Presidential State of the Union

I was extremely impressed by the President's first State of the Union speech and equally as unimpressed by the expected knee-jerk whining of the Republicans later. Even my former Uncle E.W., who is an admitted Republican, posted on Facebook that he is growing disappointed with the attitude of the Republicans that if they didn't think of it first, it's a bad idea.

We're in the midst of a "cold snap." If only "snap" were the right noun! When I think of a snap, I think of something sudden and brief. Maybe the word "stomp" would work better. We're in the midst of a cold stomp. My poor students arrived in class yesterday looking so miserable that I was grateful that all my classes are in the same building.

I had deliberated whether spending another night in Big Rapids would be preferable to fighting the wind and blowing snow on the long drive back to Grand Rapids, but my desire to see my spouse and my cat won the day. And the drive turned out to be okay. I actually managed it in 70 minutes, start to stop.

Perhaps I should be worried that my husband and I are both driving recalled Toyotas, the ones they are worried that the gas pedals will stick and cause an accident. I'm not too worried. I've been driving my car now for over two years with no problems at all. His is newer and less tried-and-trusted, so if we had a car to worry about, it would be that one. The morning news did report that a fix had been devised, so no doubt we'll soon have that worry behind us.

Classes yesterday were good. I'm finding myself enjoying this semester much more than I'd expected to. The Women's Studies class is just amazing. I love it. It makes me very, very happy and fulfilled. And the Justice in Lit class went really well yesterday, too. We had a battle of the sexes, with the women arguing to acquit Minnie Wright and the men to convict her, from Susan Glaspell's short story/play "Trifles/A Jury of Her Peers."

I wish everyone had a chance to do exactly what they wanted to do in life. I am doing what I love to do, and I could not be happier. I don't like living away from my husband during the week, but other than that, life is good. I wish my sons were more settled and happier. I wish my niece Tassina would realize her true calling. But that will happen, too, eventually.