Category Archives: art

Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You (1986)

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Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You (1986) (Official Video) (Lyrics)

(Written February 14, 2026)

Belinda Carlisle
Source: Big Issue

I can thank the Stranger Things effect and my niece Ellie Mae’s love of Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth (1987) for rediscovering this gem.  The day after watching the controversial ending to Stranger Things as a family out in my dad’s man cave on New Year’s Eve, I let Ellie give me a manicure using her new gel nail set.  As she did my nails, I had her tell me about the 80s/Stranger Things-inspired songs she liked.  Tiffany’s versions of I Think We’re Alone Now (1987) and Belinda Carlisle’s Heaven is a Place on Earth (1987) topped her list.  I couldn’t help but see so much of myself in her at that age that I made a list of similar 80s songs for her to check out if she’d like.  She’d discovered the girly pop music I’d grown up with:  Madonna, Whitney Houston, Paula Abdoul, Janet Jackson, the Bangles, Wilson Phillips, and of course, the GoGos and Belinda Carlisle. All topped the charts and made up a huge part of the soundtrack of my childhood.  Embarrassingly, I can probably still remember every word to Paula Abdoul’s Coldhearted Snake (1988) and Janet Jackson’s Escapade (1989) over 35 years later if asked.

The fun part is that I have a sneaking suspicion that Ellie loves music just as much as I do.  A few years ago now, her mom caught the cutest video clip of Ellie cleaning her room singing her heart out to Katy Perry’s Roar (2013).  It could have been me at age 8 or 9.  The realization that kids today have all music at their finger tips is both terrifying and incredible for someone who grew up transitioning from records, tapes, CDs, MP3s, and finally, streaming services.

If it hadn’t been for that discussion of Belinda Carlisle with my niece, who knows when I would have rediscovered Mad About You (1986), along with the video.  In fact, there are a few things I need to mention about the video.  First, I do not remember it at all.  Yet, it has quickly become one of my favorites from the 80s.  It is right up there with Material Girl (1984) – Madonna.  Mad About You (1986) has the same 80s does 50s Hollywood glamor vibe, but, if I am honest, there is just something I love about that video.  I can see why it became a hit, and I am left wondering just how much coverage it had on MTV.  I do hope that younger generations discover and appreciate the iconic music videos of the 80s-00s.  I do hope that they live on.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ghost – The Future is a Foreign Land (2024)

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Ghost – The Future is a Foreign Land (2024) (Official Video) (Lyrics)

(Written February 10, 2026)

One of the absolute highlights of the chaos that was 2025 happened to be seeing Ghost in Grand Rapids in July.  The only live performance I’ve ever seen that even came close to Tobias Forge and company was Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band.  I left Van Andel Arena in absolute awe.  I would gladly go see Ghost again.

The funny thing is that when John and I bought tickets early in 2025, I really only knew their song Little Miss Sunshine.  I wanted to check out something new.  By the time John and I drove all over northern Michigan on our way to the concert (another story altogether), I’d become a full-fledged fan and knew half of their setlist.  Even that didn’t prepare me for what I was about to experience.  Tobias Forge’s stage presence is on an entirely different level.

Somewhere along the line, I couldn’t get the Ghost song The Future is a Foreign Land out of my head.  I blame my love of storytelling.  Add in a solid literary reference (Orwell’s 1984) mixed with historical references (brownshirts, Kennedys, etc.), how could I resist?  Then there is the video.  In my opinion, the animation is perfect.  The 60s/70s eve of destruction vibe works well.  Their animated videos tend to be among my favorites.  The Future is a Foreign Land, however, almost manages to romanticize the end of it all, and asks us all to become better people for it.

After the concert, I asked myself why The Future is a Foreign Land looms so large in my imagination.  Then I thought about what it means Gen X, or in my case, Xennial.  In the world we were born into, it has always been one minute to midnight.  The threat of nuclear war is a constant that’s never going away.  As a generation, we seem to have a fatalist streak, and it is no coincidence that my peers’ children grew up on series like The Hunger Games and Divergent.  In fact, The Future is a Foreign Land can be added to a dystopian playlist, which could include:

Eve of Destruction – Barry McQuire (1965)

99 Luftballons – Nena (1983) (I prefer the German language version)

It Is the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) – R.E.M (1987)

We Didn’t Start the Fire – Billy Joel (1989)

Zombie – The Cranberries (1994) (or Rock Orchestra)

If you grew up on 80s rock and/or metal, you need to check out Ghost if you haven’t already.  Definite 80s vibes in the best possible way.

