Category Archives: Uncategorized

Summer reading at last!

Posted on June 11, 2016 by forstegrupp

Folks sometimes ask during the school year, “What are you reading?” They expect me to reel off a long list of titles with short critical assessments. That is not the answer they get. “Right now, nothing.” This is always true … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, books, dog, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Late May Garden Update

Posted on May 30, 2016 by forstegrupp

I took these pictures after several hours of time invested in the garden on beautiful spring days.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Anticipation for what they will say about Song of Solomon

Posted on May 11, 2016 by forstegrupp

In a few hours, my class of juniors will troop into class for our discussion of the last chapters of Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon. This was not a book I was at all eager to teach because of the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, literature, teaching, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Bruising Game of Politics

Posted on April 27, 2016 by forstegrupp

Last night was the Pennsylvania primary. We were of course interested in the results for the presidential hopefuls. But we had a particularly personal interest since our middle son has been working for Joe Sestak for at least 80 hours … Continue reading →

Posted in life in general, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Which of Chaucer’s Tales Would Win the Prize?

Posted on February 19, 2016 by forstegrupp

If I had to award the prize to the best tale, it would be on the basis of which tale contains the lesson I need to apply right now in my life. Not the tale which was told by the … Continue reading →

Posted in literature, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Franklin’s Tale through older eyes

Posted on February 5, 2016 by forstegrupp

My first exposure to Chaucer was in a modern English excerpt from “The General Prologue” in twelfth grade honors English. Not inspiring. My second exposure was as an undergraduate English major at the University of Cincinnati. The professor was Elizabeth … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Teachers (and students) are lucky! We begin anew every September

Posted on September 9, 2015 by forstegrupp

Nothing about this blog post will sound anything but trite. The first day of school overflows with excitement, hugs, happy faces, positivity — even for the teachers whom the students could not tolerate last year. Everything is fresh and new … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Mom, who can listen to “Love and Marriage” anymore?

Posted on August 28, 2015 by forstegrupp

Driving to Montreal earlier this week, my son and I listened to lots of music, including Frank Sinatra (son indulging mother). As my son listened to the lyrics of “Love and Marriage,” he got this funny look on his face … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Long Live Exams!

Posted on June 10, 2015 by forstegrupp

School years and semesters end with final exams which are cumulative tests which assess a student’s command of the material taught. These sorts of tests are not in favor at the moment. I have had colleagues say they never took … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment