Ain't It Obvious When Crandall Doesn't Have to Work 14-Hour Days. How Do You Know? Because You Get Mental (& Physical) Shots Like This

I wrote until noon and then asked, "Karal. Want to walk?" which of course she did, but she didn't know I was taking her seaside (Wait? It's not the weekend!)

With 80 degree temperatures and no humidity, how could I not. The shade felt like air conditioning, there are no crowds, and I really do live in a spectacular location. Which way should I go? Left? Right? Both Ways? Of course.

There's six legs between us, and a leash. We're not worried about the clock and we simply follow the seagulls.

In the afternoon, I got Isaiah out for his second road lesson, and we headed right back to the water way. There was hardly anyone there, and in anticipation of the holiday weekend, I guess they're saving up their water time. That, and Stratford's big 4th of July celebration is tonight. It was eerily tranquil. Just a couple of locals and Karal.

It's amazing too how raked the sand is, smooth and in anticipation of the athletes using the nets this weekend. I couldn't help but think of Lossine and Abu - all the afternoons on these nets taking on anyone who would challenge us, one summer fasting away on nothing in our stomach because of Ramadan. 8 years ago, I could work 8 hours, come home and run 4 miles, then go with the twins to the beach to play volleyball, come home cook, then walk the dog in the evening only to repeat. I'm wondering how I found all that time and energy to accomplish what I did.

Today, it heats up to 87. I've learned another book order arrived to my campus office and should bring in the one that arrived to my home. I also need to prep everything for the post-4th of July onslaught of literacy labs.

Ah, it was this beaches that made it all worth it back in the day. Teach hard in the mornings and play hard at night. Wait, are they 30 now? Close to it? Phew.

Okay, world, hoping to get the work done early so I might float in a pool this afternoon. I try to get it in where and when I can, but it's not easy. It's definitely smoother when you aren't planning courses and grading papers, that's for sure. 

It's Always a Nice Day When You Look Out the Window of Your Office and See a Simpson Sky - We All Need the Blue and White Days to Motivate Us

I'm not sure I should be happy that I'm in my office all summer and most days, but that is the way of a National Writing Project Director. I'm also happy to report that teachers are receiving checks for the work during the year (okay, Workday. You do pay attention), and even more stoked about the Printing departments ability to make awesome notebook stickers for me (and really quickly). Sitting with them today, I also learned that they can give me a bid on POW! Power of Words, so if it is good, I won't have to pay for shipment from Florida. Really? Could this be? Something wonderful and positive on our own campus? We shall see.

I also bathed Karal and washed her collar. She's a trip, as she'll step into the bathtub and seems to love all the attention. I've not had a dog like this, other than Tizzy. My favorite part, though, is when I dry her off and let her outside and she has this Bambi moment where she can't stop bouncing around as if she's a brand new creature. Then, when I walk her, she holds her nose in the air acting vain and stuff. Cocky dog. Look at me. I am clean and beautiful.

Predictions for Connecticut today are perfection. 80 degrees, no humidity, and no clouds. I want to read on the beach, but I'm thinking the Kayak needs to be replanted for the summer. She misses the salt water and doesn't care for the spiders and mice in the garage. $10 says there are nests inside of her. Ugh. Didn't think about that.

I have to work, though, as a pile and then some fell on my lap and I need to get to the stuff as soon as possible. 

And note: Freshman parents who have been notoriously brigning entitled youth to University campuses for a few generations now? Well, apples don't fall far from trees. It is amazing what you see of parents across campus as they navigate orientation for their baby-boos. Today, trying to leave campus, I watched one woman park her car in the Stag circle to argue with her daughter who wouldn't get in the car, holding up traffic for 20 minutes. All the honks, people getting out of the car to address her, and requests for her to move to the side did no good. Mommy was talking to her baby girl. Baby girl needed mommy's attention. 

Phew. 

I'll cherish Chitunga's drop off at LeMoyne for the rest of the my life. It was mature, sentimental, encouraging, and adult. These kids are going to college. Enough Apache helicoptering already.

I Was 17-Years Old When I Bought My 1st Pair of @saucony. 33 Years Later, I'm Still Loyal, & Something About Turning 50 Made Me Want to Go Retro Again

And I'm so glad I did.