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

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No introduction needed.

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967) (Official Video) (Lyrics)

(Written February 9, 2026)

February 9th, 1964, 62 years ago today, the Beatles first appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” kicking off what later became known as the British invasion.  Over the years, I’ve heard so many musicians state that their dream of becoming a rock star began that cold February night.  Ozzy stands out.  I believe it, too.  I’ve heard it described as everything going from black and white to technicolor.  So I thought today would be it.  Today I’ll discuss my favorite Beatles song of all time.

For decades, I could not tell you which Beatles song was my favorite.  There are several Beatles songs that remind me of my childhood and my mom.  All of The Beatles (better known as The White Album) reminds me of my semester bumming around Spain.  Then there were the Anthologies during my high school years with new music!  Real Love and Free as a Bird definitely fit in the ‘90s with the likes of Oasis and Blur.  In fact, I once read a comment that stated Oasis’s entire career could be summed up by Revolver.  Adoring Oasis before the egos took over, I can’t unsee that comment or disagree with it.  Let’s face it:  Most of the music I adore would simply not exist without the Beatles’ example.  This is especially true of 90’s alternative, although 90’s artists seemed to take themselves just a bit too seriously.  Regardless, the Beatles will always remain a revelation and inspiration.

So why A Day in the Life?  Well, first, it is the final track on my favorite Beatles album:  Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.  I consider it my favorite Beatles album for one reason and one reason only:  Every time I listen to it, I have to listen to every. single. track.  No skipping.  I know of no other album, Beatles or otherwise, that is that good beginning to end.  Of course, it is considered the first concept album, too.

Also, A Day in the Life is a perfect example of why I love the Beatles music so much.  First, it tells a story.  One can get lost in the lyrics and the story.  Second, it is pure Lennon/McCartney magic.  Not too hard, not too sweet – just right! It is really two songs in one with a memorable bridge in between.  There are plenty of examples of Beatles songs structured like this, but it is the Wings songs that come to mind.  Some of my favorites, Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, and Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, just to name a few.  What’s not to love?  So, let’s take a minute today to appreciate all the amazing music we’ve enjoyed over the last several decades.

Ladies and gentleman, quite possibly the best Beatles quote by a Beatle.

Why I Write

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(January 6th, 2026)

I’ve tried to blog countless times since school started this fall, and well, if I am honest, I’ve felt overwhelmed ever since Charlie Kirk’s tragic death.  There still are no words.  No matter what I have to say, all I could think of is that it could potentially add to the hate, and that would never be my intention.  It isn’t that I didn’t or don’t have anything to say.  No.  Quite the opposite.  I have so much to say that I didn’t know where to begin.  Sometimes, it just comes to you.  Sometimes, you just have to start again.

On rare days as a teacher you may have small wins.  Sometimes a lesson goes particularly well; it may finally “click” for that student you’ve been worried about all school year.  A small victory in the grand scheme of things, but invaluable when you truly care.  It is the same with writing.  There are times where you just have to get it down before it is gone forever.  It may not be perfect, but there is a kernel of truth in there somewhere.  On the rarest of rare occasions, both happen on the same day within the hour.  That was my day today, but first, a little background.

My dream of creating a creative writing club for my students may have started during my years teaching middle school at St. Mike’s, but I had no idea where it would lead.  At St. Mike’s, my teacher bestie Dorri and I teamed up to form a group for students grades 3-8 interested in writing.  We were small but mighty – and we even survived a pandemic.  I wish others could have witnessed the patience that my middle schoolers had with Dorri’s budding 3rd grade authors.  Dorri and I may no longer teach together, but we still bring up the magic that happened during writing club.  In fact, this fall, I learned that one of my former students, one of those patient middle schoolers now a high school senior, will soon have a short story published in an anthology.  He couldn’t be more deserving or have a brighter future.

