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Paul Ashton's avatar

By this point in August I’ve been fully lulled into a summer trance (in a good way) and boom, 25,000 students flood into the area. Cars loaded down pull up in front of apartment houses in the neighborhood, new faces walk by the house entertaining us with snippets of excited conversations. Suddenly, there’s traffic on Main Street and there’s always that moment when I wonder “where did all these people come from?” like it’s never happened before and I have to laugh at myself. I like how town gets sleepy in the summer but I enjoy the burst of energy that comes with the beginning of the school year. It’s as close as I get to the feeling I had with that first glimpse of the bus turning up the street to pick us up.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

It really is exciting to be a part of it. I just taught my first two classes, so I feel a little calmer, knowing I didn't forget how to do this over the summer. I actually worry about that, every stinkin' time.

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Jac's avatar

I remember as a student, then parent of students, how exciting those first few days were. And when your teacher has a reputation as one who will teach in a fun and challenging way...when you know by the end of the semester you will become more competent, thanks to your teacher guide who sees your potential all along the way, even thru your uncertainties....it's extra super exciting. I am guessing that's how some of your students are feeing today! Your students are in such good hands! I wish a great start to you and to your students!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Thank you! So far, the only victory I've had is starting the computer in the classroom. BABY STEPS!

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Sharon Foster (CT)'s avatar

I love Autumn for those reasons, too. Even though I grew up in Texas, I am not a creature of the heat & humidity and I look forward to those cool nights. I'm also looking forward to the changing colors in the trees. And even though I am not in any way connected with school anymore, I still remember that feeling of anticipation of a new school year.

Becoming a bad birdwatcher has added a new layer to the changing seasons. The Carolina wren and the osprey that I hear every morning but never see, will be heading south very soon.

I raise my coffee mug to Autumn. Here's to a successful school year, and may we have many indictments to read about in the news.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I raised my mug this morning, as well. To Autumn!

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Bill Katz's avatar

I’m one of those freaks. I spent Sunday down at the Massentucket Pequot festival whooping an hollering and pounding the ground in bare feet. Well not me anyways. This time, I wasn’t in a contest.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I wanted to go but we went everyone was tired from our time on the high seas.

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Sharon Foster (CT)'s avatar

I so wanted to do that this year, but I pulled a muscle in my back yesterday and didn't go anywhere. Next year!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Let's meet up!

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B Keck's avatar

I must be one of those freaks who wakes up when it’s still dark. 😉 But that’s because my school year starts today, too. Well, I don’t see my students till Wednesday, but it’s back to school for we teachers today. Have a great year!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Best of luck this year, my friend!

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Thomas Dombroski's avatar

For the astronauts on the ISS there are creatures 260 miles below them

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Carol M Robinson's avatar

What a wonderful way to mark the end of summer. Gloucester and the ocean waters that greet it is a place of wonder, beauty, calm and excitement all scrambled together. Maybe that’s the appeal for everyone including artists. I had to absolute joy of seeing and photographing whales breaching and tails out of the salty water just at the right time. I’m with you on not a fan of hot humid summer days but loving all the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, watching hummingbirds, watching my flowers hopefully thrive and having locally grown corn and tomatoes to enjoy.

Good luck and blessings on your first day of school. And kudos to those who signed up for your classes. They are in for a semester full of the unexpected at a quality level.

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Joan Sheehan's avatar

I too was thinking about how fast the summer passed, today. It’s my favorite season.

I’m sure you see the look of excitement in some of the students eyes when you first speak to them. They are very lucky to have such a brilliant and excited instructor! Happy fall to you and yours.

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

To the turning of the earth-- on it axis and through the freeze and heave of the seasons brought by that rotation, and through the worms and moles and roots and mycelia. To the worlds below and above-- may we better respect their strangeness and power. And to the wide cold worlds beyond our small ball of air, where worlds turn without (I hope) regard for our nonsense.

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Karen Caffrey's avatar

Onwards! Hope the semester gets off to a good start. 😊

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Aug 29, 2022
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Susan Campbell's avatar

I was done with nurturing my tomato plants about three weeks ago, and they needed more water than I could give them. So I just pulled the stakes up and wished them well.

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