triple takers and those afar

How about that we take that last part first, shall we?

Absolutely, let's!

I know I mentioned in the past that I had taught a Distant Learning class that the Chemistry Department had been asked to experiment with.

(Just a little joke, from me to you!)

Dr. Harris and company had decided that CHE 201, with no attached lab, would be the ideal candidate for this test.

The class would be simultaneously held at both Armstrong State College and Brunswick Community College.

Was I willing to take on such a project?

I was, and I did!

That was in Fall quarter of 1995, with Dr. Dick Nordquist in charge of the technical aspects and the logistics of the dual class.

I would teach as I usually did in front of the Armstrong students, writing on the chalkboard as I lectured and giving examples of the principles, and my televised image would be cast to a large monitor for the Brunswick students.

Here's the thing: those students comprised roughly 25% of the total enrolled.

I decided they should experience me teaching live for that percentage of the lectures.

That meant that five times during the quarter I drove down to their campus to teach, allowing the Armstrong students the opportunity to fully experience Distant Learning by having a turn at watching me on the television monitor.

It was certainly a novel way of teaching at that time!

I remember watching Dick walking about with a portable phone the size of a shoe box, coordinating with the camera crew at the other campus -

hard to believe phone technology has come so far in just 25 years.

Anyway, the students at both campuses enjoyed having me live, especially when I would be performing demonstrations about moles, acid and base interactions, and such.

Remember, this course had no lab for hands-on for the students; I tried to make sure my in-class experiments were with household ingredients, so they could repeat them at home for practice and to show off to their kids.

(smile!)

After that first lecture, I had a student that joined late.

Was it possible to see a recording of the missed lesson?

Good question!

Dick liked the idea of doing that; as he told me, the equipment was already in place to accommodate such a request.

If I would supply the VHS cassettes (which had not been included in the budget), then he would be glad to make sure my future lectures were recorded for later viewing.

Most excellent!

So I did, and the library allowed the tapes to be held on reserve, so the students could ask for a second, or third, or however-many viewing of the material. 

That was a real benefit to the students as a study aid!

I even left the collection of tapes at the library for several years, referring students to view them if they happened to miss a lecture during future terms.

And what feedback did I receive that Fall 1995 term?

 

Grace Sachs: "Professor Smith was excellent! This was my first quarter attending here (at ASC) and if she is representative of the caliber of faculty staffed here, I am looking forward to the rest of my education. Eagerly! Thank you for an educational and FUN quarter. You certainly made it challenging and rewarding for me as a student. Please continue to do so."

 

Ginger Loy: "Professor Smith has a great sense of humor & takes command of the class. She is one of the better faculty members on campus. I think she deserves a raise."

 

Cathy Rich: "Professor Smith is the most thorough instructor I have had the pleasure to study under. I wish more instructors had the knowledge of their course subjects that Professor Smith does."

Robert Cole: "Professor Smith is an excellent instructor. She is both fair and impartial, unlike most of the instructors at Armstrong State College. Both my interest and knowledge of chemistry have been enhanced."

 

Karen Brozycki: "Professor Smith is an outstanding instructor. She takes what is traditionally a complex and intimidating subject and makes it understandable and learnable. The effective manner in which Prof. Smith presented the material had a great impact on my success in this class, and for that I thank her." 

In addition, there were seven who wrote feedback anonymously.

 

"Prof. Smith is an excellent teacher. She knows the material and explains in an enthusiastic way. She makes every effort to make chemistry a subject for everyday use."

 

"Very helpful to working students."

 

"Prof. Smith is a very good instructor. I would take a class from her again. She handled the Distant learning class fairly and clearly. I do think that we should be aware a class is D. Learning before we sign up. I pay for an instructor to be in my class room 100% of the time. It would have been nice to know otherwise & I may have taken another class."

 

"This was a good class. Prof. Smith is an excellent instructor who cares about her students. I feel that because of her winning personality I did well in this class."

