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"Waffles are the Sponsor of my Woes"

OUT NOW ON AMAZON

"Waffles are the Sponsor of my Woes" OUT NOW ON AMAZON

"This cooked." –Michael Howe

Joshua Steely's heart is served up on a silver platter in his debut poetry collection, Waffles are the Sponsor of my Woes. Steely's food-metaphor-based poems explore themes of Hope, Rejection, Desperation, Rage & Regret, Resignation, and Sadness as if steps for the recipe of a hopeless romantic. With chocolatey tears and stained shirts, readers can experience the feeling of grasping at straws that so inspired many of the poems within.

While Waffles are the Sponsor of my Woes is written from the perspective and experiences of a 16-19 year old boy, the emotions evoked by emptied gourds and sweet cinnamon rolls are for everyone. Is a diet from love the answer? Gorging on it until there's nothing left? Steely offers spoonful after spoonful, but each taste leaves only a desire for more...

"Waffles are the Sponsor of my Woes"

OUT NOW ON AMAZON

"Waffles are the Sponsor of my Woes" OUT NOW ON AMAZON

Why a blog?

I’ve always loved sharing my ideas with whoever will listen (or is unlucky enough to be within earshot). Most of them go nowhere after that, but a couple end up worthwhile! This site is a way for me to share my ideas with people beyond earshot, and doubles as writing practice!

I hope one day somebody may be inspired by what I’ve shared and go on to do things greater than I could have ever dreamed of. I couldn’t exactly take credit, but if I’m even a slight influence towards something greater, that’s a win.

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Asking More Questions Than the Students…

…seems to be a fantastic way to faciliate learning.

Whenever a member of my Cardboard Club asks a question, my first goal is for them to answer it on their own. Of course, I am there to give guidance and provide my expertise… but they are the ones who ultimately do the learning, and my just giving them the answers won’t help grow their curiosity in the long run.
Through leading these workshops (meetings) I am learning more and more about constructive teaching practices; such as leaving room for creativity, constantly adapting, allowing room for a little risk, asking for constant reflections, and encouraging teamwork (to name a few). The list continues to grow as I continue to challenge the group of boys with the medium of cardboard.

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“Are you happy with that?”

yes. I am. Quite pleased, in fact.

The first meeting of the Cardboard Club at College Wesleyan Church through WonderSpace (henceforth reffered to as just “Cardboard Club”) was a massive success. It was a “skills workshop” highlighting the four major tools I use in my cardboard endeavors, and I’m happy to say I neither underprepared nor overprepared! I somehow hit it right on the spot with two double-sided documents, including a thorough agenda, and a trifold they could take home and reference…

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Blastoff in 3… 2…

Coming into my second semester of my freshman year of college, I feel like I’m on top of things. I went through the ringer of time-management realizations the first semester, almost certain half of the times I was sick were from stress. Re-entering the arena, I’ve reevaluated my degree once again, and redistributed my time accordingly. I’m no longer giving tours at IWU, but the choice to open up my schedule led to it being filled right away with a new, incredible opportunity: WonderSpace

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