Amalfi Drive is Lit! Well, Papi Butch's Front Porch is Lit with Solar Lights from Christmas Tree Shop

A ritual in Cherry Height's is Budweiser around the garbage cans as the sun sets. It's taken a couple of days, but Butch and I cracked that nut last night watching a 1/2 moon rise and awaiting his solar lights fireworks festival to bring Whoville to the summer months of Clay. Sh'Zaam, Boom, Zoom, Wowza! Missing Karl and others from yesteryear, but definitely Butch's light game is on point. 

Thursday was a little shopping, a walk, Canadian smoke, sandwiches from Wrap It Up, and some play time for Karal with neighborhood dogs. 

Today is flowing with the day and doing wedding party Part I. Tomorrow is wedding Part II.

And soon I'll be gargling warm salt water, because that is what digital MD recommends.

Happy Friday. 

Four Decades in Ironing Board Pad History. I Awaited Montage Music with Historical Interviews and Family Photographs

Mom put on her Walmart to-do list that she needed a new ironing pad. Dad and I easily found one and, lo and behold, it matched the Pepto Bismol pink she had me paint Cynde and Casey's room several years ago. After we paid the crane driver and forklift to remove items piled on the ironing board (and to replace them), I went in to take off the pad that was already there. Actually, it was several pads...a walk through 40 years of Amalfi Drive living. 

The first layer was 1970s Little House on the Prairie floral, followed by the 1980s MTV Hammerpants-inspired Zumba flare, followed by a simple rose style from the 2000-2010s, and now we have the Pepto-Bismo rose garden for the next decade.

"The layers add more padding, Bryan," I am told by mother, "but I give you permission to thrown the old ones away."

Is she sure? Too late. "Dad, TAKE THESE TO THE TRASH."

At Walmart, dad also bought two different colored shoe polishes and announced, "I haven't polished my shoes in years." 

I've never known him to polish his shoes (or that he has shoes to be polished) but he was excited by his find, just like the squeezable mayonaise to go with his collection in the back for the fridge. No grapes, though. "Dad, you have a gigantic bowl at home." So he asks, "Can I get strawberries?" of which we did and they were delicious after our potpies dinner. 

Actually, I think there's a can of off-white paint in that room that Casey had to have in case she made a mistake when stenciling roses on the walk back in high school. "What if we make a mistake?" Well, Casey...um.....

And there are piles of Casey's photographs all over the room that she must look at when she visits. 

Nostalgia is beautiful.

Okay. I Proudly Admit It. @kwamealexande's WHY FATHERS CRY AT NIGHT Made Me Day-Cry on My Road Trip from CT to Syracuse

It was a decade ago when I was presenting in CNY with Rhiannon Berry and she called me to see if I could pick up a writer she met at the conference and bring him to her school. Hurricane Sandy had travel stopped for a while, I wasn't returning to Stratford any time soon, and I'm always up for an adventure. He was touring with a book called Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band. I showed up at his hotel in a Ford Escort, the only car I could afford after earning my doctorate and saying goodbye to my Explorer. I introduced myself, went to Liverpool High School with him, co-presented, and fell in love with his voice, spirit, purpose, and storytelling. Soon after, I invited him to keynote for a Writing Our Lives conference and also used him for professional development at Hill Central in New Haven. I made sure two hundred copies of the The Crossover were part of the experience with kids and teachers. I read a draft in Word and knew it was special....

the book I always needed in my high school classroom for a wide variety of reasons...

I dowloaded Why Fathers Cry at Night for my road trip back to Syracuse for Lossine's wedding. I should mention that Lossine, Rhiannon, and Abu were all part of that youth conference in Connecticut quite a while ago. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if a story Kwame told me the last time we were together (one about Nikki Giovanni and his mother/her mother) would be in this memoir. He was drafting at the time and perhaps he piloted a variation of the story with me after he did a radio show and we had a drink at his hotel. I was mesmerized by his retelling and even more thrilled to read a variation of it in the book. It's simply an amazing story. 

The trip to Syracuse is typically 4.5 hours. Why Fathers Cry at Night was just under 4 hours, perfect for the milestone this weekend in Syracuse. 

I'm not going to rave about the book as much as I want to here, only because there's a big weekend ahead and I'm simply thrilled this book is out there for fathers....sons....brothers...friends. As Kwame's story has moved forward with its twists and turns (hello, Disney Plus) and my academic career launched from K-12 to higher education, I've kept up with each and every achievement he's made...cheering his success all they way. It's all well deserved

And I didn't know the 'behind the scenes' story. I had guesses, curiosity, and wonders, but that's not the nature of the friendship. I never pried. I simply admired. Perhaps I worried some.

Yes, I'm admiring him more now. I'm not sure what triggered the tears...his relationship to his father....his love for his daughters...the fact that Lossine is marrying this weekend as I was driving home to spend time with my own parents....or the poetry, letters, recipes, and verses. The book simply hit me. It was a special drive home, and Kwame made it that way (once again). There's something beautiful about reflective honesty. It's raw, and when it comes from a King of language, it's simply beautiful.

But now I'm regretting why I never cooked for him on Mt. Pleasant, and why I've yet to have his fried chicken. I'm holding out, because time travels in strange ways. 

Beautiful book. Wonderful honesty. And I'm thankfu Nikki Giovanni giving him that C, and for him resurrecting the possibilities of Pond Life (ribbit ribbit). Surf's up!

I was moved and loved every moment of the experience (so glad to hear his voice, too). Phew.....I'm no Nikki Giovanni, but I know there's more to come. We simply have to wait for more of the magic. 