 

"Professor Smith was excellent. One couldn't ask for a better taught chemistry course. Simply excellent!!"

 

"Excellent professor. The best one you have here."

 

"Great teacher!!!"

As for Distant Learning, the experiment in teaching chemistry, as well as classes in the Humanities department, was just for that one quarter.

To my recollection, no more such classes were held.

Perhaps students at our community college preferred their instructors live and in person, rather than on a tv screen.

I certainly can understand that!

During this time of COVID pandemic, all I hear from those I know in school, whether as students or instructors, is how much they miss face-to-face interaction.

Me, too.

-----     -----     -----

 

So, what was that about "triple takers"?

Were those students who took CHE 201 three times to pass it?

Not at all, although I did have a few students from another instructor who took the course a second time, but with me, and found that I defeated the 'fear factor' of chemistry.

When I say "triple taker", I'm referring to students who took me for all three of the courses that I taught, primarily because they liked my teaching style and loved how helpful I was, showing them how to dissect word problems in a logical, and fun, way, based on the words, not just numbers.

Word problems are the most intimidating part of chemistry to most students.

As all aspects of chemistry, and chemistry lab, involve the solving of word problems, I know it's imperative that students learn that the same steps are used every time, not some new bit of machinations for each and every one.

So, which "triple takers" did I unearth in the Ocean Room closet?

Let me begin with Marilyn O'Mallon.

After her husband died of cancer, she turned to college to change her life.

She landed in my section of CHE 201 that Spring quarter of 1995.

In the feedback report, she wrote: "The strengths of this course was by far our excellent instructor. 'The Foundations Of Life" book is a good tool for course study, but without the simplified instruction from Prof. Smith, it would be hard to follow. The course was a challenge, but educational and fun. Thanks."

In the Fall of 1997, she was back, along with two others, choosing to pursue a BSN and now needing the CHE 121 and CHE 122 series for more in-depth studies and for the hands-on experience of the associated lab courses.

The threesome completed the CHE 122 in Spring quarter of 1998 and had the following words for me in their feedback.

Heather Carr: "I took Professor Smith for Che 201, 121, & 122. She is a really good teacher and explained the material wonderfully. The only problem with this course is that there were so many mistakes in the book."

Terri Vigrass: "Great teacher. Thank God for her ability to make this difficult subject fun and interesting. If I had had her for 102 Chem, I would have had a huge step up on this class and an understanding entering this class. Keep her, give her a raise and pat her on her back."

Marilyn O'Mallon: "Prof. Smith is an excellent instructor. She presents class material clearly & assures that her students understand the material before moving on to the next step. She is very patient and encourages her students to think & do well. Thank you."

Here's the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say.

Marilyn and I became great friends over the following years.

Not only did she succeed in her nursing career, she also landed a position in the Nursing Department at Armstrong Atlantic State University.

Then, she continued learning, earning a masters degree and then a doctorate!

I am so proud of all she achieved, and so grateful for the friendship we have had...

all because of that first course she took with me.

Coincidences are just another word for right place, right time.

i thank You, God, to have had the opportunity to interact with so many.

more years of love for me, and for chemistry

Here are more pairings of feedbacks from future nurses, radiology technicians, and speech therapists that had me for CHE 121 and CHE 122!

I wonder if some of them have already retired now?

A curious thought, sure, but these classes were taught before the new millenium.

I'll let that sink in for a moment.

(smile)

-----     -----     -----

CHE 121, Fall quarter, 1995, followed by CHE 122, Spring quarter, 1996:

Donna Brantley kept her remarks short and sweet!

For the Fall, she wrote: "A great teacher!! She made the course material understandable and interesting. I look forward to Chem 122 next quarter."

Then, in Spring, it was: "Another great quarter with this instructor!! I really enjoyed it."

