I am building gardens:
On all sides of my house. I'm turning over dirt and planting all sorts of green things --things I don't even know the names of-- and watching them grow and vine and climb and burst. I don't live on a farm anymore, so most nights, I just walk the back 40 (yards)of the lawn and do a survey. Drive by any night at about 10 pm and you'll most likely find me on the front sidewalk, hands on hips, looking things over. I used to walk the scoria road that looped through the farm; now I walk cracked driveways. The feeling, though, is the same.
I am making new friends:
And I like it a lot.
I am buying a new car:
Most days, I hate my car because it's just one thing after another. Minor, tiny things, mostly, but after putting in a new windshield 10 months ago, do I really want to put in another one because of a semi and a thrown rock? And usually, some light burns out. And when it rains, my car squeals. And on the second Thursday of every 30-dayed month, my car probably needs new sparkplugs. I shouldn't be so hard on it, as it's taken me out of one rocky relationship and into a gentler one, driven me through the bulk of the Midwestern states, and has had my entire life packed into it more than once. But, I want something newer and better and different. It may be a red car. Inferno red.
I am walking home for dinner:
See you.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A Lady Who Leisures
The lilacs have unfurled, and they smell so good. It's still light out at 9 pm, and my peonies are about to bust it out. It was a loo-ooo-ooong winter, but now? Now, I am a lady who leisures while summer slowly makes it appearance.
I don't really have to be anywhere; I don't really have to do anything. Of course, when my head hits the pillow at night, I still have this running through my head:
How should I schedule the poetry presentations?
I should really do more grammar in 201, shouldn't I?
I need to schedule research skills days.
I'm still mad at ______ student for _______ that happened _____ semesters ago.
Luh-ame.
It's ok, though. I know you are worried about my class homework schedule, too, so I got it in order today. We can both rest easy.
The Weekend (in whacky order):
We took a day trip to Gavin's Point on Saturday. We were going to do something ridiculously romantic, like clean out the garage, but the sun was out and I just checked out a new book about Jehovah's Witnesses. We packed up, Bridge went birding, and I walked the lake. Then I spread out on the sand, buried my feet, and read in the afternoon sun.
The previous night, however, I danced all night long to my favorite band with my favorite people. After a week of jittery grading, jittery sleeping, jittery eating of starches, grimacing every time I checked my e-mail, and letting the kitchen go to holy hell, 4 hours of bopping around was, as The Cars say, Just What I Needed.
Today found me at church, where John tells us to just love each other, people. Get over all your insecurities and hatred and fears and misconceptions and just love each other. In his homily, Father said, "what kind of people are we if we choose to hate someone because they live in a different lifestyle than us?" I am digging my new church more and more each week. Amen.
After lunch, I headed to an auction at the Armory where I scored a mod-like cabinet, a wooden stool, and a box of glass and junk for $15.37, tax included. The Fry family came and took pictures of mustachioed men. An old beater pickup with a camper on it was going for about $500, and I was thisclose to buying it. I actually had to jam my hands in my pockets so I wouldn't bid. I forget--I can't live the RV lifestyle now. I have to wait until I am in my mid 60s.
This week will find me back at Gavin's Point for a hike, and later, I'll be in my sunny driveway, feet propped up on the picnic table, reading about Jehovah's Witnesses.
Amen. For I am a lady who leisures.
I don't really have to be anywhere; I don't really have to do anything. Of course, when my head hits the pillow at night, I still have this running through my head:
How should I schedule the poetry presentations?
I should really do more grammar in 201, shouldn't I?
I need to schedule research skills days.
I'm still mad at ______ student for _______ that happened _____ semesters ago.
Luh-ame.
It's ok, though. I know you are worried about my class homework schedule, too, so I got it in order today. We can both rest easy.
The Weekend (in whacky order):
We took a day trip to Gavin's Point on Saturday. We were going to do something ridiculously romantic, like clean out the garage, but the sun was out and I just checked out a new book about Jehovah's Witnesses. We packed up, Bridge went birding, and I walked the lake. Then I spread out on the sand, buried my feet, and read in the afternoon sun.
The previous night, however, I danced all night long to my favorite band with my favorite people. After a week of jittery grading, jittery sleeping, jittery eating of starches, grimacing every time I checked my e-mail, and letting the kitchen go to holy hell, 4 hours of bopping around was, as The Cars say, Just What I Needed.