Last year, my first year as a full-fledged teacher at Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA) teaching 10th grade high school English, I knew that I wanted to try again.  I wanted to create a creative writing club for our high school.  Throughout the school year, we became a tight knit group of writers who wholeheartedly supported one another.  I hated to see it end. This year, I didn’t know if I could create that atmosphere twice.

Fortunately, I did.  Even though I have an almost entirely new group of students this year, they are just as supportive and passionate about writing.  Above all, they are wonderful writers.  In fact, in addition to sharing what I wrote today during our session, I wish I could share some of my students’ work as well.  They are far more talented than I ever was during my high school years.  It is beautiful to see and gives me so much hope for the future.  Gen Z – and what I’ve witnessed of Gen Alpha – are far more compassionate and understanding than the Gen Xers, Xennials, and Millennials I grew up with.  They seem to grasp just how much damage mere words can do.  They also understand that there is more to life than work, image, and material things.

So, I decided to share with you what I wrote today in the span of twenty minutes.  It is not perfect, but it is a start.  There is something there.  In that same twenty minutes, one of my students created a piece so wonderful that it is begging to be shared.  I am hoping to get at least a paragraph of her work in the yearbook. Yes, 2026 is off to a great start. Today was a good day.

Why I Write …

I write to not be forgotten.

I write to calm the storm and slow down time.

I write to express and gather my thoughts and ideas.

I write to make sense of the chaos trying to drown me.

To create order out of chaos.

I write to explain the inexplicable.

I write to support and inspire others.

I write to find meaning where there is none.

I write to remember what shouldn’t be forgotten.

To capture what could be lost, what shouldn’t be lost.

I write to learn and study.

I write to make connections and share with others.

I write to expand my understanding of everything around me.

I write to learn how to teach others to write, wonder, and explore.

To create, to connect, to describe.

Creative Space

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One of my biggest projects this school year – so far – is to establish a creative writing club for our high school.  I started with a vision and my previous experience of working with my teacher bestie, Dorri, to start a writing club at my previous school.  To say that I learned from that experience is an understatement.

In that club Dorri and I worked to establish at St. Michael School, we dealt with technology issues, age differences (serving young middle grade students as well as middle school students), not to mention the hazards of the COVID 19 pandemic.  It is crazy to think that we achieved anything at all.  Yet, we did in a small way, even if the larger St. Michael community didn’t always recognize it.

We may have had a small core of roughly half a dozen students, but they were truly interested.  They eagerly learned from one another.  My 7th and 8th students demonstrated patience with Dorri’s 3rd graders, many of whom were just learning how to more fully express themselves in writing, expanding their thinking along with their vocabulary.  Dorri’s 3rd graders brought enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to their older peers’ projects.

When I started at Michigan Virtual Charter Academy this past fall, I knew that I wanted to become involved in some kind of club.  While I knew that we had a well-developed esports program, I didn’t exactly know what other clubs were offered.  It turned out that while we offer an academic creative writing class, we did not have a creative writing club.  Well, I sought to change that.  So far, I have succeeded.

At the beginning of the school year, I focused on creating an online classroom full of resources I could have only dreamed of as a high school student in love with writing.  There are dozens of websites to explore, hundreds of writing prompts, inspiring quotes, book recommendations, and so much more.  Then, I watched over several weeks as my students connected and explored common interests.  They grew as writers and found the confidence to share their work and a little bit about themselves.  Students then spent much of the semester writing pieces intended for eventual publication, likely a blog.  What happened next, I did not see coming.

We may have to wait until next school year to publish anything, but not only are both the  principal and assistant principal extremely supportive, our head of school now knows about the project.  In fact, I’ve received nothing but positive feedback.  Right now, I am working on helping to ensure we keep moving ahead in the right direction.  Who knows where this will take us?  Already, I have had two new club members join in the first few weeks of this new semester.  They’ve fit in seamlessly, which is a testament to the culture my students created.  I am incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved!

Feliz Día de los Muertos

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Teaching the meaning behind Día de los Muertos was always one of my favorite parts of teaching Spanish.  Enjoy the ending of Coco, one of my all-time favorite animated movies.

November 1st – Happy National Author’s Day!

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I just found out today is National Author’s Day. How appropriate!  The creative writing club I started at school met this afternoon at the end of the school day.  There is never a dull meeting.  They are so passionate about their interests, including but not limited to writing.  I’ve watched as members have bonded over music and other media.  It is inspiring how they support one another, too.

