columnsbynellie

ROOMBA on a mission at 230 in the afternoon

by Nellie Curtiss … It was 2:30 in the afternoon when the gunmetal colored ROOMBA left its station and embarked on its mission. There were no notes left behind; no clues as to it’s trek that day. The twin teens were not yet home from Grant Middle School where they ran for the track team.Continue reading “ROOMBA on a mission at 230 in the afternoon“

It’s an epidemic!

by Nellie Curtiss … Isn’t it time we value our children and families more than we value the gun lobby? Matthew McConaughey’s hometown is Uvalde, Tx. The day of the Robb Elementary massacre in Uvalde, he asked us on Facebook, “The true call to action now is for every American to take a longer andContinue reading “It’s an epidemic!”

Mental health issues are highlighted on the Equalizer

by Nellie Curtiss … I’ve been noticing that the best tv shows are using contemporary issues to drive programing. Apropos during May is Mental Health Awareness was the latest episode of the Equalizer shedding light on cybercrime and suicide prevention. Last Sunday’s Season 2 Episode 18 of the EQUALIZER addressed these issues in these high-techContinue reading “Mental health issues are highlighted on the Equalizer“

Even root canals need compassionate care

by Nellie Curtiss… (This column was updated.) After a grueling tension-filled transport ride from the Valley to Lone Tree, I was so glad to see the address on the building. I had finally arrived after four plus hours and could leave the confines of a small backseat. A visit to any dentist can drive torment;Continue reading “Even root canals need compassionate care“

Mother’s Day in Spain at the lake

by Nellie Curtiss … Sunday May 13 in 1962 was a special Mother’s Day. Just a month earlier, my sister, my mom and I had joined our stepdad near Madrid, Spain. Daddy Joe, an airman stationed at Torrejon Air Force Base, wanted the day to be memorable, so he planned a family picnic and fishingContinue reading “Mother’s Day in Spain at the lake“

Back to the Future schedules and travels

by Nellie Curtiss … Was someone laughing? No, the phone, tablet and watch were all ringing. “Who synced them? I didn’t,” I thought. My eyes opened and my brows stretched as high as they could. Throwing the blanket and quilt off, I glanced at my Mickey Mouse watch loosely hanging on my left wrist. “Oh,Continue reading “Back to the Future schedules and travels“

What goes around, turns on again, eventually

by Nellie Curtiss … I opened up the MacBook and my heart sank as it did not wake up. I touched the space bar, the “a, b, c” keys. No response. The screen remained as dark as the original Tabula Rasa belonging to the mythic teacher in the sky. All my psyche could do wasContinue reading “What goes around, turns on again, eventually“

What a catch! What a difference.

by Nellie Curtiss … Just in from a Cole and Marmalade (cat foster and rescue) post on Facebook: “Australian Firefighter Matthew Hodder made the “catch of the century,” when a kitten decided to try its luck as a flying squirrel, leaping from 32 feet up a tree. Now, Hodder is being hailed as a heroContinue reading “What a catch! What a difference.”

Laughter is the best lesson

by Nellie Curtiss … My eyes were drawn to the headline: Why Laughter Makes Classroom Management More Effective (https://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2011/01/29/effective-classroom-management-and-laughter/ ) The author, Michael Linsin, is a 30-year veteran teacher with all the grade levels under his thinking cap. He started Smart Classroom management in 2009 with a newsletter to help other teachers. Although his wiseContinue reading “Laughter is the best lesson”

Commercials? Had enough already?

by Nellie Curtiss … Turn on the CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell and with a little bit of war, gasoline prices, and budget woes, comes a gawd awful lot of commercials. Watch a streaming service like AMC Plus, and with Law and Order you get ads out your legal hardbacks; or watch the AndyContinue reading “Commercials? Had enough already?”