Truth is I have worn my high school Saucony's from 1989 until just recently, when Chitunga harassed me for never throwing away my old sneakers. I told him, "They have stories. They are family. I can't get rid of them." They were beat up bad, and during Covid I said, "The boy is right. I should shuck old things to make room for new ones." 

But sneakers. Please. They're narratives. I had two pairs from high school that lasted me through college, and that I loved to wear on occasion to say, "Hey, youth. I see you."

Anyway, when I saw a pair of retro kicks that looked like my high school kicks, I had to put them in the online cart. I love the old rubber soles they used to put not he bottom of their shoes and the sturdiness of the entire design. That's why they lasted almost 30 years. They were made well. Now, a new pair.

Yes, I've gone astray from time to time, but typically I go back to Saucony. I just love them, and for the last couple of days I've been walking like a king thinking, "Dang, look at these Class of 1990 feet." Yes. They're old-school. And yes, they're still cool.

Even got the speckled shoe laces with the traces of green and purple. 

My mid life crisis is unlike yours. 

They feel exactly the way they've always felt. Oh, happy day. I feel like I'm a teenager again. 

On Sundays, I Find Church Along the Shoreline, Where I Maintain Faith in the Power of Nature, Cycles, Blue Skies, and Possibilities

It was a routine hike with Chitunga for many years, but it's become my Sunday ritual, sometimes twice on the weekends when I find the time. I'm still hoping I'll get my running stamina back, and make this a 16K jaunt for myself...from my house, along the beach, and home. For now, though, I will drive with Karal, who is just as excited as I am when the ocean smell hits her nostrils. If I only I could afford one of the homes that have that view on a daily basis.

We begin at the fence. We end at the fence. And we have fresh air, beach fauna, sand, and water to watch the entire way. I was never meant not to live by water. It centers me and offers me hope.

At night, I got into a binge-watching frenzy with the release of the second season of The Umbrella Academy. I love the story-writing, and riddles each episode unravels and reveals, and I'm loving the new character Fei, and her crows. It's a beautiful concept, although I'm still trying to figure our #5, Christopher. Something tells me he'll be central to how this season will end. 

Ah, but back to a work week. I know few will be on campus, but I'm heading in as I have a couple of big events and much organizing to do for the net few weeks. 

I did get my two beach days in so I am thankful. If I had it my way, it would be every day with morning breakfast and toast, as well as evenings with a glass of wine for a nightcap. It's just beautiful, I'm thankful for the Great Whatever for its power and joy. We need reminders of what matters most. 

I prefer the sound of the outdoors.

This Is How I Spent Mike Isgar's Birthday Yesterday...and I Was Saying MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE The Entire Time

High Tide was at 11 a.m. and so I said, "If we are to get a good beach day, we need to get at it early." I arrived with snacks, subs, waters, and we headed to the beach. There was a cool breeze that hid the sun's true heat, and within minutes I knew I was burning and needed to get under an umbrella. The water was too cold for a swim, but the people watching was great, as always. 

Happy Belated Birthday, Mike. MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE

In the evening, Tunga drove out and we returned to the Dive Bar in West Haven, but it was packed so we ended up at Riptides, which was not as good, but sufficed. I was hungry and I had a blackened Tunga sandwich. Could have been cooked more, but I go through it.

It's supposed to be a perfect beach day again today. Then rain for the week, so I'm wondering if I should simply get all summer into a weekend like I normally do.

I also put laundry away. That felt like an achievement. Oh, wait. That was yesterday. Today I dusted the living room. That was my big boy contribution.

Oh, and today is Nikki's Day. NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI NIKKI

Congratulations, Dr. Tracey Robert. You Deserver Preferment (Retirement) More Than Most. You Are a Legend and Love You For It

I’m honored to take part in the celebration of Dr. Tracey Robert, distinguished faculty from the Counselor Education department, award-winning educator, and most importantly, tremendous mentor and friend. I was told I have only three minutes, but that is difficult for me as I like to write and see where my words take me, and I like to reflect as Tracey knows. Next to my mom, Tracey Robert is one of my best blog readers – she’s followed my daily reflections for several years now, and has helped to proctor my sanity and insanity as a fellow faculty member and human being in southern Connecticut.

