The 88-degree temperatures yesterday made it seem a week bit icky, but they dropped at dusk, so I installed the new poles that arrived in the mail, and finished stringing the lights. Whethne, next door, yelled over the fence, "You're giving my wife ideas. She's asked for lights, too."
I always love the holidays because I can look at my tree for hours. I'm much calmer around those times, so I knew I'd like the outdoor lights for spring, summer, and fall evenings. I'd love to have a better way to turn them on and off, but they're easy enough to plug in, so I'll be alright.
Also had lunch with a colleague who retired 10 years ago. She also did her doctorate at Syracuse and we always shared Central New York connections. She was one of the only true intellects in our school and I hated to see her leave, because with her went so much integrity, expertise, history, and dedication. As we spoke and caught up, I was happy to see how she severed the insanity of doing the work and simply rolled into retirement with grace...making art, spending time with grandkids, and traveling. She was interested in the gossip (tea) of changes since she left, but I could tell she realized the disconnections were too many and it was hard for her to comprehend what has happened since she left.
I'm channeling her professionalism, however, as she always maintained grace and expertise in what she did. She saw the nasty stuff that comes with a department in higher education, but she didn't let her crush her (yeah, maybe an earlier than expected retirement), but she chose to go out with dignity (a trait she retains today).
Temperatures shall drop back to more June-like this week, as this brief two-days of July/August were simply a hint and the sweaty, humid mess to come (oh, I know it could be worse...I lived in the Midwest and have taught in the South. I'm a San Diego temperature guy...just give me high 70s with no humidity...why all these other variations?