Today found me at church, where John tells us to just love each other, people. Get over all your insecurities and hatred and fears and misconceptions and just love each other. In his homily, Father said, "what kind of people are we if we choose to hate someone because they live in a different lifestyle than us?" I am digging my new church more and more each week. Amen.
After lunch, I headed to an auction at the Armory where I scored a mod-like cabinet, a wooden stool, and a box of glass and junk for $15.37, tax included. The Fry family came and took pictures of mustachioed men. An old beater pickup with a camper on it was going for about $500, and I was thisclose to buying it. I actually had to jam my hands in my pockets so I wouldn't bid. I forget--I can't live the RV lifestyle now. I have to wait until I am in my mid 60s.
This week will find me back at Gavin's Point for a hike, and later, I'll be in my sunny driveway, feet propped up on the picnic table, reading about Jehovah's Witnesses.
Amen. For I am a lady who leisures.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Quick Trip
I am back after a quick weekend in Fargo, where I was solely responsible for my nephew, Sam.
Is there anything better than little short people looking up at you with complete trust and love? Probably not. Sam's my boy. I'll post pics later, so you can see how big he's getting! I loved dressing him in the mornings--his little jeans and his little tee shirts and he's a little person! He is super into talking now, but not really much we can understand. Whatever it is he's babbling about does seem pretty important, though.
I also got to talk to my brother for a bit. He's bored, but safe.
Is there anything better than little short people looking up at you with complete trust and love? Probably not. Sam's my boy. I'll post pics later, so you can see how big he's getting! I loved dressing him in the mornings--his little jeans and his little tee shirts and he's a little person! He is super into talking now, but not really much we can understand. Whatever it is he's babbling about does seem pretty important, though.
I also got to talk to my brother for a bit. He's bored, but safe.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Bridgies say the darndest things ...
While driving to Hy-Vee late last night to get candy for the bunch of ingrates I call my students and spotting a group lounging on the Speedee Mart curb:
Me: Oh God, there's that dude, what's his name? Roberto? Rodriguez?
Bridge: Albert. And he's sitting with those married lesbians. That one drives a car that you like, a yellow Scion or whatever.
Me: Oh God! I don't want to be a stereotype!
Bridge: Too late.
On the gigantic hybrid pigeon/doves that have been hanging out under our bird feeder:
Bridge: Look at them! They don't belong here! They're unnatural!
Me: Bridgie, some people say that about us!
On subtly admitting that she may have lost our only pair of scissors and handing me a 10 dollar bill before I head to Target with Beemer:
Bridge: Here. Buy yourself some nice scissors. She laughs and laughs.
Me: Grrr...
While thinking aloud that I should douse myself in NyQuil to get some sleep:
Bridge: Yes. Take NyQuil. Lots of it.
On the new allowance of gays and lesbians to marry in Iowa:
Bridge: Sooo ... wanna meet me in Sioux City this week? At the courthouse? Wear something nice.
Me: Oh God, there's that dude, what's his name? Roberto? Rodriguez?
Bridge: Albert. And he's sitting with those married lesbians. That one drives a car that you like, a yellow Scion or whatever.
Me: Oh God! I don't want to be a stereotype!
Bridge: Too late.
On the gigantic hybrid pigeon/doves that have been hanging out under our bird feeder:
Bridge: Look at them! They don't belong here! They're unnatural!
Me: Bridgie, some people say that about us!
On subtly admitting that she may have lost our only pair of scissors and handing me a 10 dollar bill before I head to Target with Beemer:
Bridge: Here. Buy yourself some nice scissors. She laughs and laughs.
Me: Grrr...
While thinking aloud that I should douse myself in NyQuil to get some sleep:
Bridge: Yes. Take NyQuil. Lots of it.
On the new allowance of gays and lesbians to marry in Iowa:
Bridge: Sooo ... wanna meet me in Sioux City this week? At the courthouse? Wear something nice.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A High in the 80s.
I just talked to my brother for the last time before he lands in Kuwait. Then he will be stationed in Basra. He thinks he'll be incommunicado for at least a month or so. I am sad and am trying to figure out how to look like I've not been crying. Because I have to teach soon.
