Mr. Dylan and His Influence and Me and My Lack of Sleep

Out of the blue, I had one of my former students ask me about the tone in the song, "The Times, They Are A'Changin'." Wow, what a super, unexpected question! Recently I've been looking at songs and using them in my lessons to teach various literary and grammar elements. I had this student in class last year, and I'm not sure if the lesson was specifically about the song, but I was impressed that Mr. Dylan's influence was still felt 40 plus years after he penned those enlightening lyrics. She asked if the tone was negative or neutral. I felt like it was decidedly negative with its warnings and admonitions. She asked if Bob wrote any songs with a more positive tone. I asked her to check out "Positively 4th Street." That's always been a favorite, dare I say, empowerment, song of mine.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for me to revisit the lyrics of "The Times They Are A'Changin". With all that's happening right now in society, perhaps "times" are changin' again.

Well, I did it again. I left school late last night after a lengthy afternoon of grading and getting caught up on schoolwork. Once I got home, yes, I did have some schoolwork I wanted to finish, but I talked to Kris on the phone and finished last week's Sports Illustrated first. Sure enough, I laid down on my bed and didn't wake up until about 2:30. Idiot, idiot, idiot! I'll try again tonight. It's one of the worst self-fulfilling prophecies I've ever had. I must break myself of it. When it's bedtime, it's bedtime, period.

Laborin' with the Woods

What a super duper fun Livingston weekend! Kris and I arrived at Chez Wood mid Saturday afternoon. One of the coolest/best/Kris parts of the weekend happened almost at the end of the ride to her parents' house. About three blocks away from the house, there is a SnoCone stand in the parking lot of a gas station. As I approached the light at the gas station, Kris made a seemingly casual remark about wanting a SnoCone. Then, to let me know she was serious, she said, "I'm not kidding. I want a SnoCone." And just like that, we pulled in for a SnoCone. I can't remember the last time I had one as a treat, but I think the Sno Cone stand was a reminder for her of the Livingston she fell in love with as a child and now had the opportunity to revisit unfettered for an entire weekend.

Fortunately for Kris we were able to see her newest nephew Roper soon after we arrived. This was my first time holding a newborn in awhile, and I must admit, I still need practice with the whole cushioning the head part. Kris handled the little one like an old pro. One of my favorite mental pictures from the weekend is seeing her napping with Roper laying down on her tummy.

One of the biggest attractions to the Labor Day soiree at Chez Wood was the slip and slide adventure Sunday night. A huge plastic tarp was extended down the hill from Kris's grandparents' house to the gate at her parents' house. Kris is, oh, so fortunate to have one set of grandparents who live right next door to her parents. The three little nephews, Kris's dad, Kevan, and I took turns slip slidin' away. Kris was even coaxed to go down the tarp a couple of times. We took a couple of trips down the tarp as a couple with violently mediorcre results. Yes, we had great fun, but we kept veering off to the left. Oh well, I don't think either of us are trying to get in shape for a tryout for the US bobsled team. After slippin' and slidin' for about an hour, Mama Wood brought out some homemade ice cream that was unabashedly wolfed down by all in attendance. Mmm, mmm, mmm. A trip to Chez Wood always guarantees good food, and this past weekend was definitely no exception. Each meal rejuvenated my taste buds from the blandness of single guy food I usually expose them to. And did I mention that Mama Wood, MB, had some Mountain Dew cans chilling in the refrigerator? Wow! What eats! What drinks! What merriment!

Alas, Kris and I left Monday afternoon on Labor Day and drove back down to Houston. Neither of us were overly motivated to prepare for the next day or even the coming week of school, so we ran some errands and rented a movie. Chick-fil-a was giving away free sandwiches for wearing a team shirt, so, being the cost conscious young people that we are, we took our evening meal there. Kris's Datsun (haha, I know I spelled it wrong, but just go with me here; he's not a Nissan...) Peanut accompanied us on our trip back to Houston. We went to Target after dinner and bought some items for Peanut's new home at Tanner Manor. I was really impressed with how well Peanut handled the ride down and her new surroundings. I know I've never had such luck with the felines when moving to new environs, even for a short amount of time. We rented Freedom Writers since Kris's interest in the movie had been piqued after hearing the movie's protagonist, Erin Gruwell, speak at her district's convocation a few weeks ago. Honestly, my interest in the story has increased as well, and I'd like to read more about how she was able to connect with her students and help them be successful.

