Tomorrow I will upload them to the registrar's database, but I am essentially done with grading! YAY. Gave myself a carpal tunnel flare in my left hand in the process, oh well. Who cares, I am done! Just in time for the start of winter session (tomorrow).

Can it be possible? I think I will be done with grades tomorrow...ssshhhhhh

Starting to see a glimmer of daylight. It isn't that I'm nearly done. (I'm not.) But I really don't want to work Monday (deadline is 11:59 PM), or the weekend if I can avoid it. I wasn't sure whether that would be possible, though. But I am cautiously optimistic at this point.

I'm making good progress on grades, but I don't have the stamina for nonstop marathons any longer. I feel like a zombie after 10 hours. Oh no! I've become a slacker. Or too old for this. LOL.

I think she would look like the grinch's dog if she had an antler tied to her head. Isn't she so incredibly cute?

I think picture posts will have to suffice (and already have been sufficing) for a while -- drowning in grading!

The angels on my tree

 A girl in faith formation gave this first one to us for Christmas.

Liberty, one of my mother's horses, died on Thursday. She was a 20-year-old miniature horse, which is not old for a horse, but she has Cushing's Disease fore several years and had been having trouble walking, and in pain recently. She was born there, on Independence Day in 1992. After April, the Morgan who passed away two years ago this month, she was Ma's favorite. December is a sad month; Liberty's mother also passed away in December from Cushing's. Liberty was spunky as a young horse, and personality-plus for her whole life. Ma says she has gone to heaven to be on a merry-go-'round up there. RIP Liberty Belle.

Family legend is that Bob's maternal grandfather (Opa) has a tree fall in his yard during the depression, and he cut it up and made Christmas wreaths. That started a tradition of wreath making in his family, which eventually expanded to grave blankets, and palm crosses at Easter time. When they were teenagers, it was not unusual for his brother and Bob to make 100 wreaths each per day. His family continues to make them on a much smaller scale, and as you can see, Bob has not lost any of his skills. This is our front door, and this year in particular, it is his tribute to Millie.

In faith formation class Monday night, we lit the Advent candles (but this time we played a CD of O Come Emmanuel instead of putting ourselves through the humiliation of singing), read the Christmas story from Luke, looked at a painting of the nativity, and Bob taught the kids how to make these centerpieces. Afterwards they proudly posed with their creations and we took their pictures. Now we have a break until January 7.

Last teaching day for Fall 2012 semester yesterday -- and last day on campus today (until January 24). Now the grading "fun" begins.

So much work to do! Yikes! Classes end 12/11, student work has to be in from 12/13-12/19 (I stupidly made an error on a due date and it was too late when I discovered it...so the 19th is for final papers in one class, oh well). The registrar informed us that grades have to be in 12/24! How ridiculous. But I did stay on task and make progress today so that's good. Winter session starts 12/21, and became accessible today -- a competing priority. The life of an adjunct, nonstop teaching!

Yesterday was one of those days with students where you wonder if there is full moon (I know there wasn't). One student who seems to have a social disorder was particularly rude, or maybe just weird. I know there is an issue and have made an effort to reach out and be inclusive. But I guess that was a waste of time. In my experience, it just makes odd balls dislike you more. Yet I have to keep trying. Anyway, this student could not understand extremely simple economics, and seemed to direct that annoyance at me, personally. The comment was (sort of directed at me, in the third person) "why would she make us figure out how much loans we have? I know how much loans I have." Putting aside that wasn't the point of the exercise...hello! I'm standing right here! Are you talkin' to me?

Another emailed a colleague (a fellow adjunct who caters to students as much or more than I do), with BCC to me: "I don't mean to offend, but I find your communication vague and unhelpful." Naturally, she was offended! And hurt. Why don't people think before hitting "send" or opening their big mouths? (It reminded me of this.) This student will most likely be in my summer class. Is there any way we can advise a different path? Hmmm..."no offense, can you drop?"

Finally, one minute before I had to rush off to class, a student suddenly appeared out of nowhere in my door. I barely knew who the student was, since attendance has been, well, atrocious. Bad in September and October -- missed more than half the classes -- and completely vanished in November and December. The student said nothing, instead handing me a big packet of information. What was it? Paperwork for me to fill out and deliver to undergraduate studies, approving a late withdrawal, although weeks ago I warned the student about the deadline for withdrawing. (What choice do I really have, though? But are you kidding me?)

