The summer I worked cutting the greens on a golf course, there were a few greens that were next to ponds that would be covered with goose shit when I got there. I had a fiberglass "whip" -- about 10 feet long -- that I would swish back and forth along the green until there was no identifiable goose dropping left. Then I could mow the green.
I always look forward to these, of course, but I'm especially grateful for this one because I've been wondering how you and Edward and your colleagues are faring right now. I'm glad there's a mostly-solidarity sense against these unconscionable police crackdowns on campuses. And it's good to know you'll have the year to write! The Pedagogy of Withering Looks sounds invaluable to the writing process at any stage.
Could it be a collection of short stories about different people writing books about writing books. Yes I continue to love The Souvenir Museum and wait with thirsty ear for more. 😋
Though I live close to a university campus (Rice in Houston), things were relatively calm here through the spring - no police or troopers called in, that I heard of, to clear protesters. The news from elsewhere certainly takes me back to my own last days of college, in the late 1960s, and the shock of Kent State - a shock, even though I wasn't much of an activist and the clashes at my own university didn't come to rifle fire. Still, some of it sunk in, even into my somewhat oblivious consciousness, mostly focused on finishing papers and finals and graduating. I take some solace in the belief that the protests back then, contributed, a few years later, to the end of the war by raising the consciousness of the country - even those formerly fully in support of war, and far away from campuses. Not the deciding force, perhaps, and certainly not from anything I did, but a contributing force toward the goal.
The teevee narrative is just so wrong, here. Unlike this piece. Thank you, prof. And may (most) all associate deans twist an ankle so that we may know they are coming, and avoid them.
My thoughts on the geese. We had all assumed either mama or babies were eaten early on, since babies usually come earlier. The big group was a surprise! I was hoping the hawk would not eat them... but then after remembering how much pool deck goose crap TWO geese can make, I wondered if by mid summer I'd be wishing the hawk had reduced the herd a bit. Having a dozen crap machines will make for a tough summer.
This is the best post. Full of the back and forth of what the fuck is actually happening that helps me feel like I am not alone. Thank you.
It's hard not to lose heart. I sincerely hope that you do not.
Always feel less lonely after reading your wise words. Thank you.
The summer I worked cutting the greens on a golf course, there were a few greens that were next to ponds that would be covered with goose shit when I got there. I had a fiberglass "whip" -- about 10 feet long -- that I would swish back and forth along the green until there was no identifiable goose dropping left. Then I could mow the green.
I always look forward to these, of course, but I'm especially grateful for this one because I've been wondering how you and Edward and your colleagues are faring right now. I'm glad there's a mostly-solidarity sense against these unconscionable police crackdowns on campuses. And it's good to know you'll have the year to write! The Pedagogy of Withering Looks sounds invaluable to the writing process at any stage.
“withering looks and illegible marginalia” 💞
Could it be a collection of short stories about different people writing books about writing books. Yes I continue to love The Souvenir Museum and wait with thirsty ear for more. 😋
Though I live close to a university campus (Rice in Houston), things were relatively calm here through the spring - no police or troopers called in, that I heard of, to clear protesters. The news from elsewhere certainly takes me back to my own last days of college, in the late 1960s, and the shock of Kent State - a shock, even though I wasn't much of an activist and the clashes at my own university didn't come to rifle fire. Still, some of it sunk in, even into my somewhat oblivious consciousness, mostly focused on finishing papers and finals and graduating. I take some solace in the belief that the protests back then, contributed, a few years later, to the end of the war by raising the consciousness of the country - even those formerly fully in support of war, and far away from campuses. Not the deciding force, perhaps, and certainly not from anything I did, but a contributing force toward the goal.
I will read any book on writing you write ❤️
The teevee narrative is just so wrong, here. Unlike this piece. Thank you, prof. And may (most) all associate deans twist an ankle so that we may know they are coming, and avoid them.
Glad to read your words whenever you post. Hard to make sense of so many things. But water and geese: I get that.
I'm a morning swimmer at BSP on the south side. A friend recommended your writing. I'm enchanted every morning. Hope to say hi in real life.
My thoughts on the geese. We had all assumed either mama or babies were eaten early on, since babies usually come earlier. The big group was a surprise! I was hoping the hawk would not eat them... but then after remembering how much pool deck goose crap TWO geese can make, I wondered if by mid summer I'd be wishing the hawk had reduced the herd a bit. Having a dozen crap machines will make for a tough summer.