Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.”


14



Explain what “On my honor” means.


8



Keep stuff on hand for guests. Be ready to be a good host / hostess at any moment.


16-21



1

If you have a goal, just dive in. It's okay if you mess up or fail. Start over, get help... but start.


13, 18, 21



Partnership or pride…pick one.


21



C.S. Lewis books. (Children’s and adult.)


12, 21



When COVID started my first thought was “Holy sh*t Trump is going to cancel the 2020 election because of pandemic.” Thank God I was wrong.


15



When you meet people in an intimidating situation, like a job interview, etc. An easy trick is to imagine them as they were in kindergarten. (Don't talk to them like they'r 5 year-olds! But relate to them on a human level. We're all human - filled with talents and fears and insecurities. No matter how "important" or "unimportant" our station is.


16-21



Review basic grammar mistakes: Their, they’re and there. “It’s” and “its” “a lot”, etc.


10



Plan trip to Bush Gardens late September


5



Don’t let some dumb-sh*t’s overconfidence get you killed.


11, 14, 17, 19, 21



Keep stories about younger years to tell them later: You used to call yellow “lellow” etc. Ten years from now you think you’ll remember this stuff but you won’t.


2



Look into Rustic Pathways to see the world and do some good.


15



Test


1-2



Ask them “what would it take for you to_____?” (Keep your room clean, stay on top of your homework, feel like you had more control in this situation, etc.) Instead of nagging or lecturing, just ask.


13



It’s your civic duty to vote (including midterms!) Be an informed voter.


16, 18



Never resist a generous impulse.


9, 12, 19



Ask your emotions “why” three times.


14, 16, 21



Happiness, beauty, health, fun, success: define for yourself what each of those things mean. People and society are gonna try and convince you to share their definitions…don’t let them.


13, 15, 17, 21



Grandpa used to describe injuries and medical procedures as “It’s a nothin.” I think of this every time I have to endure something painful.


14, 18



“A lot” is two words. (You wouldn’t write abunch as one word.) “Its” is a pronoun like his or hers (you wouldn’t write her’s) The contraction “it’s” ONLY means “it is.” They’re / there / their


10



You always have a choice. Always.


15, 19, 21



Always wear an undershirt with a dress shirt.


15



Make a pound of ground beef go further by adding chopped cabbage or mushrooms.


19



“Write hard and clear about what hurts.” - Ernest Hemingway


12, 15, 21



Crushes are fine but I beg you not to waste your time and energy obsessing about someone. Really it’s just a way to hide, to feel something without risking anything. F that. Turn your attention to something creative, constructive or productive. Make art, train for a race, volunteer or get a second job. Discover WHAT you love. Pursue that and your people will be there.


15, 17, 20, 21



Talk about how choices become habits. Habits can become addictions. Describe how pathways are literally dug into the brain and it's very hard to change them once those paths are made.


13-16



Ask “Is there anything you want to get off your chest?” Confession is good for the soul! Get in the habit of being a place of support when they screw up. Then when they’re older and REALLY screw up, they know they can trust you to help.


8



Discuss the definition And ramifications of sexual misconduct (harassment, consent, etc.)


12



Be generous in all things. That is my hope for you.


14, 18, 21