Mom and Sister

 Louie's sister made it!

Toe Beans

 

Waiting for Visiting Hours.

Recovery is going well. 

Bye-bye Baby Blues

 

In the Garden of Gongshi

In the Garden of Gongshi

by Dave 

Picture: Celestial Rock (1881) by Wang Yemei 

In the garden of gongshi, I stand,  

Amidst the silent stones,  

Each one a world unto itself,  

A story written in the language of time.

O, stones of the scholar’s hand,  

What wisdom do you hold?  

Shaped by wind and water’s caress,  

Yet steadfast in your silent grace.

You are not mere rocks,  

But mirrors of the universe,  

Holding mountains in your curves,  

Rivers in your hollowed spaces,  

And the quiet of the sky  

In the depth of your being.

How like you are, my students,  

Each one a gongshi in my care,  

Carved by the forces of your past,  

Yet holding the promise of future landscapes.

There is no need to alter your form,  

No need to smooth your edges,  

For in your natural state,  

You reveal the beauty of what is real.

In the imperfections of your surface,  

I see the map of your journey,  

The strength of your endurance,  

The wisdom that lies in simply being.

You, my gongshi, are the essence of Tao,  

Unmoved by the currents of haste,  

You grow not by force,  

But by the quiet acceptance  

Of what each day brings.

I am the humble gardener,  

Who walks among you with reverence,  

Not to shape you with my hands,  

But to place you where the light  

Might reveal your hidden splendor.

In the stillness of our classroom garden,  

We learn to breathe as one,  

To honor the silence that speaks,  

To find the space where thought takes root,  

And reflection blossoms.

You are the stones that line my path,  

The guides that show me the way,  

For in your presence, I am reminded,  

That the greatest teaching  

Is the art of noticing.

Each of you, a world entire,  

Each of you, a whisper of the earth’s soul.  

In your uniqueness, you form a whole,  

A garden of thoughts,  

Where wisdom is the fruit.

There is no rush for you to change,  

No hurry for you to become.  

Like gongshi, your power lies,  

In the quiet endurance of your being,  

In the way you transform,  

Simply by being seen.

O, garden of gongshi,  

You teach me every day,  

That in the stillness of your presence,  

The truth of the universe unfolds.  

And as I walk among you,  

I find my own reflection,  

In the stones that speak without words,  

In the silent eloquence of your form.

First Vet Visit

 

Feeling Better

 

Family

Cricket 

Hopper

Louie

Sleepy Boy

 

We passed 1lb today.

 

Back to School

Dear journal,

In 2007, I began my teaching career at North Middle School, a time that coincided with the publication of "Letters to a Young Teacher" by Jonathan Kozol. I still remember walking into Hastings, scanning the shelves for something that might provide guidance as I embarked on this new journey. When I found Kozol’s book, I knew I had found something special. Since then, it has become a touchstone for me, particularly Chapter Two: Establishing the Chemistry. Every year, just before the first day of school, I return to these passages to ground myself in the principles that have guided my career in alternative education.

“There are too many stories about ‘super-teachers’ who walk into hopeless situations and work instant miracles,” Kozol writes. “Those stories make good movies but don’t often happen in real life.” These words have echoed in my mind throughout my 18 years as an educator, 15 of which have been at Joplin High School. They remind me that the work we do is not about grand gestures or instant transformations, but about the slow, steady process of building trust and establishing genuine connections with our students.

In the realm of alternative education, where many students come from backgrounds of chaos and confusion, the importance of honesty, integrity, and authenticity cannot be overstated. As educators, we cannot pretend to be something we are not, nor can we offer false hope. What we can offer is our true selves, our commitment to their growth, and our belief in their potential. Kozol’s reflection that “most children seemed to trust me… because I told them flatly that they had been treated in a way that I thought was unforgivable” resonates deeply with me. It speaks to the power of honesty in the classroom—the willingness to acknowledge the realities our students face and to stand with them in their struggles.

