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!
2025 started off pretty well, but I’m just getting started. There is so much more I wanted to accomplish, but days rush by, especially when fighting off the January “ick.” My writing really took a nosedive and a backseat. Fortunately, it is NOT for a lack of ideas. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I have too many. I need to prioritize and mix it up. Here are a few things to look forward to in 2025.
Gen X
I’ve been floating around this idea for months. It gets right to the heart of my best and deepest childhood memories. Between belonging to a fun Xennial Facebook group (NOT SFW) and discovering hysterical Gen X content creators discussing everything from the 70s-90s, I can relate. Aside from the childhood nostalgia, they are discussing the perils of becoming the default mediators between Baby Boomers and Millennials, perimenopause (or just menopause), and the weirdness of some being the parents of grown children while others have toddlers or even infants. There is something for everyone.
My favorites so far:
The “virtual” dodgeball game between some of the more well-known Gen X content creators.
The elaborate storylines, complete with 80s costumes, of some of the creators. There are two in particular who created an entire world of characters just using their imaginations, along with costuming and makeup techniques. Both are incredibly talented!
Frankly, my childhood would not have been the same without Gen X. They were always the “cool” older kids – namely my cousins (all girls) and the teens who worked at the canoe livery every summer – all of whom introduced me to the best music, slang, and fashions of the ‘80s. I distinctly remember wanting to replicate some of my cousins’ outfits and being so eager to grow up.
As much as I can relate to Gen X, I am definitely not strictly Gen X. While technically Gen X ends in 1980, I was born December 18th, 1980, just two weeks away shy of 1981 and being classified a Millennial. If anyone is on the cusp of those two generations, it is me. As a result, I am a Xennial (1977-1983), with characteristics of both generations.
Grandma Reid @ 100
January 22nd, 2025 would have been Grandma Reid’s 100th birthday. She always told my sister and me that she’d live to be 100 to “haunt you girls.” Then, she’d laugh as only she could. Gratefully, she lived a long, full life, passing away the day before her 92nd birthday in 2017. Still, I am left with so many memories and lessons, especially now that I am well into my 40s. It all deserves to be mentioned.
1925
1925 played a pivotal role in my family history. Two of my grandparents were born in 1925, Grandma Reid and Grandpa Buttrick, and my second great-grandfather, A.G. Forward, started Forward Corporation, which would become the reason why my maternal grandparents eventually moved to Standish. My parents would have likely never met otherwise.
Grandpa Buttrick @ 100
Born on April 1st, 1925, he definitely needs to be commemorated as well. He taught me a lot, and if I hadn’t moved back to Michigan in 2005, I would not have known him nearly as well as an adult. He, along with my dad, are the original inspirations for my decision to study business. It has served me well! Sometimes I think I learned just as much from them, and the companies they headed for so many years, as I did from my formal education.
Music
Not only are there dozens of songs I need to add to my mixtape, I have much to say about Oasis’s recent attempt to join the 90s nostalgia craze in concerts, not to mention the fact that Ringo, now well into his 80s, recently released a #1 album, country no less. Also, I didn’t fully realize this until fairly recently, but I belong to a generation that closely associated music videos with the music we love. That just doesn’t happen much anymore. There is a reason why there are jokes stating that MTV only provided approximately 15 years of music. We still want our MTV!
Book Reviews
Book reviews consistently get the most traffic, and I adore writing them. I am way behind. In fact, The Women by Kristin Hannah still haunts me, and it will continue to haunt me until I write a review. I loved that book, and I consider it one of the best pieces of historical fiction I’ve ever read. Then there is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, another great piece of historical fiction. Of course, there are others I need to review as well.
The Supply Chain Lens
In light of all that has transpired over the last several years, I feel compelled to share what keeps me awake at night. It all involves supply chains and our manufacturing capability. It is far more interesting that it sounds, I promise. Also, I plan to keep it as non-political as possible, even though I feel we have all been fooled. Even though I did not necessarily pursue a career in supply chain management, my business education forever colored how I see the world.
As you can see, lots of great things to come! Welcome February!
Dean Butler as Almanzo Wilder in Little House on the Priarie
This year, the TV show Little House on the Prairie celebrates 50 years since its television debut. Oh, and does that show still have a following. To celebrate, several events were held at various locations throughout the country, including most of the homesites of the Ingalls and Wilder families. They even recreated several of the sets at Big Sky Movie Ranch in Simi Valley, California, where most of the series was filmed. Infamously, the last installment of the series saw the original set of the town literally destroyed as part of the plot. Under the terms of filming, the producers of Little House on the Prairie contractually had to return the land to its original condition.
