Beautiful Day!

I finally finished calculating final grades. It has been a very interesting and challenging semester. The formula I use is very useful when calculating final grades because these grades reflect the effort students put into this course throughout the semester. Some students write well, but others do not understand how to synthesize information. I also managed to respond to all Email messages which I had not read over the weekend.


At 3:30 p.m. my companion came home and I decided to go outside to work on my garden. I removed weeds and planted some flowers. It is almost impossible to do this with crutches, but I managed to do some work by sitting on a stool. I often place my left foot on a foot stool or elevate it as much as I can and that minimizes the pressure I feel on my toes. I have noticed that if I walk outside with my crutches, my left foot begins to hurt after a while. The downside of moving around with crutches is that it hurts a lot under my arms, especially if I walk back and forth. I cannot wait to get rid of this heavy boot and hope the surgeon allows me to walk without a cane or boot. At the moment, I have to avoid putting any weight on my left foot. I hope that this is over by May 12th.

Another Rainy Day

I was looking forward to walking outside this evening so that I can regain my strength, but the weather is not cooperating.

My spring 2012 schedule is ready for departmental review. I have to finish preparing my finals and complete the manuscript I began writing in January. I have not been able to resume my work because of other pressing assignments and recent physical challenges.

The new neighbors moved in on Monday. I am delighted that they are MSU students. I hope they become active in the neighborhood association and participate in town-wide activities. This town surely needs young people's energy. It has tremendous potential if only we could change the tendency politicians have to hire their own friends, relatives, and those the machine anoints.

Busy Week

I walked outside for the first time this past Wednesday. I was the first person in my district to cast a vote for the best candidates for the Board of Education in Bloomfield. It felt great to be outside if only for 20 minutes.


Sunday was sunny and bright only in the a.m., but I had a chance to go outside for about half an hour. I do not like walking outside without someone to watch over me because I have fallen three times already and cannot risk hurting my left foot. I have to wait until May 12th for the surgeon to allow me to start physical therapy. I cannot wait to be able to walk normally.

I can honestly say that I have spent the past four weeks working 24/7 on course-related activities, responding to emails, and trying to complete my own research. I thought I could rest for a while, but that did not happen. However, being sidelined gives one an opportunity to reflect on what has happened in the past few years. It is time for me to make some changes and focus on the things I enjoy doing and researching. Life is too short to be wasted on petty concerns because it is over before we have had a chance to accomplish all our goals.