Bird-watching...

31 August 2025: With a frequency and intensity that is almost too much, given their intense beauty against the blue sky, the goldfinches have returned to my birdfeeders, having been absent since the early spring. They join the most common birds regularly convening there: red finches, cardinals, and (to a lesser extent) black-headed chickadees. 

The girls are pleased and every once in a while even manage to share window space to watch them. This late-summer snapshot of a Sunday morning makes me smile.

Department get-together...

30 August 2025: Enjoyed a really lovely get-together with my colleagues at Keith's house this evening. Our department looks different this year--three new folks and some folks who have left--but it's still a good group and I am lucky to work with them.

One week down...

29 August 2025: All in all, a good first week where (again!) the best part was (of course!) the students and that time in the classroom. In between classes, annoying emails and university b.s. put me in a funk. Then I stepped into Knutti 202 and all that slipped away.

Hiding...

28 August 2025: Someone ran out the front door today and then tried to hide. Or perhaps she just appreciates the new views, too.

Late August blooms...

27 August 2025: It's been dry here again and I am having to water the front bushes, which are still young and vulnerable. When I got home this evening and started watering, I found myself so pleased again with how well this flower bed has turned out. The annuals are thriving. They started out as tiny plants in cell packs and look at them now! The bushes are doing well, too. I am obsessed with the butterfly bushes. I can't say enough about how much this long-delayed landscaping change pleases me.

Day Two...

26 August 2025: Co-taught the opening session of GWST 201 today, which went quite well, as it usually does. We get the greatest variety of cool students in that course. The rest of the day flew by too quickly, with administrative and other kinds of work sucking up a lot of time. Silly me thought I'd have time for writing. Oh well--at least we've got a long weekend coming. 

Another "day one"...

25 August 2025: Hard to think of another Day One where the divide between the awesomeness of the classroom sits in stark contrast to the bullshit everywhere else. But that awesomeness--and seeing busy hallways and my terrific colleagues again--tips the scales on the side of "good" for today.

And, like the end of so many other Day Ones, I am exhausted.

Here comes year 26...

 24 August 2025: About a week ago, I realized that I taught my first college class in August 2000, I had a milestone coming up: about to start Year 25 of teaching. Then--like just tonight--I realized I missed the milestone. Last year was the start of Year 25.

I remember the day of that first class so clearly. Got to campus early. All dressed up. Anxious as heck in the parking garage beforehand. Such a kid! 

So...year 26. Not as flashy, but still something to mark. 

Hats

23 August 2025: My dad turned 79 today. When I saw him earlier this week, I gave him his birthday gifts, which included this hat.

I had my eyes on it for him for a couple of years, but finally decided this was the year. First, it's just cool looking...subtle and fun. And I love the idea of stuff that positions him as a dad and not just a grandfather (well, an opa, technically). 

He seems to like it, too, and mentioned I had given him a dad hat before--when I was really little. I didn't remember that, sure enough, last night he sent me photo evidence (including pictures of two other hats I've given him over the years).

When I talked to him today, I said, "Well, you know I've always loved a baseball hat" and he laughed.

Like his new hat says, he's just a cool dad. 

Convocation 2025...

22 August 2025: We met the class of 2025 and our transfer students today. Always a long, busy, and exciting day. One more weekend and then it's the new academic year...

Professional Development Day

21 August 2025: Today was the second annual professional development day for faculty. Once again, the best part was seeing my peers and getting more evidence of how superb they are. Long day, but gratifying.

Family visit

20 August 2025: Got to spend some time today with my parents, Erin, Krista, and Isla. We celebrated my dad's 79th birthday a few days early, too.

A touch of procrastination...

19 August 2025: I had intended to get some more writing done on my portion of the Year's Work essay today, but ended up telling myself it was okay a) instead focus more on other little work-related tasks and b) once those were done, just not work anymore for the day. I've got, not counting weekends, about one more day of break left, so this little indulgence feels okay. 

The writing will get done--and likely much more easily when the regular rhythm of the semester kicks in. 

Getting the classrooms ready...

18 August 2025: Tim and I spent some time today checking on the second-floor classrooms in Knutti, making sure everything is ready for Monday. We are (mostly) there, but we probably tried out four configurations of tables and chairs in one classroom before finally getting it right--or right enough until we hear otherwise. We were joking about all of this "other duties as assigned" work, but that is kind of the Shepherd way. 

One more week...

17 August 2025: Classes start a week from tomorrow. I am mostly ready. I miss the students. But there is always a melancholy lurking for me this time of year--particularly this week or so before it all starts. Sunday evenings, of course, multiply the melancholy. 

Grateful for the good parts I am looking forward to, the fact that the heat broke a couple of hours ago, spaghetti for dinner, Bob's Burgers reruns on the TV, and a decent book waiting for me to get back to it.

And, as always, for Veronica and Jo.