The first day of class

I've been M.I.A. for the last week.

I'm excited. "Needs grading" means wonderful new people to get to know and help them along with their goals. 

What should be my next knitting project?

I want to return for another project in the Japanese book. Although there are several lovely pull-overs, at this time in my life, I need something that is easier to pull on and off. So I'm thinking about this swing cardigan called Maple Leaves.

I need help deciding which version to do: with the panels, probably in darker blues and purple or in a solid color.

The day before

I'm on a liquid diet today to prepare for a medical test tomorrow. Everyone of a particular age should do it once a decade. 

My biggest concern is the sugar content of the drinks. The nurse assured me that since I'm not eating anything else, it was OK. "Enjoy it!" 

Even still, I'm trying to use mostly apple and pulp-free orange juice.

This still life has three vessels of note. The coffee cup was given to me by a colleague. That's the Bangla alphabet on it. 

I needed a small glass for the juice. A little Coca Cola dollar store glass seemed right.  I picked it up to use it on my overnight stays on my last teaching gig.

The water glass is my son's. He's a big water drinker. Maybe it won't be so hard pushing liquids, if I can think about pleasant things.

No rest for the ...

I got a notification that my office key was ready. The building is newly remodeled so all the furniture is new. The previous occupant was part-timer, so there was little clear out. I was able to snag a copy of one of my texts. Now I can start getting my syllabus together.

Later in the afternoon, I got electronic access to the text for my other class.

I really have to get to work now.

What was carried away.

It was snapped quickly, not a great picture, but enough to document what I already knew.

I can tell you what is in the bags on the left, under his right arm. The blue bag is a relic from long ago, a case to hold our first Macintosh computer. My dear sister and brother-in-law have been storing it for years, the "why" long forgotten. Now it holds sheets, towels and a new mattress pad stuffed into huge zip bags.  Hangers, both shirt and pant, are flat on two faces.  His dress shoes and galoshes are on top. His Brony messenger bag, folded in two, added to the narrow front pocket just that morning, because there was no place else.

The big rolling bag is my sport trunk, used only once on the trip last summer when we visited the college in Switzerland for the first time. His dress shirts in a packing envelop and the blanket are packed deep. The everyday clothes had been set aside in the last few weeks, snagged as they came out of the laundry. The pants are laid flat, the T-shirts rolled around the outside.  On top, in the zipper divider and lid, are the socks and underwear and pajamas. The last could be added added only after he awoke that morning. His freshly cased pillow in a zip bag, nestled in its cranny, fit only after the last air was pushed out.

The other two bags were under his more intimate packing care. His rolling bag held what he hopes will be the beginning of the Franklin Board Game Club, some newly chosen, some well loved. I think his backpack made it into that bag. 

Everything else, from his toothbrush to his new laptop, must be in the red bag. 

Anything else didn't matter. 

This was what was carried away.

Do you know what you see?

...the first leaves of fall.

I'm good at this

My son allowed me to chink his T-shirts into his trunk.

A small contribution

My son is setting up his new laptop to take to college. He has a separate keyboard and mouse which needed some protection.

The microfiber towel was bought to take on our Expo trip to Japan in 2005, I think. Green is/was his favorite color. That's not the oldest thing used. The buttonhole elastic for the cord tether was a remnant from when I was making pants during my pregnancy.

I guess it'll do.

I do feel naked

As my knuckles seem to grow larger, I have been fretting that I would never be able to remove my wedding ring.  Last night a story came across my feed about how tough it is to remove titanium wedding bands in an emergency. Included was a YouTube link which gave me inspiration to work on my own band.

With the help of my husband and not without some difficulty, I am now ringless. I am off today to take it in for a cleaning and sizing.

Details, progress noted

I went up to campus and accomplished several things. I have an ID and an email address. I filled out tax forms. I walked by my office and discerned that it is windowless. I may have to add a webcam to my window at the house.

It's done

I finished it in time for the Capitalfest this weekend. As I said before, it's perfect for late summer in upstate New York. 

I don't know if I'm sad or glad

They are tearing down the McDonald's. I'm sure it was among the first fast food restaurants on the Southside strip, thirty-five years ago. They are rebuilding in the newest design.

I mourn our disposable society.

Down to the last details

Now that I'm back home and have access to my needles, I'm working on finishing the sweater. I have done the neck band and am starting the first sleeve band.

I know that this sweater was to complete my travel wardrobe for the trip, but it would have been too warm to Singapore and Milan. So now to finish it for late summer in upstate New York. Just perfect.

It's closing

I liked it. I liked the creative style. But I couldn't fit into much of what she sold. I was walking by when I saw the sign. I went in and tried again. No, even if it was 40% off, I still couldn't buy anything. I'm so sorry for another local shop with a great idea that didn't make it.

I'm so depressed. I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts on the way home. I didn't buy the donuts I wanted. It wouldn't have helped.

Updated: I wrote this before our trip. I walked by the store after getting home. It is empty with a hand-written sign.

How did it happen?

My chili pepper plants were topped off. I don't think they will survive. The tomato plants are fine. I noticed it the day the yard mowers were here. I can't imagine it was intentional.

Updated:  I wrote this before we left on our trip. These plants were devastated when we got home. My neighbor told me that it was deer. They eventually did in all these plants and more in her yard. She was furious at the loss of the lily blossoms.

Nothing like it

My geraniums were in full bloom on the porch to greet me home, with a multitude of thanks to my neighbors for keeping them watered.

Oatmeal

I cooked a pot of oatmeal this morning. There is plenty to reheat for later.

I did fairly well on our trip, lots of exercise and meal portion control. The big problem I had was that I didn't bring enough medication. I rationed it as soon as I realized it. I don't think there was any lasting harm. I must be very diligent now. I know what has to be done.

I am happy to get back to my routine. It is comforting as I look ahead to lots of changes in the next month.