These last for days of summer have been good. Excited to get back in front of the classroom again. My schedule has changed. Sam and Barb will be teaching the introduction course. Diane has made a step closer to retirement. The program has been updated so the world moves on.
Mother continues to get better… she is working hard doing her exercises to strengthen the muscles affected by the stroke. She’s a determined lady. Today is Tuesday, so I will be teaching Web Layout and Design and then my all time favorite course–Type One.
Finally the weather broke and we will have a day with low humidity and lower temperatures. Mike is excited about that because the air conditioning gets turned off and windows open.
Daily Entries
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Last Days of Summer
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Back to School—MCTC
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
First day back… and it was great seeing everyone. The emphasis this year as last is the graduation rate. MCTC graduation rate is low, lower than we would like. The students and community think well of us but for first time/full time students we are only graduating 9% of our students in three years. Nationally, in a similar urban setting colleges are graduating 12%, So we are working hard to improve the numbers.
As far as our numbers for our department this year seems to be a few less students. Maybe funding is running out for those that are displaced workers but still most of our classrooms are bulging.
Temperance—Back to work
Monday, August 16th, 2010
Today, I am off to work and we start the academic year, 2010-11, and two new programs. Courses are full. Sadly, we had to close two. I know this will cause some of our students to scramble to rearrange their schedules. I hope it won’t cause too much hassle for the students.
The morning is bright and clear and cool. Perfect Minnesota weather.
The meetings start in a few minutes so I best be off.
Skies over Temperance River
Saturday, August 14th, 2010
Alone most of the day but preparing a meal for Maureen and the girls. Emma, Maya, Erin, and Becka will be here shortly. Perhaps, we will head off for a swim in the Temperance River once they get here. It is warm today. It is comfortable but a little muggy. The weather has been doing the typical northshore thing—it changes every hour or so. The fog was great this morning.
School will begin next week…. I am prepared but still have some assembling to do.
Swamp Circle Saloon
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
All good things must come to an end… I don’t think that is really true. My friendship with Steve has lasted lifetime and through changes as we grew, grew older and changed as individuals due to our life’s experiences. Steven will always be dear, as will his family.
The time out east was relaxing and incredibly educational as I roamed through galleries, down malls, shared seats with stranges and good times with long friends. Indeed, it was a very special time. The only regret is I missed Ellen because my trip to NYC was so short.
I am looking forward to get home and begin prepping for the fall in earnest. Looking forward to seeing my folks and Michael. Ah yes, sleeping in my own bed. That will be nice too.
In a few hours… the train will leave the station and I will begin my 28 hour trip home via Amtrak with my head stuffed in a book.
Trip Drawing to a Close
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
This wonderful time is drawing to a close. Enjoyed visiting with old friends, loved the galleries, and countryside around Deale, MD. With all that said … looking forward to getting back to work at MCTC and my students. That is pretty wonderful too. Really looking forward to that hug and kiss from Mike.
Rush of Water
Sunday, August 1st, 2010
Got some work done yesterday. Sorted photos. I even posted to both Facebook and my blog. I think the seven days being away from home is the maximum for me. I just like home and that is the simple and short of it.
Steven and Steven work their butts off between the bar and the two houses and they are terrific hosts. So it is nothing more than I am homesick. Steven H. took us out for breakfast yesterday morning; then last night we celebrated Steven J’s b-day. Hard to believe we are all getting up close to sixty. The Stevens chose the restaurant Neptune’s about twenty minutes away from Deale. A nice little place in a community it is in feels like a beach community. Very pretty.
I had muscles in butter and garlic. Damn, they were good.
My photographs are turning into snapping things we miss along the way. I think that is turning into the theme here. Looking at things and snapping the micro rather then trying to capture the macro. I know that is not a new concept in photography. Artist have spent time shooting droplets of water as they drop in ponds or bullets smashing through apples but that is where it is at for me. Right now.