In the online school environment, there aren’t quite as many opportunities to strike up friendships with classmates as in brick and mortar.  Personally, I think that is why school clubs are so vital in an online school environment.  Last year, my first year teaching online, I watched as students planned for weeks and even months for the in-person prom held at the Lansing Center.  Students attended from all over Michigan. The pictures, conversations, and friendships made that evening were discussed repeatedly as the school year came to a close.  I can only hope that that same can be said when I reflect on the creative writing club at the end of the school year.

In my first year as mentor and creator of the club, I sought to find the best possible resources for aspiring high school writers.  Luckily, my online classroom set aside for our new club allowed me to do just that.  It is now a place where students can collaborate, offer one another and seek encouragement, as well as find resources and inspiration.  I can only imagine if I had had such a resource in high school.  I admit, I’ve had too much fun setting things up.  So far, my entire experience with the creative writing club has underscored the importance of community as a writer.

Face it:  Writing can be lonely work.  Over the years, I’ve always enjoyed meeting other writers.  I can’t imagine where I’d be as a writer without Mid-Michigan Writers.  I’ve learned so much from other members over the years, and I would not have discovered Delta College’s general writing certificate program if I hadn’t attended MMW’s Gateway to Writing workshop with other writers who raved about the experience.  If my students take away anything from our creative writing club, I do hope that they realize the importance of community for writers.  Brainstorming works best with others!  At some point, we could all use a second opinion.  We all have to learn from someone.  I can’t imagine not having my very own community of writers and readers. Happy National Author’s Day!

Oh, and happy first day of NaNoWriMo. IYKYK.

Book Review:  The Lyrics:  1956 to Present by Paul McCartney – The Beginning

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First, fair warning:  this is going to be a series of posts.  There is simply too much material, and the entire premise of the project means too much to me.  Before I get into the meat of the book, it is better if readers understand the background.  While John gave me a beautiful hardcover version for Christmas 2021, I am just now reading it.  I knew that I will get sucked in, and I wanted to give it the time and attention it deserves.  The entire idea of this massive memoir grabbed my imagination as soon as it was announced.

In his introduction, Paul McCartney discusses how he has been approached several times to write a memoir or autobiography.  With this idea rolling around for years, his former brother-in-law, Lee Eastman (the late Linda McCartney’s brother), gave him the idea to write a memoir using his song lyrics, explaining their backgrounds and inspirations.  Frankly, it is a brilliant idea.  In creating The Lyrics, Paul McCartney sat down with renowned poet Paul Muldoon to discuss the poetry behind the lyrics.  Paul Muldoon also served as editor.

I may be only through songs starting with C, but I am thoroughly enjoying the book.  The entire organization of the book is unique.  The Lyrics, of course, covers some of the earliest Beatles songs (back to the Quarrymen, actually) to Paul’s latest solo efforts, with Wings in between.  It truly covers 65 years of some of the best pop music ever written.  Some songs written were given to other bands or acts, such as Peter and Gordon and Badfinger.  The book is not in chronological order, but it is instead arranged by song title.  Throughout the book are dozens of historic photographs from McCartney’s personal archives.  Throughout, he explains his song writing process and inspirations.  Another cool feature of the book is that someone took the time to create a Spotify playlist that includes all of the songs in The Lyrics in order that they appear in the book.  You can listen along as you read.  In my opinion, it doesn’t get much better than that.

I look forwarding to sharing more about The Lyrics once I finish the book.  It may a bit, but it will be well worth it in the end.  As a writer, music lover, and avid Beatles’ fan, especially Paul McCartney, I’m obviously the target audience.  Yet, I feel as though there is something for everyone in the book.  Now in his 80s, Paul McCartney is still touring, still writing music, and still out there.  Supposedly, his shows are right around three hours long, without a break.  His work ethic, his passion for performing and songwriting, and deep appreciation for his fans is the only explanation.

Book Review:  The Wedding People by Alison Espach

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I’m not sure exactly what I expected when I started this book, but I did not expect to enjoy it so much, especially given the gritty nature of the subject material covered.  I don’t want to give too much away, but it does deal with such loaded subjects such as suicide, infertility, grief, and love.  Yet, it is witty and realistic as well.  There is definitely humor amongst all the drama.  It is well worth a read.

