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Showing posts from July, 2025

Tea in the Sahara, or Coffee with the New Dean. . .

  A quick stop by the library's Mermaid for a coffee before the later coffee.  A pleasant 30 minutes.  Quiet jazz and only one other patron working on his laptop.  A far cry from the chaos of the academic year. O ne of about 25 faculty and staff to meet the new dean of our college this morning over coffee and some kind of dried out pastries.  Relax.  It's not an exclusive group.  There are actually several such opportunities during July for faculty and staff across the college to meet the new guy.   My impression?  Nice enough, and he talks a good line as someone friendly to the Humanities.  Time will tell.  But I suspect our new dean is someone who has, ultimately, been chosen to make steep cuts given the entire institution's ongoing budgetary shortfall.  A situation made more urgent given the last six months. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Afternoon Nap Style. . .

  A n oppressively warm Sunday here by all accounts, relieved late in the afternoon by a passing thunderstorm with s ome heavy rains.  Helped by the quiet hum of the air-conditioning in the background, a perfect opportunity for a 90 minute lie-down before the evening meal. -- Heinz-Ulrich

4th of July Style. . .

  H aving just returned from our family vacation up north, things are relatively low key here in the Grand Duchy today, but still dressing with intent.  Wine and some Scrabble, Yahtzee, or Gin Rummy with the Grand Duchess after fireworks this evening. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Schooner Style. . .

    J ust returned from a delightfully relaxing week "Up North" as they say here in Michigan, where we enjoyed cycling, sailing, kayaking, and yoga on the beach among other activities.  We stayed at our usual house outside of Traverse City on the Betsie River.  Not quite Salt Water New England ;-) but plenty of "big water" as the Grand Duchess remarked in conversation one evening over the Scrabble board and a glass of wine.  -- Heinz-Ulrich