And with Anticipation of an Incredible Cohort of @cwpfairfield Educators, Crandall Begins the Gift-Giving Preparation of Summer Activities

When I return from Lossine's wedding, the 2023 Invitational Leadership Institute begins with funding from the State of Connecticut and revenue from yearlong professional development in school donated to the Connecticut Writing Project work. I can't wait to spend four weeks with 12 phenomenal educators from Connecticut schools in the National Writing Project tradition. I spent yesterday on campus getting ready for the work ahead with them, and the 100s of young people participating in Young Adult Literacy Labs (It's Writing, Y'ALL). 

It's hard for me to comprehend that for the last decade we've been building the programs to be what they are (with a two-year Covid survival strategy that still put young people and teachers at the center of the work). 

This morning, however, I'm hitting the road to play thunderstorm dodgeball while listening to two books I downloaded from Audible. I absolutely love spending time in the Hulk listening to my favorite writers and eager to get the CNY time (albeit it, I don't want humidity...not wish swimming pools available...yet Doreen and Nikki's new pups are huge attractions for this trip's goals).

We're unearthing joy and putting our voice first as we explore next generation genres in our writer's notebooks (Next Generation Genres not pictured here, because they're in Julie's Subaru, picked up from Possible Futures). 

Karal knows something is up because I'm filling up laundry baskets for travel and moving around the house preparing for departure. I love coming home to a clean, organized and ready-to-go house. Of course, last night I washed 20 beach pails for the summer programs (cleaned from last year). There's a crazy rumor being spread in my school about me being burned out, which is far from the truth. I am energized, enthusiastic, and willing to go to do work I'm passionate about and believe in. National Writing Project work is the saving grace to help recoup from the other nonsense I must endure as a faculty member. 

I am looking forward to the rebirth. 

Thankful for My Buddy Leo & Getting Tickets to Tank & The Bangas at the Space Ballroom in Hamden - What an Incredible Concert

As soon as Leo saw Tank & the Bangas were returning to Connecticut he nabbed a pair of tickets. We made a night of it, going to dinner at Nautilus and then heading to the venue, the Space Ballroom, where an intimate crowd got to experience the incredible talents of the band and singer and a show of a lifetime. I'm in absolute awe of Tank's stage presence and ability to hype a crowd. Their funk, hip-hop originality is out of this world and I can't believe the performance they gave.

Tank's lyricism and animation is out of this world, and the voice control she uses to go between poetry, muppetry, and animal sounds is whimsically brilliant and high entertaining. It helps that the keyboardist, saxophonist, bass, and drummer have as much talent as she does. We bopped, danced, sang along, and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. 

It cracked us up, too, because the venue was so remote, odd, and simple, so we walked out, hopped in the car, and arrived to his house in a matter of minutes. I kept thinking how much fun it would be to have the Chitunga and the twins with us. The crowd was New Haven rich and I was thrilled to see Lauren Anderson, the owner of Possible Futures there with her partner having as much fun as we were. 

Tank, though, steals the show. Her animated gestures, rhythm, and creative performance is out of this world and we were both thankful to catch them before they go on their European tour.

If you want to experience some of what they do, you can check them out on their NPR Tiny Desk performance. They do their own thing and that is why I love them. 

It was a fantastic Sunday night. 

Crandall's Saturday Night BBQ for Teachers Turned into Teachers Taking Crandall Out for Burgers at Parkers in Trumbull. Saturday Night Win for Me

The summer institute for teachers kicks off in two weeks. We have 14 stellar individuals working on their own writing this summer in the National Writing Project tradition. This pairs well with the 18 teachers I've hired and the hundreds of kids who will be joining out summer program. I can only inhale here and there which I did last night.

This was perfect, because the barometric change and humidity caused a tremendous sinus headache....so much so that midday I was paralyzed and on the couch for a 3 hour name. I'm calling it a sinus headache, but I really think I was collapsing from exhaustion. There's no breaks and the work is all encompassing. 

The plan was to grill out back at 6, but when a text came to say, "Let's just meet for burgers I was 100% in. Much easier and less stressful." It allowed me to nap as I did. 

And on the way back I stopped at Target's and picked up several plastic bins to start packing supplies for the summer programs so they can be conveniently stored and organized each day. I did this last year but someone one (cough cough) used them all for his own move. They now reside in Iowa. 

Today, it's more of the same with a concert at night. The storm threat continues and the humidity remains, too (as long as I can get out for my daily hike I'll be okay). 

Finally, before I forget, it's Mike's birthday. Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike MikeMike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike. Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike

Throw Back to Claim to Fame, Hands Down the Best Party Game (According to Amalfi Drive and My Little Sister). Well, ....

When Casey was a gimp in a wheelchair, and she was stored in my parents basement....that's not true....we never had a basement...she occupied downstairs...we were sort of stuck at home to locations we could wheel her. That typically was the garage, where we'd play drinking games, board games, and pass summer nights in laughter and being foolish. 

Claim to Fame was the game, though. It combined Scattegories, Pictionary, Charades, & Taboo, and we had a great time challenging one another on teams (I guess it must have been 1992 or 1993). Phew. Can that possibility be 30 years ago? Yep. 

I must have talked the game up so much, that Pam decided to find it online and last night we gave it a couple of rounds. Yup. Still the best game. I can't wait to get Leo & Bev, plus others to have a great night. It's just an entertaining trip. 

That was my Friday night. The weather called for a 3-day washout, but so far we've only had a few passing showers (this morning, though, has been a downpour). The humidity is on its way up and the grounds are getting a soaking. I'm not sure what today will be, but I'm riding into it slow because I simply want to rest where I can (just a BBQ at my house for teachers this evening and a concert tomorrow). Slow and steady wins the trace. 

But, for now, I'm on my computer, which is a good thing.  I need to get work done (but truth be told, I want to go back to bed for a few hours...the exhaustion has caught up). 