 

I have three things I must admit. The first is that I have a lifetime supply of Spiedie Sauce from Binghamton, New York, because whenever Tracey and Leo are near Broom County they picks me up a bottle. The second confession is that Dr. Robert has spent almost twelve years correcting my mispronunciation of her last name. Like many of you, I put an “S” to it out of some strange need to pluralize Robert….Maybe it’s because I know the “S” has always stood for Supermen and Superwomen, and Tracey is a Superwoman. Finally, the third statement is I’m learning I’m not a huge fan of retirements. They scare me to death, only because I’ve watched my own parents retire, a decade of veteran teachers retire while I taught in Kentucky, and now another decade of wonderful human beings retiring from the Graduate School of Education and Allied Profession….whoops, my bad, the School of Education and Human Development.

 

Actually, the new school name works well because much of my schooling at Fairfield University has come from colleagues like Dr. Robert. She has always been an ally in the profession and I consider her central to my human development, too. I still see myself as a professor of the practice and junior faculty member. I remember the days when faculty members could often be found in their offices working, always coaching and guiding the newbies, and Tracey was one of the best. She was always present, extremely knowledgeable, and 150% devoted to her students. For individuals like me and Dr. Colwell who are always trying to keep up with the responsibilities of our jobs, it was the mentorship and guidance of senior faculty like Tracey Robert that kept us going, having faith, believing in the work, and trusting the systems that were in place. From Tracey, I learned academic excellence and it was under her wings that I chaired our faculty meetings for several years, and then served on the University’s Rank & Tenure Committee, finishing this year at the Chair.

 

For anyone who has ever worked with me, you might get a chuckle that Tracey was the one who handed me the Robert’s Rule of Order book. Funny, I just got the connection between the book and Tracey’s last name. For me, she has always been the order, organization, infrastructure, and reliability of our school. If in doubt, consult with Tracey. What would Tracey do?

 

One of my neighbors was walking his daughters this morning, a graduate from Fairfield University’s counseling program the year I arrived. He’s currently a School Counselor at Pomperaug High School, where he’s been since he graduated, and always tells me Dr. Robert was one of his most influential professors. Jeff Blanchet, Class of 2012, texted me this morning after I told him Dr. Tracey Robert was retiring: 

 

I was blessed with the opportunity to have Dr. Robert as one of my very first professors when I began the Masters in School Counseling program in 2008. I always looked forward to attending her class each week (even after working a full 8-hour day and fighting I95 traffic coming from Stamford). She taught with humor, wit, and had clear but high expectations of her students. I wish her well as she takes on the next chapter of her life and thank her for everything she taught me. Please tell her I said Hi.

 

Hey, Tracey, Jeff Blanchet says Hi.

 

I also received the following from Dr. Eileen O’Shea, a woman I had the honor of serving three years with on Rank & Tenure, and the epitome of integrity and grace. I wondered if she would be able to attend this afternoon’s celebration, but she sadly couldn’t. Ever since I was hired to campus, Tracey Robert has spoken extremely high of Eileen, and for the last three years I’ve learned why. I received an email this morning asking me to PLEASE share the following, so I will. I also promised her I wouldn’t sing Dixie’s Midnight Runners, which I do every time she’s in my presence.

 

Ah, Tracey. She has been such a significant mentor, colleague, and friend to me for more than 14 years. She mentored and supported me in every aspect of the tenure track role: as a developing teacher, scholar, and servant. She’s always been there.

 

We connected on several fronts, and I noted Tracey's skillful abilities as a career counselor were abundant as she counseled me toward becoming a successful faculty member.

 

For example, concerning my teaching, Tracey came to several of my classes over time to provide a PRoT. More recently, she helped create an innovative interdisciplinary spirituality course for undergraduate students at Egan. She had the foresight to collaborate with the Murphy Center and incorporated 1:1 spiritual direction into the course. This pilot course ran during the height of COVID. The 1:1 spiritual guidance assisted our nursing students in processing what they were witnessing/experiencing in the clinical arena. Students reported that this course provided an anchor for them when the world around them seemed to drift.

 

Tracey and I held another connection as well - our faith. She encouraged me to attend Collegium. And later participate in a yearlong program of Spiritual Direction. Both programs provided me with a spiritual richness and grounding that I can share with nursing students, especially those who hope to work in the palliative care or hospice arenas.

 

Tracey also encouraged me to join Faculty Learning Communities through the CAE, which introduced me to other faculty (outside of nursing) interested in spirituality and Mindfulness Meditation. Both of these communities led to scholarship outcomes via presentations and book chapters. Over time, Tracey collaborated with me on five conference or workshop presentations, two book chapters, and one data-based peer-reviewed publication.

