Reading a lot of books makes the time go by. I still have plenty of time to cook and eat, and even walk a mile every day. Really hot during the day, but cooling off some at night.

Went right to sleep early last night, before 9:30, but woke up before 4. Need to get Molli's boxes packed and mailed. They are moving in to their apartment on Sunday. Her first day of classes was yesterday and it was stressful. I checked flights all during choir. I want to fly up this weekend and help them, but I would have to have a lot more money to do that.

Not sleeping is bad

Three of the four past nights, I have had trouble falling asleep. Change of the seasons? Not enough on my mind? Who knows...but today I nearly fell asleep in Tax Prep class. Of course, now that I am home and could sleep, not feeling it quite the same. Too bad there wasn't a bed for me to fall into at H&R Block.

This morning, I went to Sandy Creek Nature Center for training as a trail guide volunteer. Ellen W. was there, working, and I remembered how I applied for that job and never heard a word...I am sure I will enjoy taking the kids on nature walks. I felt surprisingly knowledgeable about trees and plants. The other attendees were much younger, one still in college. It is one thing about getting older; I do more than I did, when I can remember it.

I have 8 applications in at UGA, but am not holding my breath. Over the years, I have applied to many positions there. Only one got me an interview, and I realized later they had someone for the job, but had to consider a certain number (3?). I never was a serious candidate. But...it could happen. I would be an outstanding employee...just ask Larry Pomeroy, my boss 25 years ago at UGA's Institute of Ecology.

Is the internet killing creativity?

I can't count the number of times I have had ideas of things I want to write. When I sit down at the computer, though, the e-mails and Facebook and other interesting distractions keep me from it. By the time I am "ready" (if ever), my thoughts have flown.

Quick personal summary, in case you were wondering:

I took classes last year to get a Certificate of Gerontology, and, hopefully, be more employable. Three classes in the fall, two in the spring plus an internship at the Council on Aging. I really enjoyed it all, in spite of having to read and write a bunch. I was astonished to find the subject matter interesting. There was a lot that I didn't know about aging and I found some of it inspiring and hopeful. Not all of it, though.

You should know, if you don't, that there is a huge change coming to our society. There will be a greater and greater percentage of people over 60, compared to fewer and fewer younger people. This means we should be planning now for what that means. Where will we all live? What will we do with the second half (or third third) of our lives? Who will take care of us when we can't take care of ourselves? How can we make it easier for us to take care of ourselves and each other (since there won't be enough young people to do it)? What about people without kids or other younger relatives? What about people in poverty? OMG, we are so much trouble it is hard to imagine how this will be OK.

I want to help, but I'm not sure where to begin. And, of course, how to get paid for it. After a few hopeful leads, I ended up not having any job prospects at the end of it all. I really thought it would be helpful, but I am now even deeper in debt than I was. There seem to be more jobs out there than a year ago; I think the economy is actually improving. That is the one thing keeping me from deep depression at this point.

To my great joy, Molli moved back to the United States at Christmas time. This is a huge deal and was accomplished without too much trauma. She brought her dog through customs...and her husband in May. The plan was for her (and him) to work and save money before going to law school this fall. Well, it happened sort of like she planned...except the amount of money saved was much less than expected...and the amount of money spent much more.

She scored essays for the university (as Polly and I have done, along with many others), and did well at it. It's not the worst temporary job you can find. It's indoors, sitting down, and uses your brain. She also became a substitute teacher, a very educational experience. Like many things in life, it taught her as much about herself as about teaching. It pays very poorly, but has the advantage that you can work or not work any day you want or need.

The best job she had is one we shared, an unusual situation in this day and age, but one that worked really well for us--except for the making a lot of money part... This is how it happened. Last summer, I volunteered with the Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program. It uses volunteers to provide lunches for children in low-income neighborhoods while school is out during the summer. This year, they asked if I would be willing to coordinate the program in Athens--a paid position starting in mid-March. I was very happy to be asked, but I couldn't legitimately start a full-time job until May, since I had classes and an internship. I also hoped at that point that I would be offered a job at the place I had my internship--which I was, at about that time, although the offer was later withdrawn (Is that even legal?!). When I suggested that Molli and I share the job, however, Action Ministries was more than willing. Looking back, I think they may have known they would actually get two workers for the price of one, but it was a really good plan in a lot of ways.

