Lady with the Cane.com

                                                      September 2011 brought a new challenge for me as a public educator. I was to teach seventh grade for the first time. One would think that this could not possibly be much different than the eighth graders to whom I was accustomed; but, any instructor of middle-grade students is aware of the maturation occurring within the bodies and minds of these youngsters. It was only for one year that I added a class of seventh-graders to my curriculum. I needed a new idea or two in designing my daily lessons. A solution came to me early on. This group of seventh graders was particularly bright. After only two weeks of participating in ou8r weekly Friday Journal Sharing, a student had the audacity to ask me  to share my writing with the class.  "We know you're writing, Mrs. McCombs. You've even got a special journal to write in," James said. "And sometimes I see you laughing at what you're writing." The perceptive

Hugging. Isn't it great? Whether I am canoodling with my anti-affectionate cat, a friend,  or my hubby, there is no doubt that a good hug is the perfect remedy to soothe and inspire a positive outlook. Except when that hug comes in the middle of traffic on a busy freeway...and you are behind the wheel. Yeah, traffic and hugs don't really mesh. The first MS hug I experienced was after the birth of my son. I can identify it now. Back then I was concerned that my pregnancy had caused some unknown internal condition that required further medical attention. The hugging sensation occurred every time I got behind the wheel of my car. I had to adjust and re-adjust my posture constantly in an attempt alleviate the persistent pressure around my rib cage. I would take deep breaths and arch my back, roll my shoulders back and forth,  and basically perform an assortment of yoga poses all while doing my best to appear normal to any  curios glances. It was after many years of spo