Articles written by Betty Tesh

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About me - Betty Tesh

Retired from the world of public education, I now live in a world of my own making: drinking extra cups of coffee in the morning with my husband, saving the stories and words that whirl around in my head on silver, full moon discs that I keep in a treasure

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Religion & Spirituality > Churches & Organizations Christian evangelists: Helpful or hurtful: 1 of 22
Are Christian evangelists helpful or hurtful to the modern-day church? As my dear old granny was fond of saying about almost every question: "It all depends."The ability to introduce people to Christianity (helpfulness), or the ability to turn people away from organized religion altogether (hurtfulness) all depends upon the p... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Growing old: 14 of 130
After taking a tumble on my front steps, I happened to mention to a friend that I was humiliated at having to rely on a cane to get around. "Sweetie," she replied, "humiliation is one of those things that disappear as we get older, along with our thick, luxurious hair, our dewy fresh skin, our girlish waistlines, our real... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs True gardening stories: My loved one and my garden: 7 of 53
Mother was an avid Gardener: not the lovely Southern lady who strolled out in the morning dew to clip peonies and lillies for elaborate arrangements, but the sturdy Southern lady who could pull 8 rows of corn in the dawn's early light, wash and silk the ears, strip the kernels from the cobs, prepare the canning jars, keep the... More..
Health & Fitness > Depression Postpartum depression explained: 2 of 13
Are you sitting at the computer at 2 AM, holding your whimpering (or screaming) baby in one arm, Googling "postpartum depression" on the computer, and wondering if you'll ever sleep again? If you are, dear heart, sit back and let Mama talk to you for a few minutes. (I'm good at this because I've IM'd three daughters through m... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Roots: 1 of 5
Tied"Betsy?"The voice on the phone is not instantly identifiable, but there is something about the inflection, the way my name came out in two syllables that is familiar."It's your Aunt Rachel.""Yes. Yes, of course. Aunt Rachel. How are you?""Not so well. I have bad news, I'm afraid."I mute CNN and sit down on my new Planet g... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: The pumpkin patch: 4 of 19
Across the Pumpkin PatchElla Mae stepped out on her back porch and looked across the pumpkin patch to where Tansy's little tenant shack stood gray and pitiful against the rich yellow of the turning poplars and the fiery red of the maples. In the crisp October air, no plume of smoke wafted from the caty-wonkers chimney.There w... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Holidays & Celebrations Christmas gift ideas that stay true to the origin of Christmas: 4 of 19
After several years of increasingly excessive Christmas gift-giving among our three daughters, their husbands, and three grandchildren, our family sat down to assess the situation. In an attempt to celebrate the "twelve days" of Christmas, my husband and I had begun giving 12 gifts to each member of the family-one to open eac... More..
Jobs & Careers > Education Jobs Surviving your first year as a teacher: 5 of 20
Whether you're about to go into your own classroom for the first time or are wondering if you will make it until May without drowning yourself in the five-gallon aquarium that has more spitwads than fish at this moment-you may be asking yourself: "Have I got what it takes to survive as a teacher?"Whether you've got what it t... More..
Education > Early Childhood Ed What the purpose of preschooler education is: 2 of 7
Should I send my child to preschool? If I do, will I be taking her childhood away? If I don't, will he struggle to keep up with his peers throughout his education? For many 21st Century parents, there is no option-since both parent's incomes are necessary for survival, their toddler must be enrolled in a public or private pre... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs My most humorous gardening (mis)adventure: 23 of 76
I was preparing supper one night in early June when my husband rushed into the kitchen. Wrapping his arms about my swollen body (I was three days away from delivering our third child), he chortled, "Have I got a surprise for you, Babe!"My imagination raced: Had he arranged for part-time household help? Was he offering to feed... More..