 

Lastly, in the area of service, Tracey supported me through a most recent 3-year term on the University Rank and Tenure Handbook Committee. She had served several times previously, so she offered much-needed check-ins after finishing our work. Although the experience was daunting, learning about our colleague's expertise and passions was enriching. Tracey provided processing or debriefing after such intensive work.

 

Today, I am a tenured Full Professor, but I did not accomplish this achievement alone. It takes the willingness of mentors who give guidance and support unconditionally over YEARS. Thank you, Dr. Tracey Robert, for all you have done for me and many others. You are a cherished colleague, mentor, and, more importantly, trustworthy friend. Congratulations on your retirement. I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your life, and I hope to see you more often!~Eileen.

 

Note: I’m not counting Eileen’s words as part of my three minutes. We’re all going to pretend she was here to read them herself.

 

So, I’m going to simply say a few other things. It really is unimaginable that next year I won’t see you on a daily basis, bumping shoulders and figuring things out in our hallway of Canisius Hall. There won’t be our critical reflecting sessions, where we work to problem solve for the school and what is best for the students (as the students have always been most important to us). I’ll know longer have my free counseling, either, as I rant about my work with CWP or work through issues with raising the boys. Ah, they’re all grown now, so that hasn’t happened as much in recent years.

 

This is the part where I can say, “Go, forth! Join Leo in the emancipated world that is free from bureaucracies, obligations, arguments, and frustrations. You deserve it.”

 

I should probably say here that I’m a lot like Wendy Kohli. I’m a bit of a leaker, too.

 

I love you. I appreciate you, and I admire you for always finding a way to keep your head above water to do what is right, even as we’ve experienced what is wrong. You have been a life-saver for me, and I’m thankful the Great Whatever had you before me to greet me on the Fairfield Journey.

 

I know so many of us on campus are wishing you the best, and now I just really want a hug and take a selfie with her so I can post this on my blog tomorrow. 

 

Poem submitted for the Memory book:

Tracey,

It’s still April, I’m knee-deep in VerseLove ’22, and I have been in total denial of your departure. Ah, the days of simply seeing eye to eye, doing the work needing to be done, and looking to one another wondering, “Is any of this for real?” I know that I’ve been made (and trusted you in the making) because of your strength, integrity, and leadership. It has never wavered. It has has comforted, listened, understood, and laughed with me, and for that I’m super thankful.

T his one hits hard, the bump in the

R oad on an already-choppy highway

A lready with dimming light…who will be the shine of

C anisius, the mental mind-muscle & strength? 

E very one and their narrative (we’ve learned this….

Y et only a few are honest with the story).

R outines change. Pages turn. 

O nward the hourglass trickles, and sand is earned -

B ooks teach us this over and over again - 

E volution of the moments at exactly the right time.

R etirement will be your badge of honor…well deserved.

T his one, though, hits hard. I’ll still need you in my pocket.

In truth, I simply want to celebrate your dedication, ethics, mentoring, and wisdom. I’ve always appreciated your presence, reliability, and advice. Most importantly, I’ve valued the trust. Ah, but it is selfish of me to want it to stay forever, especially now when it truly is the best time for you to start anew. 

I write to simply share my appreciation and to wish you all the best with what’s still to come

Congratulations, Tracey (and elephant shoe),

Bryan

What a Difference a Day Makes - The Sun Peaked Through the Clouds from Time to Time, and Karal Was Loving It (and So Did I)

The dog doesn't like when I do a 14-hour day, so when I'm able to walk her, she's much happier. I walked her yesterday, and she growled and frolicked in the sunlight until I did. I believe she'd chew my laptop into a billion pieces if she could, as I'm on it almost all hours of the day. Yesterday, it was writing, editing, reporting, recommending, creating, and reflecting. As soon as one thing is contended with, I move to the other. Of course, I'm setting deadlines for myself, because I really, really do want a couple of beach days if I can get them. And my lawn needs to be mowed. Tomorrow, sunny and 86!

I now have every teacher from the Cultivated Women's Collective in the system to be paid. You'd think that would be an easy task, but our University uses Workday, which staff members across campus have renamed, "Workmore." Why am I  quoting staff? Well, I don't have assistance, so I do all my administrative tasks myself. Hence, Workmore and I are daily friends. I don't have an ability to push any work onto others. Yes, that's synonymous with what administrators do, but as an administrator for CWP, I'm just not that lucky. I long for the days when I had support.

