Many people in America revere the holiday known as Thanksgiving. It's been fed to us (literally) since our birth. If you grew up in the US, it is unlikely that you escaped a role in the inevitable Thanksgiving play performed on the Elementary School stage by a cast of pilgrims, turkeys, and Native Americans. After … Continue reading Give Thanks
Waiting for the Rain to end
For the past two weeks, the heavens have fractured, spilling forth a deluge of rain. Like a faulty spigot, some days the water gushed torrentially and other days the water slowed to a steady dripping. The temperature, as if confused like the rest of us, rose and dropped randomly according to its whim. But the … Continue reading Waiting for the Rain to end
Holding Up
Photo by Betsy Biddle Lange While vacationing in the Smokey Mountains one Autumn, I happened across a rock formation similar to the one pictured. Both magnificent and terrifying in sheer size, the onyx colored monolith dominated the median of a boulevard. Impervious to the stream of tiny cars flitting like moths around a porch light, … Continue reading Holding Up
A Season of Hope
(Photo by Betsy Biddle Lange) Saturday dawned crisp and new, infusing life into our summer weary bones. After a long hot Southern Summer, even the trees seemed to sigh with contentment as a soft wind danced giddily through their limbs. Autumn, which had been scheduled to arrive a month ago, finally made her grand entrance … Continue reading A Season of Hope
Hang In There
(Photo be Betsy Biddle Lange) A few years ago, I counseled with a young man who came to me for advice. He graduated from college with a degree in criminal justice and landed a job in the social service industry. Determined to succeed, he arrived to work early and stayed late. He asked for the … Continue reading Hang In There
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
You may be able to tell, from my blog, that I feel very strongly that: Social Workers are special individuals. They have chosen, not only a profession, but also an exhausting, demanding lifestyle. Social workers do not work the typical 9 to 5. Often, they are called out at night and holidays. Leaving their own … Continue reading Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Covering the Blemishes
Photo by Betsy Biddle Lange Recently, while on a lunch break at a national conference, I visited the exhibit hall for vendors. There, I found smartly clad experts in technology hawking the latest "must have" gadgets and programs. There were experts on HR and office machines; staff appreciation gurus and even a dog petting station … Continue reading Covering the Blemishes
Rebuilding a Crumbling Wall
Keurig is the perfect coffee machine for me. My daily routine of downing two cups in the morning is made easier by popping in a Kcup instead of brewing an entire pot. Plus, the Keurig is rather inexpensive (mine was 79.00). Of course the price of the Kcups is the "gotcha". Some brands charge 12 … Continue reading Rebuilding a Crumbling Wall
Cheering for Your Team
Anyone who has ever met me knows that I am a huge college football fan. Most notably, I proudly proclaim myself a fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide. I am not a bandwagon groupie, who just started cheering for the tide when they became National Champions. No, I even rooted for the Tide during the … Continue reading Cheering for Your Team
Packing Light
As a social worker, I attend several conferences a year. Bowing to an underlying fear of not having the right outfit, I used to grossly over-pack.. For example, if I were attending a two day conference, my suitcase would likely contain: Dresses for 2 days; Pants for 2 days in case It rained or was … Continue reading Packing Light
Water for Camels 