-----     -----     -----

CHE 121, Fall quarter, 1996, followed by CHE 122, Spring quarter, 1997:

 

For the Fall, Nancy Jaworski wrote: "Prof. Smith is an extremely competent teacher. She makes herself available for questions and is easy to approach. I admire her ability to handle difficult students with a smile and or a firm but professional manner. I would be happy to take another course from Prof. Smith."

Then, in Spring, Nancy wrote: "Another above average course. Prof. Smith makes it possible to actually take something away from this class that I actually feel I can use. Thank you."

For the Fall, Janet Moore wrote: "Mrs. Smith is an excellent teacher! She made what is a very difficult subject for me much easier to understand. I am thrilled to know that she will be teaching 122 next quarter. I don't know what I would have done if she had decided not to teach next quarter. She is a life-saver! Thanks, Mrs. Smith!"

Then, in Spring, Janet wrote: "I feel very fortunate to have been in Professor Smith's chemistry class. She helped make a subject that is not easy for me to comprehend much easier than I thought it could be. I would have never made it through this course without her! She is truly an asset to the AASU teaching staff. Thanks for everything."

Sidebar: The name change from Armstrong State College to Armstrong Atlantic State University was not yet official, but was upcoming. The new name accompanied the transition from quarters to semesters in Fall of 1998.

-----     -----     -----

CHE 121, Fall quarter, 1997, followed by CHE 122, Spring quarter, 1998:

 

For the Fall, Vanessa Gregory wrote: "Mrs. Smith, Your chemistry class was very interesting and the subject matter definitely encouraged thinking as well as a tremendous amount of study time; but it paid off."

Then, in Spring, Vanessa wrote: "Professor Smith, I have really enjoyed your class for Chem 121 & Chem 122. I think you are a very good instructor. Although I didn't do as well as I should have this time, it was no reflection on your instruction. I'll miss coming to your class."

 

How very sweet of her to be concerned!

I always told my students that if they want to pass the course with a grade of "C", they should plan to spend twice as much time at home studying and reviewing the material than we spent in class.

As I recall, her job responsibilities changed and that impacted her study time.

Still, she always made it to my night class and I knew to look for her.

(smile)

-----     -----     -----

CHEM 1151, Fall quarter, 1998, followed by CHEM 1152, Spring quarter, 1999:

 

For the Fall, Robert Repsher wrote: "Many of the students in the class have NO school etiquette - - - way too much chit-chatting during lecture, way too many 'guests' (i.e. children), way too many late students strolling in disturbing the lecture. This was a very annoying environment."

Then, in Spring, Robert had this to say: "1) This class needs a firm tardiness rule: people should not be allowed to walk in 20 and 30 minutes into class - - it is very distracting. 

2) The lab manual terms should be the same as the ones in the textbook - - not different.  Pre-lab questions should correspond with material in the textbook."

Not any love showing through in that one, was there?

So, why had this older, single, childless, white, male chosen the course taught by me, instead of taking the CHEM 1152 taught by another instructor, that second term?

He already knew that I would rather a student arrive late than not at all.

He already knew that I encouraged class discussion during lecture.

He already knew that I allowed students to bring school-aged children with them to class if their babysitter flaked out on them.

Perhaps he worked in the daytime and could not make the other classes.

Only one section of that organic and biochemistry course was offered in the evenings, and that was only taught by me.

So why had I included his feedback in my blog?

Just to show it wasn't all sunshine and lollipops, that's why.

Plus, he had no bad news to report on my teaching; he just spoke of the class environment, from his perspective, and the lab manual, which had naught to do with me.

Choice!

(smile)

more love from former students

Yesterday, all the remarks had been from CHE 201 students in 1994.

Those were not my only students of that year, or of subsequent years, up to the Spring 2001 term (which was a semester, not a quarter, as Armstrong had shifted from the 10-week schedule to the 15-week one, as well as shifting from College to University status for the Fall of 1998).

Mama had died on January 2, 2001, and I had carried out my promise to teach that last term, but it was one of the longest fifteen weeks ever for me.