It's the Great Whatever, Always. I'm Always Reading the Universe for Story, Meaning, Purpose, and Next Steps. Last Night Was Special

Every kid is expected, at some point in their life, to write about a role model, an inspiration, a person who changed their life. It's college essay 101, actually, and I suppose I have many people I can write about (and have written about). Last night, Tanya Baker, William King, Jessica Baldizon, and I had the privilege of interviewing one of my role models....one I met through words in 2008 when I read a book about her, and one I've followed fiendishly for inspiration and purpose in my own work. 

Long story short, she published two books in a year, both geared for YA readers and agreed to be on The Write Time. I'm not revealing who this is yet, because the show comes out later this month. I can say, however, that the author is an inspiration to all of us who recorded the show. We didn't expect the down-to-earth, sincere, and totally gracious individual who shies away from public speaking but was willing to do the show. And I don't think we've ever heard from an author who lives her life through heart, meaning, and absolute humanity. We were simply honored to record. 

While Will and Jessica were conducting the interview, I received news about a special, two issues journal I've been editing the past two years. It's almost ready to be public. I also learned that Pam's step-mother passed away, which was a blessing because the sickness came fast and the suffering was tremendous. Of course, I'm thinking ahead to Lossine's wedding and meeting Malia Celine, and I'm overwhelmed with coincidences of this life thing. 

It was a rather rotten day until signing on to ZOOM at 7 p.m. and then everything went POOF and life's purpose was reborn. I've been teaching her story since 2009 and the fact that she released two books and was on the show, well....I'm simply feeling grateful....not only for me, but the National Writing Project audience who will receive her wisdom. 

We all have so much more work to do. 

Well, Jerry Cut the Hair. I'm a Super Fan and Ready for @LBility and His Big Day Next Week. Now to Get @CWPFairfield Ready for July and Make a Syracuse Trip

The life thing flies by a little more quickly than I ever anticipated it would. I am still driving an Explorer full of kids to indoor soccer games and practices, coaching the collegiate process, and mentoring towards adulthood, and then WOLA! Adulthood arrives in full force! 12 years ago today, in fact, the squad graduated from Nottingham High School (and it doesn't seem possible....those four years of high school were the snap of a finger, but then there was college, the twenties, and now....

The comical, wonderful, creative, and joyful Lossine is getting married. I couldn't be happier.

So, I got my haircut, and am putting the stress of University to the side for a short while so I can be in there to celebrate his happiness. I'm also looking forward to catching up with Rhiannon who will accompany for the wedding ceremonies.

I am inhaling and exhaling central New York air as I type...in Connecticut, but I can pretend, can't I? It's going to rain here all day, so it will feel like Syracuse.

This morning, I head off to faculty retreat #234324.3AFWOT to find out next steps for my own department, and I put bows on summer program, bringing forward a 10th year of CWP-Fairfield restructuring and programming. 

I love the National Writing Project and its mission and will carry forward the torch for as long as I can....one that was created partially with Abu and Lossine's help when we changed the formatting for teacher institutes and youth programming. They were just puppies...now they're adults working in schools themselves....in Syracuse.

I can't wait to see them, but have a week and some change until I do.

Thursday. I see you. There is a day ahead, indeed. Great Whatever....I hope you are seeing all of us, too. We need you, as the world spins just a little faster than I'm used to. And I want the hair to look just right. Ha ha. 

We Only Found a Pebble of Sea Glass and the Winds Made for a Cold Hike, But It Was Wonderful Spending Time with Rich & Kristen Along the Water

This is the first year of many that CWP-Fairfield and Weir Farm National Historical Park don't have a grant to run our Reading Landscapes & Writing Nature workshop for teachers. We've receive the grant 5 times, so maxed out. Even so, we keep gathering to find new ways to bring our work forward and to celebrate a passion all three of us have: the outdoors, art, learning, and educators. 

Had I a jacket, I believe I might still be on the water, but it got cold really fast. I vaguely remember some summers like this in Syracuse. I'm not complaining, but it doesn't see to be at the temps we're usually having at this time of year. In fact, my windows are still open. 

I worked from campus in the morning - GHOST LAND - and then met them in Lordship in the afternoon. 

We almost needed blankets...it was biting. 

A few meetings in the morning, a retreat on Thursday (we've retreated so many time, I don't even think there's any Pawns left on our Risk Board), and Friday is rather open. We shall see what shall come, Shelly. 

In the meantime, I'm just thankful for outdoor time. 

Happy Birthday, Sharon. Another Excuse to Celebrate Life with these Fancy Drink Thingies. Here's to your 21st Year (with a Couple of Decades Scratched Off)

The Monday holiday was successful. I wrote for six hours, then putzed about my yard with the hedgers, gloves, a weed-whacker, a wheel-barrow, bark chips, and soil. Connecticut has these crazy devil vines that grow through the bushes: some of them are straight up sticks with spikes and others are wavy, thorny needle vines. I hate them, but I spent part of the day pulling them where I could and getting to the roots when the thickness of bushes allowed me. I have a neighbor behind me to that for such guests. He doesn't take care of his backyard, so I get his poison ivy, weeds, and these devil ropes under the fence. Drives me batty. 

I don't get them out front, so the landscaping is much easier. 

By 4, I showered and moved onward to celebrate Sharon's birthday with drinks and appetizers before retiring to Pam's beach condo for cupcakes and conversation. The drink I had was bourbon something or other and it was unlike any other bourbon drink I've ever had. It was a nice summer taste.

Alas, it's Tuesday and the meetings are piled up, and the goals/agenda growing wild. Looking at the forecast, my guess is all the days with thunderstorms must mean that the high humidity is finally coming. Can't wait. Not.

