Here's to the Cultivation of Possibilities & Making Hope the Reality We Deserve. So, Long 2024! Glad to Meet You, 2025. 365 Days for a New Year!

Cluckity-Cluck-Cluck was a 2024 focus and was retired last night at midnight. This morning, there's a new blog in town to cultivate creativity, reflection, thought, and memory...a Crandall tradition. 

Please visit Cultivated Crandall in 2025 to strive alive and strut for another 365 days. It's been real, 2024, and we're heading to another site to boogie a lil' more.

For a partial recap of the year that just was, feel free to meander through the 2024 montage...another yearly tradition. As others have noted, I've always been a visual learner, and with this comes the music, too. It's a wonderful trait to think in snapshots of the way we once were.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Drugi rok polskiego Nowego Roku w Connecticut, gdzie piłka spada znacznie wcześniej, a ja mogę nie zasnąć.

Year two of a Polish New Year in Connecticut where the ball drops earlier and I can stay awake. 

I have my traditions, which usually means I'm in bed by 10 p.m. - I live too much life during the year running like a rocket ship, and on New Year's Eve I like to explode early, which is why Kaitlyn & Dominik's Polish celebration arrived exactly at the right time. We lift our glasses at 4 p.m. as opposed to midnight, which allows us to celebrate overseas from the comfort of our own homes. And I like guessing what the Polish celebrities are saying in their star-studded welcoming of a new year. 

Besides, I do my yearly montage, begin a new blog, and set up the 2025 birthday video, all while watching the last decade of such work (it's my way of reflecting and calling it a year. I'm in the habit of reflecting daily, so doing so on the 31st puts me on the edge. I'm not happy about the year that just was (although being promoted to full professorship was a tremendous accomplishment), but I'm tired from the grant work CWP accomplished, a summer institute, and the Young Adult Literacy Labs (that received a 2025 Divergent Award for Literacy Implementation from the Initiative of Literacy in a Digital Age). I've been in full grind mode, which I hoped to let go of with a road trip with Chitunga. He's on the road. I was grounded in Connecticut. I hope to meet him in New Orleans for a get-away weekend. We shall see. 

And I am really wanting to lie on the couch under blankets reading books. It's funny to see many of the tech-gurus I've followed for years admitting that they are pulling away from the digital spaces for more ol' school, ol' fashioned book time...a reprieve from the cyber pace and grind. I get it. Social media is fast, never ending, frustrating, and more and more problematic.

It's funny, too, because the last class I taught, Class of 2007, are now in their 30s and having children and as they do, I am seeing they are pulling off of social media because they don't want their kids to be brought up in it (they were still in school as Facebook was just beginning, and they were the ones who convinced me I should blog every day so they could keep up...which I have done...this is year 18 and I am promising myself I will try to make it to year 20, although such blogs are no longer in vogue.

But, I like to write and think daily, and online it's better than in a book no one else will read off my shelves (and it's easier to add visuals, too). Perhaps one day I'll got back and read all 6,205 posts from the last 17 years....again, I'm referencing John Boy because I watched a Walton's Christmas. Although I don't have a mountain, there are Crandall traditions that have kept me going for years...in the National Writing Project tradition.

Almost bought a gigantic silver reindeer bowl because it was so tacky. I passed. I can resist when I need to. Finally, Chitunga made it to Bonnie & Karl's. The world is a miraculous place at times.

And with that..this is my last Cluckity Cluck Cluck post of 2024. I made it another 365 days. Tomorrow, something new.

Gambling with this Monday Morning Post, Not Know Where I'll Be or If Any of These Arrangements Will Finally Work

I've had only two other mini-vacations in the last 14 years, both with Tunga...once in Key West to visit Milford & Sue, and last spring to visit him Des Moines. Chitunga and I knew we wanted to do a vacation together, and it presented itself when Alyssa and her family needed a ride to Miami. Tunga was flying to Syracuse and said, "Sure, I'll drive down with you," and decided to make a road trip out of it from Miami to New Orleans following. I said I'd join him only if I could, not knowing what the holiday status would be and if I'd be needed longer in Syracuse. So, I booked a flight to Daytona Beach and told him to pick me up there.