That's why I took a sabbatical, or hiatus, or whatever one chooses to call it, for the next two years, even though I had been on the schedule for the Fall of 2001.

I just couldn't do it.

I was in deep mourning and needed the break.

I cannot imagine how I would have dealt with the events of September 11, 2001, had I been involved in teaching that term.

So... as I was saying, CHE 201 was not the only course I taught.

In the Fall of 1994, I began teaching CHE 121 and CHE 122.

Those were the expanded versions of the information contained in the one-term CHE 201.

CHE 121 was all about general chemisty, on an introductory level, and had a lab for hands-on experience; CHE 122 also had a lab portion and contained more in-depth information about organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Those became known as CHE 1151 and CHE 1152 with the change to semesters.

 

As I was looking at those particular student feedback reports, I noticed something: student names were being repeated from one course to another.

In every case, these were students who had me for the first course of the two-part field of study, then made sure to have me for the second course, too!

How very wonderful!

They enjoyed having me a second time for the CHE 122 (CHE 1152) as much as I enjoyed seeing them again in my classroom!

Now, then, not all of the feedback reports fell into this pattern, but enough did that I've pulled them out and paired them up, so I can relive those moments.

Here goes!

-----     -----     -----

CHE 121, Fall quarter, 1994, followed by CHE 122, Spring quarter, 1995:

There were six students that wrote feedback for both terms!

 

For the Fall, Theresa Hiers wrote: "To whom it may concern: Dr. Smith has helped me become more enthusiastic about chemistry. I find it to be a very hard subject for me, but she made it fun to learn & to study. She's made coming back to college less scary; she's made learning fun. There's hope for me! Thank you!" 

She also made this cute card for me following the Spring quarter!

Inside, she wrote: "Thank you for all your help and encouragement. 

You have taught me a lot, even though my tests don't show it. 

Chemistry IS fun! 

With appreciation, 

sincerely, 

Theresa Hiers"

For the Fall, Brenda Mercer wrote: "Mrs. Smith is a great teacher. She gives very clear & specific notes & does not mind when people ask questions. She makes the course very interesting. I enjoyed coming to this class. I think she's one of the best teachers I have had here at Armstrong."

Spring quarter, she wrote: "Prof. Smith is one of the best teachers I have had at this college. She is patient with her students & encourages them. She is the only teacher I have had that makes me want to come to class. She is excited for her students & calls them when they do well on a test. She is a very personable teacher and I recommend her to anyone who needs to take chemistry. I only wish she taught more than just chemistry because I would like to take her again."

Plus, the Fall of 1995, she had dropped by my office and left me this: "Mrs. Smith, just a quick note to say hi! I'm doing well and hope you're the same. Talk to ya later!"

How very kind of her!

For the Fall, Nickie Stevens wrote: "I was very apprehensive about chemistry, but Ms. Smith is an excellent instructor who made chemistry much more understandable to me. She kept the class lively with conversation over the text we were studying. I am going to recommend her to anyone who has to take CHE 121."

Spring quarter, she wrote: "I feel that Dr. Smith is most helpful in presenting the material in a manner that is very understandable. I think that she's an excellent instructor. I appreciate having her as a teacher."

For the Fall, Julie Hagan wrote: "I loved the professor and the class was interesting. She did good teaching and was always willing to help me. She covered the material well and was very enthusiastic!"

Spring quarter, she wrote: "Prof. Smith is a very good instructor. I had her for 121 & 122 and I learned a lot. The material was difficult but she explained it clearly!"

For the Fall, Andrea Messer wrote: "Dr. Smith did a wonderful job explaining the material. The homework assignments were very useful when studying for the tests. She encourages the students to think as well as encourages interest in the course. She was very understanding when the flood hit Savannah and I was unable to make it to class because the roads were not passable from the Islands. She is a wonderful instructor!"

Spring quarter, she wrote: "Dr. Smith is very knowledgeable about her subject. She is an excellent teacher who is very interested in the achievements of her students. I have had her for 2 quarters. She has been the best teacher I have had at ASC."

