8/31: results

My decision last night to go to bed early and postpone school-work until the morning paid off.  I woke up feeling better (if not 100% of normal, at least 85% or so) and got to school early so I could do all my class preparation without rushing.

8/30: recognizing a cold

...and taking to my bed.  It might not seem like a good thing, but it's far better than pulling myself through an evening's work, hoping that mind can overcome matter, and feeling physically worse and emotionally demoralized at the end of the night.

So is the good thing (essentially) that I acknowledged reality?  I guess it is.

8/29: postal surprise

When I got home this afternoon I found in my mailbox a package from Sam, a friend in Australia--hurray!  She sent a letter, photos, a fabric swatch, and a zippered pouch she made out of interesting fabric selvages.  The pouch is super and lovely--and it was super and lovely to hear from her.

8/28: adventure paddling

I'm a flat-water kayaker--for me, being out on the lake is more like stretch-and-tone than cardio.  But every now and then I find myself amid a stiff wind, and that's a different story.

Tonight I felt like I had to go kayaking.  How many more week-nights will there be this year that are clear-skyed and warm with no absolutely pressing homework for me to do?  One of my neighbors and his friend good-naturedly laughed at me as I wheeled my boat down to the dock; they knew there were little white-caps on the water.  Heading out was fun, a bit like riding a merry-go-round horse that rises and falls very smoothly.  I paddled, but I wouldn't have needed to.  Heading back was a challenge.  I'll admit that for about a minute I wondered if I could make headway against the wind and waves.  "Oh no!  Am I going to have to pull off the water and call someone to come get me?"  But I kept at it and made it, smiling as the air blew in my face and the water crashed into my boat.

8/27: the frogs return

Lots of little tree frogs (and I mean lots, and I mean little) live around our house.  I didn't see many of them this summer (too hot and dry?) but now they're all over.  We watched one in particular move its way across one of our big windows as we were eating breakfast this morning, the heat of its body leaving a small frog-shaped print every few centimeters--quite a lovely set of tracks.  And the frogs themselves are sweet to look at:  bright green with gold lines.

8/26: a benefit to patterns

The common-ness of the common ingredients of my weekends makes doing them feel a little like an extended meditation, a kind of practical yoga.

8/25: private track

The public track felt private this evening:  for most of my time there I was the only person walking on it.  I usually like it when other people are there, but today--after a week of getting used to being among people again at work--it felt special to be alone and not have to be aware of who's in what lane and whether I need to hurry up, slow down, or move aside to let someone pass.

8/24: applause

My beginning Latin class clapped for me because I could go around the room and name everyone.