My flight, of course, was delayed, and delayed, and delayed due to fog in CT and storms elsewhere. I'm thankful that I didn't have to live my day at the airport, though, as I booked locally in order to make the trip work. Alas, they kept delaying and in the last email, they noted it would be a 10:15 p.m departure and 1:30 a.m. arrival. I'm making a run for it, knowing that I'm not sure what kind of human I'd be at 1:30 in the morning any more. I have dog sitters, the house arranged, the bags packed, and optimism in my back pocket. I know, though, that I'll either be in Florida at the time you're reading this (hopefully still in bed) r I'll be stuck in Connecticut without a way to get to Florida until Thursday (in which case makes for a dud trip). 

The plan is to drive along the southern coast until we reach New Orleans, stopping to see people here and there (and do the sight seeing that Chitunga lives for). I just want to say that I'm taking a mini-vacation before another semester begins. 

Avelo airlines cracks me up. Every time I called they said I was person 435 in line and it would be 320 hours before the next agent would be available. I chose not to wait.

At 6 p.m. Sunday, while I'm twiddling my thumbs wondering if I will actually get out tonight, I decided to write this post. I will either be in Florida this morning ready for this adventure or I'll be waking up in Connecticut ticked off and needing to cancel my flight home next Sunday. I've been lucky that my travel during the holidays has typically been on the road and with my own pace. Relying on airlines is rather tricky...and risky. Not so fun. 

So, who knows? I guess only time will tell where I'll wind up. It's out of my hands now. 

UPDATE: After getting a message it was all good to depart at 10:45, I was dropped off at the airport, walked to the gate, sat down, and received a text that it was cancelled. I am bummed, but last night I slept in my own bed and now I will try to see if there's another way. The poor agents at Avelo airlines. I controlled my disappointment, but others were irate, police were called, and it was a mess. Somehow, I can't help but see it as a metaphor for where we are right now. We can only hope for better. 

And I Return to a Gift of Non-Carcinogen, Anti-Charcoal Kitchen Utensils. Entering My Graying Period of Life I Suppose.

I always laugh when it comes to anything domesticated. With no weddings or showers, my house has always been make up of scraps, hand-me-downs, and the occasional clearance racks. I was just excited to have kitchen utensils until I learned at Thanksgiving (and later confirmed through several news outlets) that the black utensils we often used should not be used because they can cause cancer.  Ugh. Well, they've been replaced and I am thankful. Either there's truth to this story, or the grey utensil-makers of America have led one hell of a campaign.

I traveled home via the Massachusetts route and LOVED listening to James by Percival Everett. It truly is brilliant writing. I didn't want to pull in my driveway, but now have to find another 4 hours to finish (which I should on my flight today). I also stopped at a McDonald's at 2 pm to get lunch, and I'm here to say, "Um, this new economy is bogus. I'm in the middle of nowhere....I had to pee so go indoors to get my order, I find giant iPads and no employees, and it takes 30 minutes. That is some bull. I'd rather spend the money in a sit-down restaurant (not that I should be eating that crap anyway). 

I did a Cynde when I returned, and went on a rampage to get all my holiday goods down. That was easy, but now I can't find where I put all the stuff that stored. Perhaps I move them to an upstairs bedroom. They most definitely weren't in the basement.

Karal is exhausted. She's wanted nothing but sleep since our return, and although she visited Pam and Jake, she really only wanted the couch. I did, too, but because I'm home I'm already into the go-go-go mode. I'm just in the mood to purge it all. I need a bed, a toilet, and a chair to work. 

Now, time to enter a mini-adventure mode for a week. I've not taken time off in 14 years, accept when Tunga and I did Key West. He talked me into a road trip after dropping Alyssa off in Miami, so I said, "Okay. I can do this." I'm letting him take the lead and will simply flash my credit card when necessary. In truth, I want nothing more than to absorb all he has to say and offer on this adventure. I'm also just looking forward to something different. The parochial life at the University has dulled my sense of being. I need a revival and rejuvenation. We'll see where this takes us. 

The Celebrations Went Fast, But Now It Is Time To Leave...Another Year Ahead of Us for Love & Hope, I Believe

I came home early this year in order to catch mom's birthday and to stay to say the same to Cynderballz (which is today). There's a book I need to listen to, and a house I should check on (of course, there's the mail, too). I hope traffic will be easy on me, as coming to Syracuse was smooth sailing.

Karal, I believe, will miss the routine...she has snack time, nap time, play time, and outdoor time all arranged with all of us wrapped around her paws. Of course, if she even thinks we're returning, you'll run to the door...she likes her Connecticut patterns, as well. 