Here's Michael and Sam sharing Taco John's last fall:
In other news ... I don't really have much, I guess. The light at the end of the tunnel is glowing brighter and as God as my witness, I will make it. (Yeesh, and I harp on my students for using cliches.) Overall, I've had a very satisfying teaching year. This was my first full year as a full-timer, so this is the first full year I've done the 5-5 load. I believe I rocked it. Soundly. And by "rocking it", I mean I am still standing, haven't gone completely gray, haven't told any in-class mom jokes, and haven't succumbed completely to carpal tunnel. Ha! Take that, 5-5 load!
I had my advanced comp students journal about this last week: "What is an important and significant change you have noticed about yourself in the past year or so?" Some students wrote about positive stuff; some wrote about really sucky stuff. I haven't addressed this yet, personally, but I think it's important to take stock every once in awhile.
Taking stock:
I still chew my nails.
I do not drink pop (save for the occasional whiskey diet).
I would like a baby. How? Oy oy oy.
I feel more secure and stable, in all ways, in the past year than I have the preceding 27.
I still have a mothereffer of a temper.
I am a helluva teacher.
I'm addicted to Facebook.
I left the Newman Center and now go to the other Catholic church that I'm not sold on.
I am pissed because the Newman Center I loved no longer exists.
I am an old gammy who can still dance your socks off, pal.
I want a house. I'll be in the position to buy one in two years, I think. I hope.
All in all, things is pretty good.
I know you will anyways, but please keep my bro and all other soldiers close.
Here's Michael and Sam sharing Taco John's last fall:
In other news ... I don't really have much, I guess. The light at the end of the tunnel is glowing brighter and as God as my witness, I will make it. (Yeesh, and I harp on my students for using cliches.) Overall, I've had a very satisfying teaching year. This was my first full year as a full-timer, so this is the first full year I've done the 5-5 load. I believe I rocked it. Soundly. And by "rocking it", I mean I am still standing, haven't gone completely gray, haven't told any in-class mom jokes, and haven't succumbed completely to carpal tunnel. Ha! Take that, 5-5 load!
I had my advanced comp students journal about this last week: "What is an important and significant change you have noticed about yourself in the past year or so?" Some students wrote about positive stuff; some wrote about really sucky stuff. I haven't addressed this yet, personally, but I think it's important to take stock every once in awhile.
Taking stock:
I still chew my nails.
I do not drink pop (save for the occasional whiskey diet).
I would like a baby. How? Oy oy oy.
I feel more secure and stable, in all ways, in the past year than I have the preceding 27.
I still have a mothereffer of a temper.
I am a helluva teacher.
I'm addicted to Facebook.
I left the Newman Center and now go to the other Catholic church that I'm not sold on.
I am pissed because the Newman Center I loved no longer exists.
I am an old gammy who can still dance your socks off, pal.
I want a house. I'll be in the position to buy one in two years, I think. I hope.
All in all, things is pretty good.
I know you will anyways, but please keep my bro and all other soldiers close.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Mesa, A to Z.
This past weekend, we whisked away to Arizona for the gorgeous wedding of my one of my best friends from college. We rented a condo with three other friends, got pedicured, margarita'ed, sunburned, martini'ed, and danced the night away! It was a dream vacation. Absolutely perfect.
We got back on Sunday night, and this morning, I put on snowboots and shoveled the drive. Sigh. Arizona, I love you.
The condo we stayed in.
Aloha! Or whatever you would say in Mesa. !Bienvenidos! I guess.
It's a tough life, I tell ya. A morning at the pool and margaritas, guac, chips, and salsa for lunch.
The waterfall at Val Vista Lake Resort. The koi were huge!
Doing the electric slide at the wedding!
View of Val Vista Lake from the dock:
Tall Cactus!
I love this state!
Goodbye, Arizona! I'll be retiring to you shortly:
We got back on Sunday night, and this morning, I put on snowboots and shoveled the drive. Sigh. Arizona, I love you.
The condo we stayed in.
Aloha! Or whatever you would say in Mesa. !Bienvenidos! I guess.
It's a tough life, I tell ya. A morning at the pool and margaritas, guac, chips, and salsa for lunch.
The waterfall at Val Vista Lake Resort. The koi were huge!
Doing the electric slide at the wedding!
View of Val Vista Lake from the dock:
Tall Cactus!
I love this state!
Goodbye, Arizona! I'll be retiring to you shortly:
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