7-30-17 Right after school let out in June, I bought myself a small, pink leather backpack that’s just large enough to hold my laptop, a paperback book, a pad, and my variety of cords and pens. It was a big, luxury purchase for me because I did NOT need another case for a laptop or … Continue reading Day Twenty One – Pink Leather

7-30-17 After reading my 29 Gifts blog, the whole world is probably going to know what an antisocial creature I truly am. I don’t mean to be, but I spend so many of my hours with people, either teaching, listening, interviewing, or talking with them that the hours of solitude and silence with just my … Continue reading Day Twenty – Lunch – With People

7-29-17 Day Nineteen started slow because I didn’t sleep well, but it ended out all right because of a bunch of kids. You see, I truly think I could become a hermit – for at least a few, glorious months, and I’m reminded of this each and every summer since becoming a professor. After a … Continue reading Day Nineteen – Kids’ Play

7-28-17 On the eighteenth day, I went back to basics and offered a word of support and kindness to two different friends who, like me, struggle with depression. I suspect that theirs may be more debilitating than mine, and I am so grateful that once upon a time, someone I respected tremendously shared her own … Continue reading Day Eighteen – A Kind Word

7-27-17 Day Seventeen was kind of a big one for me and the 29 Gifts project, but there’s a bit of a story to it. One of the major roads in our community is under construction, being widened to accommodate the additional traffic because the area has grown by leaps and bounds. It’s much-needed improvement, … Continue reading Day Seventeen – The Bling Thing

7-26-17 Not only was Dan due home today, but Minerva, my little Mini Cooper, was due for her first service since I ponied up for the first service contract in my life. I thought she was just going in for an oil change, but the service manager clarified that the reason the little picture of … Continue reading Day Sixteen – The Wallet – Twice

7-25-17 Dan comes home tomorrow, so I’d kind of planned for today to be a day of complete rest and relaxation. But you know what they say about the “best laid plans…” Too many other responsibilities popped up, and each one took longer than expected, so aside from sneaking in a nap, it was a … Continue reading Day Fifteen – Thank You for Your Service

7-24-17 Today was the day I’d been dreading all week. After cleaning up the bedroom the other day, I had to take yesterday off to recuperate. But I was back at it today, working in Dan’s closet, hoeing through old clothes that had been hanging there since we’d moved them there a dozen years ago. … Continue reading Day Fourteen – Forty Three Pairs of Pants

7-23-17 I did not want to leave the house today. Actually, I have not wanted to leave the house since Dan left on Thursday, and the only reason I have was because my presence was my present on the days when I have. I think I could live for a month without having to see … Continue reading Day Thirteen – Great Legs

7-22-17 I am not a patient person. I long to be mellow and relaxed about – oh, anything really, but that doesn’t seem to be part of my DNA. I want to be organized and structured and wildly spontaneous and creative all at the same time. Maybe that’s why I’m such a hot mess as … Continue reading Day Twelve – Dinner and a Cleanup