We also are closer to the time-crunched state grant work that arrived, well, Monday. We were given two weeks to spend a grant that should have been here in September. I keep receipts, but now they must all be processed....we reprocessed, because I used my own money to cover costs in anticipation the state money was coming. Having grants is like being awarded a great chunk of money only to put your own accounts into peril until the University catches up and pays you back. It's gotten better, as I now have a credit card for CWP and can hold the insanity there rather than my own checking account (but still have to do so from time to time). And of course, this all goes through Workmore.

Today is Friday. I actually cleaned my work office yesterday in anticipation of July and all the kids, so I don't predict I'll go to campus today. Instead, I'm meeting with others about National Writing Project collaborations. 

And there's the lawn. I need to mow the lawn. 

The kayak is screaming to get to the shore, too. I want to be sure it happens. It's Friday, y'all.

This Was Yestrerday. I Spent Most of It in My Office, but When I Came Home, Karal's Pining for the Outdoors Reminded Me How Much It Sucked

It was the buzz kill of buzz kills. I felt like it was every little league game, fishing trip, opportunity to go to an amusement park, and beach day ever known to human kind. The rain never stopped, and poor Karal was most pathetic of all. She wanted to go outside and didn't know why that wet stuff was falling. She refused to step into it.

All was well, though. I finally got half my teachers paid for their work this year, I took a friend to lunch, I wrote for a few hours, and I mistakenly took a break and watched two hours of Captain Marvel. They done flipped their universe one too many times. I'm still dripping in all the cheese. it was awful.

The good news is that the rain is pushing out, the sun should be with us for three days, and I have eyes on the weekend prize (there will be a beach, there will be a beach, there has to be a beach, I know there will be a beach).

Ah, but at 8 pm - 9:15 Karal and I got our walk in. There wasn't another soul out, the ground was wet, but everyone else had given up on the day. And then I spilled a bottle of water all over my papers. 

Because that is the way it goes. 

Some day are just wet.

Live Footage of What Happens After Taking One Afternoon Off to Read a Book at the Beach (When He Tries to Take a Break, the Next Day Always Happens)

From 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. yesterday I sat on my computer putting out fires. I took one afternoon off (Monday) to read a book at the beach on Juneteenth (it was a holiday after all) and then open my email on Tuesday to one demand, after another demand, after another demand. 

This is the trick in higher education. Administrators and staff take breaks, are wonderful about chiseling their own time off, but when they return, they all get back to you with responses for what you requested while they were away. I wasn't away. I was in my office on the weekend grading Capstone projects and doing budget work, because during the week there's no time to get it done. When I finished at 3 on Monday afternoon, I chilled for a few hours.

BOOM. Tuesday. All the work from the weekend was completed, but now people returned to their offices after taking time off, and have all these demands, because they went away and now want work done their way, right away (and it's not even Burger King). 

My favorite was a call from an administrative assistant who was called from another administrative assistant to report that W9s to pay authors were filled out by the authors incorrectly. They looked correct to me, and I called the authors for corrections and they said, "This is how we always fill them out." I say, "That's what I thought," so I send them back in and this time they go through...it's illogical, but that is the game of Workday and how the University operates. It rarely makes sense, and you keep doing the same thing over and over until finally it makes its way to getting done. It's like Russian roulette...you never know what will result. You keep hoping that you'll finally reach someone actually working in their office and they finally approve it without randomly sending it back will illogical reasons. 

And then there are students who suddenly have the epiphany that not turning work in for a final, even after an extension, results in a failing grade, which has been the warning all along.

Of course, revise and resubmits arrive, as well. 

Yet, the best burning dumpster fire dive is when the State Department contacts the University about a 2021-2022 financial award that is coming (but not here yet) and needs to be spent by June 30th. That's 9 days. We got the award notification in August of last year, heard nothing despite all the calls and involvement of politicians, and then get told it's coming (yesterday), but won't be there quite yet, but could you spend it by next week. 

Oh, it was already spent. Crandall's been doing overtime with professional development to cover costs promised and never delivered. 

Shoot. I'd just like to make dinner. Wait. Even lunch. I'd like to have time to eat.

Today's a new day and off to the University I go to get things done (and ready for this...those from the administrative side email me to say, "Oh, we won't be in. We're working from home this summer."

