Mid Semester and Break Time!!! in Tea at the Cabin in the Woods

Tonight I have to give the mid-term exam for a class I have only met with twice. Once, the first night of class and two weeks ago after 3 weeks of cancellations due to winter snow storms. Last week I was out with a nasty head cold. The class has been directed by discussion boards on-line, posting power points and assignments to be emailed back to me. This mid-term exam is comprehensive so I told them they could use a cheat sheet - I - 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper with notes from the study guide. I have my doubts about how this go, but sometimes I am surprised.

Our Spring Break begins Friday and goes for 2 weeks. The college has decided we need to do more study abroad courses and that having a two week break would encourage more travel courses. There is a group going to Kenya, one to Belize, one to Australia and one to New Orleans. Usually the faculty that take these trips focus the experiences on their area of study. You know, art history, marine biology, environmental science, etc… Someone asked me if I would offer one of these trips in the future. If there is a way to figure out how to incorporate Psychology into one of these, I’d jump at it. For some reason, I can’t figure out how to do that exactly. The thought of a Mindfulness adventure did come into the thinking process - a shamanic retreat or trip to learn to mediate in Tibet with the monks… I am open for suggestions.

The snow doesn’t seem to want to stop. I accidentally stepped off the deck not knowing where it ended, and dropped into the piles up to my waist. When I put my snow shoes on, I still sunk down nearly 6”. We figure there is a base of at least 36” in the yard if not more. I know spring is officially beginning in 3 weeks, but I seriously think we will not see the ground again for at least another month when we get, what New Englanders call, MUD SEASON! Here in our quaint little college town, someone took colored water and spray bottles and “Painted” a flower garden on the snow piles outside their house. Genius! I may have to do that by my front steps to add a little color.

So, you heard we are going to be grandparents. They found out they are having a little girl. Everyone is excited and both Mom & Baby are doing fine. Is it wrong that I felt a little disappointed it wasn’t a boy? I was hoping there would be boy to carry the family name on. We don’t have any boys to do this since the family is so small. In reality, I will love this little girl to pieces, and that’s what’s important. I also had a strange reaction to the name they picked out or rather my DIL picked out. It left me with a questioning mind… I had never heard the name and wasn’t sure how I felt about it, thinking -“Well, there won’t be any more of those in her class.” But it has grown on me and now I think it’s just fine. Funny how we react to news about grandchildren. We don’t have any say in what they name their children, how they dress them or in which way they choose to give birth or raise the children. This will be another lesson in biting my tongue and not turn into “ONE OF THOSE” mother in laws. Being so far away doesn’t help either. We don’t actually get to see her progress or watch the belly grow or see her kick. It’s a bit sad to miss out on little things like that. But I have to remind myself, it’s their child and their experience that counts - it’s not about me. Darn! I want it to be about me. Just kidding.

So, I am off to give the exam the hell to a class I barely know. This should be interesting. Enjoy the rest of the winter - and if you find time to write a good story - DO IT!

oh, that reminds me, Hubby got his book published! I had only read an early draft of it, and when he placed the printed book in my hands I had to read it again. It’s good! So much better than the first read with lots of unexpected twists & turns.