I will be leaving Amalfi Drive with loaves of bread, orange chicken, tubs of sherbet, cookies in the freezer, new stock of detergent & colas, as well as organized frames for the grands on my mom's hutch.

Cynde is invited over for an omelette in the a.m. if she'd like a birthday breakfast, but I've yet to make a good omelette. I will try (and I imagine she doesn't like mushrooms now that I think of it).

I won't be hitting snow in my travels, either. That's another blessing.

It's just a matter of moments before mom will asks, "So what are you going to forget this time?" I guess after 34 years of Bryan-departures, the probability of me heaving items behind would be high. That's actually a conversation Chitunga and I had while at the Freight Yard Brewery...how home is always where the heart it....and he has it in Connecticut, in Syracuse, and in Louisville...so he shares those spaces with me....

...he doesn't share Roskide, Denmark, however, and I miss all those times there...then again, I'm not quite able to share Des Moines...not just yet.

Here's to the road...and Happy Birthday, Cynderballz!

Spent the Day in Oswego, NY, Bargain Shopping with Her & Her Husband, a Tradition Cynde and I Will Hopefully Continue Down the Road

I love getting the 50-60% of holiday shit I don't need. I usually stock up, store away, and get excited during the next season when I bring materials up after Thanksgiving. This year, I bought much more for the ever-growing nativity set, and will add more tacky to it, summoning Grannie Annie with the little finds that come my way (I had to pass on the brass choir frogs for out front....They were $160 dollars, but I would not get them unless they were under $50...that's just the way I am.

The funny thing is I bought a bunch of items for Casey & Dave and, lo and behold, when I went to store the goods in the closet of her ol' bedroom from last year, I found a whole stack of things I bought her last year that I totally forgot about (which is a bummer). I will likely wrap it up for her birthday next year. It will be a lot of loot at once.

Boo on Maria's of Oswego for being closed. They riled me up for a good breakfast, but nope...so we ended up at a sandwich shop. It sufficed, but I was 100% ready for an omelet. Once I get that on my brain I'm unfocused until I have one. Nora's didn't quite cut it.

Today should be a day of football games and, I suppose, wrapping Casey's birthday presents for next year. Probably should help cut some of the food out of the fridge and do another Price Chopper run with Papa Butch (he says he's out of Pepsi...there is a lifetime supply of it downstairs).

As for the cookies and chocolates...that will be impossible to deplete by departure. I got mom tins so she can make gifts for her friends (as she had me cook them last week and now they are clogging the upstairs freezer). 

And my flights are booked to Daytona Beach for a spur-of-the-moment road trip with Chitunga (who has been on the road almost 24 hours as he heads to Miami with Lys. For now, though, taking one day at a time.

And the Most Impressive Part of Christmas Day is They Made Room for Me at the Adult Table, After I Sat Down in the Kitchen Alone

And move on we now have permission to do. Bye Bye Christmas Holiday. Let's start thinking about a new year. Of course, thinking about leftover creamed potatoes is more than welcome to stay for a little while. At least Mimi Sue doesn't have to put her Christmas decorations away. She never got them out. She does, however, have to figure out an eating plan for all her cookies and chocolates.

I think I binge-watched 5 hours of Blackish after everyone settled down for the night - well, fell asleep. Butch decided, too, that it might be nice to bathe after the holidays finished. He even wanted his hairs cut, so we got that in, too

Christmas Day, 2024. 

As for Clearance shopping, that depends on the invitations that come my way this morning. We shall see.

Finally, wishing the best travel day for Lys, Chitunga, & their band of drivers heading to Florida with a 3 a.m. departure time. You only live once, and when you drive to Florida from Syracuse, it teaches you exactly why you hole to never do it again. That's not true. I was always up for the adventure in my 20s & 30s, too. I hope they see the world (well, eastern sea coast) and enjoy every minutes of it.

And It's the 25th Day of December, 2024. Another Christmas Celebration in Central New York - Nice Layer of the White Stuff Caressing the Ground

Karal is welcoming the day with her morning barks at Mimi Sue for a bite of her bagel. Dad is wondering what day it is & why mom is always yelling at him (as he lies back for a nap next to all her empty Diet Coke cans and piles of holiday treats). 

There are scratch offs. Perhaps we'll win, most likely we won't (and there's that Mega-Millions ticket that could be worth 900 million dollars, but won't be).

