A lot of people think that no good can come of checking your phone at 2 AM in the morning, but anyone who’s ever been getting ready to go into a meeting at 2 PM knows that there’s nothing like a quick glance at that glowing window to distorted reality that take your eyes off… Continue reading Pieces of 2021
Tag: Work
Salad Days
The last few months have been sketchy for me as the demands of mitigating the pandemic and navigating pneumonia with resulting lung issues forced me into a new job search. I am determined to continue teaching in the fall, but, along with millions of other Americans, I know that full time employment is anything but… Continue reading Salad Days
Drawing Lots
Pneumonia benched me well before Covid-19 invaded neighboring New York State, but my son’s severely compromised immune function was already forcing considerations about whether and how to keep working at the residential school where I teach. Our school immediately implemented Herculean measures to reduce the likelihood of infection. The experiences of other assisted living communities… Continue reading Drawing Lots
Go Work, Young Man
One of the bonuses having lived with bipolar disorder for over 40 years is that you can see the signs of creeping depression in others. I see it in my students when they have trouble showing up to class for weeks at a time or sleep through most of their school day. I see it… Continue reading Go Work, Young Man
It’s In My Job Description
I'm trying, with limited success, to work three jobs. I got the one that pays the bills for 40 to 50 hours a week. I've got the one I took on when the Big Guy and I decided to become parents. And I've got the one that I'm still auditioning for - The one I… Continue reading It’s In My Job Description
Radio Silence
For the last month, I've been wondering if my bipolar disorder had evolved in to something more insidious as the chorus of demands created by a stint of intense overtime at work and holiday social obligations amplified, drowning out much of what matters to me - fitness, writing and even family from time to time.… Continue reading Radio Silence
The Windchime
After the storm, the windchime is still in its spot. It was a gift from the Big Guy's sister who is not my sister-in-law. She's my sister. We didn't have to go through all the in-fighting that adolescent sisters inflict on their parents. She lives in Southern New England, so we see each other a… Continue reading The Windchime
The Ministry of Organization
This may come as a shock, coming from someone who blogs (I don't brag about it either) about being a bad housekeeper (blogs - not brags), but I am not naturally organized. Staying organized always seemed like a juggling act that required advanced skills. I pick my battles, but the need to organize my day… Continue reading The Ministry of Organization
A Day with the Boys
Once upon a time I would have traded blood and organs for the chance to be a Work At Home Mom (WAHM). A few years ago, I stumbled onto the right ad on Craigslist and, without making any deals with the devil, joined the growing legions of moms who work from home. For the most… Continue reading A Day with the Boys
Good Parents Never Retire
There are a lot of things I love about my parents. I love that they never pull out a tape recording of all the things I said I'd never do as a parent when I do exactly that. I love that they are flush with great advice but wait until it's asked for. I love… Continue reading Good Parents Never Retire
Expecting Inspiration
For the past few weeks my waking hours have been spent mostly shut off from the world. I rise before dawn to write and read - forcing myself to shut out the world that beckons from the internet. At 7 AM, I'll wake my boys and spend the next 45 minutes getting them dressed, fed,… Continue reading Expecting Inspiration
Ablaze at Both Ends
I one of the lucky few. Most days I like my job. Every day I like my coworkers. But there are some days, when I'm on a writing roll (in quantity, not necessarily quality) that I begin wondering how much I could get for a slightly dented, c-listed kidney so I could finance a writing… Continue reading Ablaze at Both Ends
Rachel Barlow Art 