had the heart of my child

We would find peace as we reconciled.

A friend is all he hopes to find

One who is loyal and one who is kind

Someone who’ll help the loneliness cease

A friend who builds friendships piece by peace.

What I've learned from my students...

What I’ve learned from my students…

1.       Laughter should be part of your daily routine.

2.       Words Matter  - Choose them carefully.

3.       If you make a mistake, correct it. Everyone makes mistakes!

4.       Always keep your imagination alive. ALWAYS!

5.       Believing in yourself is what makes a dream become a reality.

6.       A smile really is priceless. :)

7.       Celebrate successes, even the little ones

8.       Help others when they need it and accept help when you need it.

9.       If you have a strong bond, it will never be broken. Ever!

10.    Precious moments become treasured memories much too soon.

11.   Every child HAS a gift and every child IS a gift.

12.   Never, ever, judge a book by its cover. Always READ the book from beginning to end…

13.   Work hard and play hard but never stop doing either one.

14.   Children will only fail if you let them.

15.   I still have a lot to learn…

Here Comes the Hammer, I'm Smashing Up Grammar

Here Comes the Hammer, I’m Smashing Up Grammar

There are a plethora of mistakes in this poem. How many can you find?

Goodbye editing. Goodbye proofreading.

It’s about time you received this beating.

Here comes the hammer.

I’m smashing up grammar.

forget  brainstorming and a silly first draft.

Who says righting is a fine tooned craft?

Knot me. I no what two do.

Right it once and then I’m threw.

Goodbye editing. Goodbye proofreading.

It’s about time you received this beating.

Here comes the hammer.

I’m smashing up grammar.

Know run on sentences inn my written work

my teacher walks bye and gives me a smirk

Whats that four I can’t help but wonder

I think shes about to steel my thunder

Goodbye editing. Goodbye proofreading.

It’s about time you received this beating.

Here comes the hammer.

I’m smashing up grammar.

Does it really matter if I use a big word!

dont you think its a little absurd

Cant it just bee ‘funny’ instead of humurus

Or why not say ‘many’ instead of numerous

Goodbye editing. Goodbye proofreading.

It’s about time you received this beating.

Here comes the hammer.

I’m smashing up grammar.

My teacher says my righting should always have a voice

What ever happened to giving kids a choice

Like righting about the thyme eye hit my first homerun

or win I went too the beach. boy that trip was fun

Goodbye editing. Goodbye proofreading.

It’s about time you received this beating.

Here comes the hammer.

I’m smashing up grammar.

3-5 paragraphs is what I have to do

I think Id rather catch a plain and go to Kalamazoo

theirs always alaska or someplace in the son

arent you glad too here this poem is finally done

Goodbye

Goodbye

We had a funeral to say goodbye

It was important to leave on a high

The “at” family came and quietly sat

Waiting their turn to speak with dear Pat

The “in” crowd arrived with all of their kin

Each hid behind a shy little grin

Next came the “un” twins which doubled the fun

They spoke of the time they went for a run

Nobody thought the “it” team would fit

But somehow they managed to file in and sit

There were word families as far as you could see

All of them there to support my family and me

You just do not disrupt the “an” family clan

By placing an apostrophe T at the end of can

Can with an apostrophe t? Oh how absurd!

That’s why we’re mourning this silly word.

Opening Day

Opening Day

“There’s no crying here” I heard someone say

Who sheds tears on opening day?

I look around and take in the crowd,

a sea of faces, all standing proud.

The umpire yells “Play ball,”

as the players tip hats to his call.

Before you know it, we’re in the last inning,

tied 0-0 just like the beginning.

Here he comes, my favorite player

and I don’t hear one single nay-sayer.

“Let’s go!” I shout! “You can do it!”

“Everyone knows that you can hit!”

He smacks the ball and sends it flying,

A single home-run without even trying!

The fans go wild! I say “That’s my hero.”

Now the score is one to zero.

After the game, we stand by the fence,

waiting like always with great suspense.

I want to see him really bad.

He’s my favorite player, but he’s also my dad!

Always Stop at the Lemonade Stand (Part One)

Always Stop At the Lemonade Stand (Part One)...

It's official!  Today, was "opening day" for Lemonade Stand Season!  As I drove through the busy streets just outside the city, there it was, on the corner with a big sign, a stack of solo cups and an empty pitcher.  A young boy sat waiting as his older sisters came out of the house with the replacement pitcher of fresh, cold, l-e-m-o-n-a-d-e!  As I was approaching the stand, the young boy spotted me out of the corner of his eye.  I saw him pump his fist and say "Yes!" under his breath!  He sat up straight and waited, ready to assist as I approached.  The sign on the front said "Fresh cup of ice cold lemonade."  It had a price of $0.50 next to it but that was crossed out with an X.  Underneath it was $1.00.  Apparently, they were very confident in their product, raising the price on the spot!  I must admit, they were very professional, and prompt.  Everyone was friendly and it was absolutely apparent that they loved their jobs!  I walked away with a big smile on my face, a fresh cup of ice cold lemonade and a reminder that in one corner of our world, happiness and hope are alive and well...

Where Did You Go?

Where Did You Go?

You were there when I took my first step. You were there when I said my first word.  It was your neck that I threw my arms around while I smothered your face with kisses.  When I was scared, you didn't dismiss my fears. You just held me and told me I would be alright.  If my friends weren't playing fair, you were always there!  You were beautiful. I remember always thinking that. You laughed often and you loved so much.  I was your favorite. You didn't have to tell me.  My brother said he was the favorite. Then my sister said she was the favorite. There's no way you could favor all three. Right?

When my teachers needed a room mother, it was you. You were always there. You made the cupcakes, you brought the kool-aid. It was you that my friends liked so much. When we moved, I was so sad but you were always there for me. I didn't know that you were sad too. You just kept looking out for me and making sure I took an honest path.  Suddenly, it wasn't very fun for me to see you always there anymore but you didn't let that bother you. You cared and you were there. When I told you to leave me alone. You stood your ground and didn't falter. You had courage and strength which I now deeply admire. I was angry. You were there. I was mad. You were there. I was disgusted. You were there. I was sad. You were there. I was embarrassed. You were there.

I took you for granted and pushed you aside. You had so much wisdom and so much pride. When I worked with you, I saw your true talent. You are creative and have such an amazing gift. I would turn the corner, and you were there. It made me happy. I loved going to work and seeing you. We were able to rebuild what we lost for so many years.  If I was scared, you still didn't dismiss my fears. You laughed often and I remember thinking that you were still so beautiful.  

When my children were born, you were there. You gave them love that only you could give. I watched you with them and wondered what you were like when I was that little.  You were so gentle and attentive. You were perfect.  

You were you!

You are still here but where did you go? I look in your eyes and I don't see you there. You call me by name, you tell me you love me but it isn't the same. I am fearful because I am scared I am going to lose you but you don't even realize this is how I feel. You can't dismiss my fears because you don't see them anymore. I'm not sure what you see. I wish that I could see through your eyes. I wish that I could think your thoughts and hear what you hear. I wish that I could shake you and wake you up from this 12 year fog. How can I ask for someone to come back to me when they technically never left me?  I want you to hug me like you used to. I can tell the difference.  I want you to tell me you love me and mean it like you used to.  I'm tired of being numb. I want you to wipe away the tears that fall as I write these final words. More than anything, I want you to know how much I love you.  Since you "left", my life hasn't been the same. For my own peace of mind, 

I really want to know...

Where Did You Go?