Category Archives: Books by Walter

Information about existing and future books by Walter/Mr. Boomsma

Books by Walter, Communication, Learning, Personal Growth, Small People

Weirdly Wonderful

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I have no ambitions to become a restaurant critic. But I do feel the need to share something weirdly wonderful about the last two meals I’ve had at Geaghan’s Pub in Bangor. In the interest of full disclosure, the “wonderful” includes excellent food, beer, and fantastic service. The weirdness is also wonderful, but it’s also rare, unfortunately. It appears every time I eat there, something wonderful happens. A few months ago, I met a new young lady (nine years old) at the pub who showed me how to create hope and happiness by drawing a picture for the guy (me) sitting at a table near her. She doesn’t know it, but she  inspired the title of a book I’ve been working on. I learned how to . Last night, things were busy as usual. When my waitress stopped to collect my drink order, she leaned in and said, “See that nice you couple getting ready to leave? They gave me a ten-dollar bill to put towards your dinner.” I should also add that I do not think I looked particularly destitute or needy. I was stunned. The waitress’s smile looked even bigger than usual. Remembering my previous experience. I replied, “Why is it that every time I come here, something nice happens to me?” The management of Geaghan’s can be proud of Jolene’s reply. “You’re in an Irish Pub. Nice people come here.” To her credit, she seemed not the least bit surprised by this act of kindness–there was nothing weird about it. The couple stopped at my table briefly as they left–not to explain, but to wish me a good meal and a nice evening. I thanked them profusely for their generosity. During my meal, I continued to think about how strange these experiences were. I found myself wondering what would happen the next time I ate there—and already planning my next visit. A hand-drawn picture and a ten-dollar bill created countless winners far beyond the givers and receiver. The “weirdness” might not be in the events themselves. What might be strange is the fact I was surprised by them. Jolene later also encouraged me to order dessert, reminding me that she still had that ten-dollar bill in her hip pocket to put towards my check. Unfortunately, I had to pass—the shepherd’s pie had done the job. My stomach was full. But so was my heart and head. I laid my credit card on the table for the check. Jolene started to explain how she was going to process the check as part cash and part credit. As she reached into her hip pocket, I said, “Wait! You might as well leave it there.” She looked a little confused, so I added, “That’s going to be your tip.” Some people I’ve told the story say, “You paid it forward.” I confess I do not fully “get” that concept. Maybe that is because I find words interesting. If you pay for the coffee of the person behind you in the drive-through, wouldn’t you be paying it backward? What I do “get” is what the nine-year-old did. Even if you don’t have any crayons, you can put color into another person’s life and your own. And if you do have some crayons (or ten dollars to spare), sharing them with someone just because you want to is not so strange or weird. It can be—should be—a way of life. We can make it so.
Big Brains, Books by Walter, Causes and Friends, Learning, Personal Growth, Small People

Life’s Lessons

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I am proud to proclaim I have a new friend. She’s now calling me “Uncle Walter.” We haven’t met in person and we’ve really only communicated through her Mom, but I love the way she thinks.

Let me explain. Anina is, by my count, 17 weeks old. Her Mom, Katrina Hoover Lee, is a writer. We first met when I read her book, From the White House to the Amish. Shortly after Anina was born, I started receiving emails written by Anina. Well, obviously that’s not quite accurate.

Or maybe it is. Mom is an excellent writer. More importantly, she has an amazing ability to “channel” Anina. When I read those emails, it’s easy to forget it’s not actually Anina doing the typing.

I love the way kids think, so I love the way Anina thinks. We could learn a lot by getting into their small heads. They may be little people but they really do have big brains. That’s how my book came about. Thanks to Anina, I’m discovering that even really small people have a lot to offer. I look forward to her emails and love seeing the world through her eyes.

When I look at my new sign I find myself smiling and realizing that some lessons really aren not fun to learn. I also find myself, like Anina, questioning things, hopefully with her childish innocence and curiosity. I’d like to think we are kindred spirits. She is seeing so many things for the very first time. I’m trying to see some things with a fresh set of eyes. She’s a big help with that. It’s fun and helpful to think like a five-month-old.

If you’re interested in what Anina is thinking, visit her Mom’s website. Anina isn’t posting yet, so you’ll need to sign up to receive her emails. There’s a subscribe link right at the top. You can also check out some of the books Mom’s written. (I’m pressing for a future book that’s a collection of Anina’s emails–“Anina’s Wisdom.” ) Tell her Uncle Walter sent you.

Books by Walter, Classes and Courses, Just for Fun, Personal Growth

Do you mind?

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Well, I suppose I don’t need permission to be excited… and to share some of it. This has been an accomplishment-filled week! I can’t resist sharing a few of those accomplishments.

One may seem premature so think of it as me letting you in on something “everyone” will know by the end of the month. I have another book published, scheduled for release by September 20, 2019. Frankly, it became a real “crunch” project as I wanted to have it available for the Substitute Teacher Workshops I’m conducting this fall. (Check the course calendar for workshop availability in Dover-Foxcroft, Newport, and Pittsfield.)

