meanwhile back at FMU...

Yesterday the faculty helped the Freshmen move in. It was really kind of fun. And the president cooked us hot dogs (sigh). Sort of took me back to my first year when my parents brought me to Cottey. In the afternoon, I walked by this dorm room and this boy had all his stuff unpacked, his bed made and was sitting in his room by himself. I just wanted to hug him. Almost made me cry. That first week is a bitch.

And then they all turn into little bastards....

I'm teaching 3, three, III classes this semester and one of them only has 3, three, III people in it!!!! Of course, I also have an article, a book review and a book to finish this semester. Still it is less stress than "hell."

Pilgrimage West ... Chapter 5 & 6

I fell a little behind on my posts (and everything else) as I tried to work too much in at the last minute, of course. Week before last, I went to Fayetteville, Arkansas to visit my friend Pam and her folks. We had a great time. She and her dad play guitar and we all had a big jamboree one night. Her mom fed me fried okra from the garden. It was great fun! I love that part of Arkansas and they are fabulous hillbillies!
On the MO homefront, Grandpa is doing very well and should be out soon. I helped him put a deposit down on a VERY nice assisted living place in Branson and I hope they get in there soon. Dad is not so well. I think he's decided that he's going to die and that is that. It's his path to walk....sigh.... My nieces and nephews will be in college before I get to see them (well, not really but it seems like it). I'll go back again at Christmas.
On my way to an overnight stay in Gallatin, I was driving up 65 in Nashvegas, the traffic had slowed for a wreck. I was sort of silently cussing that when my phone rang and a person on the other end started yelling about how I was "weaving all over the road, I oughta pull you over..." My friend, former student, and Nashvegas undercover cop, Morgan, was right behind me from working that wreck. Isn't that synchronicity???? Weird.
So here we are back in South Cackylacky. The house is great. The flora and fauna have exploded (my elephant ears are HUGE). The cat is fat. We have some "getting ready for school" to do. Jacob and I help the Freshmen move in on Sat. then on to Sophomore year and work for me on Monday! Yikes! I can't believe it's time again.
I have a GREAT schedule this fall. Good thing as I have lots of writing to finish. So, at the end of this pilgrimage, what did I learn? - Family is family with their own paths to walk and who am I to tell them how or what to do. Friends can be saviors from the trying to fix family. Do what you want to if you have the chance because the chance might only come round once. People are generally good (that was sort of a reminder instead of a revelation). Home is where you make it (although, I still have trouble with this one).
Ready....ok, teacher mode, on....More posts about the little bastard students later! :-)

ps: I now realize that I have misspelled pilgrimage throughout this entire summer. Thank the gods and goddesses for spellcheck (on word).