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
Finding the way home
Growing up, my family moved a lot. From my recollection, we moved 8 or 9 times prior to my high school graduation. As a child, it seemed to me, that I was constantly having to adapt to different surroundings, different schools and different people. Looking back, I can now see both the positive and the … Continue reading Finding the way home
When it all Comes Crashing In
What an exciting day you've had! It has been one of those days that kept you running from crisis to crisis. Your adrenaline valve wide open, you're operating on a combination of energy drinks and determination to save the world! Each averted crisis fuels you on to the next until the waves of urgency subside … Continue reading When it all Comes Crashing In
The Sins of the Father
Why do people hurt the ones they love? After 31 years in the Human Services field, I am no closer to the answer than I was when I started. The speculation differs from person to person based on the narrative in their head. From working in both Mississippi and Alabama, I have heard all of … Continue reading The Sins of the Father
One Starfish at a Time
Beverly was only hours old when her mother plodded into the emergency room: sick, tired and covered in sweat. Like a cobbled horse, she limped towards the triage nurse whose eyes were focused on the clipboard in her hands. "Please" The whisper, fierce with pain, caught the nurse's attention. Nurse Anna put down the clipboard … Continue reading One Starfish at a Time
I have a story to tell: Alexis
My name is Alexis. I am a social worker. Being a social worker, sometimes you see things, hear things and learn things that cant be unseen, unheard or unlearned. Those things remain with you, fading over time but linger barely imperceptibly in your mind like a wisp of smoke or the fragment of a disturbing … Continue reading I have a story to tell: Alexis
Ole Fish Eyes
When I was 15 and 16, my family lived on the Bayou in Lacombe, Louisiana, across the lake from New Orleans. Besides my human family we had a Irish Setter named Hot Dog (my little brother named him) and two ducks: Fritz and Grits (my dad named them). Living on the water was fun, especially … Continue reading Ole Fish Eyes
Water for Camels 