Words & Banter

We Were Sent A Rainbow

Jackie Aguilera

Let's be very clear. We're not posting this photo of our bookmark to promote our book or our bookmarks. (They're not even for sale on this site … yet.) What prompted this post is that Jackie Aguilera, Project Manager of the Mayor's Office for Adult Literacy for the City of Houston, sent us this image because she thought we might enjoy it.

Who does not enjoy a rainbow? For each of us, rainbows hold different significance. For some, it may reflect (pun intended) new beginnings. For others, it may be a reminder that we're not alone. Rainbows can be a much-needed dose of encouragement. Or, simply a spark of hope.

Even if you just think of a rainbow from a scientific perspective (National Geographic explains that a rainbow's an optical illusion, and is the result of the phenomena of refraction and reflection of light), it's still a phenomenon.

In Jackie's case, the rainbow's a reoccurring phenomenon …

Rainbows break out in my office every day between 1230 and 4 … I looked down at my desk and saw this.

We're not going to try and interpret her rainbows .But will enjoy this one … while being on the lookout for our own personal rainbows.

Design by Sawyer Pennington, Underlying photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

I have a confession to make, which I’m sure will make you roll your eyes.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

Interesting caveat and probably true.


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

Every time we talk with Jackie (Aguilera) from the Mayor’s Office of Adult Literacy and hear what she’s doing in the world of adult education, I feel like I’m back in school and having to take copious notes.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

I am more than happy to send you “homework assignments” as I come across relevant articles and research.
Keep Reading ...Show less
Photo by michaelmjc on iStock

Is it a way to meet people, share memories, or help the environment? Or is it about bargain hunting? As we've talked about before, garage sales can be about so much more than just getting rid of things you no longer want



Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

Thanks for the accounting of your garage sale. But, given how many hours you spent preparing for it, and then the actual sale itself, did you calculate how much you “earned” on a $/hour basis?


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

No, all I know is that it seemed to take forever to go through everything in Mom’s house and decide what to keep, what to sell, what to donate. And what to trash. As far as the garage sale, I’ll give you your half the next time I see you.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io

Keep my half. You did all the work. I did not even offer to help.


red headred head assets.rebelmouse.io

And that was a big help. Thank you.
Keep Reading ...Show less
Design by Sawyer Pennington, Underlying photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Remember summer reruns on TV? Well, this month’s column is a first … it’s a “rerun” of our July 2020 column, except we added the word “CRITICAL” in the title. Because, four years later, we feel it’s very sad (and scary) that our sentiments about our country’s leaders having the strength, courage, and conviction to be independent thinkers are still relevant (maybe even more than before). So, the Fourth of July may be behind us, but Election Day will be here before you know it.



Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io



I keep forgetting to ask you, since Sawyer is away at camp, what did you do for July 4th?



Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io




Well, it was a very different Fourth of July. No kids. No barbeque. No fireworks.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io



I know most of the fireworks were cancelled, but is your barbeque grill broken?


Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io




No, this year I decided to declare my "independence" from doing a big holiday grocery shop, major prep work, and cooking outdoors in Texas heat.


Black's HeadBlack assets.rebelmouse.io



I wish there were more people willing to declare their independence.



Red's HeadRed assets.rebelmouse.io





Somehow I don't think you're talking about me making an easy pasta dish in the comfort of my air-conditioned house vs. standing over a hot barbeque on a hot day.
Keep Reading ...Show less