Monday sadnesses

Fires in California and Hawaii, fires burning up college students in South Carolina.... So sad, so tragic. "Some say the world will end in fire...." Thanks, Robert Frost. I'll pick ice. These days "desire" and "fire" might rhyme, but I'm more inclined to think "hot flash" and "ash." Seriously, I can't imagine a death more horrible than death by fire. Most other deaths (not all) at least leave the body untouched or unmaimed. I once saw a real autopsy photo of a person who burned to death, and it was gruesome. Of course, these days all the tv shows are engaging in some kind of macabre contest to see who can present the vilest images. The hubby and I like to watch Dexter, and just the initial sequence with him shaving and cutting himself is enough to gross me out, especially in conjunction with the fried eggs.

Speaking of tragic, but of a less deadly sort, I'm probably setting myself up for another heartbreak. I applied for the open position at my previous school. I can't believe I'm actually going to undergo that torment again. I've been encouraged to apply for an open position at the school where I currently teach, as well, and chances are probably better that I'll be considered for a TT position at that school. After all, they don't seem to mind older women there.

Mondays make me feel weird. The esteemed one leaves for teaching around noon, and after that, it's me and the cat. The cat settles in under my desk to sleep for hours, and I settle in to work. Maybe blogging isn't work, but it helps get me in the mood. I watch the noon news, then if I can hitch my courage to the sticking place, I attack grading. Course prep. Whatever needs to be done right away. Right now, I've got a huge stack of dirty clothing to wash, so I'll probably grade journals. It's easy to hop up and down without losing my train of thought when each journal is short and I don't need to keep much in mind. I don't grade for anything other than content, and by that, I don't mean right or wrong. It's more that the student took the writing prompt seriously and has made an honest effort to respond.

Younger son has agreed to take Bessie, but I think Older son would have liked to have her, too. Now--how to get her to Missouri. That will be a post for a different day, won't it? --Dr. S.