Re-Gifting

As I pack, frantically tie up the loose ends of my homemade gifts, and check my list twice for everything I need in the next two weeks (including one grumpy old cat), I just had to take a minute to send a very special holiday gift to you all this year.

Every year for the last...oh, 4 years? 3 years?, I have received a very special email from Ballard C. Boyd.  Ballard and I met years back when I worked at the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Brighton, MA.  He came to film a music video for Kristin Andreassen called "Crayola Doesn't Make a Color for Your Eyes" which featured my talented 2nd graders.  Because of this lovely happenstance, I have been on the receiving end of Ballard's annual Christmas CD.  I anxiously await the email every year announcing it's availability for download.

So, here again, for all of you, is where you can download, for free, his album.  It is three short wonderful songs featuring Ballard and his ukelele, as well as some special kazoo-ing in track 2.

Merry Christmas!  There are about a billion people out there I wish I could give presents, hugs, and extra love to this holiday.  In my absence, please accept this re-gifting.  Plant yourself under a mistletoe, crank up the volume, do a little jig and ... besos from me! (Click on the album cover to download!)

Cover design by Kelsey Fox Bennet

With A Little Love

I, like many of you, struggle to understand what happened today in Connecticut.  How do I explain this to my students?  How do I make them feel safe?  The country has lit up in discussions about why this has happened, laws that should, or should not be in place, who is to blame, etc.  I'm angry, I'm confused, and yet I still believe something can happen.

When I can't find the words to describe what I'm feeling, I turn to the words of others.  Today, this old Hootie and the Blowfish tune does it for me.  Although the video is slightly strange, the words say it.  I hope you have someone to be with tonight.  And if you do, hold their hand just a little bit tighter.  I know I am looking forward to heading home next week.

With a little love, and some tenderness,
We'll walk across the water, we'll rise above this mess
With a little peace, and some harmony,
We'll take the world together,
We'll take em by the hand.