A wonderful day so far.  My daughter's coming home from camp.  We're going to her teacher's wedding.  And I spent my morning picking free berries!

It's that time of year -- when summer is almost over and I turn my attention to teaching.  Its time to finish syllabi and post first day assignments.  Its time to dream that every discussion will be exciting, that every student will be engaged, that together we will learn more than we ever expected.  Its time to put away my summer toys -- my writing and other projects -- and focus on the one true task: giving students the benefit of whatever insight and guidance I can provide about my incredibly complex specialty.  Its a difficult, challenging, demanding task -- trying to structure classes that enrich their contextual understanding, provide them conceptual frameworks, and teach enough "law" so that they are comfortable that they learned something.  So, off to it!!!

I am writing.  Instead of playing in the Wallowas with my kids.  Instead of swimming, parasailing, and other more pleasurable activities.

Why?  Because I need to finish what I am writing.  And I need to be able to go on to other activities with a clear conscience.

So I am writing.  Pray that I am productive.