The thing to remember about fathers is...

I was reading this bit by Phyllis McGinley earlier today, and thought I would share it. It is a little bittersweet for a Father's Day poem, but I thought that it spoke to the relationship between my Dad and I pretty well, especially at this time of my life. Happy Father's Day to a man who leads by showing a life well-lived - to a dad that is excited for my adventures, but always waits to welcome me back home.

First Lesson

Phyllis McGinley

The thing to remember about fathers is, they're men.

A girl has to keep it in mind.

They are dragon-seekers, bent on improbable rescues.

Scratch any father, you find

Someone chock-full of qualms and romantic terrors,

Believing change is a threat -

Like your first shoes with heels on, like your first bicycle

It took such months to get.

Walk in strange woods, they warn you about the snakes there.

Climb, and they fear you'll fall.

Books, angular looks, or swimming in deep water -

Fathers mistrust them all.

Men are the worriers. It is difficult for them

To learn what they must learn:

How you have a journey to take and very likely,

For a while, will not return.

Thursday Thank Yous

What I'm doing today...

Recycled paper beads...

I remember making something like this in middle school, but I am trying again! I got the how-to from A Storybook Life. Elliot is helping me to rip up little pieces of newspaper today, and we'll see if I can finish them up on Sunday.

Step #1: Gather a small pile of newspapers from the recycling basket.

Step #2: Rip the paper into small pieces. (This takes a surprisingly long time, but it's a good movie-watching task)

Step #3: Put the newspaper into a large stockpot.

Step #4: Pour over enough boiling water to cover the paper.

Step #5: Allow to sit for an hour or so.

Step #6: Stir to help the paper break down.

Step #7: Drain as much water out of the paper as possible.

Step #8: Add enough glue (clear) to help the paper hold together when balled up.

Step #9: Roll the paper into round balls of any size, squeezing out moisture while rolling.

Step #10: Let them dry for a few days, rolling them three or four times a day.

Step #11: Sand each bead smooth.

Step #12: Drill a hole of your desired size in each bead.

Step #13: Paint!

Step #14: Varnish! I think I'll use Modge Podge for this step.

Thursday Thank Yous

love is nails

Originally uploaded by Varun_Chopra

Love, by C.S. Lewis

Love's as warm as tears, Love is tears: Pressure within the brain, Tension at the throat, Deluge, weeks of rain, Haystacks afloat, Featureless seas between Hedges, where once was green Love's as fierce as fire, Love is fire: All sorts--Infernal heat Clinkered with greed and pride, Lyric desire, sharp-sweet, Laughing, even when denied, And that empyreal flame Whence all loves came.

Love's as fresh as spring, Love is spring: Bird-song in the air, Cool smells in a wood, Whispering "Dare! Dare!" To sap, to blood, Telling "Ease, safety, rest, Are good; not best." Love's as hard as nails, Love is nails: Blunt, thick, hammered through The medial nerves of One Who, having made us, knew The thing He had done, Seeing (what all that is) Our cross, and His.

This is my town...

From a History of Elwood, according to The Women's Council Elwood:

1869

The town of Quincy now numbered about 300 people. Francis M. Hunter, who had a store was also postmaster. He was notified by the post-office department that Indiana already had a town in Owens County named Quincy, and the department suggested that the name here be changed. As a group of men were discussing the matter they noticed the small son of Jesse B. Fraiser playing about. His name was Elwood and someone suggested that they give the town his name, so, officially on June 15 1869 Quincy became Elwood

Well, I think that about sums up the spirit of our town as long as I've known it.

Ivy Tech Thoughts

I am currently sitting in the faculty lounge waiting for my cousin Jac to call me. We are meeting for lunch today! I'm excited - we haven't spent much time together since we were little, so it'll be nice to see her again.

In the meantime, I've been working, goofing off, and talking to other faculty while I wait for her [to wake up? Yes, I know it is noon, but we are talking about Jac].

Some school thoughts:

What do you do when: a student signs all his papers "Yours truly"; uses adjectives in his paper to describe you like, "wonderful", "fantastic", and "brilliant"; and sometimes looks at you with puppy eyes? I am still trying to figure that out.

What do you do when another faculty member (this is the fifth) challenges your presence in a room because they believe you're either a confused student or a kid that gets a thrill from being somewhere they're not supposed to be? So far I just smile as sweetly as possible and tell them what class I instruct. Not all of them believe me, though. Perhaps I should wear my contract around my neck?

I do have one personal success as far as dealing with awkward situations. I was always uncertain how I would behave if I was unliked. I want a good rapport with my students, because I feel that can be an important factor in a student's investment in a class. However, I also just have an overwhelming desire to be liked sometimes, so it's not just about the students' success. Anyway, I am happy to report that nasty looks, personal comments, and talking about unfair grades (in hoarse whispers during class time) have only been reprimanded because they are unprofessional. Unexpectedly, and fortunately, they have not phased me on a personal level.

Overall, teaching at a community college has been a rewarding experience. I use the perfect tense because we only have two weeks left, and I feel that I've gotten from this experience all that I hoped to and more - I don't think it's something I will continue to do next semester. Teaching however, I hope to do forever, so it's time to find a new venue!