Albert Einstein once said, “The supreme art of the teacher is to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” To do this, we must first be authentic in our interactions. Students, especially those in at-risk environments, can sense when a teacher is being genuine or simply going through the motions. Integrity in teaching means being consistent in our actions and words, ensuring that our students know they can rely on us not just to teach them, but to support them in their journey.

Brene Brown, a researcher and storyteller, has said, “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” This practice of authenticity is central to establishing the chemistry in the classroom. It’s about being vulnerable enough to let our students see us as real people, with our own challenges and imperfections, while also holding them to high standards because we believe in their capabilities.

As I begin this new school year, I carry with me the lessons I’ve learned over the years—the importance of being honest with my students about the challenges they face, the necessity of maintaining integrity in every interaction, and the power of being authentically present in the classroom. These are not just ideals; they are the foundation upon which trust is built and learning flourishes.

In the end, it’s not about being a “super-teacher” who works miracles. It’s about being a consistent, caring presence in the lives of our students, someone who they know will be there for them, not just as a teacher, but as a mentor, guide, and advocate. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of why I return to Kozol’s words each year—they remind me of the simple, profound truth that teaching is about connection. It’s about establishing the chemistry that allows our students to trust us, to open up, and to grow, knowing that we are there with them every step of the way.

Still a young teacher,

Dave 

Vet Visit

After a visit to the vet and a shot, I think we are finally on the mend. She had me worried for real and wouldn't each much. So, today is a huge relief. 

Yes, I cried.

Today, Louie stopped feeding from a bottle and transitioned to eating independently from a dish. It also marks 1 month since I came home to find him. I sure do love this little guy.

One Sick Baby

 

Baseball Caps

Dear journal,

I didn't start out intending to collect hats from all the places I've visited, but it's turned into a fun past time and one I especially enjoy now that I have a way to display my hats as a memento of this baseball pilgrimage. Here's the lineup, in order of my visits:

1. Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium
2. Arkansas Razorbacks - Baum–Walker Stadium
3. St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium II
4. New York Mets - Shea Stadium
5. New York Yankees - Yankee Stadium (1923)
6. Springfield Cardinals - Hammons Field
7. NW Arkansas Naturals - Arvest Ballpark
8. Kansas City Monarchs - The Field of Legends
9. Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field
10. Savannah Bananas - The Field of Legends
11. Washington Nationals - Nationals Park
12. Quad Cities River Bandits - Modern Woodmen Park
13. Omaha Storm Chasers - Werner Park
14. Joplin Outlaws - Joe Becker Memorial Stadium
15. St. Louis Cardinals- Busch Stadium III
16. San Diego Padres - Petco Park
17. Colorado Rockies - Coors Field
18. Birmingham Black Barons - Rickwood Field
19. Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ball Park
20. Cleveland Guardians - Progressive Field
22. Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park
23. Forbes Field - Pittsburgh, PA
24. Exposition Park III - Pittsburgh, PA
25. Doubleday Field - The Baseball Hall of Fame

I still need to pick up hats for a few other teams: the Carthage Tigers, MSSU Lions, Joplin Eagles, and Tulsa Drillers. And, expand my hat wall again!

Ready for the next game,

Dave 

Rain on Marble

Rain on Marble 

By Dave

A quiet pause,
Leaves barely moving, anticipating.

The sky, a canvas of grays,
Holds its breath.

The first drop, unnoticed,
Another, cool and gentle,
Creating dark circles on the ground,
Each one promising more to come.

The scent of rain and fresh coffee,
Steam rising from a mug held close,
Warm and comforting against the cooling air,
Mix with the aromatic tendrils from my pipe.

In the garden, the roses respond,
Their fragrance mingling,
A cacophony of scents.

The light shifts,
Softening the day,
Colors muted, shadows blurred.

Rain begins to fall steadily,
Each drop a quiet percussion,
A soothing rhythm that fills the silence.

Rain through the leaves,
Whispering rustle,
Tapping on the walkway,
Creating a gentle pattern.

The ground darkens, absorbing the gift,
Pavement glistens with a thin sheen,
Plants breathe, drinking deeply.

Everything slows,
The day transforming under a veil,
Calm permeates,
An invitation,
To witness, to feel, to breathe.

Date Night

 

Settling In