For the Fall, Jill Girard wrote: "Dr. Smith is a great teacher! I would recommend this class to anyone. I have a kind of 'fear' of math and science, but Dr. Smith makes these areas clear and accessible even to ME."

Spring quarter, she wrote: "Dr. Smith is a credit to the Chemistry Department. Whatever you are paying her, it isn't enough! Her lectures were presented clearly and informally, which made the material more accessible by her less-adept students (such as myself). I have thoroughly enjoyed her instruction, and I recommend her class to anyone who needs a science."

I don't recall if these six students were study partners, or sat near each other, or simply individually decided to all write feedback for both quarters.

Whatever the rationale, now that I am retired, I am so grateful for their encouraging words from long ago.

How wonderful to have opened their minds to chemistry!

reasurances from 1994

Winter quarter, 1994:

 

"Class taught in a very interesting fashion, a lot of humor involved. Mrs. Smith has a certain wit in teaching this difficult material. I personally liked her before & after class consultations and very much appreciated being able to contact her at home for help. Mrs. Smith is an ideal professor for this course." - Walter Barnard

"Dr. Smith is great. Every once in a while, she got a little confusing, due to difficulty of course material. She brought it down to our level often. Great teacher!" - Paula Hart

"Mrs. Smith is a good teacher and very fair. She helps you as much as she is able to if she sees that you are trying. I think it is too much material to cover in such a short time." - Deanna Weaver

"Ms. Smith has been a wonderful instructor. She is very knowledgeable of chemistry & presents it in a way that is fun & easy to understand. I've missed a few classes due to hospitalization, & Ms. Smith had went out of her way to help me catch up. She cares about her students. Thank you for working with me and teaching me." - Penny Hollingsworth

"I believe that Faustina Smith is a great teacher. We need MORE teachers like her. If all ASC professors were like her, we would be happier students. She encourages students to learn & use the material. She is very fair and prompt of tests. Some teachers don't give them back before 2 or 3 weeks." - Michelle Hanicey

"In all my life I hated chemistry and usually did poorly. But, this quarter, Ms. Smith showed me a different side of chemistry - I actually ENJOYED it (which is scary!). Her grading allowed for me to do well, even after going through a very painful divorce. She taught very well and in a way I could actually UNDERSTAND. She made learning chemistry fun - which made the two hours twice a week just fly by! Thanks for being such a great teacher! I will ALWAYS remember you!" - June Frink

"Mrs. Smith is a very good teacher. She is always on time, the lesson is always interesting, and an understanding is always obtained." - Kahala Scott

"I feel that the school or the Department should consider revamping this course. It is unfair for individuals who have never had chemistry or just high school chemistry to be thrown into a class that covers this much material on a subject like chemistry." - Ethel Bolden

"Mrs. Smith made the course most interesting!! I enjoyed her adding humor to the classroom & allowing every student to believe that they had a chance to pass this course, even with no prior knowledge of chemistry. I studied harder than I ever studied in my life." - George Jones Jr.

"There is too much information cramed in to this 10 week course for a person who have had no chemistry at all. This is supposed to be an introduction to chemistry, it should not have as much work cramed in to a 10 week course. The course should be more explainable than it is." - D. Sills

"I feel because the subject matter was so difficult, the professor had me lost at times. The text book was extremely hard to understand. I enjoyed this class and feel that my knowledge in chemistry has been greatly enhanced. I enjoyed how Ms. Smith would do her "dance" when she taught (when she would get INTO material her hands would fly around). Thx." - unsigned

These are all the written comments submitted to the department for my class section.

(Pete Zipperer taught the other class section of the course.)

Why did I include the two comments that dealt with the course material and not me?

That was to provide an opening for me to speak her of the course.

CHE 201 was a combination course, seeking to provide an introduction to general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry within a ten-week span.

Whew, right?

