I spent a good deal of today inside, on campus, collecting final portfolios from my freshmen comp and Expository Writing students while grading work from my online writing and grammar students. As I sat inside my accustomed classroom in Morrison Hall, I could see from the inside looking out the Silver Maple I blogged about last week standing like a sentry over the snow-blanketed quad.
Today was clear and cold: a perfect day to be inside looking out, a steaming mug of hot chocolate at hand. And heaven knows I have enough grading this week to keep me inside every waking hour, and then some: I have one batch of grades due on Friday, three batches due on Monday, and another two batches due the Tuesday after that, right on the heels of Christmas. Usually Finals Week is a time for profs to settle down to the business of grading without the distraction of teaching, but as a moonlighting adjunct, I still have some classes simmering while others are ready to boil: a multi-tasking juggling act worthy of any circus.
But this afternoon after I came home from collecting papers, I set those papers aside and took advantage of the afternoon light to walk Reggie along the Ashuelot River, following the beaten trail of scores of other local dog-walkers. Yesterday afternoon Reg was suddenly and alarmingly sick, so last night, we made a hurried trip to the vet for advice and medication. This afternoon, I made the executive decision that getting my under-the-weather dog out into the weather would be good for his spirits, and mine. Heaven knows my papers aren’t going anywhere: grading by dark of night works just as well as grading by light of day, but dog-walking works best only during the latter.
So tonight, I’ll be inside looking out, curled up with my laptop as I grade more online papers, check more online Discussion boards, and post more online progress reports. A moonlighting adjunct’s work is never done, so tonight I’ll work with the moonlight while my tired dog rests and recovers. Tonight, I have promises to keep, and (virtual) miles to go before I sleep; tonight I’m also grateful, though, to have stamped through woods on a snowy afternoon.
Dec 13, 2005 at 6:10 pm
My lord, what absolutely exquisite photos, the light, especially in the first one, is incredible.
How beautiful Keene must be. I swear I am moving there when I retire. Is it a good place for older folk?
And my best wishes for Reggie’s speedy recovery!
Did you find out what was wrong? I know I panicked big-time the one time my dog was seriously ill.
Thank you so much for sharing those pictures in the midst of your busy schedule, they are MUCH appreciated.
Nancy
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Dec 13, 2005 at 11:29 pm
From one adjunct to another, hang in there! At least the end is near. (That sounds more apocalyptic than I mean it to …)
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Dec 14, 2005 at 6:53 am
Nancy, I can’t say what like is like for older folks here… I know the Northeast in general is more expensive than the Midwest, so living on a fixed income can be challenging if you don’t own your own home, and property taxes are hefty if you do. Keene is currently in a sort of transitional phase where it’s going from being a medium-sized town to a small city, so it has the usual growing pains that go with that: lots of traffic, a recent increase in crime, etc. It will be interesting to see how the place turns out in 5 or 10 years: I fear we’re turning a corner toward being Too Big and Too Busy.
We don’t know what’s wrong with Reg, but the meds are alleviating his symptoms. Today I’ll drop off a “sample” so the vet can check for parasites, or it could be Reg ate something that triggered gastric distress. Since he’s about 10 years old, the vet listed a litany of more severe problems that could be the culprit: everything from kidney disease to cancer. But given that he’s otherwise healthy & happy, I’m hoping he just ate something nasty that needed to “leave the building” quickly! 🙂
Caleb, I always use the phrase “the end is near” to describe the last week in my online classes, so I’m comfortable with apocalyptic imagery! Next semester I’m teaching a saner load, so I’m hoping “the end” won’t be as harrowing next time!
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Dec 14, 2005 at 10:14 am
Hi again Lorianne…
I couldn’t find the email button so forgive me for posting this here. Would you like to exchange site links?
Let me know.
Athene
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Dec 14, 2005 at 10:33 am
You take wonderful pictures…and I love the winter photos of your beautiful area!
Sure hope the handsome Reg recovers quickly!
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Dec 14, 2005 at 10:34 am
Lovely pictures as usual. You are one busy woman!
Hot chocolate sounds great with that cold and snow. I hope Reggie only had the minor distress thing and got rid of it!
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Dec 14, 2005 at 1:55 pm
Thank you Lorianne.
Arthur
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Dec 14, 2005 at 11:55 pm
Great pictures, I do miss heavy snow. Sorry to hear about your dog. I’m also sorry in a way to hear about Keene’s transition. It’s always a mixed blessing. Do you grade like I do? Start out generous and get progressively more critical and short-tempered as you near the bottom of the stack?
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Dec 15, 2005 at 9:03 am
Hi, Athene! I don’t exchange links; instead, I only add to my sidebar sites which I actually read & recomment, which means I typically read a site awhile before I decide whether its blogroll-worthy. And with the holidays and the usual end-of-term crunch, I’ve been barely keeping up with my current blogroll, much less finding time to read new stuff.
But, I’m wanting to revisit my blogroll after the first of the year, removing dead links & adding new sites. So I’ll add you to Bloglines to read “when I get to it,” and we’ll see what new sites I add to my sidebar when I get around to it.
Carla, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, and I hope Reg gets well soon, too!
Rachel, I haven’t had as much time for hot chocolate as I’d like…but maybe I’ll *make* time today! Reg is about the same, so I’m continuing to keep an eye on him. If he’s not markably improved by tomorrow, I think we’re headed back to the vet!
You’re welcome, Arthur!
Matt, I try to grade in small increments with frequent breaks so I don’t get *too* cranky. And I typically start with high expectations and then lower them as I go along and see that many students aren’t meeting them.
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Dec 15, 2005 at 5:43 pm
Poor Reggie! I hope he’s feeling better. Something is going on with dogs. A friend just found out that her dog is diabetic. My own poor Sadie is so sick, just suddenly too. It started very early Monday morning with a seizure then another Tuesday night followed by major lethargy, depression and finally non function. She’s in the doggie hospital right now with no prognosis in sight yet 😦
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Dec 20, 2005 at 10:49 am
Startling photos for their adoration of light and form.
And what a great pick posted as preface to “Rapture.”
Thanks, Lorianne.
Karl Elder
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