We had a lot of rain and heavy winds overnight -- I woke up around 2 a.m. and heard the avocado being thrashed, and peered out the windows to make sure it and the other plants weren't being traumatized. Not that I could have done anything if they were. Everything looks fine this morning. As Dave said, it's good for plants to get knocked around a bit. It makes them stronger.
Dave's been staying home from school the last few days. He had a bout of discomfort stemming from his Crohn's. I, meanwhile, feel like I am being squeezed like a citrus fruit for my last few weeks of work. Is it just because I'm anticipating leaving (18 days!) that I feel like I'm having so much trouble keeping up? I've also got to start telling kids that I'm retiring. I don't want to just disappear and have them all wondering what happened.
We finished the first season of "Broadchurch," which I really enjoyed, but I'm not entirely convinced by the ending. It seemed a bit forced and, frankly, a little hard to believe. There's a second season which we're about to launch. We also finished "The Big C" and (spoiler alert!) that's good because if Laura Linney's character hadn't finally died Dave would have killed her himself.
(Photo: Another cat sticker on Finchley Road, on Wednesday.)
Dave is right..movement stimulates root growth, so long as it is not too much movement!
ReplyDeleteWe're back with snow this morning...not quite as low as my village, but near enough.
They will be squeezing all they can get out of you...a good citrus analogy..hopefully not until the pips squeak!! Yes, the students should know that you're leaving..after all, they are the ones that your work has been helping.
The school paper plans to do something, but I don't think it's going to come out until after I'm gone!
DeleteI had forgotten there were three series of Broadchurch, thinking it was just one crime solved in one series. Was the boy's death solved in what you saw?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had shocking wind. Call in to Boots for some medication on your way to work.
Yes, the boy's death was solved. I found the nature of that relationship unconvincing.
DeleteWe should have a daily countdown monitor on your blog ... how many more days to go !!!
ReplyDeleteHa! I bet I could install something like that. I should look into it!
DeleteIf you want something else to watch on TV you could try "Small Prophets" I have binged it twice already! You will either love it or wonder why anyone could like it. Also " Detectorists" ....another one by, and with ,Mackenzie Crook. Both on BBC IPlayer .
ReplyDeleteWe've seen "Detectorists," which I loved, but I haven't heard of "Small Prophets." I'll check it out!
DeleteI remember my last few weeks, they went by slowly, like you my boss pushed loads my way to ensure they were up to date, keep counting, you get the last laugh in 19 days.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's exactly right. Ultimately I will win!
DeleteI loved Broadchurch but I can’t remember how any season ended. I think I’ll stick to my guns and avoid The Big C. You should be feeling like a short-timer and not be so overwhelmed with work. I’m glad you’ll be out of there in 18 days. Hope Dave is back up to snuff quickly.
ReplyDeleteI should clarify -- 18 WORK days. I still have about a month left.
DeleteHey! Have you watched Shrinking on Apple TV? It's really, really good and I'll bet you'd like it.
ReplyDelete18 days to go? Wow! You've got this, Steve!
Yes! We love "Shrinking"!
DeleteYou will be surprised by your students' reactions when they learn that you are leaving. Be prepared.
ReplyDeleteWill they cheer and celebrate? LOL
DeleteYou can't have The Big C without the death ... just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteSure you can! 17 year survivor here!
DeleteHas it really been 17 years??? I've known you longer than I realized.
DeleteWell, it depends on the C. At the outset of the show Linney's character was said to have Stage 4 melanoma. It seemed unlikely that she would look so well for so long.
DeleteYou are definitely going to have to adjust to your new reality in 18 days going from 100 to 0 in such a short time. But maybe it won’t be as long as I think since as a school personnel, you do this every year at this time.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's true. It will be a bit like a permanent summer vacation!
DeleteIt snowed here yesterday afternoon, Tuesday it was 84 degrees (F).
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a see-saw!
DeleteI like Dave's comment. It sounded as if he was heading off a request to help prop up the avocado in a gale. Sorry he's not well, and give him my wishes to get back to fit again.
ReplyDeleteHa! That IS probably what he was thinking, re. the avocado!
DeleteThe students will miss you, I am sure. I wonder who will chase down all of the books that haven't been returned! I remember that is one of your big year end jobs.
ReplyDeleteHope Dave feels better soon - we have a friend with Crohn's and it can be tough.
I suspect the books will not be chased as vigorously. Which is fine, if that's the path they decide to take.
DeleteYesterday morning as I walked into work the wind and rain were so fierce that my umbrella turned inside out! That was fun. Ask Dave - is it good for me to get thrashed around too? Ha!
ReplyDeleteIt strengthens your roots!