The course had no associated lab, so students had no opportunity for hands-on engagement for better understanding of concepts.

I designed several show-and-tell demonstrations in an attempt to correct that lack.

I also would tell the students of experiments they could perform at home, perhaps with their children, to encourage more interest in chemistry.

The majority of the students in my night class were working people, out of their teens, with families, that lived off campus - as did the majority of students at the time.

Armstrong State College had a student population of about 3000 at that time and was still very much a community educational source.

 

Spring quarter, 1994:

 

"Mrs. Smith is an excellent teacher who goes out of her way to make sure students understand the subject matter. Thank you for all of your help." - Heidi Robinson

"Mrs. Smith is down to earth and relates to her students on a personal level. She made our class fun, not very exciting but what could one expect from chemistry! I'm glad I go the opportunity to meet her. She's a wonderful person." - T. Harris

"I enjoyed this course very much and enjoyed having Mrs. Smith for a teacher! The only thing wrong with this course was the study guide and text! Thank you very much for teaching me so much." - Rebecca Jackson

"I thoroughly enjoyed this chemistry class. Upon entrance to this class I was uneasy about chemistry, being I had never had it before. Mrs. Smith gave me confidence in my work. She encouraged students to call her at home when they had a problem they could not figure out on their own. She made herself available to the students all of the time possible. All around a great instructor." - Julie Hanton

"This was a great class. Mrs. Smith was an excellent teacher! Thank you." - Daniel Whetstone

"Mrs. Smith has a way of making a subject that could be very confusing easy to understand and enjoyable. She is an excellent instructor." - Julie Goethe

"I was very happy with the course. Professor Smith was quite helpful & willing to work with the students. I will definitely recommend her to other students. The book that was assigned to this class is very confusing. I hope that this book is changed to something with a more understandable format. (However, Prof. Smith helped with the understanding of the information.) Armstrong has a very strong faculty and Prof. Smith is a fine example of an excellent teacher." - Cassie Shelton

"I found chemistry to be more interesting than I thought it would be. There was alot of material to cover in just 2 nights a week, but Mrs. Smith went over everything that was to be on the test. I enjoyed this class and learned alot more than I thought I would, but I am glad it's over." - Linda Brock

"Upon entering this chemistry class I was very fearful of failing. Prof. Smith has taught me chemistry in such a way that it is easier to understand. I won't say that it is EASY to understand because I don't think chemistry could ever be easy. She has really tried to make herself available to the students. She will answer any questions that you might have. She has developed an interest in me in this course." - Stephanie Campbell

"Mrs. Smith is a great teacher. I struggled in her class but she always kept encouraging you to do better. She made things very interesting to learn. She helped us understand the subject better by putting it in her own words. I really enjoyed the challenge this quarter. The class was not as stressful as quarters before as  far as the classroom atmosphere. She is a real enjoyable teacher." - Kimberly Wiley

"The course was very interesting, and the instructor was terrific. When I felt I was at my lowest I was given encouragement to continue and try harder. The text book is a different story." - unsigned

"Mrs. Smith made course interesting in a relaxed environment." - unsigned

"The strengths of this course was how molecules were broken down, the learning of our body pH levels, and the terms used in chemistry labs and hospitals." - unsigned

 

That last one was very cool, right?

The student actually showed me I'd made an impact!

Why did those last three students not sign their names? 

They were concerned about their opinions affecting their final grades.

I always made sure the students knew that I would not see their remarks for at least two weeks after the quarter ended, meaning their grades would have been turned in well before these surveys were in my hands... but, that's okay.

How very nice to have found them in my Ocean Room closet, stuck away on a shelf, waiting for my eyes to read these kind words again.