My favorite is the contrast between our protagonist, Phoebe, who inadvertently crashes a swank wedding week in Rockport, Rhode Island, and Lila, who is a bride-to-be about to kick off a week of wedding activities.  Phoebe has just left everything behind, including her husband, job, house, and cat.  Lila couldn’t be more different, and she is determined that nothing, including an uninvited guest, will ruin her wedding.  Intending to marry in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic and losing her father, Lila spared no expense or experience for her guests.  Will it be enough?

Much of the plot revolves around the emotional and social lives of these two women.  The characters, and I do mean all of the characters, are wonderful, even if the reader isn’t inclined to love them all.  They are deeply flawed and human.  One of my favorites is Juice, Lila’s soon to be step-daughter.  While I love the characters and many are highly developed, well beyond just the protagonists, I would not go so far as to say this is a character-driven novel.  It simply isn’t.  The plot really drives the action, and a lot happens in a week.

I’d love to say more, but I do not want to give away major plot points.  While the action certainly hinges on wedding events over the week, the title itself is a bit misleading.  The book is about so much more than just a wedding or even marriage.  It gets hilariously messy, but it is worth it in the end.  Check it out!

Classic TV Endings – Cheers (1982-1993)

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At times, the ending of a TV series works, and at others, it doesn’t (I’m looking at you Seinfeld!).  When Cheers aired its final episode in May 1993, I watched.  I remember Shelley Long (Diane) returning and the cast partying as it aired (infamously so), but I do not remember it being so poignant.  The final scenes with Sam and Norm, and later, Sam alone in the bar, are now among my favorite TV series endings of all time.

Growing up, I adored Cheers.  I watched it with my parents every week.  As an adult, I rewatched the series.  The characters still hold up.  It wasn’t just the main characters – Sam, Diane, Coach, Carla, Woody, and Rebecca – that drew us back every week, but an entire complimentary cast of characters capable of anything – Norm and Cliff, not to mention Frasier and Lillith.  The episode in which we met Lillith remains one of the funniest.  Throughout the rest of the series, Dr. Lilith Sternin-Crane developed into one of the funniest and quirkiest female characters on TV.  She is still one of my favorite TV characters after all these decades.

Who can forget Lilith? Enough said.

Aside from all of the laughs and hijinks throughout the series, the humanity of all of the characters (every last one deeply flawed) shined through.  Yet, the last scenes of the final episode hit me right in the gut.  It isn’t every day that a TV show can make you deeply and profoundly appreciate what you have.

It starts innocently enough.  Norm stays after everyone else heads out after welcoming Sam back to the bar after escaping marriage to Daine yet again.  He didn’t want anyone else to hear what he has to say, and he’s up for one last beer, of course.  He tells Sam that love is the true meaning of life.  He continues to state that people are always faithful to their one true love, that he’d be unable to be unfaithful to her.  When Sam asks whom that would be, Norm simply states “Think about it, Sam,” smiles, and leaves, setting up the final shots of Sam in the bar alone.

Alone in his bar, Sam slowly realizes that it is his bar that is the love of his life.  He recognizes just how much it, and all those in it, mean to him.  He even straightens Coach’s framed portrait of Geronimo before closing up.  In a clever twist, the final shot of Sam closing up and heading towards the back entrance of the bar mirrors the opening of the series in which Sam makes his way to the front of the bar as he is opening up for the day.

Nearly 30 years ago … Working with Grandma Reid at the canoe livery.

All I can say is this:  As someone who has spent her entire life watching her parents and grandparents build a family business – and as someone who will one day fully take over said business with her brother – I get it.  Boy, do I ever get it.  I can’t imagine my life without the canoe livery.  I hope that I never have to do so.  It is the people – employees (current and former) and customers – that make the business, along with the river and the land itself. I’m lucky, indeed.

I say it often, but we have the best customers.  I estimate that 99% of our customers are great.  The remaining 1% make for great stories.  We are currently winding down for the year, but when spring comes once again, I will be ready to start it all over again.

Dr. Fraiser Crane in one of the longest-running TV characters in history.
The reboot of Fraiser will soon start its second season.