Nikki's at the hospital doing Christmas care for those who can't be home for the holidays and Adamo is spending the day in Poughkeepsie. 

Casey and Dave are awaiting John's prime rib,  but they got mom her Panera cinnamon crunch (which arrived unsliced)(and is beyond sticky to cut in half)

Very little traffic on the streets in a quiet neighborhood and I'm feeling like John Boy Walton typing these letters to the page as another year is chronicled on Crandall mountain. 

And Cynde didn't have the patience for a Horton ornament tradition, so hung all our bulbs on her own.

This is Christmas. Chitunga and Lys are driving to Florida tonight (and he took the better bottle of bourbon ... always forgiven). The runny nose has returned to sinus cement, and I need to start peeling the carrots and potatoes. 

There's a ham to be baked. Oink Oink. And for some reason, Cynde has stored Rudolph's nose on the table by her tree.

Snap. Need Dog Food. Need Cheeses. Need to Think About Christmas Morning Bagels. Also Should Get a Mega-Million, Cuz That Would Be Nice, Too

The thought of going anywhere near a store today causes my blood pressure to rise, but if I can muscle it up early, I should probably do one more run. Shoot. Should also do a liquor run, too. I was out yesterday and I could only think, "What happened to Cicero? Why so much traffic?" 

And the light do no align correctly. Only couple of cars can move at a time. Fa la la la la la la la la.

It's Christmas Eve, and I'm going to prepare my parents dinner (they want to bypass any chaos this year) and I'll likely spend most of the day in the kitchen. As predicated, the snow began to fall around 10 p.m. and we'll maintain a white Christmas.

Karal also go some cousin time yesterday, because she was growing anxious to have doggy play time. She, too, will not be part of the chaotic traditions, as we're slowing down this year. No Flake Like Mike or Dave's Christmas Cracker. 

But I do have a new story for the holidays. Mom came out to her chair wearing her pajamas as we were watching the SNL Holiday Special for the 4th time this week. She was doing her iPad nightly tradition of watching UFOs in Wooster, Massachusetts, when I hear her say, "What is this? Oh, my God," Well, whereas she pinched her oxygen chord earlier in the day which set off the alarm that she couldn't hear, I immediately jumped up to help her. She had these straps coming down from her pajama top.

"Oh, Oh. My," I heard her saying, I know what this is."

And then I witness her pull down her bra which she didn't finish when she went into the bedroom to change. "Oh, I thought I took it all the way off." 

She then curled up the bra and placed it next to her Reindeer food and chocolates.

This was, of course, the night before the night before Chrismas (that would be tonight) .

And here we go....

Spicy Stewed Chicken, Chocolate Glazed Raspberry Home-Made Sherbet, Kanyea, Courtney, and a Lil' Malia Celine Sunshine for the Evening

Santa's gonna love on Malia-nugget, and my curiosity will rise to see how fast this lil' creature will take on every word she can possibly handle. 1.5 years old and a chatty human who wants to know and learn everything. Pure joy. And the two most important people in her world: her mommy and daddy. I'm amazed by how much she grew since summer. And that laughter and happiness is contagious. 

Ah, Courtney...you masted that stewed chicken, but my stomach does not do well with the spices...but can I stop eating? Absolutely not. I licked my bowl and asked for 2nds and 3rds. So good. But the GERD and heart burn. 

I have today to heal. And Trader Joe's was still open. And I got my Danish Kringle for coffee in the morning. I am thankful. 

So now it is time to get Christmas-read. Sad to see Louisville lose the championship game of the NCAA tournament, but they should hold dither heads high...they fought incredibly hard this seasons. My heart breaks for Anna DeBeers, as I've been watching her rise to stardom for several years. It will be hard not to see her on the court next year. What a champion. 

Temperatures should be balmy today...heading back to the 20s after a day where it began at 2 degrees. And  it might even hit 30. I'll be wearing shorts.

Now, to bake the ham today to scent the air, or wait for Christmas Eve to tease the stomachs.

1828 - Euclid Hotel in Clay, New York. 2024 - Chitunga, Alyssa, and I Have Dinner There. Pretty Remarkable Landmark, Actually

Tunga, Lys, and I went to Freight Yard to get a craft beer, then ended up down the street at the Euclid Hotel. I drove by that place every day in high school, to and from work, and never paid any attention to its age or history. That's a pretty amazing lifespan, actually...pushing almost 200 years. That's almost unheard of, actually. The food? Well, about what I'd expect from an almost 200 year old restaurant, but I'm glad we went (the beers at Freight Yard were wonderful)

And bringing home an open face, hot turkey sandwich to the parental units was a hit, too. Not bad for a 7 p.m. brought to your lap treat.

