photos from yesterday's walk

Same place...as those lovely fall leaves a few posts back.

photos from yesterday

A funny

Not nice to giggle over non-native English, but this one is too precious not to share:

"In history, the difference of social status make the words for women have negative connotations. Eg. To call a man a professional is a compliment; but to call a woman professional is perhaps to be a prostate."

The teeth make a reappearance

Sam got his braces off today. It was quite the ordeal. He was terribly worried that the orthodontist would hem and haw and suggest more time was needed, which in effect he did. "There is a small gap between two of the molars on the lower right that we could close up with about 3-4 more weeks of treatment." Meanwhile there are scads of people on this earth with huge great gaps between more than just a pair of teeth. I knew this was a no go and said "take them off" in my best Marie Antoinette voice. So they did. And then they just needed to do a couple of wee impressions to make the retainers. Well, it turns out that Sam's mouth is not the shape of any tray into which mould goop is poured. They had to do about four on each of the top and bottom. After he gagged and threw up for one of them they moved him into a more private area so he wouldn't scare the younger patients. What price beauty? He does have a gorgeous smile and the sick didn't hit his clothes before going back to school, so all in all another good day.

Shenanigans, snow and my raise

One of Sam's friends got suspended from school for chasing two younger girls on the way home the other day wearing a scary clown mask. Apparently, the vice principal told the remaining boys, "the girl has a profound fear of clowns." I managed not to burst immediately into giggles as Sam relayed this tale at dinner - I don't actually approve of terrorizing other children -- but the phrase "profound fear of clowns" was hard to keep a straight face for.

This morning we woke up to a dusting of snow on the hills and mountains and the windshield of Craig's car. I am loathe to give up and pick all the remaining tomatoes (there is only so much chutney one can make) so this evening I have wrapped the plants in old sheets.

And I got my raise. I called to schedule an appointment with my dean and his assistant said, "well, he has some time right now" Gulp. But no time to get all worried. We chatted and he called me about twenty minutes later to say I can expect to see that raise hit my next pay check. All in all, a great day.

fall semester post break

I slipped in and out of the office today as if on a stealth mission. Getting a few thousand miles away for a few days makes you realize that you should do it more often. Nothing blew up; no one required serious first aid, and I had a great time. So I slipped in, taught my class, listened to some voice mail, went to pilates (core somewhat suffering from pain au chocolat) and came home. Everyone here seems to have thrived in my absence. Teenagers are a miraculous thing. They just keep sleeping, eating cheezits, and making you glad you have the family unlimited texting plan.

Saturday night I engaged in extreme jet lag therapy. Prior to my departure Craig asked if I wanted to join him to see Bob Schneider (no relation) right after my return from Paris. Why not? Keen to see this guy that he finds so compelling. But I did not realize that compelling guy would not actually mount the stage until well after 11pm. I know that sounds provincially early, but I was running on fumes. Fortunately, the floor was so sticky with spilled drinks that I couldn't have fallen over if I had wanted to. And he was great. A true performer, master of many genres. And Craig was so tickled by his antics that I perked up and actually boogied a little. Of course, not possible to get a glass of red wine. Craig seems to take me to these places where they are not sure what that is and if they were to dig up a bottle you might best run from it.

11 hour flight to a different world

As soon as I got back I headed for Millcreek Canyon to check out the fall colors. Here are some pictures of my solitary walk up the Bowman Fork Trail.