“This workbook was developed for use in ‘Mr. Boomsma’s Substitute Teacher Workshop’ and, as such may appear to be missing content if viewed without participating. However, there is plenty of standalone information and valuable resources. It should further be noted that some of the information such as the process for fingerprinting and background checks is specific to the State of Maine. Regulations and processes may differ widely among states and school districts. “

Watch for the official “Launch” later this month! If the schedule remains intact, students participating in this fall’s workshop will receive a copy… but it will also be available to all!

But wait, there’s more!

Most know that recognition by colleagues is a great compliment… and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that some advice I’d given to fellow writers was featured in The Indie Author Self-Publishing Quarterly. It was actually a bit of a surprise… I’d finally gotten around to reading my latest issue and there I was on page 23!

I dug into working on yet another book and am committed to releasing it later this fall. Once I assembled everything I found I’m further along than I realized! Since returning from a wonderful vacation, I’m truly amazed at the progress and accomplishments I’ve made, particularly where writing is involved. It’s exciting!

So this post isn’t totally self-serving, I should mention that I’ve been experimenting. My busy teaching season starts next week and I’ve been focused on getting things done and off the list before the season starts. I’ve found two things extremely helpful.

First, and perhaps obvious, there’s huge value in managing work by checklists. This is no great discovery but I’ve found that it does help with the more important technique–a technique that is allowing me to actually “work” fewer hours while accomplishing more.

I’m also indebted to Seth Godin for inspiring me to re-think some of my work habits and achieve that. Seth wrote a daily post a while back about working with intensity and commitment, pointing out that six hours of impassioned work may equal eight to ten hours of “regular work.” It’s a different focus. It includes identifying the things you’re not going to do.

It’s an important lesson for entrepreneurs and self-employed folks to learn. When I started down this road some forty years ago, my admired mentor told me “You won’t have trouble knowing when and where to start. You’ll have trouble knowing when and where to stop.” Jack, if you’re reading this, you’ll perhaps be pleased to learn that I’m finally figuring it out.

“How much” is not about time. “How much” is about commitment, passion, and intensity. Think about it.

Big Brains, Books by Walter, Learning, Personal Growth, Small People, Substitute Teaching, Teaching

Here Comes the Judge! Again!

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The first time was about six years ago in my book . In Chapter 13 I touched on the occasions when the kids at school try to enlist me as judge and jury to settle a dispute. I offer one example and admit that my solution to it was based on “a bit of laziness and lack of desire to don a judge’s robe.”

The kids tell me I have a pretty effective “teacher look.” I’m now working on my “judge’s look.”

Handing the case (problem or question) over to the judge can be alluring for many reasons and it’s not just the kids who do it. When I teach real estate courses I am often barraged with questions that start with “What if…?” With kids and adults, there are some obvious undercurrents. The kids’ questions are usually relative to what’s fair and sometimes are instructions. “Make her stop!” “He’s not playing fair!” The adults are looking for the right answer–usually to a subtle and sometimes legal question.

For at least as many years as the book’s been published, I have deflected many legal questions in real estate classes by including the observation, “If anyone finds a reasonably priced judge’s robe, buy it for me. I’ll reimburse you for it. Then I can slip it on when I’m asked these sort of questions and act all-knowing and certain while I pronounce my verdict.”

Well, it finally happened. At a recent Associate Broker Workshop a student showed up with a “surprise” for me, proudly presenting me with a black robe–and no expectation of reimbursement. I of course modeled it at the beginning of the workshop. It got a lot of laughs. It also reminded me of how thoughtful students often are. Most importantly, I now carry it in my “teaching kit” and plan to make it a visual aid.

See, I think acting as judge and teacher are actually often a conflict of interest. In a learning environment, when students give the teacher too much authority they may not think and all they really learn is the judge’s (teacher’s) opinion. I also have a rule in my adult classes that you’re not allowed to use the phrase “Walter said in class…” For one thing, I find I’m often misquoted. For another, you are suggesting you only learned what I said. I’d rather hear you say, “I learned in class…” I want to teach you to think, not quote the teacher.

The fact that things seem complicated or complex doesn’t mean we should let someone else do our thinking for us. I’m reasonably certain the world is round–or at least approximately so. But if a kid asks me I’m likely to reply with questions. “What do you think? How can we find out? What have you learned about that so far?”

While the power that goes with the judge’s robe is tempting, another thing I like about not wearing it is I can teach subjects I know almost nothing about. I once substituted for a second-year high school Spanish class. The kids knew me. As they were getting seated one called out, “Mr. Boomsma, do you even know Spanish?”

There was no hesitation when I answered, “No I do not. But I do know how to teach it. Let’s get started.”

So while I am profoundly grateful to Carole Scott Gartley of Brad Carter Real Estate for the robe and her thoughtfulness, I probably won’t be wearing it too much–just to get some laughs and make a point.

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself 
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go… “


― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!