In an instant...

23 December 2024: Passed by an awful-looking traffic accident today really soon after it happened. Been thinking about it since then, really hoping and praying for those involved. In a second, everything can change. Seems especially painful given the date. 

Now it's Christmas...

22 December 2024: Realized I hadn't yet watched one important film in my personal Christmas canon. Remedying that now as I finish a letter of recommendation.

Some "break vibes..."

21 December 2024: Did a bunch of weekly chores this morning, but then took the rest of the day off. First, a women's basketball game with Carrie and Amy. We watched them score their first conference win in a closely-fought game. Then Amy and I drove to Hagerstown for a movie (Mufasa, perfectly fine and skippable). Then dinner and Christmas gifts. And now home sweet home with my girls. Not bad at all.  

My kind of metaphor...

20 December 2024: Definitely on my top five list of favorite student evaluation comments, from a student in ENGL 101: "dr. hanrahan shot from half court and made it...." I burst out laughing. 

Other memorable posts about evaluations here and here.

"Think not we give out yet..."

19 December 2024: Ah, Walt...

"Sounds of the Winter" 

Walt Whitman

Sounds of the winter too,

Sunshine upon the mountains—many a distant strain

From cheery railroad train—from nearer field, barn, house

The whispering air—even the mute crops, garner’d apples, corn,

Children’s and women’s tones—rhythm of many a farmer and of flail,

And old man’s garrulous lips among the rest, Think not we give out yet,

Forth from these snowy hairs we keep up yet the lilt.

We make good writers...

18 December 2024: Spent entirely too much time today working on the program newsletter, something that mostly falls on me since zero students completed the practicum this semester. And there so much more to do. Tedious stuff. Grumble, grumble. (While also asking why I feel the responsibility to do this darn thing...I am my own worst enemy.) 

But! Here's a great thing: I worked through four pieces written by students who basically volunteered to write (or accepted my eager invitation). And they are great. Our program is making good writers. It's so much fun to see that in action. 

"Do not be afraid"

17 December 2024: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'" Luke 2: 8-12.

Thinking this afternoon about the words of the angel: comfort and joy delivered amidst fear and awe to men who must have felt so overwhelmed: "Do not be afraid."

Amen. 

That's how you know...

16 December 2024: "'Hoe' is the antecendent."

That sentence, uttered by students explaining the lyrics of a song to me, is exactly how you know you are at a Sigma Tau Delta holiday party.

It was--for the first time since 2019--terrific to host them back here at the house. 

Earth to Moon

15 December 2024: "How do you heal? You make a decision. Mine is this: no more bullies allowed" (344). 

I am really glad I decided to pick Earth to Moon for our little book club. I knew I was going to read it sooner or later after hearing Moon Zappa talk about it on Depresh Mode. My life has been so very different from hers, but so much of what she wrote about rang (sometimes painfully) true. 

Work Cited

Zappa, Moon. Earth to Moon. Deyst, 2024.

Herndon WinterMarkt

14 December 2024: Had a delightful day with Jane at the Herndon WinterMarkt. We didn't buy much--just a couple of things (both from the same booth!)--but wandered and people-watched. We got lunch at booth selling various waffle-products on sticks, including waffledogs and dessert-y flavors. And despite me saying, "We have to take a picture this time," we didn't. But it was a good day.

Christmas shopping...

13 December 2024: Amy took the day off work and we spent the day shopping, having lunch, and seeing a movie (The Order, which was great). So much fun from start to finish and got me a bit more in the spirit!

Fall 2024 Grading: DONE!

12 December 2024: Just hit "submit" on the final set of grades, always a good feeling, but it's even more special when I think about how it started (COVID), what came in the middle (the election, a student's death), and the aftermath of all of that. 

Unfortunately, there's still non-grade-related stuff I need to get done in the next couple of weeks. And the new semester starts pretty soon. So there's that.

But for now? Chair-dancing, of course!  

  

Dinner with my favorites...

11 December 2024: What an absolute delight to have dinner tonight with Tim, Kevin, Hannah, Cory, and Amy. We went to the new Greek place in town, exchanged gifts, and just laughed and laughed. Perfect way to end hte day!

Nikki Giovanni

10 December 2024:

i hope i die
warmed
by the life that i tried
to live

— Nikki Giovanni

RIP to this legendary woman. 

English Teacher

9 December 2024: "A dying profession chose us." -Gwendolyn on English Teacher

Really enjoying this show after (finally!) starting it last week. There isn't much--just eight episodes--but I hope we get more of it.