August 21
...time to move my scholarly butt.
1979
The day before classes start again, and I am ready to go. I'm readier to go on my class than my dissertation. As I remember from last time, my thesis got smoother once I got started. (Optimistic) Today I'm going to the Library of Congress and then shopping for school clothes. Yesterday I was very good and got a lot done – – there were some things I put off, too, but I think I planned too much in the first place (typical). It's time to start new work new routines. I am looking forward to that. Taking time to reflect is important. I could sit down after my lectures – – or before – – and sort my thoughts out. Attempt, at least. Well, time to move my scholarly butt.
1980
Well – – is my handwriting any different? Does my wisdom create an aura of PhD-dom? Yesterday on the telephone I was making a reservation and someone asked “is it Miss or Mrs.”? And I smiled (she couldn't see) and said “it's Doctor”. That was the first time it dawned on me, and it was marvelous. Frankly it means much more to me than I expect to to mean to other people. It means hard work, introspection, uncertainty, planning and the greatest effort I have ever directed towards a single goal. That means I can begin – – again – – to teach and study and be a “scholar”. Life is amazing!
Now it is time to plan my semester. I've been trying not to get in over my head.
1981
Work is hurrying up now. There's more to do and less unscheduled time. I guess I'm ready to go back; at least my classes are! The proposal is at the office of sponsored programs. By next week I should be doing a final rewrite and taking it downtown to hand deliver to NEH. It's not a terrific year to request humanities funding, but it is a reasonable request and I feel it's a fairly well planned project. There are things I had not done, which relate to my usual weaknesses. I didn't contact people in the history department, for example. I hate to contact strangers ask for favors. Tonight Pat H is coming out for dinner, so I must hustle.
Comment 2023
No, the first year of the Reagan administration was not a great year to go looking for humanities funding. Not that it really mattered. The proposal was turned down because (1) I wasn’t a “real” historian, according to one reviewer and (2) I didn’t have letters of support from “real” historians. That’s on me and my aversion to cold-calling strangers. Also my complete lack of connection with the History department at my university.
1992
It feels like a new beginning today. No particular reason. It could be the weather (sunny, dry, not too hot ) or it could be that I just feel so ready for whatever comes next. The kiddos are out riding their bikes together! It remains to be seen if they are still on speaking terms when they get back.
I feel like I'm back on track, at home at last. Since July 1 (emancipation day), I've been home just about every day except for some jaunts with the kids. The house is moderately tidy I have opened up the sewing machine and made shorts for kiddo 2, two dresses for kiddo one, and there's more to come. Kiddo 2 and I went camping. Kiddo 1 went to drama and literature camp and grew and grew. She's been growing in other ways too: she now wears size 6 shoes! Kiddo 2 is starting to swim. He's ready and panting for first grade to start; keeps trying on his new backpack.
We took Mom on vacation with us this year, to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The weather was lovely for the first part of the week. We went to the beach twice a day. Even rain didn't dampen the fun. The kids just reconvened in the Jacuzzi.
Yes, it's been a very good summer now I'm ready for an excellent fall.
Comment 2023
July 1, 1992 marked the end of my one year as acting chair of my dying department. An entire year of planning for courses to be offered by 17 faculty members who were heading off to half a dozen new departments. An entire year of listening to “grown-ups” squabble over who gets the departmental microwave.
Is it any wonder that when my department chair in American Studies announced her retirement in 2016, I didn’t hesitate to announce that I was retiring in 2017, SO DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT NOMINATING ME!!!!!
1997
I am down to the wire on preparations for the semester. Actually, I think we are doing fine on most fronts. Certainly I am not as far along as I expected, but I have been worse at this point in summer before. Generally, it has been a restful and productive summer, in spite of it all.
Give me strength for the coming semester!
2019
More note-taking from Chautauqua.
2023
I’ve started drawing again, because I miss it. Also because I love Substackers , and . Not quite ready to share yet, though.
I loved this post, Jo! And thanks for the mention! I love your 2019 visual notes and am thrilled you're drawing again--whether or not you decide to share them.