U.S. Thanksgiving Week Monday. . .

A blissfully quiet, early Monday here at the library cafe where I am checking email and taking care of a few other small things before meeting with (probably very few) students for class at 10:20. Somehow, the four-day Thanksgiving Weekend long ago morphed into a 10 to 14-day vacation, with many students missing in action well ahead of (and following) the holiday break itself.

Inexplicably and imprudently since the end of the fall semester/term comes hot on the heels of the Thanksgiving holiday, and there are always a number of students who can ill afford the self-imposed interruption in their work and focus. But, as the saying goes, you makes your choice, and you pays your price. Forethought and planning ahead no longer seem to be part of the genetic code.

Otherwise, an easy couple of days early this week before The Young Master and I bake a pie or two and prepare a few other dishes on Wednesday for the big day Thursday. Since our respective families are spread around the United States and far from Michigan, and we long ago decided to avoid chaotic holiday travel, it will just be the three of us. But we make it nice with a fully set table, special family dishes that we don't have often, and we get dressed for the occasion. As is right and proper.

Without a doubt, there will be "a coupla three" (as my much missed maternal grandfather used to say) such photographs shared right here later in the week. Stay tuned.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

Comments

Flannel and Suede Tuesday. . .

W hew! Almost three hours spent reading and providing feedback for 41 self-evaluative reflections submitted by students at the end of last week for one of my two courses this semester/term. A largely thankless task since most will pay no attention to the probing questions asked and suggestions made. There are ten such low risk (two points each) formative assignments between Week Two and Week 13 besides three collaborative projects (due at the end of Week Five, Week 10, and Week 14) and a semester capstone that students complete individually (due at the end of Week 15). The format is similar for all of the courses I teach whether face-to-face, hybrid, or asynchronous online. So, why spend the time providing feedback for the ether? To create a paper trail of sorts. That way, when students come to me with either belligerence or crocodile tears (it rarely varies) and complaints that they won't be able to earn their A+ -- a foregone conclusion out ahead of the invariable medical

Halloween Monday Style. . .

A dark, wet Halloween today, so time to break out the flannel three-piece, which is one of my favorites during the cooler/colder months. My sole concession to the day is the orange necktie which is a Brooks Brothers 'Makers' and, in my view, perfect for the fall season given its colors. The fedora, worn without irony, is a Borsalino 'Noir' model, which works wonderfully well with a trench coat. Hey, everyday is dress-up day in my little corner of the world. Here's a tip. When you dress everyday, and become used to doing so, it ceases to feel like a costume, and you become less self-conscious, eventually forgetting about your clothes all together once they are on your body. Which is what you want. Of course, it helps if you observe older male family members doing so routinely during your formative years, but that's not entirely necessary when you have the right approach. Take a page from Carol Dweck's book and adopt what she has termed a 'g

Fall Break Monday Style. . .

T he Young Master and I had some fun yesterday (Sunday) afternoon while digging out a few exterior seasonal decorations from the furnace room. Enlarge the top photograph to see what Mr. Bones is reading about at my son's suggestion. Personally, I would be happy to skip the Halloween decorations outside beyond a couple of jack-o-lanterns glowing on the front porch for trick-or-treat evening, but The Young Master, who turns 13 this week, still enjoys it, so what are you gonna do? He will be answering the door this year, however, rather than heading out himself. But fear not all you advocates of kids hopped up on sugary treats! His Tae Kwon Do studio has organized a trunk-or-treat for Saturday afternoon, in which our son will indulge following his morning classes toward Black Belt Recommended status (testing in December). Fall Break the first two days of this week, so a bit more work from home since, officially at least, the university is not closed for faculty and staff. J

Classic Style

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