July 5
No need to panic; nothing will be happening soon. But change is coming.
1966 (Mexico)
Well, now I’m down to a schedule - how dull. We went to Sears to get tennis-type clothes. We finally found them at a sport shop. But no socks. So I can’t play tomorrow. I thought I packed them.
I got a poetry book and translated one poem. It was fun!
At night, we watched a bullfight on TV. I still hate them.
Juan is 20, and a lot like Bob.
Comment 2023
There were so many Juans. I think this was roommate Juan, the younger brother. You will see him again.
1979
Jim’s mood is improving, as his boss’s return comes nearer and we make plans to go camping. I am really hooked on the idea…mountains, trees, fresh air, peace and quiet, coolness…sounds marvelous! The bat problem is on its way to being solved; next come to roofs, the hole in the parking lot, etc. and the various checklists from individual tenants. I don’t envy them, as there is a lot to do.
Now I want to go back to “normal”. This self-motivating summer is a bit of a hassle. I am such a self-starter, after all.
1980
Well, I’ve had just about a week off (or nearly off). It’s time to start the second draft…for what it’s worth. It’s basically another month of work…hard work. Then I defend. Then I start teaching. It’s not a totally lost summer, though. Portions have been very good. Like The Beach Boys concert and fireworks on the Mall yesterday. A really fine day, and lovely evening. I slept longer than usual today, and still feel pretty languid. I have NEVER, NEVER seen anything like those fireworks. During the finale it was waves of green and orange fire…just astounding. Utterly, unspeakably beautiful. I may be spoiled forever.
Comment 2023
The dissertation continues. I don’t care where you live, the fireworks in DC for July 4th are the best. Not only that, but all the surrounding communities up their game to try to keep up. And we had the Beach Boys, too.
1985
We had a very pleasant, if tiring, 4th of July. We went to the Takoma Park parade, which was too long (too many politicians waving from cars) but still fun. Good bands, and all that. We had a cookout at V’s house and then went to the fireworks. Kiddo insisted on wearing her ear muffs so she wouldn’t hear the loud noises, but eventually took them off. She really enjoyed herself. We didn’t get home until 10:30, so I am letting her sleep in a little this morning. If we get to day care half an hour later, it’s no big deal.
I feel like I’m at a turning point in my life and my work. It’s hard to express, except I know it can’t go on like this. Work is no longer as satisfying as it once was, and I can’t put my finger on it. At the same time, I now I want to spend more time at home and with my family. Trying to work at home has been a real drag, except for the first year after Kiddo was born. Once she started to walk, that ended it. The same would be true the second time around.
I held 1-monh-old Eleanor yesterday - - babies smell so nice!
1986
Today’s supposed to turn hot again. I…
And then the patter of little feet was heard in the hall and the day started.
Yes, it was hot today. We spent most of the day inside or at the pool. Kiddo and I went to the library in the morning and got various books, including “Daniel in the Lion’s Den.” Someday I’ll tell her about religion - - - somehow. There are enough references to God in the book that perhaps it will prompt a question or two.
Over the last month or two Kiddo has started reading - spontaneously. Well, she knew the alphabet at 20 months and could recognize her name at 2 and write it at 3. There are several words she recognized and could write: Jed, love, mom, dad, Jo, Jim, I…but the reading thing just kind of jelled all at once. It was just like the way she learned to talk. It was all in a jumble, in a rush, after a period of playing with sounds. It may be hard for this next one, to have her as a sister. If only because my expectations are already shaped by Kiddo 1 (my only experience!) and comparisons will be hard to avoid. But don’t worry, kid, I’ll try.
1995
Well, I’ve been pretty good at striking a balance between work and leisure. Getting new lenses for my glasses has helped more than I thought it would. They are bifocals (oh, my) but the kind with no line. They have been easy to adjust to. It has made reading much more comfortable!
We learned on our return from Sweden that Woodies is to be sold to Federated Department Stores. This means a better than 50-50 chance that Jim’s job will be eliminated. No need to panic; nothing will be happening soon. But change is coming. I just hope in the long run it means a better situation than he’s had in the last 5 years.
Comment 2023
Remember big downtown department stores, the ones with huge windows? Me, too. They were cool.
2019
I am so off track! After a very good, long focus on Book 3 and chapter 2, I have gotten derailed. Seriously derailed, thanks to vacation and the Emily Cogswell research. Vacation was great – – visits with Connie and Jack, Star Island, a nice long visit with Ann and Steve. A day in the UU archives chasing down Emily Cogswell. It was all lovely. But now! I have no idea where I left off or how to get restarted. Le sigh.
The only thing I have on my plate for today is meeting Alicia at 2 PM at HAIS. That should help me get my steps in, especially if I stop at the Hyattsville Library on the way there. But I also need to prepare her lesson, catch up on my email, and fit in my 10 minute workout. It can all be done!
Don't even know where I left off. I might have finished the Sex Ed part of chapter 2 and I may have drafted the costume stuff.
So now Alicia can't come; her son is sick. A reprieve on the lesson planning. And the walk! So I need to make other plans to get my steps in. Maybe tomorrow? Grocery shopping? But it makes me happy to have the whole day available. This retirement thing is pretty sweet, when it works.
So where was I? Sitting at the window, watching the garbage truck roll by. I walked at 6 AM! And looked at the house for sale on Beechwood. Not for us, yet. Oh well. Jim is pretty ensconced here, having organized his shop to his liking. The house is fine for now. I would like to sell it within maybe five years, definitely within 10. I don't envision myself in this house at 80. Too big, too many stairs. Better to be in a smaller, flatter place by then.
My head is so empty. Or is it so full that nothing can move around? Thinking requires a certain amount of headspace. I find it hard to believe that my brain is a void, that all the thoughts I had running around in that are still sitting on the porch at star Island. No, much more likely that vacation and Emily Cogswell stuffed themselves in, pushing the book to the corners. Now the question is how do I move Book 3 back to the surface, to the more accessible brain spaces? I could write up all the Emily Cogswell stuff while it's fresh in my mind. How fresh is it, I wonder? And send off thank you notes to Connie and Ann. That would do it. I think a nice way to spend a Friday. Take a break mid-morning. For a grocery run, Lidl! Haven't been there yet! That is exciting. And then Franklins this evening.
And that is all I can write. What does it matter if I am three lines short?
Comment 2023
We moved to an apartment and sold the house less than nine months later. I finished and presented the Emily Cogswell research that fall, submitted it for publication and am still waiting for it to appear. QSS (Que sera, sera) is still stalled at chapter 2, and I no longer care.
2024
Que, sera sera turned into Gender Mystique and then into who knows what? Still waiting for the Cogswell article to show up in print. This is why I blog.
ETA home again from Star Island and a COVID - restricted visit with my beloved friend Connie. It was still good.