Antici pation

Tomorrow is back to school for everybody. Yay. not really. My week's lessons are planned. Students should be complacent, due to the early hour of waking compared to vacation. It works that way in my house, too. More interesting than the students will be the teachers. We had one long-term teacher leave at the end of the calendar year to move to Boston where her husband is studying. To replace her, the financial secretary will move spot. Many people don't like her, so fireworks may ensue.

As part of the New Year's 'festivities' here in Memphis, the mayor makes his appointments to replace people who moved up into cushier jobs that pay better. Political favors are the theme, with a completely unqualified person running the public library system. At least by comparison to Mississippi, our literacy rates are OK.

Another interesting day with a 15-year old hormone case. One day at a time, and eventually she will become human. Taunting and teasing her sister, refusing dinner because it is 1) nothing she likes or 2) she is not hungry (but those shortbread cookies...microwaved). Then the willful disobedience (with laughter like a cherry on top). But tomorrow she may be sweetness and light, so there is always hope. The worst part is she often reminds me of how I acted (both remembered and imagined) when I was that age. I am surprised I survived.

And up north, all the fuss about my home state. I don't recall too much about primaries - can't even remember if I ever voted in one. At this point it is all about the ones who drop out, not the ones going all the way. No opinions yet, but as usual it will probably be the one who sickens me the least, not the one that impresses me the most.