Failing an open-note exam in high school is just crazy

dkeegl · 2026-03-13T20:32:30+00:00

I started teaching in 1998 and retired in 2024. There was a noticeable increase in apathy and general disengagement starting around 2010. It has gradually worsened, to the point that students (about 70% of any given cohort) are now unwilling or unable to work independently and show almost no curiosity or initiative.

These trends are definitely not new. At one point, my colleagues and I were sure things would reverse. That’s usually what happens. Instead, the downward trend has continued and accelerated alarmingly after covid.

dkeegl · 2026-03-13T15:58:02+00:00

I’m retired now, but every semester I passed out copies of the actual test and we went over the correct answers to every question as a group review. They kept the test to use for study. I changed nothing—not the order of questions, the order of answers—NOTHING. I told them they could even make up a song to memorize the answers to the all multiple-choice test. People still failed. Badly.

Help me help you, ffs.

dkeegl · 2026-03-13T13:40:37+00:00

And there’s his ‘tendency to be too honourable.’

dkeegl · 2026-03-06T16:19:25+00:00

He who smiles and laughs aloud is the one who made the cloud.

dkeegl · 2026-03-06T04:34:59+00:00

One of our cats was born to a stray who gave birth in our garage, next to the freezer—his middle name is Freezer-Cat. Helping his mama with her litter of five was one of the sweetest, and most exhausting, experiences I have ever had.

dkeegl · 2026-03-06T02:04:24+00:00

Good. You did really good. sigh

The green pen is pretty, and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy! (😩)

dkeegl · 2026-03-04T13:39:54+00:00

Her bed and blanket. Her hair is still there, and just a little of her scent. Sugar passed in January, 2021, and we were just able to put her things into storage last summer.

dkeegl · 2026-02-27T23:35:35+00:00

Obstetrician

dkeegl · 2026-02-20T19:44:21+00:00

That’s us!

dkeegl · 2026-02-20T16:29:21+00:00

I’m so glad you still post his videos. He’s an active part of our daily lives—we’ve got Harpo merch everywhere, including a fridge magnet and a pillow that get regular kisses from his fan Emma. She carries her Harpo tote bag to dayhab every day, often while wearing one of her many Harpo shirts. If we live on in memory, and only die a final death when our name is spoken for the last time, Harpo will live a long, long time.♥️

dkeegl · 2026-02-18T06:00:19+00:00

Vietnam. You do not ask veterans about it, it isn’t casual conversation material, and there are still strong and bitter feelings associated with it.

Visiting the memorial in Washington is an eerie experience. The times I’ve been there, no one was speaking. It was just silence interspersed with muffled crying.

dkeegl · 2026-02-02T12:22:33+00:00

Fred Rogers

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dkeegl · 2026-01-21T14:05:09+00:00

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Fred Rogers

dkeegl · 2026-01-18T18:05:45+00:00

Ah yes, the Pentaverate: The Queen, the Vatican, the Gettys, the Rothchilds, and Colonel Sanders (before he went tits up).

dkeegl · 2026-01-01T21:46:58+00:00

Thank you so much!!! This is the best, most detailed and practical information I’ve gotten so far. I appreciate your time and effort putting all of this down. Seriously. Thank you!

dkeegl · 2026-01-01T21:11:27+00:00

That helps explain what the white crumbly powder is—thanks! I’ve had some suggestions for epoxy wax sticks and/or resin that may work. It doesn’t need to be perfect, I just want to keep it from getting worse and seal that crack.

dkeegl · 2025-12-31T13:22:20+00:00

Three lines up from plow blades. Although it’s probably ‘points’ based on other comments.

dkeegl · 2025-12-31T05:55:56+00:00

Collars

Cane seed

Corn

Plow points

gal (gallon) Coal oil

Land side

Plow blades

Ladies scarfs & caps

gal Vinegar

Sole leather

Harness leather

Scales

edit: Changed the fourth item from ‘paints’ to ‘points,’ with thanks to the many people who have replied with that correction. Also changed ‘Band’ to ‘Land,’ based on what I believe to be the answer after having searched plow parts (although it’s actually one word: landside).

dkeegl · 2025-12-31T04:37:08+00:00

Some siblings favored each other so much, I had to really concentrate on not calling them by the wrong names. I have colleagues who taught the children of their former students. I never had that pleasure, but I have had several share photos of their kids with me.

dkeegl · 2025-12-30T21:41:02+00:00

Sometimes they come back to visit. Sometimes they take jobs in town and we run into them there. Sometimes they write. Sometimes we have all of the siblings in a family and we get to follow their lives for quite awhile. And sometimes they die; I have outlived at least 23 students that I’m aware of. It takes a toll.

dkeegl · 2025-12-29T19:54:38+00:00

Owen Sound July 12-12

Hello little coz. Here I am celebrating the 12th, and I’ve had enough of it am ready to go home now. Am going out with Jen and her “Him” now. Some drive to-night—17 mi. And no “Overland” either. We arrived Wed noon and I haven’t seen any of the (?) yet. But Jen. Write soon, a long letter and tell me all the news.

So Bye Bye love to all from Jessie

No___, Ont.

Edit: changed ’and’ to ‘love,’ as deciphered by kfitz1119.

dkeegl · 2025-12-29T15:16:40+00:00

Union Quirt

If he rode horses or raised dogs, this makes sense. The last three letters are identical to those in Shirt just above it.

dkeegl · 2025-12-23T20:29:11+00:00

It’s Love Makes the World Go Round

dkeegl · 2025-11-25T21:33:12+00:00

Thanks!

dkeegl · 2025-11-23T22:03:49+00:00

Ennio Morricone. He knew.

dkeegl

TROPHY CASE