And kudos to the stereo system a block over that must be hosting a party, because the music has been blaring since the morning. It's like we're all at a concert and the mixture of oldies and modern-day hiphop has me believing it was a graduate party and the adult soon took over the song selection. 

And that other drink was some sort of blackberry-tequila concoction with spicy something or other down the side. It was odd, so it was all Shirley's.

Time to get off the ol' blog and back to the grind. Monday's never disappear. When we have them off, they simply become Tuesdays.

Thankful for Shirlz Who Caught Me at the Exact Right Time After Lawns were Mowed & Dogs Were Walked. "Can I Take You to Lunch?" Well, Yes

After a four-week Capstone and grading, I just wanted to hide in a putz-around-the-house kind-of-day. I wanted to weed, fill in some holes in the ground, and trim...dumb stuff with dirt, but Shirley caught me at exactly the right time and before I knew it was showering and in her Jeep heading to Little Pub on the Sound. We lucked out with a parking spot, a table, and with ordering exactly the right food. I got Ahi-Tuna in a wrap and she got Ahi-Tuna tacos. It was beyond delicious. We walked along the sea wall, caught up on the craziness, and then she announced she was kidnapping me to go to Bev & Leo's and to hear a band at Stonebridge, where Pam also met us. It made for a great day....unexpected, eventful, and fun. 

Karal is sighing thinking, "I wanted Father's Day to be all about me." 

Well, Karal, you didn't get me a bourbon blackberry smash like Shirley did.

It's also the time of the year that the sun is warm, but the air is cool, blowing down from Canada without smoke. It got really warms from time to time (forecasting to July), but then the sun would go behind a cloud and it was really nice again....even cool. 

Of course, today is a holiday for the University so, really, I can do all the items I neglected yesterday without feeling too guilty. 

I do look forward to getting dirty with the yard work, though. I love spending time outdoors, even if it makes the dog nervous that I'm outside with her, but not absolutely focused on her needs. 

If only all Mondays could be free from working. I'm a huge champion for 3 to 4 day weekends every week. 

Wild How Quickly the Tick-Tock of Time Trickles Forward. Weren't They Just in Elementary School? Sure, I Can Make One of My Salads for the Party

They've had practice. Justin graduated from high school and college, and both Isaiah and Val have been around for the ride. In fact, as they have had middle school and prom milestones, Justin has long been on the journey of graduate student. But this week it's been their turn, as they graduated high school and are getting ready for next steps in their lives. 

It was a graduation party bonanza with burgers, the traditional salads, cake, and celebration. I was more than glad to grill the hot dogs and create the salad. I made enough for 50 people, but it will be good tomorrow, too. 

As I was getting ready to leave, I had an idea to take one of the 2023 frames and get the kids to lay on the ground for a final photo. They've been coming over to Kris and Dave for birthday parties for the past 8 years and it's hilarious to see them as young adults. 

But here we are...they are...young adults on the road to find out (missing Maddie's head in the mix). They are doing the hop around town for the different parties in the very same style we did in 1988 (well, Cynde did), 1990, and 1991 (when Casey did it). Seems like yesterday we were celebrating our own high school graduations. 

It really does go by too fast, and I know this will be extra challenging for Kris to lost her first baby to the collegiate world. Mama bird has kept her fledgling closer to her under than wing for a very long time, and it will be odd when he flies from the next. 

So beautiful how it all goes. Hard, but beautiful. 

Almost Had a SudyRip Moment of Flipping Five Feet in the Air While Badminton Rackets Laid Stunned and the Shuttlecock (Oversized as it Was) Fell to the Ground.

The only problem is we weren't playing badminton. Instead, I finished grading Capstone projects and to celebrate, I got Paradise Pizza and brought it to Pam's and Oona's. After we ate, I let Karal run behind Pam's condo and she said, "You're crazy to trust her like that." It's the zoomies. She needs to get the energy out of her. Then Pam laughed as Karal sprinted across the green grass and lightening speed running close to me to see if I can catcher her.

News flash: there's no way I could catch her. 

On one of her cycles at a hundred miles an hour, Karal must have miscalculated how close she was (maybe she was showing off and looking and Pam) and she barreled right into my shin. Unlike the time Chipper did the same with my mother and flipped her in the air to the slow-motion glee of my sister, brother-in-law and me, I was a wall, and Karal flipped back. Ouch. That hurt.

And I'm sure throughout to day my shin will morph to look even more like Sue Crandall's legs. It's inevitable. Every night this week, at the direction of social media and wonderful storytelling, I've watched people tell their adopted strays their forever home stories. The task is to tell the story in a serious way so the dog really listens. Now, Karal has become addicted to her adoption story and every night she lays her head on this stool growling, hoping I'll move to the couch and tell the story again

The trick's been on her however, as I've change the story into a musical, and I sing to her about how adoptable she was, and how four families took her home and thought, "No friggin' way," and brought her back to the Pet Rescue. But then this fool, about to be empty-nesting, decided he needed a Covid dog and he could tame the spastics, wild, in-her-own-head-always canine. I've accomplished a lot in 3 years, but the stories continue, including last night's collision of her spastic sprints. Of course, she doesn't like to be anywhere when I'm not in her sight, so that works to my advantage. She may get curious about something, but she's always loyal to come right back to my side. This is the first dog that has been like that, as the others thought running away and rolling in dead shit was absolutely hilarious. 

Nope. Karal's my shadow, and now the reason for today's bruises and scabs.

Happy Saturday, folks. Graduation parties today and that means good food. 

This Post is for Cynderballz, Who Once Lucked Out on a Walk and, Magically, Twenty Dollar Bills Starting Blowing Her Way. Well, I Had My Day, Too

I was walking in the rain. Actually, it was sprinkling, the downpour came afterwards. I came up to an intersection and noticed construction work ahead. I looked to my left and I thought there was a bird flopping in the street. Looking closer, I figured it was a dollar bill and when I nabbed it for my pocked I realized it was a $100. I looked around and no one seemed to notice it was just fluttering in the wind, so I stuffed in my pocket and walked an additional 3 miles. 

Of course, it started to pour, but that is okay, because I had an umbrella. Karal and I both stayed as dry as we could. 

When I got home, the first thing I did was photograph the Benjamin with a text to Pam saying, "Y'know how you always want to win money on those scratch off tickets you always lose on? Well, tomorrow dinner is on me. Look what I found." 

She wrote back and asked, "Are we doing origami lessons?"

I had to look again. This bill felt authentic, looked authentic, and I was pretty sure I pulled a Cynde (well, even a Casey). I happened upon cash. I was super excited and feeling blessed. 

"Oh. The United States of origami. I was duped."

"Someone probably was filming you and they're laughing their ass off right now."

Probably. I am used to being laughed at. 

Yesterday, though, I returned for the same walk and brought the $100 for another fool. It wasn't mine, anyway, and even if I did fantasize by cashing it in a high school bake sale asking, "I'll need change," I chose not to. Let the joke be paid forward.

Someone out there has a very effective printer with amazing capabilities. The texture was exactly the same, too.

I tried to be greedy and selfish with my find, and instantly went to share it with a friend...

...who is still laughing at me and now saying I owe her a real $100 for my foolishness.

And 32+ Hours Later, The Graduate Capstone Course is Complete (Couldn't Help Snapping a Photo of How One Student's Slides Coordinated with My Assessment Attire)

From 4:30 to 8:48 p.m. I sat on my porch and listened (assessed) incredible research projects from my graduate students who finished a five-month action research project with the inquiry projects they created last winter. I assigned them to each attend 2 hours, but I stayed for all four, knowing that is my role and that my inner-geek really digs what they learned with their studies. 

Mom will critique the bow tie, but I wanted to show respect for the hard work and when Keyla put forth a slide, I said, "Hey, that slide looks like my attire and background." Photography taken. Wusah!

I knew I had to sign up for the research sequence when I considered the outstanding class that was finishing up this semester. They were engaged, motivated, hard-working, and passionate. I wanted to match such enthusiasm. 

But now I grade. I'm ahead a bit because many sent their work early, but I still have to focus, get the work read with feedback, and enter grades. 

There's a lot to be said about this sequence, including that the majority of students not only student taught and completed EdTPA, but also presented a substantial research project. It feels good to be at their helm, albeit absolutely exhausting. 

Still I'm proud. Onward. 

Been a Minute Since Attending a Graduation as an Audience Member, and Loved It was for the Wooley-Sealy-Johnson Duo, Isaiah & Val

It turned into a gorgeous night and I could walk to the stadium where Stratford holds its commencement ceremony. The kids and their graduating class looked so small on the football field, but the incredible diversity, joyous accomplishments, and family-felt love was ever-present throughout. Kris often says, "Stratford is a special town," and it is true. I love driving to see all the graduating seniors mug shots hanging from lamp posts. They do a great job with K-12 youth and (cough cough) I want to be involved more with the district.

I told Kris & Dave when they move, I need them to make giant heads of themselves as parting gifts so I can hang then in my house and talk to them over dinner once or twice a week. I'm so used to fusing the Mt. Pleasant/Nichols Avenue homes, so it doesn't seem right that the foundation is slowly fading away. 

I have one more year. I have one more year. And I wish Chitunga, Abu, Lossine, Kanyea, Ali, and Edem were here for this....they've experienced the development through their own education, CWP, and Stratford  traditions. 

It was also a pretty walk to the football field for the ceremony. During the Covid homestay, this route was one of many I'd take each day with Karal. It was a hot walk in the sun, but when it moved behind a cloud it was rather chilly. 

I'm loving the picture of Val and Isaiah above because that is Justin in the background who was my student at Fairfield University, worked for me through CWP, and is now earning his doctorate in philosophy down in Memphis. It runs in their family. 

And I know both Kris & Jen are emotional messes...probably Dave, too...as those toddlers are now entering adulthood for real. The journey has been long, challenging at times, and an enormous task to juggle. I'm looking forward to the barbecue on Saturday. Nothing better than graduation party food. 

Papi Butch's Already Wearing His Father's Day Attire (Which Arrived Rather Early...the Rest of the Stuff Will Get There Eventually)

One more graduate class. One more 4-hour graduate class on Wednesday night, and then it's a grading and no planning for two weeks. I can hardly wait. Meanwhile, mom asked if I sent dad a new t-shirt and I asked for a photograph. Indeed, I did. As predicted, he immediately put it on. I'm hoping it's a lot cooler in Syracuse than it is here, because long sleeves are too much with the humidity that arrived today before the rain. 

I should have splurged and paid another $10 bucks to have Poppy replaced with Butch. But he's been Poppy (Papi) for a few years now, so that works, too. 

Also spent last night getting assigned graduation duties for Stratford Schools (Isaiah and Val), including The weekend party. I'm on hot dog and salad duty. I was paid via lamb burgers and spinach for dinner many days in advance.

I'm actually excited for the rain that came, but wished it stuck around for the day hours. I want to look out at a washout, as sunny days are too appealing. 

Nose to the grind today - need to get as much grading done as I can. The bigger projects are not their ways and that will be 400+ pages in reading. I want weather to not tempt me outside.

Jake Wants Everyone to Know that Walnut Beach Days are on the Horizon and Patio Furniture is Out for Tequila and Barbecue

I set a goal to finish Sunday work by 4 pm. I finished a chapter, I washed my car inside and out, I did my laundry, and I caught up on CWP emails. From there, I obliged to take part in a leftover Sunday, bringing whatever I could scrounge in my fridge to be combined with the contributions of others. It was a nice medley where each of us got a plateful of something (and joked we'd probably have to stop for fast food on our way home). 

Jake was in his element. He's back in full, black and white Zoolander mode, modeling his regality on the porch furniture. He loves having the sun rays worship him. 

Karal was also on her best behavior and was too tired from salsa dancing last night to bother anyone. She found another cushion and lounged about Jake-style.

It's hard to taste the calmness of Sunday, because they will only grow more alluring as the summer months come forward. Soon, the gazebo bands will begin to play and the water will be warm enough from frolicking. Yesterday was a foreshadowing of all still to come (hopefully with a fresher and more robust menu). 

A busy week ahead for graduate programs in my department (at least for a college of mine and I who once again stepped up to teach important classes). 

There will be more than one 14-hour day this week, but that is par for the course and I have faith we all got this. 

It Doesn't Happen But Once or Twice a Year, but When My Party Colleagues Come By for Dinner and Salsa, We Make Things Happen

Karal should sleep well today. Why? Well, Michelle and Jessica stopped by, and then Beth came over, and bottles of wine were consumed & Alexa went wild with Salsa music. My hips and thighs can't keep up any more, especially after eating honey glazed and garlic pork loin and potatoes. Still, the food was delicious and the company was superb, so Karal had her pick of women to nibble on as they dance. 

Complimenting my green sweatshirt that I was wearing inside out was far from a compliment, considering I've been wearing it since my junior year in high school...my comfort attire for when I'm settling at night.

I really do love hosting and entertaining, and I especially like cooking, especially on June days when it's 50 degrees at night. I like the host role, too, because then I don't over-indulge because I'm too busy keeping the kitchen cleaned and the guests fed. 

Okay, Sunday. I really do need a day of rest because I'm too old for the party circuit. I tried, but I'm wiped out. I'll likely wake up on Monday wondering, "What happened Saturday night?"

Great to have good friends, though, to get my mind off of work. Everyone made it home safe and that is most important. 

Welcoming the Clearer Skies and Thinking a Little More about the Town I Live. Happy Saturday, Universe.

Yesterday, I met Kathy and Mike at Dockside to unwind their K-12 school year and the fact I have one more week of this graduate course in June. As I was looking out the window, I thought how weird it is to live on the Devon/Stratford border, to have the Housatonic River flowing into the sound, to have the craziness of I-95 on the bridge, and then the Metro North buzzing through. So as I sit looking at boats, I'm also looking at the Boston/NYC madness, and seeing trains. If a Sikorsky helicopter flew by, that would finish the scene. 

Ah, Dockside is a restaurant of all restaurants. Perfect location, huge capacities, and on the very spot where rivers, meet rails, meets concrete, meets gasoline. It has an ambiance. 

Also, so wonderful to be able to breathe again outside. The fresh air and clear skies are mightily welcome.

I'm glad we have a weekend and I'm now curious of what I will be able to do with it. I have my to-do list, and that's always fun to ignore (even if I shouldn't)

Who Cares If It Was a Thursday? The Dinner Was Long Overdue and I'm Thankful for the Friendship

I took Pam and Shirley to the Dive Bar in West Haven yesterday so they could have a burger at one of Chitunga's favorite locations. It was unusually quiet but that was likely because there's still a slight smog hovering in the air. The Brussel sprouts and maple bourbon Manhattans were superb, although I'm not a fan of drinking out of a Martine glass. They're too delicate and flimsy. I prefer bourbon glasses (and on ice).  It was a nice celebration to tip glasses for Shirley's birthday, Pam's kindness for driving me to and from Tweed airport, and that I accomplished as much as I did yesterday. Hoping to do the sam today.  

I felt the air was good enough to take Karal for a long walk, but it did dry out the back of my throat. It's very annoying. At least my nose isn't running like it was during the pollen bonanza the past few weeks. Every box of tissues in my house was empties. 

Today, they're calling for rain and I really hope we get it. It's way to dry for this time of year and even with a few downpours earlier this season, we haven't had enough rains to soak the soil. 

June really is my favorite month. For years, I'd miss out on it for numerous reasons: teaching in Denmark, taking summer courses, or doing summer school. I love the warm days and cool nights. It's a perfects time of year when it's San Diego for four weeks. 

TGIF. Hope you find peace and serenity this weekend. 

Phew! The Conveyor Belt of One-on-One Conferencing. That Was a Productive 5 Hours, But It Only Seemed Like 10 Minutes.

When you teach a capstone, 99% of it is coaching, guiding, helping, questioning, listening, and encouraging. Five weeks of class, two nights a week, four hours a night is rather exhausting, but I've figured out asynchronous ways to make it digestible, useful, and student-centered. Of course, as we get towards the finale, every student needs personal time to discuss where they are and what they still need. Ah, channeling high school portfolio and culminating project days. 

I began at 3 pm and ended at 8:30, back-to-back, one- on-one conferences with my graduate students and I never even had a chance to see who was coming next when they were already in the Zoom where it happens. After I ended, I was like, "Whoa. How is it this late already?"

It kept me indoors, too, which is a blessing. It's nasty out there...they say 30 minutes of inhalation of this stuff is like smoking a pack of cigarettes. I believe it. I slept with my windows open two nights ago and woke up at 3 am coughing like a fiend. 

Now, I await the work to come in...it will trickle in slowly then pour in next week. The good news is I designed the Capstone so sections were completed for each class. Now it all needs to be put together in the final package and we celebrate it with one another. 

I lost last weekend, so knowing I have Thursday (today) with only two more conferences and a doctor's appointment makes me feel elated beyond belief. I am looking forward to less of the go...go...go...and more of the yo...yo....yo, Bryan. Time for HIS projects. 

