Professor J's Place

Okay, it may sound silly, but this is the lazy-woman's version of national novel writing month. It also may be a way to meet other bloggers out there and have some fun getting to know each other. Last year I tried NaNoWriMo for about a week. It was a lot of fun, but then life interviened. I was too busy, lazy, cowardly, (fill in your own adjective) to make a go of it. But this I can do.

I was talking to my friend Michelle (an RN) today about how lousy I feel, and she asked me how my blood sugar is doing. "I don't know," I replied, "I ate well today, so it should be fine." Of course, I should know. I should be testing my blood every day. It is, as Michelle reminded me ever so gently, very important for a diabetic to monitor her glucose levels. And, of course, I should be on a healthy diet. I did take a step in that direction yesterday, when I rejoined weight watchers. This is good. Now I'll go by a pharmacy later today and pick up a glucometer. So why am I posting this personal stuff? To keep me honest. I made a promise to myself this morning to lose 24 pounds in the next 90 days before Christmas. That sounds like a great deal of weight, but it is an average loss of two pounds a week. I can do that if I work at it. So expect me to post about eating and exercising and all of that boring stuff over the next few months. And the occasional encou...

Personally, I favor the idea of two years of college free at state institutions for anyone with a "B" average in High School. But then, I always was a bleeding heart liberal. NYTimes proposal

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to read a short piece of writing by my young friend Stella (16 I think). It was a little thought experiment in which she explored the idea that plants might have feelings. I was really touched. Empathy is the one thing I think needs to be taught more often. People my age and older often fuss about politeness--but it is empathy that is the root of all good in this world, including politeness. How does one teach empathy? Does it have to be done early in life? Is it something you are born with? I don't know. I'm just proud of Stella for being that kind of a girl.

It's time to get back to the woods again. I long for a few hours just feeling the honest sweat of a walk on dirt and rocks. I long for the air that somehow feels fresher and more wholesome than that of my suburb. Unfortunately, I seem to be drowning in papers this weekend, so I doubt I'll get much of an opportunity to walk in the woods. If I'm lucky, I'll get to take the dogs to the dog park or get a walk around the neighborhood. Heck, maybe I'll even mow the back yard (let's not get carried away, here!). Autumn, come quickly!