Author Archives: fustianist

Sometimes I wonder why I buy so many books.  I have just compiled a reading list for one of the three parts of my big exam in the spring, and I’m now trying to figure out how many/which books I’ll … Continue reading →

This morning on our way to school, we had to stop while 24 wild turkeys ambled across the road. Wouldn’t that be a great excuse for being late?

Closed windows, air conditioning, lengthy and funny introductions, a short story in front of us; much better. Erin P.S. When I explain to people that Sydney and I attend graduate school in the same school, same building, in departments that … Continue reading →

My friend Heidi is having to pull off a wedding next May with the bridal party scattered all over the world.  As a result, she asked us to send in our measurements, and then she would send us a dress.  … Continue reading →

Teaching my first day held a few surprises. I’m teaching in a beautiful room that reminds me of Yale: lots of windows, nice light, old-fashioned metalwork around the windowframes.  But the builders should have thought a bit more about location.  … Continue reading →

Sydney and I stopped by the garden this afternoon with the intent of looting the place.  We hauled away tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, zinnias, and a few other things, but more importantly we also hauled in 125 ears of corn.  And … Continue reading →

Sweltering in 92-degree heat.  Since a couple of days earlier this week had me scrambling for turtlenecks, my internal thermometer and I are confused. Erin

Our friends, David and Lisa, just announced their pregnancy on their blog.  In addition to my happiness for them, I have to say, I’ve been walking around just a bit happier all day long . . . Erin

Sydney begins TAing tomorrow, and I start teaching on Monday.  It’s official: school’s here.  And we’re not ready for it.  We haven’t been to the garden in ages, I don’t have enough of my syllabus mapped out, we intended to … Continue reading →

Here and here you can find some rather amusing (and utterly appalling) stories of encounters with innumeracy. And here‘s a post expressing surprise at how widespread the inability to handle numbers is, even among those who really do need to … Continue reading →