Rocky the Squirrel

Rocky the Squirrel picture

There’s a lot of political talk these days about welfare and being “on the dole.” Well, I have a welfare mother at my door every single day. She’s bold enough to walk right up to the patio door, even interrupting Thanksgiving dinner by begging from my family and friends.…

Edgar Allan Crow

Crows on deck railingEdgar Allan Crow in the window well.

Since moving to Wyoming, I’ve developed some interesting friendships—one of the first happened completely by accident.

The “accident” was a young crow that got stuck in my window well and couldn’t get out. He flapped and flailed with everything he had but just couldn’t gSince moving Wyoming I have developed some interesting friendships.…

The Life Of A Reformed Bully

Student bullying another child

I was the new kid a lot growing up. Ft. Logan, Harder Rd., Sunset, Allen, Harrington, and Vivian—those were all the elementary schools I attended. Making friends and feeling like part of the school community? That was tough. Like most kids, I just wanted to belong, to be noticed.…

Hold Open The Door For Others

Man holding open a a door for someone bringing in a cart.

Relationships are complicated, and sometimes changes happen so gradually that we don’t even notice them. I had this experience with a friend at Rangeview.

Bobby was a custodian at Rangeview and had been there almost since the beginning in 1982. He was a fixture, the institutional memory of the school.…

Questionable Ethics – Doughnut Heaven

The years I spent working at the Royal Fork gave me a great opportunity to understand business and what it takes to be successful. We also got to see firsthand how businesses supported each other, strengthening the local economy. It was in this spirit that my fellow dishwashers and I started helping out at the doughnut shop across Colfax.…

Conversation Starter

Picture of a 1962 GMC Pickup truck

In social situations, I often find myself surrounded by people I don’t know, and making small talk can feel awkward. While I have plenty of stories and could talk for hours, they’re usually only interesting to me, and I tend to share them out of nervousness because I struggle with light banter.

First Job – Stick ’em up!

People often reminisce about their first job, and the memories associated with it vary widely. Some cherish the experience, while others resent the time spent in that role. Many, however, find themselves in the middle, holding both positive and negative memories.

Day 123 March 8, 2023 A German Walk

I love to walk and enjoy nature and sites. I was to learn that a walk in Germany means something completely different. Here is a post I did in 2009:

June 22, 2009, By: Randy Mills  I was informed this morning of what is considered a short German walk.

Day 121 March 6, 2023 Prague

Another blog post from the 2009 Exchange. This was a visit to Prague in the Czech Republic.

July 06, 2009, By: Randy Mills 

Prague is an ancient and historic city. We roamed buildings that had their origin in the 880s. A couple of hundred years before the Vikings traveled toward North America.

Day 117 February 28, 2023 My Overseas Office

As an American teacher, I am used to having an office for my job. I loved my desk in the business office and it was a place to relax and not be stressed for a short time. It was very important until it was taken from us a couple of years ago.…

Day 116 February 27, 2023 Exchange Aurora

The way we did the exchange when we started was that the German group from Heimschule Lender visited us in April/May for three weeks, and then we went there starting in June. It was a very busy few weeks, but it was a great adventure.…

Day 116 February 27, 2023 My Best Friend

The relationships you develop over the course of an exchange are lasting. Dawn and I have developed a relationship with our German counterparts over fifteen years. It is a bond that goes beyond just partners for academic activity. We have spent a great deal of time with many teachers over the years but we have a family that we are especially close to and have contact with until this day.…

115 February 24, 2023 Exchange Hosting

The Greman Exchange program has been a highlight of my teaching career. Your first question might be if I know the language. The simple answer is no. It is much more complicated than a simple answer. I could survive but not for too long.…

Day 72 December 5, 2022 Strouse

If I am going to be honest, there is one person that I have spent many hours with that has been a big influence. Tammy Strouse has been a steady force at Rangeview for the entire time I have been there.…

Day 68 November 29, 2022 – Ingrid

We have just completed the Thanksgiving weekend and I will take this time between this and the winter break to be thankful for colleagues. I am a strong advocate of focusing on the students but colleagues build your environment and create or destroy a happy workplace.…

Day 34 – September 28, 2022 Bob Villa

On day 33 I spoke of a poor role model. I want to now speak of a wonderful role model from the very same conference in Las Vegas. One of the speakers was Bob Villa who was on the show This Old House at the time.…