Molli did most of the work last spring, going to the training in Atlanta and meeting with potential volunteers when I couldn't. I had a lot of experience in working with groups in Athens, though, so I was a good source of advice for her. Once we started delivering lunches (June 3), we both worked 6-8 hours every day--sometimes more than others--but of course we only got paid for 40 hours a week, together. We arranged for 6 delivery points, registered children, recruited volunteers and donors...At the end of the day, we provided 12,000 lunches to about 1000 children over 10 weeks, working with hundreds of volunteers. It was a great experience in so many ways. We met many wonderful people and became close to some of them. When we were in trouble, someone would come through for us. It was awesome! We made a difference in people's lives. And we enjoyed working together, almost always. Sometimes Adrian or Ray would help us, our friend Janna, our exchange student from Germany, Elisa, and her friend from France, Luana...it was a real family affair and that was fun.

Well, that was a few weeks ago. Molli and Adrian moved to Boston Saturday and are starting their new life there. I'm excited for them--and jealous, and I miss them a lot!

So, here I am, another short-term, low-paid job behind me, another year of schooling, and unlimited opportunity. What will I do next? Who knows? Stay tuned.

I'm pretty tired. Ray and Elisa are both sick. Molli is gearing up to start this job with the summer lunch program. She drives to ATL for training on Monday. Today is the day to catch up and relax. Somehow that didn't happen this weekend. Elisa was visiting her friend over toward ATL. Her host Dad met Ray at a gas station in Jefferson for the hand-off.

Molli ran in the race Saturday morning at the Council on Aging, a fund-raiser for the Meals on Wheels program. I volunteered. The director said nice things about me. I am hoping to hear from her today about a full-time job!

Molli and I went shopping with Janna and Becky. I bought several things. There were sales at every store! Brown pants, black pants, a black skirt, and three shirts. All professional looking.

Sunday morning, Kate presented at UUFA. She was nervous and didn't do a very good job. The power point presentation she showed wasn't very good and the sound didn't work. There were a couple of people who were excited about the program, though. I need to get information to the group in the future. She didn't even bring any applications with her. She said she didn't feel good and hadn't had breakfast. I was a little disappointed and knew I could have done better.

The three of us stopped for lunch at Peking. I ate way too much Chinese food, but it was really fun. At home, I spent a couple hours in the garden. There is so much to do! I was sorry my Dad didn't come. I talked to him on the phone and he said he felt blah. I think that means he was depressed, but I didn't pursue it. I expect we'll see him today.

We had planned to eat Salade Nicoise for lunch, so we had it for supper instead. Then I finished off the chocolate birthday cake Molli had made for Ray--with a little ice cream. We watched TV and went to bed. The time change has thrown me off somewhat.

It's been a little crazy around here. I am excited to have a week off next week, although there will be a lot to do.

Yesterday morning, I was planning a day of cooking and cleaning to get ready for Ray's birthday party, punctuated by a lunch date, when my phone rang. Kelly was calling because Carter was sick. I am their backup babysitter when he cannot go to child care. I was annoyed, because it was not what I wanted to do, but there wasn't really a reason I couldn't do it, so I said yes.

Elisa got her ride, Molli got up and started working on the birthday cake. Ray and I left the house and got him to his class in time. I drove to the "tag office" and paid to register the car again (almost $300!). It is due on Ray's birthday, so I had to do it. Then I drove to Carter's house. He was a little warm and had a nasty runny nose. He took three short naps during the day. I think it was hard for him to breathe and that woke him up. He played a lot and ate pretty well, so he wasn't too sick. We took a short walk in the afternoon. Andy was home before 5 and I zipped home, stopping by the UUFA to leave muffins for the new UU class this morning.

At home, people were putting away groceries, cutting up vegetables, and cleaning up the house. I built a nice fire in the woodstove. I was feeling not quite right and finally decided it was mainly hunger. Molli had sauted some chicken for dinner and Ray washed the fresh lettuce. With a little oil and balsamic vinegar and some tomato, scallions, and Parmesan, we had a great birthday dinner.

