In two days, she is 17 hours, 47 minutes and 1,193 miles from home. In a car she’s owned less than two weeks. On a trip aptly named “Grand Canyon or bust.” Not exactly the terminology that sits well with… Continue reading

It’s a real place. We looked it up after a student calls it out as a possible destination for their year-end project. My 6th graders are just launched on a “fun mini project.” Ooh, the eye rolls I received, to… Continue reading

It is the first morning in 81 just like it that I don’t look forward to the messages on WhatsApp. For three months, first thing upon waking, I have been greeted by pictures and texts from travelling girl. She’s in… Continue reading

As much as I could not wrap my brain around trip planning last fall, it quickly overtakes me. Ellie is home until the second week of February, the winter is long and cold. Bill and Will go back to school,… Continue reading

Right away, Ellie sends texts, chats, videos and long exposés of her first days in Florence. Actually, she is not yet in Florence. She is at a three-day “farm stay,” having her study abroad orientation. The Borgo Battai, a mountain-top… Continue reading

December 2021 It’s not the dumbest thing you can give someone for Christmas this year, but surely close: a suitcase. This one is huge, and canary yellow and says right on there: ITALIA. Little enamel flag affixed to the side,… Continue reading

NOTE: I re-post this in honor of our travellin’ girl, bound for Florence this semester. You will recall that two years ago, Italy was epicenter of the pandemic in Europe, and the world reeled and grieved with the images of… Continue reading

Le vingt-cinq décembre 2021 It is really hard to type with a splinted finger. Handwriting is out, hence the stickers, but I am determined to send cards. I know, I know. But this supply line been active since 1984 and… Continue reading

Every Burk at the Motel liked Christmas a LOT, But the Virus, still seething and stealing, did not. It had started the year taking back all the good– The things that we want to do, things that we should, It… Continue reading

Today in French class I launch the first lesson I will not finish. Only three blocks left (per section) before the end of the year, and then their teacher is coming back. Fifteen long weeks are coming to a close.… Continue reading