M is finishing “The Darjeeling Express” while the boys play football upstairs. I’m drinking an ill-advised diet coke which melatonin will probably chase. Although we’re nearing 6:30PM I wouldn’t call us near dusk. This afternoon Shadow and I walked through the cemetery. The edges of the fields reveal grass that hasn’t seen the sun in months. Spring draws closer every day.

This morning I woke near 3:00AM. After an hour on the computer I fell asleep. The boys woke me near eight. After everyone left for the day I wrote up two AACTE proposals, worked out to an episode and the half of “The Office” and ate huevos rancheros for lunch for the second day in a row. Later, on a roll, I wrote up a third proposal, this one for a faculty development grant, and send it out to a colleague for a potential collaboration. By then my brain was fried but I had knocked out a solid ten pages of academic writing so at least I felt like I accomplished something. I cruised the net, letting my intellectual faculties return, before picking up the boys from school for their dentist appointments. I had planned on reading “Sputnik Sweetheart” while the boys took their turns in the chair but I read old magazines instead. The boys did well, by the way, but may be headed for braces. Oh well. Afterwards we hit the library before returning home.

Tomorrow will be a long day but I have a finite list of responsibilities to address before spring break. Once I’m in the clear I’ll put the “not available” messages on my phone and email and read the week away. I still feel guilty when I encounter free time.

Ok, time to dial down the evening’s energy. Good night.