A Photo to Better Capture the True Crandall Essence. Thank You, @FairfieldU for Sending Me This Brilliant Moment From the 2023 Commencement

I was talking to Dr. Mark Ligas, Vice President for Undergraduate Excellence, yesterday, explaining how it is very unusual and difficult for me to follow another's script. I did m best and stuck to script to honor the incredible Geoffrey Canada. I was a very good boy and retained my contained my inner-Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, and Pee-Wee Herman tendency. I kept the true Crandall for behind-the- scene images, including the one captured by the Fairfield University photographer.

I love that my fellow mentor from SEHD, well, then GSEAP, Dr. Siegel, partook in the selfie, even if she then let me know, "Crandall, I'm rooting for you. I know you can keep it together."

For anyone has ever known me, Squirrel, Squirrel!" is highly pertinent. I have always told parents, students, and colleagues that I only let out 1/1000th of what goes through my brain in a given second. I'm trapped in a body that is intellectual, yet highly creative, and my mind is always in search of a storyline, humor, and way to capture an audience effectively.

I was well-behaved, and I give absolute KUDOS to those who wrote the speech I delivered.

It was an honor to be on stage as the graduating class of 2023 received their doctorates and Masters degrees. I can sometimes improvise at the Mic and strayfrom the script, but with tremendous respect for the campus, Dr. Siegel, and Geoffrey Canada, I practices hard at being a good boy. In fact, once I entered the indoor arena, I inhaled and became Mr. Introductory who was invited to introduce a keynote.

Canada was brilliant.

Once again, congratulations to all who finished their advance degree and for those involved in making a very special day possible  The photo above, however, captures the excitement, honor, and community-focused faces of some of those blessed to be on stage that day.

Here's to the work and the vision of Geoffrey Canada, who has inspired me for most of my career and who tolerated one-on-one gathering time with me before and during the commencement. I am a better man because of him.

Weekends with Bernie. A Million and One Thanks to Justin Wooley and his Pooch for Staying at Mt. Pleasant and Keeping the Fort Down (Karal Exhausted)

It's hard not to think of the animals at home while traveling, but I try my best to keep it out of my mind. I was most worried for Justin this past extended weekend, because (a) I didn't know how Karal would do with such a long departure, (b) she's spastic with other people, and (c) Justin and Juliet brought Bernie for the weekend, too. 

He sent me the photo to the right and said on night one, "They've exhausted one another." He saved the rest of the updates for when I returned because he didn't want me to think of home while away. I'm glad to report a positive report card.

• Karal pooped daily at mile 2.5 on their walk.
• Karal loved the sleep routine, but wondered why that little dog slept in a cage. She did as I predicted she'd do....slept by their feet and curled into them overnight. 
• The dogs wrestled non-stop and entertained each other. They also grew tired from all the play.
• Karal is awesome on the leash. But training with her for a mini-marathon didn't work out, because when she runs, she loses her sense of direction.
• No problems eating, but she did wait by the window and door each night before coming upstairs to bed. The guess was she was waiting for me to return.
• When Bernie returned to Juliet's parents yesterday, Karal kept running up to the room looking for her friend who slept in a cage.
• The play videos were wild and joyful. Bernie definitely kept Karal going.

And when I return, I got the spastic treatment others get when they come into my house, "Oh, my God! You're alive. Alive! I'm never going to leave your side and I need you to love me as much as you can from now on." It took a while to settle her down.

I'm glad to be home, too, but now feel bad that Bernie has departed. It's always great when dogs tire one another out. 

And That's a Wrap, Nashville. I Tried to See More of You, but Instead I Accomplished a Few Universes in My Apartment Before Having One Last Dinner

Okay. Truth is I did get out for a length hike in the morning hours before the heat got too severe. I went up and down the streets trying to look on to what I've yet to see and know, but mostly I just wanted to sweat and go several miles in my Sauconys. When I came inside to cool down, I immediately began doing Sunday phone calls and catching up, but also setting out a recorded digital plan for the week ahead. It's hard to believe, but we only have two weeks left of the summer Capstone left. 

Around 7 p.m, I finished grading and getting the course set up, so went out for one more dinner (a salad with chicken) and a couple more Old Fashions. It is true. Nashville does a spectacular job with those. I actually sat at a bar with two women from New Hampshire, and a couple from Massachusetts. She was a bartender and he was a convict, but he turned his life around and now he owns a canine-service for police stations. He was also a dwarf which made for fascinating conversation as he talked as if he represented the lollipop guild. Good man. They were both here with only one mission, which they repeated several times over dinner....to get @##$#@ up. They must have had 140 tattoos between them. 

My flight doesn't leave until after 1 pm, so I have time getting to the airport. I've definitely overspent my allotment for work-related trips, but what can I do? Nashville got super-expensive and eating out (downtown) was never cheap. 

I just want to make it back safely, to thank Pam for picking me up, and to return to Karal who I know must of been neurotic while I was gone. I put it out of my mind so I could accomplish what I did while in Tennessee, but it really bothers me to leave her behind. She's a good dog, and she's definitely attached to me at the hip. All reports have been positive and the dog-sitters have been wonderful sending photos and accolades of her behavior. 

Of course, when I returned to Mt. Pleasant tonight, I immediately need to get online with a graduate course. Here's hoping for smooth travels. At least it is a direct flight. 

All the Times I've Been to Nashville, Yesterday Was the First Time I Ever Did the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum (I Think that is What It Was Called)

When we finished work Saturday afternoon, we looked for food, got ransacked by weekend crowds, and found ourselves in the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum which I enjoyed much more than I thought I would - mostly because of the videos reminding me of childhood shows like The Dukes of Hazards and features on Johny Cash and Dolly Parton. Actually, there was a Kentucky bluegrass exhibit and music that made me choke up. After all, a large portion of my life was spent in the state. I'm definitely a northeast sort of dude, though, who enjoys the ocean, drastic seasons, and cooler temperatures. I'll take 95 traffic over Nashville crowds, any day.

