Well good people of the internet, you’d better fasten your
seatbelts because if you’re not attached to your chair you might fall out when
you fall asleep after reading this. Frankly, it was just too damned hot for
picture-taking. What it was good for though, was ranting.
Sunday,
July 14th
Today was the third anniversary of when Dr. M found out that
his position had been cut at Urbana University. This is what he had to say
about it: Bastille Day, 2016. The faculty
and staff reductions at UU were in full swing, and both formerly tenured
faculty and longtime staff were being carted off to meet Madame le Guillotine
in HR. I actually felt bad for the executioners. They were just doing their
jobs, and that is not a snide comment. But I must say the sheer ignorance of
life as an academic on display that day was appalling. The people offering
“placement assistance” so obviously had never seen the stacks of rejection
letters that are the norm for fledgling Ph.D.s, especially in Humanities, just
trying to get a full-time gig. I had gotten my chance to be THE history
professor, had given UU seven years of nearly year-round teaching, had earned
tenure under the old system even though I had to defer my dream of publishing
my manuscript, and had survived personal tragedy and unexpected mental and
emotional struggles, all in an effort to be what UU needed. Dana and I had even
joked that if we won the lottery we would make UU sustainable for our friends
and future students. Alack. The blade sang as it fell...
Oh, and here is the picture I took when deciding whether or
not to go to church. I decided not (I wasn’t feeling 100%).
Monday,
July 15th
I saw this GINORMOUS moth at work on Monday. Its wing span
was as wide as my foot! I wish I’d gotten my foot in the picture so you could
see. Whoa!
Tuesday,
July 16th
New Feryl
Designs jewelry. I might need some sort of help for my addiction. (She’s
having a July sale – I can hook you up with the coupon code if you like!)
Wednesday,
July 17th
I was eating lunch at my desk & reading my book when
both of my worlds collided! Freaky!
Thursday,
July 18th
Who needs to go to the fancy schmancy theater when you can
watch movies from the comfort of your armchair? This is how Dr. M is trying to
keep himself busy while waiting for surgery (July 29th!).
Friday,
July 19th
I posted this rant on Facebook on Thursday, but since there’s
no picture for today I’m doing to post it here. It was in response to this
article, about the crowds shouting “Send her back!” at a Trump rally in
Greeneville, NC: I haven't been talking
about this because I don't like controversy & I'm not really politically
eloquent (and I also know that these are stunts to get liberal softies like me
to lose it). But for heaven's sake (literally - what the heck Christians?). I
don't want my silence to imply that I approve of our president telling congress
members to "go back" to where they came from. They came from
districts who elected & sent them forth to work for their interests.
They're right where they belong. It also is clearly racist, and another strike
against women. That's how we're making America great? Letting a man who
objectifies and apparently dislikes women (except for one thing) guide our
country? A man who clearly dislikes people of color? He is supposed to be the
president for ALL of us. And I'm just so sad and angry that he's apparently the
president that so many people wanted. And now I'm going to be late for work.
Saturday,
July 20th
I had to laugh when I posted this picture on Facebook
yesterday – my caption was that it was “a dry shampoo no makeup kind of day.
Too bad I can’t carry this insta filter with me to the grocery store!” Folks
apparently missed the part where I didn’t really look like this (for example, I
have no idea how to make my lashes look like that). It was just the Instagram
filter making me look all glamorous – in reality I should maybe have not left
the house. Ha!
Here’s hoping for cooler temps, less ranting, and lovelier
pictures this coming week!
The world is insane; our part frighteningly so. I don't understand it, I don't like it, I don't know if it can be fixed - ever. Oooo I want a filter like that - my pictures look like some old lady I never saw before!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that a lot of people make their feelings known loud and clear on Election Day 2020 and vote for restoring the grace and stature of America. I'm tired of the Lowest Common Denominator being the face and philosophy of my country.
ReplyDeleteImagine the indians, who were first nation, tell Trump and all the other "whities" go back to where you came from, to Europe.
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens when Man disobeys God. God has given every race and ethnicity a territory. The europeans started colonialism which brought diversity and migration, and now they're in a big mess. There are no solutions in God's Book to racial conflicts, so disintegration is to be expected.
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ReplyDeleteI relate to your rant. I can relate to Dr. M's angst. Why are we living like this?
ReplyDeleteI'm back to news blackouts. it's all horrendous and getting worse. this is going to be a nasty election cycle from Trump. he's already slandering Dems. this country is done I'm afraid. I want my grandkids to move someplace else.
ReplyDeleteThat always freaks me out when something comes up in a book when it relates to what I'm doing - I'm like, ARE YOU WATCHING ME????
ReplyDeleteBravo to your rant. I could not have said it better.
ReplyDeleteDr. M's experience brought back memories of 15 years ago after giving "all" for 12 years. Quite a shock back then, but in retrospect, for the best.
ReplyDeleteThinking about him as surgery approaches.
Again, love your rant. I could say so many things, but they would all echo what you said already.
ReplyDeleteDr. M's chair looks very comfy. And his surgery happens on my mother's birthday - I'm taking this as a lucky sign for him!