Presidents' Day Blues

I had a lovely visit with my daughter this evening. We were talking on the phone about different things, and the topic of our struggle with weight loss came up. I had lost 42 pounds over the summer and have since gained back 27 of them. I know some of it is because I am not able to ride the trails with Betsy and I’m stuck in front of this computer all day – snacking while I type. But another part of it is just my lifelong struggle with self-control in this area of my life. I know exactly what I need to do – I just can’t make myself do it. Or at least, I can't make myself do it consistently. Like the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7:15: “For that which I do I allow (understand) not: for what I would (intend), that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” Oh, well. . . I guess I’m in good company.

Anyway, C. started talking about this book she has that she’s been trying to get me to read for months – maybe years. It’s called Running with Angels by Pamela Hansen. I decided that if it’s that terrific, it’s time that I read it – so I drove to her house to get it. She also had three other books to share with me. I had a nice visit with C., her husband, and the kids. And in the process I managed to down three large sugar cookies, a walnut turnover, a container of Italian ice, and a turkey & cheese roll-up – almost without realizing it.

C. mentioned that her kids are off from school tomorrow, since it is President’s Day – banks are closed, post office is closed, etc. I drove home feeling relieved that I had at least another day to catch up on my grading and get ready for the upcoming week’s lessons. Unfortunately, OUR school does not see fit to celebrate President’s Day, and tomorrow is “school as usual” for us. I was furious when I found out. When I was a school child, there was no “President’s Day.” There was “Lincoln’s Birthday” and there was “Washington’s Birthday.” Then they melded them into one and made it on a Monday – which usually falls on neither of their birthdays – so people and students could have a 3-day weekend. But not MY school. You would think that since we don’t get snow days (being an online school) we would at least get President’s Day. We do, however, get off on Martin Luther King Day, as we should. It just seems that these two great presidents, who did so much for our nation, are being forgotten. First they had their own day, then they shared one day, now they have no day.

Well, I’m going to go read until my anger wears off and I feel sleepy enough to go to bed.