The snow fell lightly all day and it was beautiful (even if it is very cold). Karal and I got 3.2 miles in, and that is always a better day (even if we had to bundle up). Looking like we'll have a white Christmas, which is always nice, although today I'm thinking only black and red cardinal colors. It's been a wonderful NCAA volleyball tournament and I'm happy for alma mater making it to the final match...and in the hometown of Louisville. Wish I was there in person to see the games, but something tells me I'm better off watching a television screen in upstate New York.

And a special thank you to Nikki Isgar who brought a tray of cookies to Mimi's which included Magic Layer Bars (which have greatly been missing from my mother's freezer)(especially before the actual holiday events). 

On the way home from Euclid, I recalled how I paid for college by earning commission at Sibley's up the road at Great Northern Mall. Insane that I made the money I did then, but also that those stores and that world no longer exist.

1828 Clay. 1990 Clay. 2024 Clay. Nope. Nothing sits still.

It's a Tough Life Being the Spoiled Grand-Dog in Upstate NY When There are Light Flurries Falling from the Sky

Had to leave the house by 7:30 for Dad's cat scan, and got their holiday banking taken care of. Karal visited with her cousin, Lucy, and there was cube steaks and smiley fries for dinner. Productive day? I'm not sure, but we caught dad before he put buttered bread in the toaster. That was a win for sure.

I think the day tired Karal out early. I decided it was too cold to go out to shop or get dinner. Easier during daylight hours in the winter. I very well could have given in with Karal. I'm determined to beat the cold down before it beats me down. 

Had another successful Price Chopper run with Papa Butch. We're two for two with no incidences. Fingers crossed we make it through the holiday. We bought 3 tubs of sherbet, so he should be good for now. And after he buttered bread and then tried to put it in the toaster, he now has two slices of buttered bread at his side, pretending to be he parakeet. All is well on Amalfi Drive. I think we should name her Bernadette.

And I vote not to have to get up early to take anyone anywhere to a medical appointment. It's cold out there at this time of year, and how is anyone supposed to leave their house before 8 a.m.? I'm out of practice for sure. 

Okay, Saturday....bring forward what you will. I think Karal and I will be ready for it.

Pulled Off the 80th Celebration of Mimi Sue, But Someone Need to Come & Get Butch Who Has Been Blubbering All Day (Who is this Man?)

Early morning Cat scans with Butch this morning (but we got him to take a bath and he loved watching all of mom's birthday wishes. Made the cake, as I do, and also a sausage tortellini soup, all the while I've been sneezing like a madman...even bought some Mucinex to help keep my brain in the drylands.

It was wonderful waking up at 6 a.m. and coming out to my mom pop-eyeing her iPad to see the wishes that were coming her way. I didn't anticipate the documentary going over so well, but that brought the most joy ("Hey, I've lived quite an interesting life, haven't I?"

One birthday, a holiday, and another birthday to go. With tissues of course. 

I suppose I now need to start thinking about Christmas shopping, but really I just want to get dad to the doctors and, perhaps, come home for more sleep...it's the only way to dry up a cold.

And I caught the Louisville/Pitt game in Syracuse - final four...not sure where my head is with this because it's too stuffed up at the moment and I have to have dad at North Med by 8:15. 

Do You Know What Today Is? Do You? Do You? It's Susan Marilyn Crandall's 80th Birthday (& We Are Under No Circumstance Allowed to Throw a Party)

Happy Birthday, Mom! 

I know. I know. Cynde told me that you wanted nothing but a low-key, uneventful birthday, especially as you celebrate the 80th lap around the sun. But you know me (and you know us), so when Cynde called with an idea, I immediately had the idea in place. First, make a video invitation. Second, create a platform so others can leave notes and upload videos. Third, convince you that I'm working on a memory project for the National Writing Project and need a volunteer to do a test run, and Four, create the documentary. 

We're thankful to so many who were willing to send photos, offer insight, and participate on this celebration. The best part of it...your day doesn't need to be disturbed. You can sit in your chair, plug in your earphones (to tune Papi Butch out), and walk down memory lane.