Fall quarter, 1994:

"In my opinion Mrs. Smith is a great teacher, she presents the material in a manner that is not "over our heads". She is very fair and very helpful." - Vanessa Hooks

"I can honestly say that I learned something in this class because of Professor Smith. I wish that she could instruct Che 202. Professor Smith is the definition of a good instructor. She came to class early and stayed late many times to offer help to students and I really appreciated that!" - Olivia Moultrie

"Course was fast paced but well presented. The questions on the test were covered thoroughly in the lectures. Mrs. Smith presented the material in a way that made it easier to understand." - Margaret Brantley

"Professor Smith was able to rid me of my fear of chemistry. She was extremely effective in her teaching and gave us all confidence in our ability to do well. Her helpfulness and availability was extraordinary! Her overall goal was to truly help us understand chemistry and to use what WE learned in the future." - Linda Rahimitobas

"When I came into this class I had never taken chemistry before, and I didn't know anything about chemistry, but Mrs. Smith is a very jolly instructor, who made me interested in this class. And this is how I learned and it is how I understood. She was a great big help. Thanks." - Stephanie Nevils

"Ms. Smith was always willing to stay after or meet before class to clear up any questions I may have had. Being out of school for many years this class encouraged me to think. I felt that the class was in depth but was always a challenge. Ms. Smith helped me want to learn more about chemistry. I attended some lectures to help me better understand the work of chemistry. Thanks." - Michael Uritescu

"In the past, the term chemistry frightened me. But in this course, I have learned that chemistry is simply a matter of being taught the material correctly. Professor Smith taught the material effectively and geared it towards each students needs. She also helped the individuals who were having problems and gave every individual the chance to excel." - 1LT Turia Tilque

"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I wish I'd had more time to study. Overall I am pleased." - unsigned

"This is a very fast paced course. It moves along so fast I never grasp the complete meanings. I found it hard to keep up." - unsigned

"Professor Smith is very precise in her teachings. I notice that she pauses and looks around the room to see if we have blank looks on our faces. She makes sure we understand before moving on." - unsigned

 

And so ended my first academic year of teaching this course.

Why did I include that second unsigned remark?

That's to remind me that you can't help someone who will not ask for that help.

I love the first unsigned one in this collection.

That student acknowledged that time management was an area they could have done better, but that was not the fault of the material or the teacher.

Good for them!

And good for me to know of the effect I had for these starfish.

I am so grateful to have found these again.

My thanks to Henry Harris and John Brewer for inviting me to first teach this course during the fall of 1993... and then for encouraging me to stay for years afterward.

I never even applied for the job - 

I had simply come out to the campus to visit my favorite professors -

then the work was simply offered to me by those who knew me, by those who had taught me during my three years as a student at Armstrong.

I am so blessed.

Right place, right time.

i thank You, God.

all in the front, stripe across the back

 

What a mileage to see: 214400.

That's the reading back in my driveway again.

When I had called GEICO about my latest bill, I had explained that I am retired and no longer travel back and forth to work.

When Gregory asked if I knew how many miles I was putting on the car since I first retired, I could actually tell him.

I retired in fall of 2018, drawing my first TIAA ORP payment in November of that year.

That coincided with the date that I wrote this post, which noted the odometer reading of 202000.

That means I've only put twelve thousand miles on my car in almost two years.

When I was working, I'd run my car that far, easily, in just one year.

Thanks to my keeping track of such things, my insurance bill dropped.

Want to guess by how much?

I was quite surprised: more than 22 percent!!!

That's $171.36, per year, that's going to stay in my pocket!

Broken down by month, it's just $14.28, but here's the thing:

that's still staying with me, not going elsewhere.

Woohoo!!!

I felt like I was soaring above the clouds, headed for the sun!

Now I know how Hiccup and Astrid felt as Toothless took them to heights they'd never known in Berk.

I so love this movie!

It's hard for me to believe that "How To Train Your Dragon" is already a decade old!

I'm so glad I was able to see it as my 'Friday night out' movie!

The two cinemas in town have cut back to only having screenings on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

That began on Wednesday, so no more "Tina Tuesday" outings to movies in Savannah.

The Royal in Pooler will still have movies on that day, should the bfrb want to go to there.

