Good Afternoon at the end of October,

It is the second to last day of October and it was almost 70. It is amazing to have such a day this late in the year. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be what the temperature wsa this morning. I really do like the seasons and having the changes that occur. There is a certain predictability to all of it and those moments remind me of earlier moments in my life. If the bike would have been ready, I might even have considered one quick ride to end the season. Instead, my season still officially ended on September 8th at about 4:00 p.m. on a rural Wisconsin highway.

School continues to consume me, and there is more truth to that than I would like there to be. I have been teased from time to time when some ask if I have a life besides school. I am not sure I do. I cram other things in during the small breaks, but all in all, school is much more than a full time job. I would imagine I spend about 70 hours a week at the minimum and other weeks involve even more. I sometimes wish I taught in one of those disciplines where you can do "bubbleform" tests, but writing is not that way. In spite of that, I do this because I really do like it. I love when the light goes on and someone figures it out. One of my former students stopped by today and she is such a breath of fresh aire (yes like the Mannheim Steamroller aire).

I got a card in the mail today from California; it is one of those blessing and curse things because I know there is so little I can actually do to change anything there. I guess any support makes a difference and that is important in the big picture of things. I want to visit again soon and we’ll have to see what happens in that way. My "relative-of-a-relative" told me that she does not need me to write for her anymore (that is a long story into which I will not venture out of respect for all involved), so I have less reasons to visit, but I really do appreciate the workers in the vineyard. They too are very committed to the wine and the entire enology of Miraflores. I will argue more than some others that should be as committed. So I will visit those for whom I have developed a great appreciation.

It is hard to believe that we are close to the beginning of the holiday season (barely a month away). It is quite amazing how quickly this year has gone by. But when I think of the holidays I have some of my fondest memories. My grandmother, Louise Lynam, taught me so much about the spirit of giving and what it means to care for and love others. She was an amazing woman and she is my heroine. It is hard to believe that she died just over 30 years ago. I have a picture of her on my desk here in my office, which is where I am writing this posting. She always demonstrated her love for me, even when she was disappointed or disapproved of something I might have done. She was smart, elegant, and gifted. I wish I could tell her what I think of her now, but in my piety, I believe she knows. I wish I could show her where I live and what has happened in my life, both the triumphs and the failures.

The picture today is of my good friend, Tom, who is a deputy sheriff up in the U.P. He is an amazing man. He also has season tickets to the Packers and I am going to a game in a few weeks. We had a good frost about a week ago, so indeed, leaves are falling quickly and the stark contrast of summer greens and fall reds, oranges, and yellows, are turning to brown and somewhat gray, but there is a different beauty in that. Indeed, I am fortunate to be where I am; to have the job I have; and to be blessed with the friends with which I have been blessed. I hope all is well with you as you read this and as always, if you want to write back and comment, please do.

Michael