Your birthday celebration begins this morning...right here. We love you. The good news is when you read the blog this morning, you can yell over to me because I'm home to celebrate with you. I'll send you the direct link so you don't have to participate via my daily blog.

As the sands in the hour glass, so are the days of our lives. Enjoy. This was possible because of friends, family, and neighbors. Here's to you!

Just Need To Enter My Grades, Pack Up (Wake up), & Then I Can Start Singing Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas

Okay. I think I'm ready for a Syracuse departure. The sniffles will have to come with me, and I'm sure Karal will be more than enthralled for a road trip. I have to download a book, first, and fold the laundry in the dryer. No rush, but I'll be hitting the road soon.

I am thinking of all the holiday changes over the years, and how the last decade (and more) has been a fanfare to A Flake Like Mike. The transitions are something...the last nephew all that is left to graduate from high school. Crazy to put this in perspective of my parents who have memories that transcend 30 years on my sisters and me. Then I think about 30 years, and how so much changes.

I'm wondering how the pain in my legs will go with a drive to Syracuse, because they have not been thrilled with all the grading of the last week. 

And I'm thinking of all the years of driving 13 hours from Kentucky, exhausted from teaching but always driven to make it by Christmas Eve. Then there were the years Judy flew up from NYC, and all the years over Bonnie & Karl's after the Barnwell Christmas Eve.

Go Cards! There's a final four game to be played Thursday night, too. Slow and steady wins the race. We got this.

And 72 Hours Later, With Only One Project Withstanding (I Am Patient & Have Faith It Will Come in), I Have Finished Grading

I have repeated to all who will listen, "You'd think after 30 years, you'd have a better mechanism for finishing out the end of a semester." Nope. It is this way and will likely always be this way.

I have given up obligations, avoided phone calls, text, and emails, all because I wanted to give my students feedback on their work. I was once again fortunate to have spectacular rosters of learners, most of whom impressed me beyond my expectations. This, however, takes time, care, and purpose - when investing in the future generation, you don't like to rush. You simply want to guide. 

I'm thankful I had leftover food, and just enough Thera-flu to help me make it through the day. I was determined and I wanted to get a good night's rest so I could wake up, today, with a clearer path for getting things done. Grants, meetings, planning - that all had to wait until I could tend to the students. They will always come first.

And I'm cheering dog bladders. The weather was miserable yesterday and I didn't get Karal outside until about 7 p.m. She didn't want to untucked from her fox-like curl. Ah, but I needed her to pee...no being can go that long without the loo.

Today, I am taking it slow...nursing this cold so it doesn't deepen, and finishing the last minute tasks that remain on my agenda. To say I am fried is an understatement, but I can say I've made to this point. Phew. It's a lot and why I can have nothing but respect for any and all who go through such rituals. Teaching is not easy. Good teaching is even harder, but when you believe in what you do, you do what it takes.

And On What Day of Christmas Did My True Love (Well, Me) Do For Me, A Cut on the Inner Earlobe!!! Who Knew an Ear Could Bleed So Much?

Didn't know ears could bleed so much, but after a day of grading, a long walk with Karal, and preparation for a collegial dinner, I took a shower and managed to slice a scratch in my ear that wouldn't stop bleeding. It was deep, too, and I went through many soaked tissues, only to finally find a way to get a bandaid to actually stick and work to stop the bleeding.

The colleagues asked, "Oh, did you pierce your ear?" and I was like, "Nope, stretched it with a finger nail," in which they replied, "What? Do you have talons?"

Perhaps. I just know I caught it pretty good. 

I made a creamy mushroom, spinach, chicken dish, served it with linguine, and enjoy the salad that I made to accompany it. It was the last gathering in my house before I finish grading and hit the road to upstate New York. I didn't get as much accomplished today as I hoped, but I made progress. I think the cooking put a little delay in getting things done. 

But, I have all of today to work towards reaching my goals, and I only have two project still waiting to be delivered. There's always a couple. Always.

And I'm sneezing. Still in the caked up nostril and sinus phase of my life. It clogs at night and drips during the day with plenty of sniffles. I just want to sleep, but I need to finish the semester's work before I can let my mind go to relaxation mode.

Oh, and I put away four baskets of laundry. That is always a good day, as I feel on top of the world that the washer and dryer are finally empty.

