Tah freaking Duh!!
this is my daughter, Ali..on a mutual day off...lunch and guitars..what could be finer?

best advice

I have had blessings of rich friendships. This rumi quote comes to mind as I sift through who I spend my time with. How often do we find ourselves stuck with folks who suck our energy and steal pieces of our soul? Stop it!, I say!

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censorship

 This is a picture that I took at the place I used to work. There was a buoyant girl in detention, who saw humor through pain and just happened to be a champion of human rights and just happened to have the lifetime dream of going to africa and saving people :) I loved it when she made our schedule the night before MLK's birthday. So much that I posted this picture on my facebook and earned myself a five day suspension from work. I dutifully took the picture down, but am putting it back up again..on my blog..with many naner naners.
Below is one of the reasons I will have a difficult time leaving the treatment center I currently work at. I immediately took a liking to a very real and creative girl who puts her struggles out there through visual and musical art. I love that there is a certain amount of freedom of expression there. The attitude that art is everywhere and if it's not..we will put it there is pictured here on our trip to the park where girls had no problem expressing themselves in a guerrilla artform to be proud of.

And then there's the memory of many girls who touched my life throughout the years..made me proud to be part of their turning their lives around. This was a picture one of my favorite girlies made me..the note on the back says something about me holding the umbrella of care over the lost souls I work with. I cherish this.

Just small sampling of things I've learned from working with kids and letting them be free to express what they need to...in times when live has shitty challenges.
I know there's a time and a place..but censorship ruffles my feathers these days as nothing else can.
peace and love, Tori

How I love it when people adhere to this principle. I haven't let draining folks ..well..drain me..as much as I have in the past..but when a person is obviously a fountain? I am there for the ride. Here's to all the fountains in our lives!!

Thank You Mr. Lincoln :: by Tori Andrus

Thank You Mr. Lincoln :: by Tori Andrus

I was a quiet, shy sixth grader who mostly did what my teachers asked for fear of being sent to the principal's office or being ridiculed in front of my classmates. Until I met Mr. Lincoln. I hold this man responsible for unleashing the irreverent and uncensored artist in me and will be forever grateful.

My favorite teacher took me aside one day and pointed to a bulletin board. "This is yours." He described how he saw me using my art and writing and ability to create themes and use quotes to make a different bulletin board every month (at least).

I was given a voice.

I have used that voice ever since. I was no longer afraid of being singled out as this wise man singled me out for good. He even managed to make it so the class celebrated what I did rather than be jealous that I had something they did not. I take his teaching style into my teaching and counseling teenagers. I have resolve to get to know them past shyness, past crimes, past behavior, and find their gifts. And create forums for them to show the gifts in positive ways. I will forever strive to use my creativity to be a light in dark places. May we all have a Mr. Lincoln in our lives.

new favorite read

So glad Jenny Doh has been publishing books. She has chosen some great teaching artists for this "exploration of artful gatherings". Inspiring.

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impromptu cuisine

What a nice surprise to come home from work and find my son, Cody here to make us dinner. What I think started out as a way to snowboard for free has turned into a food wise cheffing experience we all get to take advantage of. Here's what I learned this night.

.that rice cookers have no place in the kitchen..there are tricks with burners and foil that work better.

..that no matter how good a cook you are, peppers still burn when you cut into them

that fresh avocado and a little spritz of lemon zest are nice additions to stir fry (even if this picture looks a little like regurgitation)

and that if you combine eating large amounts of good food while watching good stand up comedy (thank you, Bill Burr)..the calories consumed do NOT count..but the Krispy Kream donuts you consume after might.