Jackson

6 November 2025: What to say when a former student sends you the kindest, most moving, out of the clear blue email of thanks just when you need it most? What is there to say but "thank you," both to him and to the Lord for the unexpected gift. 

Father of the Bride: Part 2

5 October 2025: Just caught the last 30 minutes of this movie, one of my favorites. Could not get enough of it when I was young. Man, it still works for me even as, just as when I was younger, its melancholy pulls at me. This closing song? Makes me smile and makes me want to cry.

The Backyard Bird Chronicles

4 October 2025: "It is good to mourn and wish it weren't so." --Amy Tan, The Backyard Bird Chronicles

Started listening to this one today while getting chores done. So far, it's beautiful reminder of the pains and rewards (linked so often) of paying attention to what's around us. 

"Message for Jim in Syria [Fall fell wind-wise]"

3 October 2025: My goodness--this poem, which I read this morning, has been on my mind all day. It's achingly specific for this poet, but also speaks to so many thoughts in my mind lately, especially as fall edges its way more fully into this corner of the world. 

Early October blooms...

2 October 2025: From my walk this morning down by Rumsey Park. These little purple beauties make me smile.

Wednesday night ramblings...

1 October 2025: Thought I might be home by 5:30 or so today. Turned out to be off by 90 minutes or so and rolled in a bit after 7:00. That's a bummer, but once I got home and did the evening's chores, I was able to unwind--as much as one can while watching the Yankees play. They won the second game of this Wild Card Series, so now it's all tied up.

Some more highlights from a shorter evening of chilling than I anticipated: 

Watching BabyCat burn off energy and get her 10-year-old version of zoomies on, which always makes me smile. 

Realizing the nights are getting colder. 

Deciding that the last "work" item on my list can wait until tomorrow and feeling very okay with that (esp. as my brain falls more asleep with every letter I type).

Realizing I am very lucky. 

"Samantha Smith vs. the Cold War"

30 September 2025: I didn't know anything about Samantha Smith before I listened to this episode of You're Wrong About... today on my walk.  Something about learning about this kid who pushed for peace and understanding--who did what grown-ups wouldn't do--moved me almost to tears on a day in which our president and his henchman declared war on American citizens. 

Back to Bender's

29 September 2025: Guest-hosting trivia at Captain Bender's this week and next. It has been a long day and I am bone-tired, but that was a nice way to spend a couple of hours this evening. Fun people who are always very kind to me! 

Letting myself off the hook a bit...

28 September 2025: My original "to do" list for today was pretty stacked. It would have meant a slog of a day, without much room to breath and relax. Then I realized that two of the items on that list are less pressing than I thought they were. My list of projects is about to get much shorter and that means more time to focus on others. Boring and vague sentences, but the specific don't matter. What does matter is that I've got time to get it all done.

So I let myself slow down today. I've still been working pretty much all day--and have about an hour's worth of stuff left, but the stress is lighter and I've found ways to sprinkle in some enjoyment. 

Grateful for the realization that doing so was possible. 

No Dunking...

 27 September 2025: Good thing someone posted this sign right by our table at this morning's open house. These three English professors and our dean would have been dunking like crazy otherwise.

The Wedding Banquet

26 September 2025: 

[Catch-up post]

What a sweet movie The Wedding Banquet is! Carrie and Rachel came over on Friday night to watch it. I had never seen the original version, but this one was delightful. And more importantly, it was nice to chill with a couple of friends, eat pizza, and even take a break from the movie to watch a pretty sunset from the porch. 

2101

25 September 2025: 

"Dr. Hanrahan!" 

That's how Roy, a student I don't think I've seen in at least a year, greeted me as I started my walk today. 

"On a walk? Mind if I join you?"

So he did. We mostly talked about his big passion: Civil War reenacting. He's a good kid--a baby face and an old soul. I just very fond of him and am rooting for him so hard. 

Not a bad way to get myself towards Day 2101. 

2100

24 September 2025: With apologies to Wallace Stevens, four ways of looking at my morning walk, from about 7:50 to 8:30 a.m., on this, the day my streak hit 2100 days.

One: Autumn is making its presence known, though summer still holds on. The sidewalk on the way down to the monument were thick with leaves, wet from yesterday's rain. I felt myself walking with the slightest bit of extra caution.

Two: At Rumsey Park, a woman was grooming a great big dog, who stood on a picnic table almost completely still, a model client. And a very "Shepherdstown" scene. 

Three: As I turned by the train station, I waved at a woman I had passed earlier. She came up behind me and said, "It's Heidi, right?" I have no idea how she knew me, but we started talking about her daughter, who took ENGL as a dual enrollment student and had a wonderful experience. The woman, Hillary, said she'd send me the instructor's name when she looked it up. "I will write you any testimonial you need!" she said. What a gift she gave me--making me feel good about our program, the work we do, and the extraordinary faculty in my program. We also talked about a colleague in a different department, her neighbor and friend. This woman is extraordinary and hearing about her from the perspective someone who knows her outside of Shepherd just made admire her more. 

Four: As Hillary ducked off to head to the post office, another colleague/friend walked by. As usual, her outfit was perfect. Just right for an early fall day in the Eastern Panhandle. 

Trying to book a modeling gig...

23 September 2025: Who knew that cats could get irritable bowel disease? Well, now I know because Jo has it. She'll be fine, but she scared me (only alluded to it in earlier posts) with some bloody vomit. Gross and terrifying! 

She spent a big chunk of today at the vet--which I hated--and came home with a shaved belly, some prescriptions, and guidance for a new "sensitive digestive system" diet. 

I came home about $900 poorer, but with my Jojo, so we'll take it.

Anyway, after initially being more muted than I've ever seen her--which really bummed me out, she seemed to have rebounded into her old self by the time I came home from trivia. 

Not sure if she will end up eating this new food (3 times more expensive than the old)*, but she is making a good pitch for being their new cover model.

*The wet food will cost maybe four times as much!

Monday night ruminations...

22 September 2025: Lots on my mind tonight (not all bad!) but doing an okay job working through things and staying steady. Thinking about the good parts: my students, my colleagues, my friends. Grateful for pleasant distractions, like Bob's Burgers and Dawson's Creek. Grateful that the big pot of soup that I made last night meant a low effort and delicous dinner tonight. Hoping to turn in by 10:30 or so. 

And determined to cross some things off the big lists tomorrow and make it a good day.