Yesterday was our end-of-semester conference day for composition students. The four comp faculty gather to chat with each young composer, individually. While these sessions are brief (15′ for most, 30′ for grad students), it’s a chance for students to talk about the term’s highlights, how things went relative to their expectations; and for faculty to try to prod them in new directions. Mostly, it’s a chance for faculty who’re not familiar with a particular student to gain some acquaintance, and for students to meet and engage all of us.

The conferences went ok, about the same as usual, though done virtually, of course. This 4 hour slice of the day is by far the most time I’ve spent with my colleagues this term...

An anniversary today, of ma’s passing ten years ago. A relatively brief illness–fifteen weeks from emergency room visit to her death–that sent more than one type of tremor through our family. Tremors that didn’t only make us all orphans, but also leave still-gaping wounds, some deeply unexamined and unlikely to be healed through time, it seems.

Our parents’ generation, born in the 1920s, was raised by 19th c. parents of the ‘old world,’ lived through a horrific economic depression, and served and sacrificed family and friends in an even more horrific world war and genocide. At least for our parents, it’s no small feat to have raised five relatively healthy children, put us through schools, and set us up to understand enough to be good parents ourselves.

It’s odd that I’m offeri...

The week just passed has brought increased activity to the house, as Ellie has been with us. Joe and Cristin adopted Ellie, a true mutt rescue, about 3-4 years ago from the SPCA in Queens. She’s an easy, older dog, about 7 yrs old or so. As Cristin’s folks’ place isn’t conducive to dogs, we’re keeping her with us until Joe/Cristin/Jackson pass through again on their return to NY, some time next week. At home in NY she doesn’t play all that much, but here, Frankie is constantly pestering her to play, and she’s really come around.

And we’ve been getting some basic puppy training (more like puppy-owner training, to tell the truth) the past four Saturday mornings. Yesterday was the last class–

The ...

Posted this image in the spring, and now, here we are, seeing this massive 2nd-wave surge:

Jackson made it down to his grandparents in FL. Having not seen each other since last Thanksgiving, I know they’re in heaven as they get to see him thriving. (and he’s loving the pool!)

And a brief video displaying the bond Jackson formed with Frankie while here in Greenville…they’ll stop by again on the way back north, some time next week.

Spot on Op-Ed by Margaret Renkl

and with this, the completely ethically vacuous McConnell takes the next step towards encouraging a civil war.

I am truly astounded at how bereft of perspective these so-called patriots are.

A wonderful visitor joins us in Greenville, as Joe/Cristin road trip to see her folks in FL for the first time since last Thanksgiving. No doubt they are absolutely chomping at the bit to get their hands on Jackson and give him some loving.

So they’re here for a few days to break up the long drive, and we’re enjoying each other, despite Jackson’s first head cold.

Here’s the man, not so sure he’s ready for the open road just yet and, below that, showing us his one-man-band technique!

In 2000, the victory of George Bush was enormously disappointing.
In 2004, when George Bush won a second time, I realized that I was part of a minority in this country. I thought that’s what it felt like to be despondent.

2016? A scene out of a bizarre fictional creation made real.
The past four years a nightmare of global consequence, and of deeply-felt individual tragedies nationwide.

That this election is as close as it is–that this hasn’t been a clear victory for Biden, and for so many Senate-seat challengers–redefines despondency.

We’re in for a difficult few days, to say the least. Even with Biden taking a national majority (nothing new in US political elections for a losing candidate) neither candidate will win with an overwhelming victory...