So, where does Prairie Man by Dean Butler come in? First, the book debuted this summer in the midst of all of the events. Second, and most importantly, Dean Butler, who played Almanzo Wilder in the last years of the series, and Alison Arngrim, the one and only Nellie Oleson, who famously penned Confessions of a Prairie B*tch, have worked tirelessly to keep the legacy of the TV show alive. In fact, this entire year, they decided to host a podcast dedicated to all things relating to the 50th anniversary of the Little House on the Prairie TV show.
Prairie Man stands out for a couple of reasons. First, I may not be technically correct on this, but I believe that Dean Butler is the oldest surviving male cast member. Several actors that played young boys on the series survive, but the grown men, including Michael Landon, Victor French, Richard Bull, and Dabs Greer, just to name a few, are long gone. While there are several memoirs written by female cast members, including two alone written by Melissa Gilbert, Prairie Man is the only one written by a man.
While I’ve only read Confessions of a Prairie B*tch by Alison Arngrim (you can read my review here) and Prairie Man by Dean Butler, they could not be more different. I loved both, but I enjoyed Butler’s sense of history, not to mention his diplomatic handling of tensions between fans of the books and fans of the TV show. He addressed all of the controversies surrounding both series well.
I learned a lot. While I knew that Rose Wilder Lane’s “adopted” grandson, Roger Lea McBride, ended up with the television rights to the novels, I did not know the full story. The real story is included in Prairie Man. In the early 70s, Ed Friendly purchased the rights from McBride due to his wife’s and daughter’s love of the books. Only when Michael Landon became involved as executive producer, taking the TV show further and further from the original books, did trouble occur. According to Butler, Roger Lea McBride became horrified when realized what he had done. Like Friendly, he envisioned a TV series much more faithful to the books.
The real Almanzo Wilder, subject of Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Eventually, all of this grew tension between Landon and Friendly. Landon’s vision, of course, ultimately prevailed. It may have been for the best. Ask yourself, how many children and adults were introduced to the books via the TV show? Alison Arngrim even admitted that she didn’t read the books until after being cast as quite possibly the best child villain ever portrayed on television, Nellie Oleson. Michael Landon may have taken extreme creative license, but love it or hate it, Little House on the Prairie, the television show, is still shown all over the world in syndication 50 years later. It will not die.
The funny thing is that I used to blame Roger Lea McBride for selling the rights to the television series and Michael Landon for what it became. I used to view the Little House series of books as a cautionary tale as to what can happen if an author’s legacy isn’t well-guarded or just ends up in the hands of attorneys. For those who don’t know, Rose Wilder Lane never had children (she never formally adopted Lea), and thus, with her death in 1968, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder no longer had any direct descendents. I see it differently today. I suppose I now subscribe to the old saying “any publicity is good publicity.”
While I probably would have discovered all of the books on my own, especially after my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Butz, read Little House in the Big Woods to our class, I doubt any of it would have left such a lasting impression without the TV show. Early elementary school would not have been the same without it. I distinctly remember jumping off the bus after school, pigtails flying behind me, eager to catch the 4 PM reruns. Funny note: Due to the fact that I grew up on the reruns, I thought Dean Butler was significantly younger, by at least a decade, than he actually is. His book, of course, made this clear.
Today, I am not necessarily a fan of the TV show, although I do greatly admire what Dean Butler and Alison Arngrim have done for all Little House on the Prairie fans. I suppose I am not a typical fan. Normally, most people are devoted fans of the books or the TV show, not necessarily both. More than anything, I am a huge fan of the real person, the writer herself, the real Laura. Her true story is far more fascinating than just the books. She lived an incredibly full additional 70 years after the life she described in all of her books. When you add in all of the drama surrounding her only daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, it justifies all of the relatively new scholarly work surrounding the Ingalls and Wilder families. There are still so many questions left to answer.
If you are interested in the Little House series at all, whether book or TV show, Prairie Man is well worth reading. Butler makes the case that he feels he was born to play Almanzo. Growing up on a ranch in California, he describes in detail how his entire career has been shaped by that one role. As he grew older, he decided to lean into it and run with it, much as Alison Arngrim has over the last few decades. Fortunately for Little House fans, its incredible legacy is in good hands for the time being.
You can also check my review of Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser here.
Written during the pandemic as an example for a poetry project I assigned my middle school students. They needed to take a line from a favorite song and then use that line to begin a poem.
