Demystifying the Purple Pen

I walk around with a purple pen in my hand most of the time. Certain documents just shouldn't be signed in purple ink. But there I am, reduced to purple.

And here's why. Back in the day, when travel was horse and buggy and we all voted for Abraham Lincoln, teachers graded in red. And only red. Being one of those kids who played 'teacher', I knew that I would grade every paper in red when I grew up. Because that's the correct teacher color, right? I am a teacher so it naturally follows that I should grade in red.

But over time, I realized what a mean color that ink can be. Nearly every student cringes at red marks on their papers. Since it often means a mistake, the reaction is deserved. Adding to the mix of my own emotions regarding red ink, someone came out several years ago with one of those officious studies stating that red ink is an angry color. Thanks, whoever you are, for proving my point! 

For a while, I switched to green. It's less angry but is still bright enough to be noticed. But green just wasn't doing it for me, you know? So I continued my search of appropriate shades of ink for grading. My all-time favorite color to use is a beautiful teal, but there's one problem with that. It only comes in multi-color packs. I don't need all those peripheral colors, thank you. Just the teal. So forget that. Then somewhere along the way, I found this lovely shade of purple. It's sweet and kind and colorful enough to be noticed without forcing the dreaded gut-angry reaction. It's perfect for me. Because I'm sweet and kind and colorful enough to be noticed without forcing gut-angry reactions...most of the time!

Life Musings: Soccer Rewind

Life Musings: Soccer Rewind: Last Saturday I had the privilege of attending a friend's soccer game. Since it wasn't my OWN kid playing this time, I could go with the int...

Soccer Rewind

Last Saturday I had the privilege of attending a friend's soccer game. Since it wasn't my OWN kid playing this time, I could go with the intention of just being relaxed and enjoying the game. Uhhh, maybe not. It seems I am incapable of just 'relaxing' when there's competition involved. I tend to make noise. It just comes out. And I can't sit still. But that's another story. Anyway, it was an absolutely gorgeous fall day and bunches of fun with friends. Here's what happend.

First of all, we were late getting there because hubby had to stop and get his adult beverage. Now, you're probably thinking rum and coke in a flask, but that's not the case. In this case, we're talking hot apple cider from Dunkin' Donuts. See, hubs isn't a coffee drinker so he never walks around carrying those styrofoam cups that smack of caffeine addiction. But on this day, in this monumental event, he had his grown-up boy styrofoam cup of hot apple cider. So proud of him.

So we're sitting there and I felt the intense need to start snapping pictures. First, there's Miles and me. Miles of smiles. Love that kid. And then there is, of course, the soccer champ, Jared.

His team won. YAY! And that goal was soooo close! Robbed.

And then there was the additional competition. Hubby just can't help himself. He NEEDED to challenge Miles to a race to prove that he's still got it at 50-something. Sure, honey, you've still got it (wink, wink). So Miles takes up the challenge, but then we see old man setting up the rules and designating the finish line.

Who is he kidding?

And then he tries to hoodwink the poor kid...

...but Miles wasn't buying it. Way to go, Miles! You da man!

And they're off. To a right fine finish.

It was a great day!