KellyAMarks

In our yard, we have three pin oak trees. They must be over 100 years old. They are enormous. Every spring, I am so happy to see the buds...

There is an odd dynamic in the family. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say I had been telling Paul for months, or perhaps even years, that...

There are so many ways I know I’m getting older: first there’s the mirror and the silver hair and “fine lines” that are reflected back; ...

Random thoughts are rarely random. I’ve always heard that if a thought is negative or denigrating, it is probably generated by your...

I remember the first summer after graduating college. The shock of having to go to work on a regular basis. I had always had at least one...

There is a memorial garden in downtown Concord, North Carolina. It's absolutely beautiful and simply charming. On the street right beside...

Both being a parent, and working with children has been full of surprises: the good, the bad, and the unusual. I’ve done things I never...

Paul and I have been working with teenagers on the SAT for longer than I care to admit to here. Over the years we’ve heard and seen some...

You may know by now that I have a love/hate relationship with yoga. I love the idea of it; I love the benefits of it, but I hate actually...

I’m writing a little later today because I had the opportunity for some fun earlier! I got the chance to spend some time with my cousin,...

Have you heard people say, “Life‘s too short…“ and then they continue with all kinds of things. Life’s too short to put up with toxic...

A couple of days ago, Madi relayed the story of something she learned. She had traveled to San Marino with an Italian friend, Nico; his...

Years ago, I read that exercising without music is like pulling teeth without Novocain. And it’s true. If I’m on the elliptical or...

I recently re-watched Sleepless In Seattle, a movie that appeals to me because I've always loved the idea of people calling in to a radio...

I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I once heard that two of the most stressful things in life are the death of a loved one and buying...

After being home for a few minutes this morning, I looked in the fridge, and I saw some leftover mac & cheese, and Hershey’s chocolate...

I love working with ratios when I’m teaching math. They are simple and straightforward, and no matter how much the student struggles with...

I can’t believe how lucky I am for a multitude of reasons, but this weekend I was lucky enough to go to the beach for the second weekend...

Every year Joyce and I go to the beach for a 3 night/4 day weekend. This was our 16th time – the only time we’ve missed was in 2020. We...

I can’t believe I’m writing this especially on Mother’s Day of all days. I’m afraid this might make Debbie Downer look optimistic. I’m...