We got our tree from the boy scouts on Sunday and put it up, also decorated the porch. We have lights on the tree, but nothing else. I do plan to put ornaments on but I am kind of liking it with only lights!

Faith formation on Monday went pretty well. We lit a candle on the Advent wreath, sang O Come Emmanuel a Capella (which sounded atrocious -- definitely not singers!), studied the art easel -- this week was a Russian painting from 1863 called "Waiting for Christmas," read from the Action Bible, and made prayer books. Three kids decided to wrap them as gifts for their mothers. A parent met us in the parking lot and told us how much her son loves our class!

End of semester -- bittersweet! Happy and sad at the same time. So much work to do. Today I took some time to get organized. It was worthwhile in terms figuring out what I have to do, so I guess I am less overwhelmed. Winter session class has 14 students enrolled, and will become accessible on Friday (although it doesn't officially start until the 21st).

I'm very excited to be teaching a graduate class this summer! But I am having to force myself to focus on what I have to do now for fall semester's end. Also winter session and spring will be here before summer so chill...

Snow! Just a coating -- enough to cover the ground, maybe 3/4 of an inch. But it looks so pretty! (And I am kicking myself for procrastinating on poop patrol yesterday :-(

So happy!! My father, Bob, my brother and sister made a trip to Boston today for the post-surgical follow-up. We all know he is doing well, but it is wonderful to have it confirmed by MGH. The best part of all, he does not need radiation! Just MRI in six months (and I assume routinely every so often after that).

I am still on campus. I went to campus center to get something to eat just now, planned to sit in Tim Horton's and have dinner. Alas, it was closed. So I brought the food back to my office. Couldn’t see myself sitting  at a table, everyone appeared to be at least two decades younger than me or even more. How did I ever get thru grad school? During the day time it isn't quite as obvious as there are others around who have seen more than eight semesters! LOL.

The low point of the day, a note informing me the suspension was lifted and now I have to work with the student (from yesterday's post) so he can catch up on the work he missed. WTF? Then, he blew off class anyway. But, who cares? Nothing can put a damper on this glorious day, not being a "weird lady," not wishing for maple pecan danish, not slackers in fake fraternities.

In general, I think the TU salivates over bad publicity for UA (such as kegs 'n' eggs, which naturally they couldn't resist referencing), but in this case, the two questions they ask in this editorial have been on my mind as well:

What would compel any student to physically abuse and otherwise degrade his or her classmates? And why would anyone submit himself to such mistreatment and humiliation?

One of the nine dumb asses from this fake fraternity charged with a crime is in one of my classes. He asked to get into class after it was closed, and I let him in. But of course! He's personable, confident and participatory, although his attendance has been lacking, and he constantly emails or tells me at the next class that he has been sick. Even before this outrageous incident, I had to bite my tongue to resist saying, "yes, I know. It's called a hangover." He is prohibited from coming to campus or having any contact with me pending a hearing. The university does not usually get involved in off-campus crime, but hazing is a specific violation. 

These are not kids, despite the stunning immaturity and seriously bad judgment. We cut 20-somethings far too much slack, we make far too many excuses, and we extend childhood for far too long. These are men! Pathetic men, yes, but men just the same.

What's most alarming to me is not really the astonishingly sick behavior of the nine perpetrators, shocking and appalling as that may be. There are surely a-holes in this world of all ages, and I run across them from time to time. But the fake pledges, those 18-year-old victims. Are they so desperate for acceptance, so lacking in confidence that they were willing to submit to this? Did they not have the common sense to know it was dangerous, that they might even be hurt or killed? What is wrong with them? And if they are so weak, why are they not still at home in their childhood bedrooms, watched over by helicopter parents?

Unfortunately, if experience is any guide, I have a feeling that the parents of the nine losers will vigorously defend their precious babies, claim innocence, extenuating circumstances, or police brutality and try to save them from taking any responsibility for their actions.

One consolation, I would be even more outraged if this idiot was in my other class. In that one I spend a lot of time on moral education, ethics, honesty and character.

What would compel any student to physically abuse and otherwise degrade his or her classmates? And why would anyone submit himself to such mistreatment and humiliation?

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Editorial-At-UAlbany-horrors-of-hazing-4042115.php#ixzz2DY2CABbl

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Editorial-At-UAlbany-horrors-of-hazing-4042115.php#ixzz2DY2CABbl

What would compel any student to physically abuse and otherwise degrade his or her classmates? And why would anyone submit himself to such mistreatment and humiliation?