There are places I remember Places that hold memories long forgotten Long shadows, witnesses to the past Smells that immediately transport me back
Back to a simpler time when we could gather freely Children could be kids Adults accepted responsibility A time when freedom reigned and the republic lived
A black and white portrait here, Kerosene lanterns afixed to the wall Polished glass overlooking the cedar swamp The coziness of a Franklin stove
My sister and I, in curls, smocked dressed, and bows Polished patent leather shoes and all smiles Helping mom and grandma prepare Thanksgiving Waiting for hunters to return and string a buck up on the pole
Living as pioneers until nightfall, the generator roaring to life The bustle and business of extended family Cards, laughter, and love Cousins, forts, and leaves
Memories long buried, decades past Rising each fall with the smoke from burning leaves
Ah! It is finally here. I adore December. Yes, there is my birthday and Christmas, but I love advent. There is always so much to do in the lead-up to Christmas. My instinct is to want to do it all, but I am so very glad when I don’t. What really matters is spending time with all the people I love. For me, all of the traditions and planning are half the fun!
This year, I am grateful for all I have in my life. Is my life perfect? No, but that said, I am far from where I once was. I have a job I truly adore, and I didn’t give up on teaching, although it would have been so easy to do so. I also have a man in my life I love and am deeply loved in return. John and I both agree that we would not have done nearly as much over the past few years if not for each other. I am grateful that I get along so well with my siblings and their families. As frustrated as I can get with my parents at times, I am acutely aware of how lucky I am to still have them both in good health. I could go on, but just know that I am well aware of how truly blessed I am.
As I move into 2025, I’ve been thinking about writing, blogging, podcasting, and so much more. My issue here at Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde is not that I don’t have enough material, it is that I have too much. I have a notebook full of ideas. Right now, I am trying to decide which songs to write about next, which books to review and when, not to mention how to write a long piece on supply chain and its place in geopolitics, which is probably a series. I’m not exactly sure how it fits here, but it explains so much as to who I am and what I believe. How do I put all of this together?
I experimented with podcasting in 2020, and it remains something I am interested in. The issue is this: How do I settle on a topic? As far as I am concerned, the best podcasts are highly focused. I have too many interests that would make for great podcast content.
I do know this: I intend to write more in 2025. I am not getting any younger. I have more to say, not less. It is a matter of establishing good habits. I am happier when I write! I am not one to get bored – at least not when I have a book to read or access to my writing materials.
So, once again, welcome December! Happy Advent! I hope that your holiday season is off to a great start. 2025 will be here soon enough.
Over this long Thanksgiving weekend, I am grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life – family, friends, coworkers, students, customers, and more. I am truly blessed. If I started a list of all the blessings in my life, it would take me hours to complete.
I hope this post finds everyone well enjoying time with family and friends.
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!
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.
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!
I don’t understand. I adore writing, and I have no shortage of material. In fact, I came across my blogging notebook today. Page after page full of great ideas I have not yet written. I also came across another binder of writing projects, as well as my writing portfolio from one of my favorite writing classes, a class I took at Delta College nearly a decade ago. What to do with it all? It is time to bring it all together. Why is it so difficult for me to write consistently for long stretches of time? Why did I abandon poetry again? I came across some wonderful pieces. Pieces that need a home.
Then there are the larger projects. Mom and I need to finish her series of children’s board books, abandoned nearly nine years ago. I still love them. Over the last several years, I’ve toyed around with the idea of writing a book about the canoe livery. It is time to put in the research. I need to interview my parents and former employees before it is too late. I do not want those stories to be lost, even if they are never published. There are simply too many good ones.
So, what is getting in the way? Quite simply, life. Accepting a position as a 10th grade English teacher at Michigan Virtual Charter Academy (MVCA) back in August, I’ve been busy. While I subbed at MCVA most of last school year, I am now a full-fledged faculty member who hadn’t yet experienced the start of the school year – and all that brings (I started in early October last year). In other words, I’m now getting back to finding time to write. Just because you have prepared for a new school year in a brick and mortar school does not mean that you know the ins and outs of preparing for a new school year at a virtual school.
One highlight of the school year is creating an official high school creative writing club. I am passionate about it. So far, I’ve been able to create a safe online space for students interested in creative writing. As a club, there are no academic expectations. We are writing for the sheer creative power of it. By the way, MVCA offers a creative writing course as well. This … this is something different, something special.
Thus far, I’ve curated websites that might help budding high school creative writers. I’ve also shared my favorite quotes and books on writing. There is space for students to share their work amongst themselves. I can’t imagine what I would’ve done with those resources, all online and free, and such a nurturing community. The best part is the enthusiasm of my students. I’ve watched them form fast friendships over favorite music, video games, books, movies, and more. They are so supportive of one another. I can’t wait to see all that we will accomplish this year. That includes getting back to my own writing.
Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde 