review: cowboys are my weakness & more on these three weeks

Last night I was the one that stayed back at class, so I was able to finish up this slim volume. Since I have been in Green Bay, pretty much all I have done is: go to class, sleep, eat, plan class, read (oh, and break my elbow) (and pet the dogs). I haven't managed to work on any of the crafty projects I brought along (and I have several that need immediate finishing), but somehow, churning out these books makes me feel a little better.

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This collection of stories was more satisfying than her non-fiction piece. I particularly liked her intense analyzing of relationships between men and women--the way it was all so quiet, so delicate, and could be so violent and cruel too. There was an incredibly tender story about a married couple who are enduring the wife's mother's visit. Clever lines, the perfect details, and all unfolding like a tulip warming.

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I did not read the edition with a cover like this, by the way. I probably would not have wanted to touch the book, felt shameful, with what looks like a chick lit cover. Instead, it was the wild again, great big mountains, beautiful colors. And all her stories had a little bit of her in them--stories I recognized from her memoir.

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Now reading: Plan B by Anne Lamott.

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Tomorrow I get to go home, and I'm very excited. Emily has asked me to take photos at her rehearsal dinner, and she doesn't seem to mind how lopsided they might be. I am a bit more mobile, though I still have to keep my arm in a sling. It doesn't hurt to unfurl it, though I can't manage it terribly far, as the swelling and soreness is still there. I can get through the night, save the dogs thwapping their wet noses against my hands, and Penelope nestling at my feet.

Emily's wedding is on Friday night, and on Saturday, we meet with our reception coordinator to discuss the menu. Indeed, I have sent out invitations indicating our patrons have the option of beef, chicken, or vegetarian, but we have no idea how those meals would be served and with what spectacular garnishes. We do, however, know the cake will be chocolate with chocolate mousse and is very rich... buttercream frosting, three tiers, with flowers as our flourish and top. The cake, you see, is the most important of all things we will ingest, except maybe some tasty wine or beer. Also important.

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In other news: The Fiance's sister has just bought a house with her husband, and The Fiance's brother has returned from being evacuated from his home in Lake Tahoe. The word is that the wind is shifting and he may need to leave again, so he has not unpacked his bags apparently; their home is covered in ash and he mentioned an old residence may no longer be there! It is so warm and muggy here that it is hard to imagine the dry crackling of a forest fire.

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Classes are wonderful... I think I am being spoiled by these kids, who are willing to do so much and say such brilliant things. They wonder about just the right stuff and can discuss for hours. This is what I thought teaching was like when I took my education classes--how it was described in the textbooks. We did a hot seat activity with The Glass Menagerie where one student gets in the center and is interviewed by the other students to find out character motivation. This went on smoothly and each person was willing to get into the center. One girl even played the part of the father who is only mentioned in the play! We spent the other hour this afternoon fighting food comas by playing improv games, all of which were hilarious and joyous, all filling the room with laughter. The morning three hours were spent in general discussion, in learning pantomime, in acting out a scene from the play in which pantomime becomes important. I look forward to being with these kids, am not afraid any more of being not smart enough, because they will stumble onto the right topics. There is no lazy teaching here, though, no busy work at all. They are too eager for that--when they socialize, they are talking about class, about acting, about performance, about getting into character. They are complimenting each other and encouraging each other. So far, so good.

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I am going to resist the nap I am wishing to take... pry my eyes open with toothpicks, send the dogs flailing upstairs, licking me awake. It is afternoon, warm, and I am full of mediocre food and literature. And I don't have an alarm to wake me up, so I will be here, for now.

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Pictures, soon.