Thinking and Seeing for Better Being
What’s your favorite thing to cook? What Do You Like to Cook?I like to cook. Or at least, I like the process of cooking. The chopping, cutting, mashing, sautéing—the tactile, physical act of transforming raw ingredients into something that looks like it belongs in a cookbook. But here’s the truth: my cooking is not great.I... Continue Reading →
Why High Schoolers Are Like Kindergarteners (But with Cell Phones)After 35-plus years of teaching art in public schools, I’ve come to a conclusion: teenagers are just kindergarteners in bigger bodies—with cell phones. And, oh yeah, they can drive away if they want to. Sure, they’ve traded crayons for iPhones, and their tantrums are now fueled... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?View all responses The Thing I’m Most Scared to Do (Or, Why I’m Writing About Everything Else Instead) Today's WordPress prompt asks: What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? Great. Just what I wanted—to sit... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat do you complain about the most?View all responses Who put that body wash crayon in with my student's Barbara Hepworth Sculptures? I don’t like to think of myself as someone who complains. Complaining, after all, seems to attract more of whatever you’re complaining about. Making excuses, blaming others—these are toxic habits to... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat are your favorite sports to watch and play?View all responses Growing up, sports weren’t just about the game itself; they were about the people, the food, the laughter, and the hum of conversation that filled our home. My mother—an Irish Catholic woman with a gift for hospitality—made Sundays special. Win or lose,... Continue Reading →
Daily writing promptWhat books do you want to read?View all responses What Books Do I Want to Read? If I’m being honest, the answer is all of them. Every book, every story, every word that has the potential to shape me, challenge me, and transform me into a better version of myself calls out to... Continue Reading →
Write about a few of your favorite family traditions. One of the simplest yet most meaningful rhythms in our family life is gathering around the dinner table. We laugh, share our highs and lows, and enjoy the blessing of a meal together. Over time, we’ve added a few intentional traditions that make our evenings even... Continue Reading →
Dear Mr. Graf, I remember the first time I heard the name "Mr. Graf." I also remember when I first met Mr. Graf. First impression? First impression was wow I don't understand him at all. I don't think you know this but for my first 3 years of high school I admired you in secret.... Continue Reading →
What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time? I enjoy observational drawing. It is a form of seeing, but it is also a form of knowing and processing knowledge. Sometimes I draw to know and understand the world around me. Sometimes I draw because I have something to say. Do you draw? Why... Continue Reading →
Forming 2.0 