A Commonplace Book

1. “You look peaceful today:” Jacinta, a preschool mom, told me as I was dropping Gwen off. Most days, I feel a little haggard, so this was nice to hear. Her comment actually made me feel peaceful.

2. Cinnamon Chip Bread: near our home, there is a locally-owned bread shop, where they mill their own flour. They don’t always have the cinnamon chip, but they did today, and it was steaming hot. It’s now cooling on my kitchen counter, and my whole house smells like fresh cinnamon bread.

3.  Hot Surveyor: this guy was smokin’–tall, tan, salt and pepper curly hair, beard, wooden bead bracelet. I’ve always been drawn to someone a little hippyish (those who have seen Reg know what I mean). However, it wasn’t his general hotness, but the fact that he was at least five years older than me (mid to late 40’s) that I find inspiring. It’s uplifting to know that there are folks in their 40’s (who aren’t on TV ) who can still turn heads. 

4. Nina: my dearest friend Nina called from New York last night, and we shared some deep from the gut laughter. Nina is truly one of the smartest people I know, and she’s built an amazing career in journalism to prove it. Still, she’s got enough of the YO in her to root for Jess on Rock of Love. Connecting with her made me feel loved all morning.

5. Student Papers: I completely overhauled my remedial course this semester, and if this first batch of papers is any indication, the new design is going to work. Typically, remedial course essays contain too much of what my colleague Chris describes as “received phrases,” which are essentially meaningless fluff or what a former, less tactful, colleague used to call “golly gee talk.” The essays I’ve read yesterday and this morning show some real originality and insight, and one in particular earned a SOCKO, my highest praise (props TR).