We were almsot ready when people started arriving, maybe as many as 40. We offered them wine and beer and veggies and hummus and chips and dip and crackers and cheese. Nothing fancy, but it was fun. The cake was beautiful and delicious.

Somewhere during the day, I had a call from the director of the Council on Aging. She wants to talk to me about a job! Full-time! Now I am nervous and excited. This is what I wanted, the reason I went back to school. It's a big change, though. I haven't worked full time much in five or six years. I won't be able to take off for a month like I did last summer--or come home and work in the garden during the day. On the other hand, I will have a Job! Income and a purpose in life. OMG!

It's right at 32 again this morning, but I think Spring might be coming. For one thing, it's light out before 7. (well, they'll change the time soon so that won't be true, but, for now...) Birds make noise.

Yesterday was a really bad day. Actually, it started Wednesday. Within the space of an hour, I learned that my young friend, a 6-year-old neighbor, was in the hospital. Yesterday afternoon, she was operated on to relieve the pressure of fluid in her brain. Apparently, she has a genetic disease that will cause tumors along her nerves throughout her life. Horrible for her, horrible for people who love her. She came through the surgery and was watching Dora and asking for hot chocolate. I don't know about her future, but she has a grandfather who is a doctor and lots of loving care. I am pretty upset, though. The second thing that happened was a friend's wife's cancer has come back with a vengeance. She is home in a lot of pain with around the clock care. I am so sad for them and for me. Nothing I can really do. I have offered support in both cases.

I woke up yesterday with a cold, but that isn't the third bad thing. (they come in threes). When I let the chickens out, there were only two of them. I was confused. They weren't out at all the day before, or for several days. Could I have not noticed there were only two? It took me awhile, but I found some feathers and a place where the chicken wire had been forced from the upright. Obviously, I didn't do a very good job, but something strong and persistent had gotten in and taken away my best layer, Beauty. It must have been working alone (raccoon?), because the other two appear unharmed. And none of us heard anything. It looks like the dogs didn't bark and the chickens didn't squawk?

Ray made a presentation about birds being dinosaurs to a group from the Audubon Society last night at the Nature Center. It was very good. He has been working on it for most of the week, but especially all day yesterday, not doing much else. It was pretty intense, but a great talk. We managed to get him to cut it back to only 150 slides... The group was only about 20 people. It seems like maybe overkill, but many really liked it. He could do a whole course on it, or other presentations. Pretty interesting stuff and great illustrations.

Apparently, I have given up blogging...which is kind of interesting to analyze in itself. Am I too busy? Activities for a family of five, full-time graduate work, and the usual necessities of life: eating, trying to exercise...the garden, the dogs...But still, I don't think that is the whole story. The need is no longer there, for a variety of reasons. Molli has been my most loyal reader and she is here now, so no need to keep her posted on my life. I am probably happier than I have been in quite a while. I have hopes of employment in a few months. This is an interesting idea...I only want to blog when I am unhappy?

Molli and I are embarking on an interesting and challenging adventure. We have a shared job from mid-March to the end of August. Remember how I volunteered to deliver lunches last summer? Solomon Smothers was the young man who coordinated the program in Athens. He is not available this summer, but recommended me. I got two or three e-mails from the state organizers, asking me if I was interested. The job pays $10/hr and I was torn. I told them I can't commit to 40 hours a week until I finish my graduate program, in early May. I could do part-time, maybe, but I could also recommend my daughter, who is in town and looking for work until the end of May. They were excited. Molli was reluctant to commit, not knowing her specific obligations and opportunities. Neither of us wanted to give up the possibility of some travel during that period. But we were both confident that, between us, we could give the time and make the program work. So, we are all happy. We attended some meetings on Friday and we're excited about continuing and expanding the program.

Meanwhile, things are going well at the Council on Aging and there may be a job opening there for me. Oddly enough, Molli found it on craigslist--part-time case manager $18/hr. I plan to look into it this week.