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•Names will not be withheld. •Letters will be edited for grammar, space and legal concerns. •500 word limit. •Acceptance does not guarantee publication. •Deadline for inclusion in the current week’s
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Some weeks ago, I peeked out our kitchen window at the patch of ground where we daily spread birdseed and deer corn, just to see what might be out there. And lo and behold, what met my eyes came as a shock. You see, a mere five yards away strode a fullgrown male peacock, pecking away at the seeds, his long tailfeathers flowing behind him like a royal train. (By the way, I know that peacock infers a male of the species, but peafowl sounds dumb to me.) Without giving it proper thought, I tapped on the window, which as you might imagine startled the bird. He swung around, lifting his tail feathers up in that familiar wide arc, scores of “eyes” imprinted on his magnificent plumage now staring at me. A defensive display intended to invoke terror, I’m sure; but instead, I felt only wonder at the bird’s beauty. Here was Nature flaunting Her capacity for the unique and gorgeous, and I was the lucky benefactor of that vision.
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We all see them, at Wal-Mart, the workplace, or looking in the mirror. Maybe with a sling on their arm, or favoring a strained back muscle, or limping through the door on their good leg.
Read moreAs Ukrainians fight and die for democracy, Russia is arresting its own citizens who are protesting the war and threatening prison for journalists who report the truth.
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It’s refreshing to see the increased interest in homeschooling. It is a great time for parents to trust their ability to ensure their children learn not only the academic content required by the state, but the moral, spiritual, social, and ethical standards that best suit their families. Homeschooling removes children from environments where parents have limited control and allows them to teach their children in an environment that they select and supervise. Given the conditions of many campuses and classrooms in our public schools, this can be a positive move for many families.
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In the current state of our education system, not surprisingly, student achievement has taken a hit. With no one stepping forward to take responsibility for two years of learning loss, inconsistent instruction, and teacher attrition unlike anything that has occurred in the last decade, the blaming and finger-pointing continues to swirl, looking for a place to settle. As education leadership debates responsibility, little seems to be improving in our schools. It’s time to examine responsibility and develop a plan for moving forward.
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