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. 

Tiny Meritus Park...

22 August 2026: Had a really nice time at the Boxcars game with a group from Flagship Trivia. And this giveaway--a Lego(ish) kit to build your own stadium--is one of the coolest I've ever gotten.

Welcome Back Lunch

21 August 2026:

[Catch-up post...]

Friday was a long day, but falling back into the rhythms and seeing folks again felt pretty good at times. 

A definite highlight? Spending time with Hannah, even if most of it was on the very long line to get dirty sodas.

New old table

20 August 2026: 

[Catch-up post...]

Since he wanted to get the boat from the Martinsburg house, Colin also brought down my parents' dining room table for me on Thursday. Very strange and surreal to have it here, but it looks good. 

Bonus, of course, was getting to spend some time with Little Man.

All ready...

19 August 2026: Copied all the syllabi. Prepped for all of Monday's classes. So I am, basically, all ready for Monday.

Honestly, the summer felt like it was so long, but didn't feel a bit like a break. Not sure how well this bodes for the new semester, but a "normal" schedule should be a good thing.

The beach this morning...

18 August 2026: Up early for a long walk before a long day. Marveled at how different the beach can look every time I am down there.

Grateful for a lovely funeral service, for the friends and family who showed up to honor my mom, and to be back in WV tonight.

Where else?

17 August 2026: Where else was I going to visit on my walk this morning?

A couple of long and strange days kicking off today, but grateful for some time to be alone and think before the rest of the day unfolds.

Soaked through...

16 August 2026: Took a long walk before driving up to NY today. Probably should have had an umbrella with me. Mostly, though, it just sprinkled.

Then the skies really opened for the last block or so. 

Felt appropriate. 

And maybe a bit renewing?

Walked through the door soaked, but it was okay. 

(Symbolism aside, I had to change and shower anyway before hitting the road anyway.) 

These two...

15 August 2026: Where would I be without these two? They have been kind of perfect through all of this. And they are navigating having Annie join us with more patience than I could have imagined. 

That picture of BabyCat was taken about ten minutes after Annie chased her all the way down the upstairs hall and down the stairs. Her face show she's mostly recovered from the "WTF?" of it and is in "I hate this, but okay..." mode. 

Exploring...

14 August 2026: Cat paws on the TV. Cat paws behind the TV.

Annie's exploring range is expanding. 

Pushing on...

13 August 2026: A dull headache persisted all day today, having set up shop on Monday. But it's okay. Very busy day, which is also okay. Lots of kindness from friends, which is more than okay.

49

12 August 2026: 49 years ago, my mom brought me into this world. This morning, she slipped past its bounds and gained her heavenly home. 

I am so grateful for all that she gave me and grateful that she is at rest. 

"Softy and Tenderly"

11 August 2026: Praying for her heavenly homecoming and so many joyful reunions.

Jo at 4

10 August 2026: Lil Soups for everyone today as we celebrated Jo turning 4! I woke up with her sleeping hard by my legs. On days like these, when I wake up sad, it means so much to feel her there.

Here's a photo that summarizes the big excitement in her life lately: being intrigued and intimidated by and sometimes angry at her new housemate. Really, she's been remarkably patient and easy-going about Annie's arrival, as has BabyCat. Very proud of them both. (Proud of Annie, too, but really hoping she gives up her aggressive colonizer attitude soon!)

There at 4:30 a.m.

9 August 2026: Made it back to WV by 2:00. 

Keep thinking about the wonder that is hospice. Called them at 4:30 this morning because my mom had a fever. There they were, ready to tell me and Yasmine what to do, what to look for, and to tell us to "get some rest." I can't even think about that kind of beautiful service without crying. 

As for the time between that call and when I left four hours later...it was like an alternate reality. Quiet. Profound. Ordinary. Sad. Normal. Just sat with her and thought and thought and thought and prayed. 

Saturday morning at Rocky Point Beach

8 August 2026: Back yet again. Took my walk early this morning as it's hot and humid here. 

The guy heading out in his kayak reminded me so much of Ryan that it almost took my breath away.

Another surreal day.

I leave tomorrow morning and thinking about how that will feel is almost beyond my imagination.

Yasmine

7 August 2026: Tonight, I watched my mom's caregiver feed her an entire Glucerna drink with a teaspoon.  In the midst of so much sadness, it was beautiful to witness.

Not even a year ago...

6 August 2026: Headed up to NY tomorrow for what will be a very hard visit. 

I was scrolling through blog entries from last August just to be sure I was right about Jo's birthday. (I was; it's on Monday.)

Felt my breath catch when I scolled by this post. Less than a year ago. 

Surreal.

She's home...

5 August 2026: For the first time since early June, my mom is home in her own bed tonight. So grateful.

Not Quite a Ghost, again...

4 August 2026: I am trying to get as much day-to-day course prep done ahead of time as possible, which is why I have spent the past couple of days rereading Not Quite a Ghost. I am teaching it for the first time, including it in the Young Adult Lit class. It's been fun working through it again through the lens of teaching and I find myself looking forward to diving into it with my students in October.

Comfort

3 August 2026:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14: 1-3. 

My favorite superhero...

2 August 2026: Spider-Man remains my favorite superhero and I really enjoyed Brand New Day today. A kid from New York who wants to the right thing...

It was also good to get out for a bit after a couple of mostly solo and quiet days here. I just wasn't up for "cheap" society, to paraphrase Walden a bit. I even skipped a fundraiser last night that I had already bought a ticket for...but I just couldn't do it. 

Too sad. Too in my own head. 

But also okay. 

And (I think?) maybe more okay because I didn't go. I gave myself permission to stay home and just be. 

Then Spider-Man was a great way to get out for a bit. 

One day at a time...

"After My First Breakup, My Father Writes His First Email"

1 August 2026: This poem, by Emily Jungmin Yoon, has been in my inbox since it arrived via the Poem-a-Day email on Tuesday. I keep coming back to it. 

These last three stanzas, man...

How easy it was to forget this man’s sensitivity,
his love for music, that he took saxophone lessons,

             coming home to an unlit apartment.
             A taciturn man, who sings alone.
             Who, when years later asked 

what instrument he likes listening to the most,
said, the human voice.