They're Called Black & Whites in Connecticut (Even When Orange & Brown), Half-Moon in Syracuse, and Cow Cookies in Kentucky

Truth is, every fall I get the craving to treat my graduate students with Half-Moons, although my local baker calls them Back & Whites (even when dyed Brown and Orange). My students thank me, I sometimes indulge (definitely did last night), and offer spares to anyone I pass in the hall. 

It's a good October tradition.

I also had students discuss Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, which is another YA tradition (with CNY ties) and read excerpts of her memoir Shout, which I pair with stories of the #MeToo movement. Definitely not a great evening to justify the ugliness of male behavior (and the policies that protect it). 

Today, the temperatures changed, and I'm giving my day of writing and planning. After spending hours on WorkDay yesterday (frustrated) I decided I need to do something better for my blood pressure and the sanity of all things good. 

I also notice that the shove from yesterday and the cookies for today are representing Autumn colors, which is good, because I've gone two days throwing back in my Syracuse ties and socks, which are orange and blue all the way. I cherish the respect and dignity of my doctoral studies there. 

I also cherish Hoffman hotdogs which I cooked Sunday in anticipation of a grab-n-go meal to assist another hectic week. I will say that a new bagel shopped opened up down the street and this makes me happy, too (even if last night's class discussed gluten at length and how bagels are massive triggers for those with the allergins). 

Now, time to get going on these writing projects.