husband enrolling in doctoral program

Grad school sticker shock sets in.

opposites that aren't opposite

We're taught that the prefix un- indicates a reverse or opposite. In words like undo or unhappy, this makes sense, but how do we explain the following pair of words?

Ravel – to separate or undo the texture of; unravel
Unravel – to disengage or separate the thread of

This is the kind of question that makes teaching English so much fun.

february is "I love to read" month

My sister Clair kicked off the month by making t-shirts in class. As always, I'm sure they'll be reading lots too.

six-word Saturday by guest blogger

Kids play better with friends over.

by Amanda Jean, retired crazymomquilts blogger

seeds to share

Garden seeds arrived yesterday. Another reason to wish it were spring. I'm looking forward to filling the yard with vegetable plants and flowers, and passing on a useful skill to our son. Gardening is also a wonderful way to share with others. Consider these opportunities:

The Dinner Garden is a new non-profit that's championing gardening as a solution to hunger. They accept donations of unused seeds and pass them along to individuals who can use them.

Ed Hume Seeds' “Plant a Row for the Hungry” program gives a free packet of seeds to people who wish to donate garden produce to a food bank or soup kitchen.

a balancing act

Freezing rain slicks sidewalks and roads.