September 14

I am hanging on to a star by the slimmest thread.

1979

My lecturing style needs touching up…I seem to have reached a point where I know what kind of outline/notes I need, but the class isn’t lively enough. Response to questions is nil. Discussion methods and pacing are a problem. At least I perceive them as a problem. If I mention it to a student, she’ll usually protest that my lectures are fine, I seem very relaxed, etc. There’s an element of brown-nosing in that, what percent, I don’t know.

Right now I am suffering from a mild but irritating case of allergies/sinus trouble. My head feels generally non-functional. So far this morning I have eaten, made lunch, slept another hour, read the paper, walked the dog and called the rental office. Ah yes, Dear Diary, and written in my diary. There is other works to do, which I am working hard to avoid.

1980

Ideas for grants:

1) study of boyhood in the late 19^th century

2) exhibit on children’s clothing; eventually a small traveling exhibit to schools and libraries statewide.

3) microfilming of weaving materials in the collection

Grantsmanship seems impossible. I never learned about that.

Comment 2023

#1 turned out to be the right rabbit hole! I did get to work on a couple of exhibits, eventually. As for microfilming some part of the collections; nope. Just as well; that technology was about to become obsolete.

1983

Finally, a nice day! I’ve been waiting months for a day like this, in fact: warm but refreshing, sunny and dry. Marvelous!

I wrote 4-5 pages of an article that is suddenly doing very well, which also accounts for my marvelous attitude.

Another new system: Art Ulene’s “Feeling Fine” thing. It’s a 20 day program, so will be just about due at the library when I finish the book.

Comment 2023

My quest for healthier habits continues.

2014

I am hanging on to a star by the slimmest thread.

Trying to hold on to a tiny drop of the mystery that once overflowed.

Where did it go? Where was it? Was it in me all the time, and the star just drew it out of me? It was I empty before the star filled me with wonder?

2017 (Facebook)

Heading to Connecticut for my 50th high school reunion. How the hell did that happen?

2017 (Journal)

Today is Thursday. Choir day, doctor’s appointment. Jim works 1:30-10 pm. Tomorrow I leave for Connecticut.

Comment 2023

Behold how I attempted to cling to a schedule a few months into retirement. Every entry begins with “Today is ____”. Not for future me, but so I might have a chance to remember what day it is.

2021

My update for the week: watched a couple of Indian movies, made food for an Oktoberfest-themed beer tasting event, had several lunches and dinners with friends old and new, celebrated a friend’s birthday, finished one knitting project and started another, attended three Zoom meetings, binged five episodes of Schitt’s Creek, listened to several hours of a philosophy course, read a few chapters each of Mozart’s Starling and The House of Broken Angels. Wrote a little.

2024

My update for the week: watched a couple of Indian movies, had several lunches and dinners with friends old and new, sang Happy Birthday to a different friend, worked on two knitting projects that are taking far too long, attended one meeting, listened to two podcasts. Wrote quite a bit. Now heading to the local brewpub for Oktoberfest nickel beer and sausages.