Mary Lynne Schuster
@marylynne7.bsky.social
I’m a teacher, writer, early childhood classroom coach, parent, partner, and adventurer from Cincinnati Ohio. Leftist liberal and humanist. If there are six things I like on the menu and one thing I’ve never had, I’m going to try something new.
Toby the old boy had to get sedated for an X ray, and Randy took a picture of him being all loopy and confused. Instead we end up with this amazing magnificent portrait. He was so not right for a whole day, it affirmed my decision that if whatever-it-is can get treated with . . .
November 11, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Toby the old boy had to get sedated for an X ray, and Randy took a picture of him being all loopy and confused. Instead we end up with this amazing magnificent portrait. He was so not right for a whole day, it affirmed my decision that if whatever-it-is can get treated with . . .
My brain's musical mash up of the week:
"For paaapa make him a scholar
For maaaama make him rich as a king.
For me well I wouldn't hollar
if he was as handsome as any thiiiiiiiiiing!
When the dog. bites.
When the bee. stings.
When I'm feeling bad
I simply remember my favorite things
"For paaapa make him a scholar
For maaaama make him rich as a king.
For me well I wouldn't hollar
if he was as handsome as any thiiiiiiiiiing!
When the dog. bites.
When the bee. stings.
When I'm feeling bad
I simply remember my favorite things
November 7, 2025 at 11:13 PM
My brain's musical mash up of the week:
"For paaapa make him a scholar
For maaaama make him rich as a king.
For me well I wouldn't hollar
if he was as handsome as any thiiiiiiiiiing!
When the dog. bites.
When the bee. stings.
When I'm feeling bad
I simply remember my favorite things
"For paaapa make him a scholar
For maaaama make him rich as a king.
For me well I wouldn't hollar
if he was as handsome as any thiiiiiiiiiing!
When the dog. bites.
When the bee. stings.
When I'm feeling bad
I simply remember my favorite things
Toby is so sad. He looks like he is about to cry. He does not want his custom sirloin wet food with cheese. He wants a treat. Yes, he did see the empty treat bowl, and hear the explanation of being out of treats. But he doesn't know why he isn't getting treats. All he knows is we are cruel.
October 23, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Toby is so sad. He looks like he is about to cry. He does not want his custom sirloin wet food with cheese. He wants a treat. Yes, he did see the empty treat bowl, and hear the explanation of being out of treats. But he doesn't know why he isn't getting treats. All he knows is we are cruel.
Here is an infants board book of Les Miserable, with puppets. I have many questions. Most of them are “What”
October 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Here is an infants board book of Les Miserable, with puppets. I have many questions. Most of them are “What”
Missing-Stair COO email: We can cancel orientation next week if two of the coaches are out.
Me: (Deep breath): Explain of no we can't, why not, and how the coaching team has it handled. "Thank you, though!"
I like my new post-menopause superpower of don't-give-a-fuck and high level BS writing
Me: (Deep breath): Explain of no we can't, why not, and how the coaching team has it handled. "Thank you, though!"
I like my new post-menopause superpower of don't-give-a-fuck and high level BS writing
October 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Missing-Stair COO email: We can cancel orientation next week if two of the coaches are out.
Me: (Deep breath): Explain of no we can't, why not, and how the coaching team has it handled. "Thank you, though!"
I like my new post-menopause superpower of don't-give-a-fuck and high level BS writing
Me: (Deep breath): Explain of no we can't, why not, and how the coaching team has it handled. "Thank you, though!"
I like my new post-menopause superpower of don't-give-a-fuck and high level BS writing
Tooooooooooby! Tobleronios, Tobarino! Tobleas! Tobarini!! Sweetie baby old man.
October 13, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Tooooooooooby! Tobleronios, Tobarino! Tobleas! Tobarini!! Sweetie baby old man.
I am listening to “behave” by Sopolsky. adult neurogenesis - adults can generate new neurons. “Developing new neurons is vital to understanding that things that you thought were the same are different – porpoises and dolphins, baking soda and baking powder, Zoey Deschanel and Katy Perry.“
Sopolsky.adult
October 9, 2025 at 10:27 AM
I am listening to “behave” by Sopolsky. adult neurogenesis - adults can generate new neurons. “Developing new neurons is vital to understanding that things that you thought were the same are different – porpoises and dolphins, baking soda and baking powder, Zoey Deschanel and Katy Perry.“
Me: I have three competing anxieties trying to get the top narration track.
Randy: Focus! Laser focus.
Me: Oh, there are lasers. It's a laser light show. They are focused everywhere.
Randy: Focus! Laser focus.
Me: Oh, there are lasers. It's a laser light show. They are focused everywhere.
October 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Me: I have three competing anxieties trying to get the top narration track.
Randy: Focus! Laser focus.
Me: Oh, there are lasers. It's a laser light show. They are focused everywhere.
Randy: Focus! Laser focus.
Me: Oh, there are lasers. It's a laser light show. They are focused everywhere.
The ultimate honor. I am listening to behave by Sapolsky. Dan Hepp discovered that memories are made as new synapses are formed. “A man so visionary that even now, 70 years later, neuroscientists still have his bobblehead.”
October 7, 2025 at 9:38 AM
The ultimate honor. I am listening to behave by Sapolsky. Dan Hepp discovered that memories are made as new synapses are formed. “A man so visionary that even now, 70 years later, neuroscientists still have his bobblehead.”
