(Thanks to Bradley Dilger for the title phrase)

Well, I'm sitting in the alcove, responding to paper drafts and listening to CBC's "Here's to You" (today Shelley played Anna Russell's bit about folk songs, which stalled me for 20 minutes, and a piano version of Pictures at an Exhibition, among other wonderful things). The window is open to the fresh, brisk spring air. Sunny skies, and visible buds on the trees . . .

I just read another draft whose point was the value of education. I get two or three of these every semester, it seems, and it just warms the cockles of my heart. A satisfyingly large number of my students every semester are frankly and openly appreciative of the education they're getting (not just from me, but also in general). Those people are the ones who push me to do my best, and who make me glad I'm here.

So I better get back to being my best . . I just wanted to throw that out while I thought of it . . .