DeleteIf you didn't know, you can slow down at work. What are they going to do? Fire you?
ReplyDeleteI was the same way though. Most people on their last day of work only visit with everyone. Me, I ran my ass off.
I sort of HAVE done that. My boss has been pushing me to do more weeding and I don't feel entirely comfortable removing books when I'm about to leave. I think that should be the job of people who are envisioning larger changes to the library. (Which they are.)
DeleteI loved your line about Dave killing her himself if she hadn't died. I've been affected like that by certain actors.
ReplyDeleteEighteen days. Wow. And yes, don't just disappear on those kids. They will want to know where Mr. Reed went. You have been a part of some of their lives for years.
It's crazy to think that kids who were in first grade when I started in the library are now high school seniors!
DeleteThere's a bitter sweet about retiring. Once you're retired a whole new world opens up. There are many opportunities available. I hope you find those opportunities. I see a book in your future.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure about a book. What on earth do I have to write a book about? But I will keep myself busy, I'm sure. Thanks for the vote of confidence. :)
DeleteWe are going to get pounded in the next few days in a much different way. They are predicting temperatures at 100 and above next week. In March!! That's crazy.
ReplyDeleteYour freedom is just around the corner!
Yikes! That's horrible! We had 100ยบ-plus temperatures here in April once, several years ago. It was very weird. (And fortunately short-lived.)
DeleteEighteen days. Wow. That's very close. All shall be well. Will they give you a party?! Love the cat sticker and best wishes to Dave.
ReplyDeleteWe're having a pub outing, supposedly!
DeleteSteve, you made me laugh. Thanks, I needed it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad! I try not to be dreary in the face of a dreary world.
DeleteI found the last weeks of work just about unbearable. I was so close to being gone I could taste it.
ReplyDeleteThat's how it is for me. I keep thinking, "ALMOST there!"
Delete18 days and you are free to do whatever you want. Yay! Until then, consider a bit of slow down to pace the workload. I do not like the fact that the manager is squeezing you to do more work.
ReplyDeleteThe students will miss you as you've been part of their school life for a long time. Saying goodbye is important.
Yes, an orderly goodbye is needed. I don't want people to think I got fired or something!
DeleteYou really should put a countdown meter in your sidebar! Love the sticker and love Dave's comment (about killing her).
ReplyDeleteI should! I hadn't even thought of it.
DeletePlants are sentient creatures just like every living thing and so react to the environment so yeah, I imagine buffeting wind would trigger a response to strengthen.
ReplyDeleteProbably you are no more busy than usual at work, just less tolerant of it since you will be leaving soon.
Yeah, your second point is very likely. I've considered that too -- I may be hypersensitive to every request at this point.
DeleteI don't think you're at all like me (me = lazy), but I hope you love retirement as much as I do! Retiring mid-semester was not allowed where I worked. Is the school year done so soon?
ReplyDeleteThe school year ends in June, but I've taken a buyout and the school stipulated it would mean leaving in mid-April. There are apparently legal/tax reasons for this.
DeleteI am vicariously anticipating your retirement - its still years off for me but I do count down the days until I am eligible for being paid out for long service should they somehow try to retrench me... I think it is 83 work days (taking out the leave I already have in). Ugh, still too long.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's not TOO far off -- less than half a year, if I'm not mistaken.
DeleteDave hated her character, right? Sorry he's under the weather. That wouldn't be at all easy to have Crohns and be a teacher. In my case, I was a long way away from a bathroom and couldn't easily leave 30-40 teenagers unsupervised. 18 days to go! Woo hoo.
ReplyDeleteYes, her character -- not the actress herself. Actually, it's more like the circumstances of the show that we didn't enjoy.
DeleteI love Laura linney , she has a soft face xx
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way to put it, though I'm not sure she'd like that description!
DeleteI think you may look into a part-time job with a nursery ... tending to plants that need your TLC! Retirement may become too boring for you if Dave is still working, no Olga to take on walks, and you doing all the housework! Maybe look into adopting a new pup ... not a puppy, but one that has a bit of training/socializing!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd have trouble working in a nursery because I'd want to save all the plants, and in nursery work you necessarily have to discard plants that are left unsold or out-of-season. Yes, a dog is on the horizon, we think!
DeleteYes, please inform the kids before you vanish. Maybe make a sign and hang it near your desk.
ReplyDeleteI think if I tell the right people, word will spread.
DeleteIt‘s been a few years, but I remember watching Broadchurch and finding it mostly well done, good actors and good acting, but like you thought the solution not very plausible.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad someone else felt that way.
Delete... only 18 days! That will whizz by!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
We shall see!
Delete