Thursdays Are My Fridays, and Thursday Night, I Simply Collapsed. Time for Low-Key, Chill, Cerebral Accomplishments Without Needing to Be Present

Yesterday was a tremendous, culminating success. For the past semester, my undergraduate course was working in service-liaison with Franklin Elementary and, for a finale, it was decided the 3rd graders would come to campus for a day of writing. Principal Arlette Johnson was my students several moons ago, and I've watched her win awards, climb into leadership roles, and passionately embrace the excellence of her students. Now, it's the excellence of her students and faculty. She was only going to stop by and check out the on-campus scene but, to her thrill and delight, her meetings were cancelled, so she could stay the entire time.

It was a blast and I have the Women's Volleyball Team, my students the Center of Social Impact, and colleagues form Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation to thank. I always offer the advice...get great people, stay organized, and when the right time comes, throw a party.

Dr. Crandall, This is the BEST FIELD TRIP EVER.

Although for me the writing was inspirational because I love seeing every pencil in a room moving with passionate ideas, the young people loved the ice cream bar, mall-like cafeteria, and the surprise visit from Lucas the Stag. What a hit he was! My lord...mascots take a beating from young people excited to see them. Brilliant job, though.

It is ideal to have 1 undergraduate student for every 3 young people. The smiles on Ms. Quincy and Ms. Acevedo's face said it all. This is so wonderful to see. 

I think my remake of Let It Snow was a hit, too, and my constant repetition of everything five (Name five Things Game - an improvisational trick I learned during Covid). 

Ah, but the planning, the waiting, the pacing, the collaborating, the instruction, and the hope takes a lot from the mind and body and that is why this Friday I need to lay low. I am trying very, very hard not to get sick, and I know all the pushing without rest gets me too close for comfort. 

So, I need to lie still as I work for the next several days. I need sleep, honey, hot tea, and minimal stimulation. I just want to work on writing projects. 

Let today begin a few days of calm. 

Added Bonus to a Wednesday, with Thanks to Dr. Richard Novack (Fairfield Warde) Who Brought Dr. Lauren Leigh Kelly to Campus

It's been a Rutgers minutes since seeing collage Lauren Kelly, as I've taken Amtrak back to our home destinations over the years (she was a colleague of Dr. Nicole Mirra). Lauren works with hip hop literacy and is also a stellar champion for youth initiatives. We connected, too, through Marcelle Haddix.

Dr. Novack had Dr. Kelly as a keynote for his Fairfield Warde Voices of Equity keynote, a collaborative program between students, teachers, and administration at their school. Because of his CWP connection, as well as his adjunct work in the English Department, he brought his students to DSB yesterday for a daylong workshop on hip hop and art. I LOVED hearing Dr. Kelly speak about the work she does with youth communities all across the northeast. It is amazing. I'm inspired. I wish we were able to do collaborations together.

This morning, I'm heading to traffic-hell so I can greet 20 undergraduates and 60 3rd graders for a campus workshop on informative writing. I'm thankful, too, because the Women's Volleyball Team is assisting the instruction and it is my intent to get everyone drafting essays to inform others on what they know about. We shall see. This may be the youngest crew of learners I've brought to campus, but when exploring careers in education (and having a National Writing Project director as an instructor), this is what we do.

I do know, however, that I'm wrapping that up, doing a faculty interview with the School of Nursing, and then heading home to unwind my mind for a few days. By that, I mean I'm focusing on several writing projects that need immediate attention...including the pre-NCTE preparation I've not had time for. 

A haircut on Friday. That's the only distraction in the way of getting things done. 

Here's the Dr Novack and Kelly for their accomplishments yesterday.

Just Because the Eldest Sister Was Initiated in the "Clean Up in Aisle Five" Scenario, I Wore My Cynderballz Socks to Work Yesterday

When I opened my social drawer, they immediately stood out...the Cynderballz pair with the sky-blue joy of merrier days. I wanted her close to me for the recovery...the initiation of showing total parental love and for adulting like a champion the entire way. She's always thinking on her toes, so I wanted her on my toes, too...brotherly love. It is part of the life-cycle narrative that inevitably gets discussed, even when the outcome is somewhat dreary. 

The sad part is the doctor's office doesn't have an entire row dedicated to paper towels, which worked to my advantage a couple of summers ago. 

I don't like aging...not one bit. I've love the energy of age 18-45 with tremendous might, and now know the hints of what's to come are with me every day as I ache, complain, lose sleep, and worry about what is coming next. 

Here's to all children who reverse course when their parents get older. Here's to Cynde who does it with little complaining...just a lot of rescuing. And many thanks to Dylan for donating a pair of sweatpants to the cause.

Yesterday, I walked Karal and failed to grab a pair of gloves because I had no idea winter arrived overnight. I also drove to work in crazy flurries which were beautiful, but a little premature in my opinion. I'm not ready for the bone-pain of whipping winds, but that is what we received yesterday. I should have known from the rustling leaves dancing down the street last night and the ones that blew against my window. I queue the opening of Rudolph and the tale of brutal winters ahead. I'm okay with it once the lights are up, but without them I am just grumpy at the quick, season change.

I had tickets for a show after class last night, but the temperatures pushed me to simply drive home, because I don't want to be so exhausted, I get sick, too (which comes with this time of year).

Here's to Mittwoch and garbage day. Cheers to the idea of being productive. 

Good Company is the Best Way to Start a New Week. Sporadic, Collegiate Lunches for the Rescue.

