The last three weeks have been stressful with a capital FUL.
It all started with a call from my former employer asking if I would consider teaching this fall because they were suddenly short staffed. Now, I love to teach. In fact, it has always been my favorite thing to do in all of my careers. Since Mimi needs to keep up her Christmas obsession, and working at the McDonald’s would not be good for her back, I gratefully accepted the three classes that were offered.
Officially, I got the gig exactly two days before classes started. Imagine trying to plan classes and lessons and such in two days. For comparison, imagine finding out you are pregnant only to give birth in the next week. Not ready is an understatement.
So, on top of working on a serialized novel (The Unnamed Cinderella Project), working through a potential non-fiction resource book (Exploring the Laureates-The Pulitzers), and writing memoir for my kids and grands (and for those who just need to laugh about having kids and grands), I needed to prep classes and figure out what to wear to work every day.
Crazy thing about working with the public. People carry germs. Over the last weekend, a virus knocked me down - so much so that I have done zero writing for any of my Substack projects. My Southern Girl Guilt Complex has reached new heights. But, honestly, all I have wanted the last few days is to be treated like a kindergartner with a designated nap time and maybe some graham crackers and juice.
Then I remembered that I can take a break here and any subscriber that reads me will be okay with it because y’all are all so kind. So, I’m calling in sick for the week. I will be back next week with my usual posts.
And I hope you will be back to read them.
Hopefully it’s something you’ve taught before, so you could call on some prior syllabi? Sorry you got sick. Being around so many people is hard :( — Breaks are healthy.
Having taught for many years, I can totally relate. And starting late, before the prep work, is stressful. I admire your can-do nature and willingness to meet your school's last-minute needs. May your week go well, my friend. Your writing projects will get done when the timing is right. I will enjoy catching up to your novel's chapters. Be well.