Okay. Par for the course.

A grad student posted a photo on Facebook last night thanking me for all the support she's received. Another teacher piped in, "I don't think many know the length Crandall goes to support kids and teachers." 

I'm sitting here thinking, "Nope. I can't even comprehend the insanity, either. I'm just trying to stay afloat" It shouldn't be this difficult.

Back to My Reading Spot for a Couple of Days. I Caught Up (Finally) at 3 p.m. Yesterday and Knew Exactly Where to Go. Sky, Water, Sand, Books

Two graduate students are late with work. They aren't responding to email and they are the last holding me back from moving on to additional project. Of course, this morning I'm transitioning to the special edition I'm co-editing with Jessica Early, and I have to think about organizing my own world in addition to prepping for Literacy Labs 2022. 

Ah, but yesterday, I looked at the email, the work wasn't sent, and I said, "Screw it. I'm going to the water to get some sun." And I did. If you squint really, really hard you can see New York City in the distance. You have to squint some and really focus. If your eyes are really good, you'll see the Statue of Liberty, too.

I know that Wednesday and Thursday are liquid busts this week with rain falling nonstop for two days, so I'm likely to head back tot he beach this afternoon to finish a couple of books and to keep my eyes on what matters most. Oxygen. Joy. Seagulls. Beach chairs.

It is the time of year when three are few people by the water, so the solitude is even more enjoyable.

Karal and I got four miles and then we took off for the sand...the sun was warm, the air was cool, and the water remains frigid, although I'm ready to get my kayak out there soon. I need the Zen.

Hello, Zen. Good to know you again.

Light and Easy. A Trip to Sitting Duck for Burgers, Then a Couple of Beers in the Backyard. That's the Simplicity I Love & Crave.

I'm laughing, too, because Tunga is responsible for a dinner in NYC with colleagues from across the U.S. and they gave him a $4,000 budget. I'm not sure if he's ever paid for anyone other than me, so now he's hosting 38 people in a site unseen. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'm laughing that such an occasion fell on his lap. Event planner is not something I never saw him doing, but the financial world works complete different...I look for $4,000 grants to buy teachers books and accountants spend $4,000 on dinner and drinks. We're definitely in different professions.

And I want to freeze the weather so that it stays exactly like this. Warm sun, cool breezes, and cold nights where we can sleep with our windows open. It's pure joy to function throughout the day. 

Other than the dinner, the rest of time was spent finishing Capstone projects (three are still out - where are these people?) and running up to Kohl's to get a new vacuum cleaner. I knew mine was not doing its job, but it wasn't until I got the new one that I realized how bad of a job it really was doing. It's good to have a machine that picks up what it should again.

Okay, Monday. You're an extra day off, and I'm hoping the last projects come in over night. I want to close that chapter, as it was a wonderful experience, but a lot too much. And I want to spend a day doing nothing that requires my brain. I need a vegetable day and one where I can sit at the beach staring stupidly at the water. That's the healing I crave.

For Me, It's the Impromptu Color Coordination and Coincidence That Lures My Crazy Brain...Friday Night Pastels

Truth is, I left the Old Fashions of Beth Boquet and Dan in Devon to have BBQ and Trini-fruit with Dave & Kris on Nichols. Chitunga met us there, as did friends of theirs that moved down the street from me. It was a wonderful evening that tired me out...so much so that I was in bed by 10:15 and I slept until 9:30. That is very, very good for me and I appreciated the rest.

Chitunga and Kris seemed to coordinate the outfits, so I had to capture it on film - this as she made pineapple, cilantro medley with a special kick that was delicious over Dave's chicken. I'm still tasting its excellence when I smack my lips. 

Ah, that was Friday. Yesterday and today are full on grading and I am halfway there. I know tomorrow is Juneteenth, and I have an extra-day if it is needed. The Capstones are huge, so they're not easy to assess in any fashion. They were hard work and deserve thorough feedback and consideration. I will tackle a few more after my morning coffee.

And the temperatures. It feels like the crazy summer weather of Denmark, but also of CNY. Who turned the air conditioning on outside? Why are the fans on high? It's cold.

Finally, a hip-hip-hooray for Dominik and Kaitlin for last night's straw berry cake. Light, buttery, and a perfect dessert (now I am thinking I should of had tea).

So, back to grading in 3...2...1....

Happy Father's Day, Dad!!!