August 23

Lists are essential

1978

First day of classes. I don’t teach until 2 pm, so won’t go to campus until 10:30 or so. That gives me time to:

Tidy bedroom and living roomGo over lecture #1Walk MarleyExerciseMaybe write a couple of letters (but probably not). Go over lecture #1 again.

Ack! How has this turned into a laundry list, I don’t know. It’s another beginning and I do feel very excited (cold hands, sweaty feet). But it is becoming a bit more “routine”. I am less nervous, more confident. My biggest problem right now is overcoming the desire to just introduce the course and then send them on their way. It’s like in “Up the Down Staircase” when she tried to initiate a class discussion the first homeroom period period. The result was chaos. I don’t have to worry about chaos, but would like to see a glimmer of interest. When they expect to be let out early, they have no interest in a lecture, much less a discussion, on the first day. So maybe it’s not possible. I think I will muse aloud on the concepts of clothing, costume, and fashion and hope they stay awake.

1983

Connie, Jack and their dog Quincy were just here for a week-long visit. It was too long and I’m afraid I pushed myself too hard. (That sounds like something my mother would say.) By Friday both Kiddo and I were getting pretty cranky. Oh, well. They enjoyed themselves, we enjoyed ourselves, mostly. Kiddo adored Quincy and still talks about her.

Now it’s back to work for the year. I think it should be a good year; I’m starting to feel like my old self. Except now I’m a mommy.

1996

A quiet house on Saturday morning. Jim and Kiddo 2 are at soccer practice, Kiddo 1 is still asleep. I ate breakfast, read the paper and walked around town a bit. I thought about what I needed to to this weekend:

Writing: welcome letter to Scholars, letter to Connie

Planning: Girl Scouts parents meeting, graduate student orientation, Church council agenda,last Peace Camp session 

4 phone calls

Read three theses.

1999

Kiddo 1’s last week at home. Kiddo 2’s last week of summer vacation. Summer is getting old. I am tired of my summer clothes. I have too many things to do to get ready for fall. (I must admit that I enjoy being busy.) It will be a good semester. My two regular classes are both after 4 pm. The rest of my schedule is mine to make. I have work I enjoy.

I am trying to get back in the exercise habit. The upstairs VCR is broken (-sniff-) but is no excuse at all. I am out of shape, and need to get to work.

2014 South Station, Boston

I left DC at 10:10 last night. I had forgotten that the NE Corridor business cars don’t have the good chairs, or the row of single seats. I probably slept 5 hours, total. Early to bed tonight, if not a nap when I get there. Neck a bit stiff, knees sore. Nose a bit drippy. Brain foggy.

Otherwise, happy, peaceful. I woke to sunrise at Mystic, Connecticut, the water full of orange ripples. Arrived in Boston ready for breakfast at 7:55, to find a Cheese Boy waiting for me. Now to find the bus to Portsmouth. Oh, and a trip to CVS for Advil.

Later, on Star Island - I am here. I have met 3 people. Two chatty, one not. I am not feeling chatty. 

After dinner - Had some fun with the Gatsby Weekend people, and now sitting in the lobby. There are many chairs here, but not many comfortable ones. So far, I am down to the workshops on meditation and yoga. Or just walking. 

Comment 2024

My first visit to Star Island!

2023

Three different decades, three very different stages in my life. I see myself at the beginning of my career, still learning the basics, and discovering myself as a teacher. Turn the page and I am more settled in my career, but about to add the new role of “working mommy”.  Thirteen years later there’s the to-do list in all of its glory, but without the angst about whether everything will get done. It’s just a list. A few of days ago I left my “brain” - the notebook where I keep my lists - at the library, and didn’t notice until two days later. I turned the apartment upside down for about 30  minutes, first slowly, so Jim wouldn’t notice. “Oh, I will just wander into the bedroom and open this drawer.” “Don’t mind me, I am just thumbing through the paper recycling bin.” The last ten minutes I was in full panic mode, racing heart and all. I checked the car, then came inside and called the library as soon as it opened. Success! 

Lists are essential to my well-being.