Laura's Midweek Links and Thoughts
February 9, 2023 - It's Thursday evening; still calling it midweek.
Instead of substitute teaching today — my typical Thursday activity — I spent money.
We had a 7:45am appointment with our contractor, who is going to gut two of our bathrooms, which are no longer operational. One has pink tile dating back to 1958. Neither have plumbing fixtures that reliably regulate the temperature of the water. The window in the boys’ bathroom has a gaping hole from rot. It’s time. I’ll post pictures of the job on Instagram as we’re going along.
At 11:00am, we had a zoom call with a friend of a friend, who’s a travel agent. Have we used a travel agent in 30 years? No. But he hooked us up with various deals, so we’re staying in some rather intimidating hotels in Florence and Tuscany for a very reasonable figure. This trip will be less spontaneous and adventurous that we prefer, but we’re traveling with the autistic kid, who needs excellent wifi and a free breakfast buffet.
All those decisions have fried my circuitry. But I’m okay with some links.
Mid-life women are having their moment in Hollywood. Me? I feel like I'm hitting my professional stride. Now.
I wrote about the problems with calling autism a superpower, and why middle class families embrace that label.
Freaked out by the cost of food, we’re trying to be more purposeful about eating at home. In the beginning of the year, I returned to my pandemic habit of keeping a five day menu. Lately, I shared pictures and the recipe for meatballs, and my chicken stew recipe.
Just because I moved to New Jersey doesn’t mean I’m dead
I love that Emily Oster’s ParentData substack tackled ADHD. Most parenting books don’t like to deal with disabilities.
From the 74. Survey: Nearly Half of Students Started Last Fall Below Grade Level — Usually in Math and Reading — but Tutoring Remains Elusive. Only 1 in 10 students received the kind of high-dosage tutoring experts believe is most effective in reversing learning loss.
The Miseducation of Maria Montessori. Her method was meant for the public. Then it became a privilege.
Love stories about people moving out to the country, post-pandemic. On Saturdays, the television is running in the background with shows like “Homestead Rescue” and “Living Big Sky.” I think we’re all prepper wannabes in this house. Which is half the reason that I LOVED episode three of “Last of Us”.
Joe Biden did a great job with the SOTU and was at his best when he was trading banter with the MAGA types.
And that’s it for now. I’ll be back tomorrow with something a little meatier.