I left around 9:15 and drove home, bringing an end to such an eventful weekend. Friday night I stayed at school until about 8:30 doing schoolwork, but other than that, it was a work-free weekend. I thought about spending some crazy hours on schoolwork when I got home but only made it to about midnight before conking out. Ah, that's OK. The trip was fun, and I enjoyed spending time with Kris and her loving family.

But, alas, now it's Tuesday, and I'm plum out of reasons or excuses to procrastinate. Back to the grind.

No Laborin' on Labor Day

For some reason, I'm falling back into my bad habit of laying down on my bed for a napper. Usually, that's not a bad thing, but I end up falling asleep and waking up at some wack-doo (that's a Kristinism) time of the night like three or four o'clock. It's something I desperately need to break myself of because it's just not good sleep. And, oh, my sleep is a very valuable commodity now that the school year has begun. My days of sleeping in are long long gone. I don't even sleep in on Saturdays as I've volunteered to drive the cross-country team to their meets this season. I do sleep until about eight on Sundays, but it's nowhere near the hibernation like sleeps I've experienced in past summers.

This should be an interesting weekend. I'm looking forward to it. The cross-country team has an early morning meet tomorrow down in Clear Lake, and then Kris and I are driving up to Livingston to spend some time with her family. This will be about trip number six for me. I still remember my first trip quite fondly. Her dad pointed out the shotgun at the bottom of the stairs when I arrived. I wonder if the thought of using the weapon on me has ever crossed his mind. Kris and I were there for the wedding of one of her friends. I took one of those hibernation sleeps that Saturday afternoon. I was still kind of feeling my way around Kris's folks, but it was a bit of a weaselly thing to do. This weekend, there's evidently a big slip and slide for the males of the family. I'll be taking my swim trunks (who am I kidding; they're soccer shorts) and joining in the fun. I'm not sure what else is planned. Definitely this will be a fun trip for Kris because this will be the first time in a few years that she's been able to stay with her folks overnight on a Saturday. She had been working at a church in Clear Lake and worked just about every one of the 52 Sundays each year. Kris, too, will be able to see her newest nephew, Roper. Roper's big brother, Gauge, and I have developed a special relationship. He shouts out "PIGGY BANK" when I drop some change in his paws. Hey, anything for the little people. Also, Miss Wood will get to bring her doggie, Peanut Butter Cup, back to Clear Lake with her. Peanut Butter Cup will join the two dogs already living at Tanner Manor, and acclimating dogs to each other is always a fun task.

Hopefully no guns will be needed or seen this weekend.

One Year of Kris-bert, Part II

So, we leave the Cadillac Bar and head out for the Boardwalk's rides. Kris had ride free tickets, so I was getting nostalgic for my times at Cedar Point and Kings Island back in Ohio. Our first ride was the carousel. Nothing too fancy or scary although Kristin let it be known that for no reason whatsoever was I to shake the car we were in when the ride stopped with us at the highest point. After another fairly tame ride, we took on the Inverter. Kris was reluctant to do so, but proving her love and strength of character, she agreed. This was a ride, as you might guess, that swings you up and down until you're finally turned all the way upside down perpendicular to the ground. I got some good chuckles out of it, but Kristin was not happy at all. One look at her face toward the end of the adventure let me know this was Kris at her unconditionally loving best. She stepped on this ride solely for me. I've always been impressed and struck with awe at her giving spirit, and this just proves what a wonderful, generous person she is.

It's rare that you can come across someone in life who is so giving and totally selfless. To have her in my life, I am very fortunate. Her spirit inspires me to be a better person.