Y’know…

Here’s what I need to do. I need to stop reading news that makes me mad. Check that. I don’t need to stop reading news that makes me mad, I just need to stop allowing bigots, politicians and profiteers to dictate my mood after reading it.

To the John Kasichs and Rick Perrys and Pearson Corporations and Bill Gateses and Arne Duncans and Rahm Emanuels of the world: I block you. I exorcise you not from my consciousness, but from my conscience. I will no longer take on your idiocy as my personal problem.

I “tested the waters” on my Facebook page with regard to my disgust and rage against the Common Core machine. All of my teacher friends, I think, are afraid to “come out” on the matter. Likely, there are many who are scared of losing their jobs, or causing a backlash against teachers in our small district. I have to regroup and decide another course of action.

But this day, I decide that I will enjoy my work, gain a feeling of accomplishment, and call the day a success. How about you? What are you going to do today to make you feel great by bedtime tonight?

I must admit it helps that the sun is actually out in Ohio this morning, and the view from my front porch is bright and pretty. Yay, God’s not mad at us anymore, and people in my area can start cleaning up the flood and wind damage.

So, as David Hartman used to say on Good Morning, America in the olden tymes: “Get out there and make it a good day.” I’ll do it, Dave!

FO

But…it’s summer break and you had a great vacation and you get to spend time with family this week and you have a job you love and some nice things and good, good friends and you’re healthy and feeling good…

So, why so serious?

I dunno. Years ago, during a particularly bad time in my life, I’d force myself to sit down and make a mental list of what was bothering me. You know — easier to deal with the devil you know than the one you don’t. So, the list:

1. A friend and colleague lost her 24-year-old son to a horrible, tragic accident. The funeral is today (I’m unable to attend), and my heart aches for her and her family, and all of Zach’s close friends who loved him.
2. Another friend is going through a second cancer scare. The waiting for test results is excruciating, and I can’t imagine her agony.
3. The whole Common Core/high-stakes testing/commercialization of public education thing is making me angry, depressed and tired.
4. I look at the work I have to finish before school even starts, and I want to go back to bed.
5. I miss Rousseau.

Actually, I think #4 has me most wanting to kick stuff. But hey, no time like the present to jump on it, right? Last night, I told Mavis that I was taking this week to basically “be on break” and do nothing, but naaaaaaaaah…that ain’t working out too well. I have letters to write to parents, phone calls to make, website to update, numbers to crunch for choir tour, stuff to do around the house, and the dreaded bottle dance choreography to start for Fiddler. Procrastinating won’t get it done.

But I’ll worry about that after lunch.

Sorry for the spout-off negativity today, fiends. It happens rarely around these parts, but when it does, we get the full Monty. Better days ahead, ja? Jawohl!

Oy.

Ah, familiarity breeds contempt sometimes, yes?

In 9,600 miles of travel (19 states over the past 27 days), we had to run our windshield wipers twice, during light rain showers in Washington. Then we hit the Ohio border two days ago, and the deluge started and hasn’t quit yet!

We also realized that after leaving home, our seasonal allergies dissipated. By the time we reached Mississippi, they were almost totally gone. Now? Kleenex and Allegra, sneeze and snort.

Back in the old routine; yeah, man…

But hey, that won’t dampen my spirits today. Time to get back at it, as preparations for school are staring me in the face. Today will be spent restocking Mother Hubbard’s cupboards, with a trip to Costco and Whole Foods. The rest of the week will be catching up with family and friends.

I want to thank you all again, dear fiends, for coming to read and share in our Odyssey this summer. It meant a lot to me! I had a few more “visitors” stop in this year than last, although only a few posted comments. (I can see stats on whereabouts in the world readers are, but no identifying information.) Still, I hope you enjoyed the pictures.

As a result of the last four journeys, I plan to write an e-book about preparing for and executing the Great American Road Trip. I know books have been written on this topic already, but my joy will be writing about how to do the little things that, in our experience, make the voyage more enjoyable and less stressful. Very few may read my little treatise, but it will surely be a labor of love.

Where to on the next Fink Odyssey, you ask? Why, Virginia, DC, Maryland and Atlantic City, of course! Plans begin in 3…2…1…