Quite, for a day

I'm back in my office the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I've been grading papers and doing some things that are more easily done with some peace and quiet.  After Break things will rush again for a little while before getting back to this leisurely pace.  I'll have work to do at home and it will be hard to accomplish with my family around.  There is no separate work-room in our house and they do not respect my need to focus so I'll work early or late when they are sleeping.

Thanksgiving

I've never been a big fan of Thanksgiving.  Being rigid in my values, I've always felt that we should be grateful all year round.  I've never seen a connection between gratitude and over-consumption or sports. I spent many a year with family members outside my immediate family that did not seem to have any interest in me.

We've been fortunate as a married couple to celebrate the feast with friends from church, but that's still for me mainly a chance for fellowship with good friends and a chance to sample good cooking.

College Applications

Our son is applying for college.  He is a hard worker, but he has been putting this off over and over again.  My wife has taken the lead in getting on his case about putting the time in.  He seems in over his head and I wish that I could be more of a help---he seems overwhelmed by the stress.

I don't remember it being this hard for me when I was younger, but I also had a lot more support from my guidance counselor---being the prodigy got me lots of attention.