Today, every one else departs and I am booked for one more night for a plane that leaves on Monday. That's the price I paid for the price I paid. The airlines only flies on Wednesday and Mondays to and from Nashville from New Haven. It's okay. I plan to spend the day in absolute office mode getting the week ahead set up. 

I'm thankful that the humidity didn't match the 95 degree temperatures; otherwise it would have been miserable meandering around the city. I forgot about the soundtrack to O' Brother Where Art Thou and how good the homage to this region really is.

And yes, the Parlor donuts are lethal. I'm very, very glad there's not one of these in Stratford or anywhere near my home in Connecticut. I need to turn that sweet tooth off as soon as possible.

Here's to the day!

Yesterday Was National Donut Day & as I Morph Into a Middle-Aged Donut, I Believe It is Important to Shout Out Parlor Donuts in Nashville

Phew. Barbecue on point. I've been ordering salads, but the barbecue is on point. I can smell it. And yesterday was National Donut Day. To celebrate, Parlor Donuts offered by one and get two free (well, to me, since they were closing down). I know that Connecticut has Donut Crazy, but Parlor is hands down superior. Each donut is an experience and they are absolute phenomenal. Here, I'm featuring the Cookies & Cream Donut. It was as good as it looks. The Reese's Peanut Butter one didn't make it in time for a photo. I ate it for breakfast.

We accomplished a lot in one day sitting at the InitiatED conference for individuals interested in literacy during a digital age. Today, most of the conversation revolved around the redundancy of digital, since most writing is digital, but we also wrestled with the Great American White Backlash of ignorant folk jumping into a 'false' grandiosity of ol' school ways: book backing, anti-anti-racist curriculum, LGBTQ+ hatred, and anti-teacher legislation. This is where we are historically and as a witness to the times, it's important to document everything.  Humans can be atrocious, and politics can make it even worse. Kids and teachers are suffering for it. We need to advocate for them. 

We were wrestling with how many call WOKE dangerous and were thinking about the fact that work obligates both knowledge and empathy...at least in school. If you believe in knowledge and you embrace empathy then it seems sort of an obligation that the work we do is for both. Being woke is a good thing, no matter how much they try to spin it in Florida, Texas, and within other extremities. 

But for this morning, I'm only wishing a Parlor Donut to each and all. If we all had one to start our day, we'd have a but better work to reside within. 

Happy Saturday. Day to of brainstorming next steps. 

Bonus! I Get to Work with Jennifer Dail This Weekend and She Brought Her Rescue Pup, Diva, Who Has Both Eyes Removed. Was a Wonderful Day

This morning we kick things off, but yesterday Jen and Garth arrived, they invited me to lunch, and I should have know that would spell trouble. Garth had a work call which left me and Jen to find something to do, which really was sit at a bar sipping bourbon. By 4, we went to the hotel room for a nap, and then at 6:45 we met Chris Goering for dinner. It was two miles from my apartment, so at 8:30 I trekked all the way back downtown, allowing myself two good sweats for the day. The fist was when I went about five miles this morning in the absolute sun and humidity. I was drenched. 

Today, however, we'll be inside for most of the day at the Omni Hotel working on digital projects and collaborative writing. We've already cranked out two articles in a period of a couple of months, so now we regroup and figure out new ways to remain IniateED in the work we're setting out to do.

for me, this is a retreat to learn from gurus about their online courses, state of affairs at different institutions, and possibilities of what comes next. 

I had the best kale, apple, and walnut salad for lunch. I could eat that every day if it was made available.

Finally, I watched the final episode of Ted Lasso. It did not disappointed and was totally on brand, hilarious, and touching. That's the way the show has been since the beginning. Okay, time to post this up and walk a few blocks to the meeting. Here's to your Friday. 

Made it to Nashville, and this is the 2nd Time I Went with an Apartment Rental over a Hotel Room (Because It's Cheaper). No Employees & All Digital

I'm not even sure how I find these places, but I do. This is a living room, dining area, bedroom, kitchen, and full bath with a view of northern Nashville. I'm a 7 minute walk from downtown and near many restaurants. An hour before my arrival I received a code to get in, I enter, I scan my phone, and a FOB appears which gives me access to the gym, pool, and room. All via text messages. That's the way I'm contacted...not sure if there's a management hierarchy like a hotel, but there has to be some sort of pecking order. It's a nice space and I can definitely use it like a home for the extended weekend.

First things first, Sharon Clark is here for a conference, so she and I got dinner. And then all eyes were focused getting the final episode of Ted Lasso watched. Before both, however, I had to teach the four hour course. Now, anyone who's ever taught realizes how impossible that is. Of course, the summer institute is six hours a day, but that is a different animal with multiple guests and lots of participation. With this grad course, however, I divide and conquer. I give students space to get the work done, while mentoring them in small workshops throughout the evening, a few at a time.  This requires me to have the other workshops created an already online so they can go to them, while I'm meeting with others. I guess it's like being in three places at once, but it works. We're not staring at one another for 240 minutes. That would be death. 

And I'm laughing because the piece of art in the living room is a blue, warped cassette tap and upon closer inspection it says Blue Sky Mining - Midnight Oil. It's a painting and suddenly I was thrown back to 1988-1992 when I listened to this cassette non stop after hearing them on MTV's 120 minutes. That was a completely different time than it is now.

I still have that tape, too. It's in my cassette holder in a drawer of a dresser stored in the garage (not sure if I"m hoping cassette players will come back or not). But I loved my walkman and I especially loved this album. I guess music city features artists that ain't country, too.