Rednecks

6 September 2026: "Sid had dug the black veins of West Virginia cola that made hte companies rich that hired these men. Money that could buy mansions on teh shores of cold, clear lakes and twelve-cylinder Italian automobiles and murder in muddy streets behind the gleaming badges of private detective agencies. Coal money, God-strong in Mingo County. Sid smiled because he was risen from the mud of this place, born to meet such men in the street" (9).

Started reading Rednecks, my book club's current selection, today. Digging it so far. And just in time for Labor Day.

Work Cited

Brown, Taylor. Rednecks. St. Martin's, 2024.

Catching up on the social front...

5 September 2026: I've got a list (admittedly not very long, but still) of friends I need to catch up with because I didn't get a chance to see them this summer. Get-togethers delayed, canceled, never scheduled to begin with because I felt too uncertain about where I'd be on any one day.

Got a chance to cross a couple of names off the list tonight, meeting my friends Steve and Kit for dinner in Frederick. We talked for hours, like we always do. Felt wonderful.

Literacy Narrative proposals...

4 September 2026: I spent a big portion of this afternoon reading through my ENGL 101 students' proposals for their literacy narratives. So many good ideas percolating and real depth hiding in some of them. Already, too, evidence of rich and complicated lives.

Lots of work to do--both for them as writers and me as their teacher. But we can do it. 

Sometimes it hits you...

3 September 2026: I really am managing everything well and have been since December. I'm kind of proud of myself about it.

But sometimes it just crashes into me. 

Both gone in less than nine months. So much...just gone. 

I think the thing to do is just feel it. 

And I'll be okay.

Out again on a "school night"

2 September 2026: Second week in a row that I've played Wednesday night trivia at the casino with some friends. Second week in a row that we came in second and won $50. (My friends have been playing every week for longer, but this part of the experience is still new and exciting to me.)

Low-key proud of myself for going out on a school-night and making myself have fun. 

Writing progress...

1 September 2026: I am pleased to be making good progress on a writing project that isn't fun, but is kind of satisfying--and pays. I got to spend most of today making my way through it at home, a luxury I want to both appreciate and protect. 

Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the Soul

31 August 2026: My goodness, this Mary Oliver documentary precisely the right thing for me to watch right now. 

Such beauty. 

Such attention to the self and the world. 

So necessary.

Annie's Burgers

30 August 2026: Another sign that Annie is settling in as an official member of this family (despite the fightin' with Jo and Veronica): she has been the subject of a "cat and Bob's Burgers" picture.

"Can I get some of that?"

29 August 2026:

ENHANCE!

One week down...

28 August 2026: One week down...and it went pretty well. I was anxious about the usual excitement not coming back, but it did (mostly). Very grateful for that.

Bingo!

 27 August 2026: Just had a blast being the (alleged) "celebrity" caller at Big Bucks Bingo on campus. I was, alas, underdressed, especially compared to Rambo.

The student taking the picture (and the students watching) kept telling me to "do a pose." I did, but I swear that I aged ten years doing so. 

They worked...

26 August 2026:

[Catch-up post]

Grateful to my dear friend, Monica, who left these outside my office door yesterday. They did, indeed, brighten my day.

Back to trivia...

25 August 2026: First time back at trivia since August 4. 

The teams were so kind. Just like when my dad died, I was overwhelmed by their kindness. 

One team brought a big birthday cake for me on August 11, when I couldn't host because I was waiting to hear about my mom's passing. They asked the Rumsey Tavern to keep it in the freezer until the next week. And then the week after.  Today, it thawed wonderfully and was delicious.

They also sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I realized no one else had this year, which is silly, I guess, but also...noteworthy. My parents used to call every year with a "singing telegram," after all. 

I see these folks once a week (and some, just once a month), but they make me feel loved and appreciated. It's such a gift. 

First day...

24 August 2026: A very busy first day was probably what I needed today--and it's what I got. Students seem great (as always). Good to see the halls (and campus) full of life.

So much still seems off...but today I am grateful, grateful, grateful. 

80

23 August 2026: My dad would have turned 80 today. 

Just hard to believe how much has changed since his last birthday.