8/26: educators

A high school friend / now school administrator had his final first-day-back-to-school.  It was great to take some time to think about him, his career, and how lucky students have been to have him on their side.

A former student / now teacher sent me a card with some amazingly kind words about the time she spent with me during her undergraduate studies.  It was wonderful to think about her and those days--and to know that she is doing good work in the world with her own students.

8/25: marking

...the shift in seasons, at least in terms of the academic year.  Yesterday I finished reading the "Summer" section of Grant Snider's Poetry Comics--fitting because it was the day before the fall semester began.  And today, at the end of the first day of classes, I started reading the "Fall" section.

8/24: working out

...some details for my courses this semester.  And just in time, since classes begin tomorrow.

8/23: finalizing

...yet another pamphlet!  Also talking with a friend so that she could finalize plans for a first-week assignment in one of her courses.  Back-to-school can involve a lot of unpleasant bureaucracy, but talking about teaching reminded us of the very pleasant parts of heading back into the classroom!

8/22: wonderful feedback

...from people about my part in the traveling exhibit sponsored by Arkansas Committee of the National Museum for Women in the Arts.  I usually don't write about myself on Facebook--I just post a photo a week, usually of nature.  I felt like I should share this news, however, so I finally did (quite late in the game, since the exhibit started in February).  I have a tricky time with compliments, but I've been very (very) grateful for people's good wishes.

8/21: a menagerie

...of very tiny metal animal figurines, which Chris has placed variously around the house.  Today I spotted two new ones:  an owl and a lobster.

8/20: writing

...a letter for a mail swap and not getting self-conscious as I did it.

8/19: getting an idea

...for a pamphlet in the morning, thinking about it in the afternoon, and making it this evening.  I was prompted by a challenge for a mail swap--tell a story in 6 words--and my thoughts fell into line pretty quickly.