We had a massive wind storm last night. All around town, limbs were crashing and power was out so folks went off to bed by 8 p.m. I had power but went to bed early too. So, here it is, 4 a.m., and I’m writing a children’s book in my head rather than go back to sleep. I’ll scribble down what I have to empty my brain and maybe go back to sleep, though I doubt it.
Despite–or because of–the early start, it was a good day. I finished a first draft of the children’s story that once I get it illustrated will be a great one-of-a-kind Christmas present. I’m really happy to have that in the works, and it gave me the reality of being productive while totally avoiding those horrible class essays I need to grade. Ugh. I reviewed all the sources used, and in the main they did so poorly there that I may merely do mechanical grading for failure to meet the prompt’s requirements. It’s beyond sad that this is the work of graduating seniors, but I’m not going to tie myself in knots about it.
A proposal for a two-term, two-country Fulbright on migration and conflict in Turkey and Greece passed the first hurdle with Phil and Sevda on board, and Greek Fulbright looking into how to make it possible. It would be wonderful and exciting and a great way to move toward a hoped-for 2020 retirement. I hope it works out. Meanwhile, I really do need to get cracking on that quilt for Matthew and Lizzie.
I am occupied with too much busy-ness these days and need to go outside for a stroll with Otto. The forest will do me good.
Nov. 18, 2015
Ruminations 