The co-op is over and I have my free time back.
American History ended on a high note. I managed to get through the Vietnam war and even challenge my students to continue their study of history and to question everything all the time. At the end of my lecture, the students stood and applauded. I was very touched by that.
On the other hand, they may have just been happy the course is over …
After studying the 20th century and the presidents and problems that came about, I was left wondering why we trust our elected officials so implicitly. This is especially the baby boomers of the 60s and 70s – the people I looked up to (as I was at the tail end of that age group). How could a group of people that had an inherent distrust of the government and the things our government told us, now take everything the government tells us as absolute truth? I am especially thinking in terms of the pandemic.
During the pandemic, most of my older friends were the first to quarantine, mask up, clean their mail, and get their shots and boosters. What happened between then and now to make this remarkable change in paradigm? It could be argued that the boomers are older and wiser now, but government officials are still people. It’s something I continue to ponder.
My Little House Literature Course ended on a whimper but the kids seemed to still enjoy it. I tried to make donuts on my hot plate but just couldn’t achieve a high enough temperature. It took forever and then they were too greasy. But at least they got an idea of what Mrs. Wilder’s homemade donuts were like.
I’m hoping that the one thing I tried to get across to those kids stuck – that life in the late 19th century was hard, and modern conveniences are truly time savers!
Now that I have some free time, Miss C. and I are going to try some of these crafts from my Catholic Icing Membership to prepare for Holy Week.
I’m also going to get back to daily flute practice and back to Bible in a Year. I’m just going to pick up wherever the group is now. I really missed that over the past 12 weeks.
Interestingly, my use as a flutist isn’t in as much demand as my vocal talents (such as they are) in my parish. I will be singing alto this Good Friday and I’ve been practicing that every day as well.
My apologies to the parish in advance.
I was going to really work out on my elliptical now as well, upping from 4 days a week to 5 or more. But last Monday I was cruising along at 25 mph while watching Platoon. SNAP! I heard a loud noise. I thought at first it was from the movie, but then POW! my peddles gave way and I landed on the floor. My solid stainless steel axle broke! I had worn it away after only 4 1/4 years!
And while I’m kind of proud of that, I am now without an elliptical because it is beyond repair, even with a new axle.
But because of my knees and my health, I bit the bullet and bought a new one. I’ll report back when it gets here.
I also have a lot of things to do to get Rosie ready to graduate. I ordered her diploma, but I still have to get her NCAA worksheets filled out and I have to get her graduation ring and help organize the graduation event. It’s going to be a busy time.
My sister and I had something unique happen to us. We each had a grandchild born to us on April Fool’s Day! I’ve never heard of anything like that happening before and I wonder what the odds are. I don’t usually like that holiday; I’ll like it better now.
So now, on to Holy Week!