We were in a hit-and-run accident, $4000 of work. It’s drivable, no one hurt, we have insurance. I told my MIL we are lucky, for some it would be devastating. Her: “you can’t worry about everybody else, just worry about yourself.“ That is an evil belief, also explains our deep political differences.
October 6, 2025 at 10:13 AM
We were in a hit-and-run accident, $4000 of work. It’s drivable, no one hurt, we have insurance. I told my MIL we are lucky, for some it would be devastating. Her: “you can’t worry about everybody else, just worry about yourself.“ That is an evil belief, also explains our deep political differences.
Tuna and jello. A recipe from my childhood.
October 5, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Tuna and jello. A recipe from my childhood.
Here is our supper! I finally thought of something I was in the mood for
September 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Here is our supper! I finally thought of something I was in the mood for
Toddler Jonathan carefully and cleverly moved his milk and goldfish crackers right to the edge of the table, where no one would see it. Then he looked around for a teacher and said, "Milk!" Alas, they spotted his trick. "You have some right here," and moved it right back in front of him.
September 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Toddler Jonathan carefully and cleverly moved his milk and goldfish crackers right to the edge of the table, where no one would see it. Then he looked around for a teacher and said, "Milk!" Alas, they spotted his trick. "You have some right here," and moved it right back in front of him.
The toddlers are sitting at little tables eating their snack of goldfish crackers. Jonathan leans over and smacks Kinsley upside the head. The third time, she finally swings back, just as the teacher turns around. "Kinsley!"
September 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The toddlers are sitting at little tables eating their snack of goldfish crackers. Jonathan leans over and smacks Kinsley upside the head. The third time, she finally swings back, just as the teacher turns around. "Kinsley!"
I'm observing a toddler class. They are moving from the playground to the classroom. A group of toddlers moving down a hallway bounce around from wall to wall like a handful of marbles.
September 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I'm observing a toddler class. They are moving from the playground to the classroom. A group of toddlers moving down a hallway bounce around from wall to wall like a handful of marbles.
Update: unexpectedly Toby has left his bed propped up against the wall. First time ever that he has not scooted it out into the middle of the floor or the hallway overnight. Apparently he’s just happy that we have finally found the proper place for his bed.
August 30, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Update: unexpectedly Toby has left his bed propped up against the wall. First time ever that he has not scooted it out into the middle of the floor or the hallway overnight. Apparently he’s just happy that we have finally found the proper place for his bed.
Toby is once again being very brave and understanding, if a little judgy, about his bed not being placed properly
August 29, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Toby is once again being very brave and understanding, if a little judgy, about his bed not being placed properly
I have more things to do today. This is ridiculous. I already did things! I did so many things this week, and there's more?!??! When does it end???
August 21, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I have more things to do today. This is ridiculous. I already did things! I did so many things this week, and there's more?!??! When does it end???
We are hiking the beautiful white mountains of New Hampshire. We hiked up to Lonesome Lake, and yesterday went up Mount cube. This morning doing major knee management so I can hike again. Ice packs, ibuprofen, and knee braces.
July 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
We are hiking the beautiful white mountains of New Hampshire. We hiked up to Lonesome Lake, and yesterday went up Mount cube. This morning doing major knee management so I can hike again. Ice packs, ibuprofen, and knee braces.
Randy stepped out to put some trash in the garbage can. Toby will stand vigil until he returns from his long journey.
July 25, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Randy stepped out to put some trash in the garbage can. Toby will stand vigil until he returns from his long journey.
Somebody carelessly and irresponsibly threw Toby‘s bed so it is half propped up against the wall and he can’t lay properly. He is a good boy though, and he will make the best of it.
July 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Somebody carelessly and irresponsibly threw Toby‘s bed so it is half propped up against the wall and he can’t lay properly. He is a good boy though, and he will make the best of it.
Toby went to the vet and got his ears, all cleaned out, and he can hear us again! He didn’t understand why we were all whispering for a few weeks, and now he doesn’t understand why we’re all yelling at him
July 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Toby went to the vet and got his ears, all cleaned out, and he can hear us again! He didn’t understand why we were all whispering for a few weeks, and now he doesn’t understand why we’re all yelling at him
I saw deer on my walk this morning
July 10, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I saw deer on my walk this morning
I'm observing in an infant classroom. They have two new children, twin girls. I thought I was watching really developmentally advanced 6 month olds. Turns out I'm watching developmentally on-track super-tiny 11 month olds.
July 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I'm observing in an infant classroom. They have two new children, twin girls. I thought I was watching really developmentally advanced 6 month olds. Turns out I'm watching developmentally on-track super-tiny 11 month olds.
Y’all know Toby, the sleepy little corgi croissant. He has lost so much hearing over the last couple of weeks, i’m really worried. Hopefully it’s just fluid on the ears or something and the vet can fix it. He’s almost deaf at this point. On the other hand, it made Fourth of July a lot easier.
July 8, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Y’all know Toby, the sleepy little corgi croissant. He has lost so much hearing over the last couple of weeks, i’m really worried. Hopefully it’s just fluid on the ears or something and the vet can fix it. He’s almost deaf at this point. On the other hand, it made Fourth of July a lot easier.