I've let him know, of course, did that yesterday.

That's so he can wrap his head around the change for next week.

(smile)

Now, what's up with that silly post title up there?

Am I referring to some new haircut?

Only if mowing the grass can be thought of as giving the Earth's hair a trim!

Then again, I suppose whatever can be said about the sea oats also holds true for the crab grass, since both have ties to the beach.

(Get my little joke?)
Yes, I still feel like I'm floating on air ever since my talk to Gregory...

and, to think, I had so dreaded making that call and trying to save on my car insurance...

what great silliness.

I just wish I had known retirement would bring that perk!

Still, right place, right time, as the odometer attests.

i thank You, God!

all work and no play - not me!

I do so love this episode of "Quantum Leap"!
Sam Beckett had leapt into a 1950's shamus, a 'tec, a dick, there to solve the murder of his partner in the private detective business.
I wasn't watching alone, either - mi tres amigas were along for the ride!
And what a ride, with this dashing figure working to solve the crime without getting pinched for it himself.
See, he and his partner's old lady had been having an affair - ooh la la!

Such an air of "Casablanca" in this one, especially when he'd pass by a mirror or look at his reflection.
That's when we'd see what folks in that time saw: a fellow who could pass for Humphrey Bogart's brother!
And, oh, the banter back and forth, between him and the widow and him and the paperboy - fun!
The bfe really liked all that film noir flavor, too!
Yeah, he was watching!


J-Dawg and I were still in communication with our communicators.
(Hahaha! Inside joke between friends!)

bfe: "Whatcha you up to these days?"
me: "5 foot 4 :-) "
bfe: "Ahh yes. A classic response!"
me: "Spent most of today tabling down numbers so I can start Social Security payments."
bfe: "What are ORP and TIAA?"
me: "The T is university retirement account with USG. Optional Retirement Account is the type I chose, so the money stayed with of when I left."
bfe: "I see. So ORP was used up already?"
me: "With me, not with of. Stupid phone."
bfe: "Ha ha! I knew what you meant."
me: "That's correct! Good thing i had used up all the ORP from TIAA last year, or i would have lost about 200 bucks a month for the rest of my life."
bfe: "That seems so fast."
me: "Yes, ORP didnt have but three years of university donations, since that was all i had as full time. Bulk of my money is in 403 b account."
me: "Ended up about 28K. Used it up first because USG ticked me off when they kept changing my account numbers and investments after the merger."
bfe: "Ha ha. That's funny in a good way."
me: "Lol. Actually, the investments i chose have done so much better than those the school has as their default."
bfe: "Buy low! Sell high! Ok I get you then. It wasn't just your rock and roll lifestyle!"
me: "Rock and roll lifestyle, ha! Going to the drive-in was as close as i have come to that in months. And it was free!"
bfe: "That seemed like a mega-positive experience."
me: "It really was! I just may do it next Wedn. They are showing Do The Right Thing."
bfe: "A classic film in the heat of the summer!"
me: "For real. :-) "

So, that was the work -
back to playing around!
And just in time for bare male body in a bubble bath...
oh! Oh, oh, oh, oh, OH!
Sooooo glad I caught this shot!
Barbara and Carolyn and Sandy were pretty glad, too, that I'd captured that Kodak moment!
I just wish he'd been a tad longer when unzipping his roommate's dress - but I have a wonderful imagination!
(smile!)

And lucky me!
I even caught this scene!
Actually, that's because this is the third - or fourth - time I've seen this one, so I knew I'd have him out of those bubbles and kept pushing the button and hoping for bliss!
(Yes, all innuendoes and puns are 100% deliberate!)
This time around, Sam still was Sam, but Samamtha, not Samuel - this was his first time as a woman!
What a lot of fun it was, too, for me and mis amigas, who mostly grew up in the 1960's and 1970's, during those early years of women's rights.
What a long way we've come!
(smile!)
i thank You, God!