rita buettner commentary
You say potato, I say potat-OH!
The third potato in the bag caught my attention.
Beginning again
There’s a sense of newness to this time of year, and I like to think it offers an opportunity to embrace a new opportunity, take a little leap of faith, and be open to unexpected change.
Graduation speech from a cicada: Get ready to fly
The cicadas will be guests at many of the region’s commencements this year. We might as well offer one of them the chance to speak to the Class of 2021.
Cicada fun, fashion questions, baby bunnies, and more (7 Quick Takes)
I’ve been joking that I wanted to find a cicada swatter to add to my flyswatter collection during the visit from Brood X.
Tra-la, it’s May, and it’s a bit much
Everything bursts into bloom in the spring. The grass is greener, the bushes are bursting with color, and buttercups are popping up on the neighborhood lawns. It’s such a beautiful time of abundance. Much as I love spring, though, I also find it to be tiring. May always seems to be the busiest month of […]
Badminton and counting down to summertime (7 Quick Takes)
The school year can end anytime, so we can kick off summer vacation.
Racism and the impact of words
Racism isn’t something that happens to other people. It affects all of us—and each of us plays a part in naming it, opposing it, and changing what we can.
Avocado toast, rats, a sonnet for St. Joseph, and more (7 Quick Takes)
7 poems inspired by a full week
Happy 18th birthday to a special niece
When my sister Maureen and her husband, Eric, told me they were expecting a baby, I couldn’t imagine more exciting news. The baby would be my parents’ first grandchild and my first niece or nephew. This little one was due in April 2003, and we couldn’t wait. I went with Maureen to a doctor’s appointment […]
The cicadas are coming and other poems (7 Quick Takes)
7 poems sharing 7 topics on my mind, including the impending arrival of the cicadas