Yesterday’s diving was such a welcome and wonderful break from work. A long day, for sure, we enjoyed the company of some new folks–outside, wind taking care of health-threats (we hope), and just being on the boat.

6am at the boat, left dock about 6:45 or so, about 1’15 to the first dive site. A pretty calm ride with a nice group of six divers, two dive-guides, and a captain. Good folks, no one too gung-ho, all pretty calm. This was a group of first-timers with this outfit/boat. I that’s unusual as their trips are usually drawn from a group of about 15-20 repeaters. Among the divers, three folks from G’ville (one the head of ROTC instruction at ECU), one from Raleigh, and us; the guides brought an EE student from ECU, and one who lives near Surf City and works for SAS in Cary.

Busy, filled days this past week, and more ahead.

Torrential rains last night brought some welcome relief to a few weeks of very dry days; browning yards seeing changes in color this morning. Nice to see some green return to Greenville, for sure.

My need to get in about 8 more hours in the yard cleaning out a long-neglected area may have to wait until next week, though, as I’m very much feeling time pressing in as the start of classes is only a few weeks away.

Thankfully, it seems that the poison ivy reaction i got in cleaning the yard last weekend may be subsiding (thank you prednisone). As we’re looking forward to a dive this Sunday, and I really don’t want to spend a hot day in a wetsuit with p.i. beneath, I hope this trend continues...

Coming to our senses? No, not really.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/colleges-hoped-for-an-in-person-fall-now-the-dream-is-crumbling

But after nearly 40 years of teaching, I am finding this process of converting /adjusting/reconsidering how to teach in this remote format all very interesting and, in its way, reinvigorating.

This process is enormously time-intensive; working on learning the software, using familiar programs in new and different ways and, of course, re-designing how materials are delivered, how students can access materials and lessons at any time–not at a set meeting time. Every “class” takes days to organize at this point, but I’m sure I’ll get more efficient at this process.

These days are all about designing these classes now, as things begin August 10 ...

Echoes from history, ringing loud and clear. None of them good.

The politicization of everything is his only approach to anything, and he’s proven so clearly that his toolbox is only adept at making any situation worse than it was when he got involved.

Last few days have been filled with ups and downs; lots of yard work that has led to good-looking areas of the yard, and healthy-looking poison ivy on my arms. Nothing serious, but have to clear it up before diving this weekend. Really don’t want to experience p.i. under a wetsuit in this very hot weather. (Yesterday reached 103 here; certainly better on the water, though.)

Sunday night br...

and more good news:

We’re up in VA, helping Christine and Stephen with their move from an apt in the Neon District of Norfolk, to a lovely, big house in Suffolk. It’s about 20-25′ drive, and really feels like a trip to the ‘burbs. All has gone very smoothly, and certainly we hope they’ll enjoy this quieter and more roomy locale.

Delighted to get a video call this morning from Joe and Jackson–always such a fabulous way to start the day! During the call he was displaying lots of his mobility, crawling all over, then to the walker and taking in much of the house. Though the clip above wasn’t from this morning, it’s a good indication of how he’s spending lots of his days of late. Could just eat this little guy up!

The past few days very interesting.

Having taken steps to have all my teaching moved online, we got fast ‘net for Surf City, to allow for online teaching from here. Was pretty easy, though pretty expensive.

As I read the news these days, I’m reminded of a graphic I posted some time ago, of the 1918 flu pandemic’s progress. The “we are here” was a comparison to the coronavirus state-of-things in mid-March. I guess we’d now be comparing to about October on this graphic–well into the “second wave.” Though i’m not convinced we ever got past the first wave.

The daily news about the coronavirus, with intense surges, outbreaks, hospital and equipment strains, feels and sounds very much like the news from mid-March. Nothing’s getting better...

A fascinating exchange via open letters: the first in Harper’s

“A Letter on Justice and Open Debate“

and a response, “A More Specific Letter on Justice and Open Debate” in The Objective.

As far as I can tell, TheObjective is quite new, perhaps just beginning in early June. Some very interesting writing in there, and i’ll keep them on my newsfeed, for sure.

I’ve spent too much time over these past weeks/months reading about the state of coronavirus/Covid-19’s spread in the U.S. Some areas/states/commumities have handled this wisely, though at tremendous economic cost, and seem to have brought themselves to some level of control over this pandemic’s spread. Other areas were too impatient–too overwhelmed by economic pressures and protests by people who simply will not think of the public health–and are now experiencing massive outbreaks. The daily numbers are beyond frightening. North Carolina is, like other states, experiencing a surge in case numbers.

We are, as a global community, absolutely in uncharted territory, even with history’s lessons from past pandemics...