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Editorial-At-UAlbany-horrors-of-hazing-4042115.php#ixzz2DY2CABbl

What would compel any student to physically abuse and otherwise degrade his or her classmates? And why would anyone submit himself to such mistreatment and humiliation?

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Editorial-At-UAlbany-horrors-of-hazing-4042115.php#ixzz2DY2CABbl

 All leaves are on the ground -- except for this tree! Nothing short of a miracle given how windy it has been.

Some of the herbs are still hanging in there.

Thanksgiving was very nice, as was the weekend overall. The pie was not perfect, by my standards -- too much liquid and a touch too sweet. Everyone else disagreed, but I guess I must be channeling Mimmie.

Back to the grind! But only 2.5 weeks left of on campus duties, yay.

We watched "Lady Eve," an old Henry Fonda / Barbara Stanwyck movie, over the weekend. It was atrocious!

Making Apple Pie and Thinking of You

Today I made traditional apple pie for Thanksgiving. It was the first pie I've made in a year or since last Christmas anyway. I like to make apple pie, and often make one or more for holidays. It is one of my favorite desserts at any time, but in recent years I buy them here for all except special occasions. (The apples for this pie did come from there, we bought a half-bushel.)

I use a Cutco peeler to pare the apples, and it was a gift from Millie. Apple pie is one of my "signature" dishes, and she gave me many utensils over the years, including decorative pie plates and an apple coring machine -- but none as useful as the Cutco peeler. Last time I made a pie, I was sending one of them down to Long Island. But not this year.

Last time I made a pie, Sophie begged for the apple peels, cores, and pieces of apple. She would even grab a whole apple out of the bag and eat it. I've had two dogs in my life, Sophie and Howie, who loved apples and spent the entire time I was baking waiting nearby, barking impatiently at times, cheating the compost. But not this year.

Bob and I came up with a poem to capture Sophie's love of pie:

Ode to Pie

Pie, Pie, Pie

Pie for dinner

Pie for lunch

Pie for breakfast

Pie for brunch

Pie in the morning

Pie at night

Pie when you're hungry

Pie when you're full

Pie for a snack

Pie for a meal

Pie, Pie, Pie

I always think of Mimmie when I bake for the holidays, and this year is no different. Is the pie perfect? Did the dough roll out just right? Are the apples just right?

You be the judge.

My recipe:

Crust

2 C flour

1 t salt

2/3 C butter

6 T water

Filling

7 cooking apples

1 scant C sugar

1 scamt t cinnamon

Dash nutmeg

2 T flour

2 T butter,

Brush top with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake ~50 minutes @ 400 degrees.

Making apple pie today! Meeting friends here tonight, headed to Samsonville tomorrow.

Exciting things coming professionally...(stay tuned).

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was reading some animal quotes and came across this one that resonated:

Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives.
--John Galsworthy

Feeling happy! I'm a little ashamed to admit it probably has more to do with not having to go to campus for a week than anything else. But that means progress on the end of semester workload, and it allows me a little procrastination time too!

We watched two great old movies recently. One was Penny Serenade (great title) and the other, recommended by netflix because we watched that one, was No Man of Her Own (a horrible title that would have caused me to skip it if it didn't appear as "recommended." They were not the typical light fare from those days, more like indie (although they weren't), circa 1950. But that was the flavor. Both were pretty dark, and the first raised a lot of questions, good flick for discussion and thought. The second was almost a thriller, very suspenseful.

Recently I had my orthotics adjusted -- have not had that done since '06. They arrived in the mail on Friday. The change was significant. Painful. Even excruciating at times. Oww! But I can tell it is exactly what I need and once they are broken in, I will be in much better shape with my balance, stability and walking. Yay. Maybe even able to do something that has been only  fond memory since '09, hike again someday? (Talk about really jumping the gun.) 

Yesterday, our Castleton church had a ceremony honoring everyone who died from 11/2/11-11/2/12. Bob was called up to the altar to light a candle for Millie. (Miss her.) It was said hearing all the names (a lot) and remembering, but also very nice. I remembered Sophie too. RIP Weg!

And in West Shokan, my father attended church for the first time since his surgery. He has also gained 6 pounds back of the 18 he lost. Yay again!