Monthly Archives: October 2010

Trick or Treat

    Last year Halloween played its first trick on me.  Until then, my children dressed in adorable costumes, and we decked the house in smiling scarecrows and jolly jack-o-lanterns.  Alas, as the celebration of costumes and candy drew nigh, … Continue reading

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Lean on me

I’m not entirely sure what the old bearded man is supposed to be, but my son seems to think he needs a bit of help staying put.  He wears his most mature expression, whereas the statue appears positively nervous wrapped … Continue reading

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The Conundrum of Ms. Chips

Yesterday an anonymous post at University of Venus on the Inside Higher Ed website caused a minor explosion.  A young, female, black professor shared the story of her intimidation by a large, lacrosse-playing, foul-penned, male undergraduate.  Commenters pilloried and praised … Continue reading

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Wide Open Spaces

“Willa Cather.”  Most of my campus Marshall Scholarship nomination interview got lost in an anxious haze, but the committee chair and fervent Nebraskan asked me to name my favorite author and explain my choice.  That reply, which embodied my love … Continue reading

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Mixing Emotions

I pause to write this when I ought continue my quest towards the completion of a conference paper.  I got what I wished for.  One of my field’s most respected scholars will critique a paper and panel I put together … Continue reading

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Fear’s Face

Every young(ish) mother – make that every mother – fears ‘the lump.’  I need not define it further.  We see the women in the grocery store donning head-scarves, wigs, and hats.  We each think, “There but for the grace of God … Continue reading

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“I’m just a girl who cain’t say no.”

The line from Oklahoma means something very different for those of us in our 40s than the teens for whom it was intended.  Women in the public eye from Oprah to Mika Brzezinski warn women against the desire to be … Continue reading

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Why worry?

The above image captures the essence of my working life.  I’m talking.  He’s looking onwards with “there she goes again,” written all over his face.   We bribe them to action with food.  I end up eating too much of … Continue reading

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Hot off the Virtual Press: Academic Identity Crises

Inside Higher Ed  @ The University of Venus by yours truly: Academic Identity Crises:  Who is a Professor?  What is an administrator?

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My Marvelous Maps!

With eternal thanks to Northwestern University Library’s amazing Chieko Maene! Check out her blog on all things GIS: Geospatial.   For the context to the below maps you will have to wait on my forthcoming essay about Lutheran “Confessional Spaces and … Continue reading

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