I missed Dr. Eileen O'Shea's Wall Award lecture last week, where she discussed her research on palliative care with children who have cancer. I met Eileen on Rank & Tenure, and quickly learned to appreciate her still waters, deep humor, brilliance, and faith in doing good for others, especially young people who are suffering. Quality of life is what she's always been after as a nurse. 

Since I had to miss Eileen's lecture, she suggested we get lunch at Sophies on the Brick Walk in Fairfield, which was a great choice because the lunch was amazing (and oddly inexpensive...foo foo for less than a drive-thru burger...crazy). I had mussels as an appetizer. Always love my mussels.

It was wonderful to catch up, to be inspired, to talk ideas, and to vent frustrations with a colleague I cherish, admire, respect, and need to counter the insanity in what we do. The fact that we also got great food on a Monday was a bonus. I could talk to her for hours.

The rest of the day was meetings...meetings...and meetings. And today it's teaching, so onward, Tuesday. Here we go again. 

Ah, but the skies are blue. There isn't snow like there is in Syracuse and Rochester, and for now I have no clean up in aisle 5. The cardiac doctor's office in upstate NY, however...that's a different story. Butch bursted onto the scene once again.

1st Birthday Parties Mean Delicious Cake. Welcome to the Age of Walking and Bringing Cuteness Wherever You Go, Ms. Maddie

Crazy how fast the clock moves, especially when the next generation is brought to the forefront. It seems Maddie was just born and last night we were celebrating her first birthday at Patrick and Stephanie's with her brother, Ethan, and all the Cuzzies. Girls running around for miles. They also had the celebration catered by Bin 100. So it was great food for a Sunday afternoon.

Always amazed what a family is supposed to do with all the presents, when the house is already wall-to-wall toys for the kids. The excitement is real, a the Winnie the Pooh theme was a hit. 

We all felt the darkness, cold, and rain in our bones, however. I spent most of the day on the porch catching up with grading. I really need about a week's time to catch up on all needing to be done, and this week is not cooperating with all the meetings and obligations.

I'm on three faculty searches this semester, academic council, and of course our own school's PRC, and all of them are meeting nonstop on Monday, making me wonder how I'll finish grading and get ready for my own classes this week (not to mention the conference the week after). 

It'll all get done. It always does. 

But I am feeling my age. I just want to get more sleep. My brain is not working at the speed it used to.

With Total Exhaustion Hitting at 5 p.m. Last Night, I Revved Up the Engines and Decided to Grill for the Week

There really was no excuse to sit still, which is why I think I wanted to sit still. Leo and I attended the Senior Day volleyball game with Noey, Patty-Ann, Marley, and Phil (they won in three) and then we stayed around for the family picnic, which took forever as the girls had to shower and do themselves up for their families. By the time we got home at 4, Leo returned to Milford to nap and I sat in my house thinking, "I really could go to bed." 

The temperatures were warm yesterday, and I know the cooling comes this morning (with the unlikelihood of it getting that warm again until spring). That, and the dark by 5 nights simply pulled my energy level to an all time low. I knew, however, that I needed to do something to kick myself in gear.

So I grilled for the week. I turned on the back porch lights like it was summer, played with Karal by throwing sticks and toys, and put sausage and chicken out for the week. If I have the meats cooked, then I can mix them with other veggie dishes throughout the week, including some Indian ones I've wanted to try, as well as some soups. 

Seriously, though...I hate when I get as tired as I was last night. I'm so used to go...go..go...that when my body does slow down...forces me to slow down...I get perplexed. I couldn't stop yawing. 

We had goals for going out to dinner then to a bar to hear a band, but I knew everyone would cancel, especially since they have me by ten years and are even more tired than I am. I've learned in the past, that if something isn't started during daylight, no one is likely to leave their house. And I get it...I didn't want to leave my house last night and didn't.

"I Knew I Was in the Right Place on the 1st Day of Class When We Were Greeted with Tangerines and a Bottle of Bubbles."

Yesterday was interesting location to stop, pause, reflect, and move on, as the day began with an interview on New Haven Radio by the Readman, Dr. Jesse Turner. He approached me a while back, and I was excited to get the official invite over the weekend. "Sure. I love talking bout what I do as a National Writing Project Director."

I jotted down a few notes but then thought, "Just with the flow, Crandall. Be informal." Listening back, I'm always somewhat shocked that the storytelling and argumentation being made comes across like I actually have something to say. I'm so afraid the Clown-dall will take over the Crandall, and I'll regret something out of my mouth. 

I will say, I much prefer listening than watching (I linked the radio version and will share the video one at the end). We Crandalls fidget a lot and do things with our eyes and hands and lips when we're thinking ahead of what we might want to say, which is a little weird. I do love the song Dr. Turner uses to open his show, though. I've known of him for some time because of his passionate advocacy for K-12 teachers throughout the state.

In the afternoon, I met with seniors for advising, and one young woman, Ciara, surprised me when she showed up. She was with me in her freshman year and I didn't have her down as a potential English major. I knew she was in the Honors program, but as a quiet, intimidated new student, she never expressed her goal to be an English teacher. Surprise. That's her goal and she told me, "I knew I was in the right place on the 1st day of class when you arrived with tangerines and bubbles." I have no memory of this, but it seems 100% plausible and likely because I'm always bringing in snacks and gadgets to keep the class going.

It's also back-to-back volleyball games as we head towards Senior Day tomorrow. Looking forward to the final home match of the regular season and will deliver the team my Kentucky cake, which has become a ritual in my celebrations of others.

Okay, Saturday. We have such to accomplish. Let's go.