They called for freezing rain and snow overnight, but I don't think we got that in coastal Connecticut. Just dreariness and the need to keep the heat cranking. I should go in the office to pick up packages that arrived, but I'm not sure I want to deal with traffic and the I-95 hubbub. I just want to get this grading done so I can say, "Phew. I survived another semester. 

In Need of Another Weekend Superhero Cape - Day 3 of Fall Semester Grading...We Got This. Today, I'm Hitting the YA Literature Projects

I've spent the past week reading philosophical statements from undergraduates, and now must transition to the YA Literature course for seniors and Graduate Students. I ended up swirling around cushions because I've put too many dents in my usual spots. And it was another day for NCAA volleyball, so my heart was content, although walking Karal was a bit arctic. I'll take it, because the sun was out and for the next few days, it doesn't look like we'll even see blue skies.

I'm excited to dig into the grad projects, though, because I gave them options to write their own novels (of which a couple of them chose to make graphic novels, including Cooper Grayson pictured here (to the left)(thank you, Shane Carley).

I have to say, like the Honors course I taught last fall, I got lucky with this year's crop of Philosophy students. The class caps at 20, but I allowed six more in and I'm thankful. I have/had a crew of amazing thinkers and writers, many of them choosing to go into law school and medical school, but finishing out their education minor, nonetheless.

I figure with two more days of grading, I'll have them all done (except the annual chasing of a couple of students which also seems to be an end-of-the-semester tradition)(sometimes the same ones, but what are you going to do?).

Oh, my gosh. I just had a sniffle...please no plague like in previous years. I want to enjoy this holiday break. 

Happy Sunday, world. I'm cooking for friends tonight, so I need to meet my grading goals. I got this.

Karal Does Not Enjoy Grading Season and, I Admit It, I Can't Do the Late Nights Like I Used To - My Brain Shuts Off

I tried to finish one of my classes last night, so I could start this morning with the other. I had good momentum, Karal crushing my spine as she lays on my neck and back, just sighs. She's like, "Why are you on that machine all the time." I wonder, too. But at least in NCAA Volleyball tournament season, there's a lot of good that comes from the background noise. 

The highlight of yesterday was lunch with Dr. Margaret McClure, my intellectual sounding board on all things research and a light of reason in a complicated, politically-charged reality on college campus. We ate at Mecha, and there's nothing like pho to fuel the day.

And I'm thinking I'm in need of new chairs. The two I sit in most to do the work I do are not cutting it any longer. With one, the springs are pushing at me and causing pains in my back and legs, and with the other, I've worn the cushion down. It's just not comfortable.

Today, I'm going at it again, and told Leo I will join him for dinner and another night of volleyball. At this time of year, sports help to ease the pain, but I'm ready to say, "No more. All done." And this will come with extra oomph this year, as I'm not teaching a winter course, I'm not doing winter sessions, and I hope not to do much work (although I know I will. I have projects I'm working on)

Here's to Saturday. I wouldn't mind if it warmed up a little. My bones are getting old. 

Watched NCAA Volleyball (Go Cards) After a Day of In-School Rejuvenation Equates to Hot Damn. Each Year I Celebrate the Wins When They Arrive.

I'm partial. I was cheering on the Cards as they moved forward in the tournament last night. Congrats to the final 8.

Yesterday, I went school to school, to start finishing and wrapping up this year's professional development and investment in young writers. I lie a little, though. I never made it past Central High School. I needed my spirited rejuvenate, so ran writer's workshops, and saw the joy on the faces of immigrant- and refugee-background youth seeing their summer writing in final publication. It's always rewarding and beautiful to give back to the world. It brings a smile to my face. 11 years of Young Adult Literacy Labs work and I know it makes a difference.

Yes, it's Friday. I don't know If I am coming or going, but I know that yesterday, I felt happiness from working with high school students. It makes me want to work even harder, but I'm in need of mental rest (as evidenced by in the editing of this post - I'm typing everything backwards and having to rewrite it). 

I heard from a colleague of mine who has quit coaching track after 30 years to focus on his administrative roles and family. He loved his work, left his legacy, but knows it is time. God grant me the knowledge and wisdom to help me see what I need to do next to sustain myself another 15 years. The older you get, the more you see the need for such changes.

And with that, cheers to Friday.

Haircut. Pho. Grading. Those are the goals, as the project are piling up in my inbox. Slow and steady wins the race and on the other side...a break.