Happy Halloween. My family tradition was that Halloween costumes were not discussed until after my mother’s birthday on October 21st. The ten days between the ‘holidays’ were a blur of flannel and thread. All our costumes were hand sewn by mom. Like a Cinderella story, the day after Halloween, the … Read More
Last week a conversation starter was posed, “what is the most sensible thing you have ever heard someone say?” My friend responded that her grandfather often said, “You don’t have to be the best, but you always have to do your best.” My response was, “everyone matters, or no one … Read More
A weekend of travel and a Monday of productivity in the form of meetings prevented the publication of yesterday’s post. (My money is on the fact that at least one of you muttered, “God, I love alliteration.”) Over the weekend, I returned to Kansas for the wedding of my friend … Read More
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,” Anne of Green Gables. My long-time friend, Amy, shared with me some years ago that the sky is bluer in October. In October, something about the earth’s axis and the position of North America towards the sun gives … Read More
Years ago, I traveled to Chicago with a team of colleagues for a conference. One of my buddies was on the trip, and we agreed to bring our instruments so we could play if time were available in the evening. He is a guitarist, and I was focusing on the … Read More
“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” This quote from the stoic Roman philosopher Seneca gets close to my thinking over the past couple of weeks. In the past three weeks, I’ve had several experiences with our friends from Target within the greater community. … Read More
It was a busy weekend for the folks of Target. In addition to all the typical weekend activities, the Wine with Friends Event was a success on Saturday night. Many of Target’s friends gathered at Black Ankle winery to share conversation, good food, and some wine. It was a pleasure … Read More
The bean fields are beginning to take on brown highlights near Westminster this week. With cooler temperatures, autumn is approaching. Two memes circulate on social media this time of year. The first, often words over an image of fall foliage, “The trees are about to show us how beautiful it … Read More
A crucial ongoing conversation for those whose lives are improved by the presence of individuals with disabilities is the critical evaluation of the language we use. I imagine we are all familiar with People First Language and are also well beyond the use of the “r-word”. We have Jane Lynch’s … Read More
The obligation of those without permanent disabilities as allies of those with disabilities is to create space in the social, educational, and vocational world for those who engage in society differently. The best I can do is to spend as much time in public with the individuals we serve at … Read More