May We Never Speak of It Again

 Done! I have administered all the exams and graded all the work. Today I submitted grades. We all received an odd email from the college president yesterday, stating that employees will be back in their offices starting in July, classes and student activities will be in person as normal in the fall, and facilities will be putting all the furniture (that was removed to enforce physical distancing) back in the rooms over the summer. I think he meant it as a morale boost, but it just seemed weird to me.

Today and tomorrow are empty interstitial days. A previous provost insisted that we should end final exams on Wednesday and have two empty days before Commencement, but we have never used them for anything. I had a walk in the park this morning and saw three rabbits, a cat, and a lot of deer. It's raining now so I'm glad I walked first. Then I came to campus and submitted grades and attended a Zoom meeting. I cleaned up the lab, washed glassware, put things away. I sorted papers. I have one more meeting this afternoon before I go home. 

I finished two of the interminable knitting projects in the past week. First, the blue baby blanket that I started in January for my nephew (he was born last Thursday). I mailed it to my sister on Saturday and she called me Monday afternoon to thank me. I guess the post office is back to normal delivery times. I also sent a pair of tiny baby socks that apparently fit him perfectly. A mildly funny story: I have been visiting my local post office regularly on Saturday mornings since January to send books to people, and I always have the same clerk to help me. He definitely recognizes me. When I brought in the blanket package last weekend, I said "it's not a book this time" and his reply was "oh, I'm not sure I remember how to do those!" And then we laughed. It was really nice. Anyway, I think this blanket turned out great. The saturated blue color is beautiful. The cables were a pain, but worth every minute now that I see how fantastic they look.

Second, I finished a pair of mittens that I've been working on since February 1. All that is left of my long-term projects now is the second sock of the pair. I finished the foot last night and should be able to do the toe tonight. Meanwhile, I've started a new lace shawl and I'm about to start a hat. This feels like progress and I'm a bit more cheery.

Sunday afternoon BAM and I met a group of friends at a park and played disc golf. I'd only disc golfed one time previously, at least 20 years ago, so we weren't competitive. It was a bright warm day and I actually got a little sunburned (when was the last time I had that much sun?). It was really good to be outdoors and to talk to people almost normally again. Everyone in our group wore a mask although it probably wasn't necessary outdoors. They did it for me since I was the last of the group to get my vaccine. I came home and collapsed on the sofa with that good kind of tired feeling. I'm hoping to do this more frequently; I've even bought a starter set of discs. I don't care so much about the game but it's a way to get more exercise and be with people.