THE MUSING

But for Utah teachers and students it is the first day off. People kind of laugh about us needing a holiday that early, but it’s true. There is an intensity at the beginning of the school year that burns a lot of energy. Teachers collapse on that day.Teachers have to collapse often.
Teachers are always tired. Part of it is the intensity of being on stage and professional all day. Part of it is the other things we do to survive. I worked a second job for my first seven years of teaching. I ate dinner (often a milkshake or chunk of cake) in my truck on the way there. Once I actually fell asleep in traffic and tapped the bumper of the car in front of me.
Most teachers have evening and summer jobs. We are also required to continually retrain, so many use that time to work on masters degrees. I’ve known young teachers who teach, work evenings, and go to college at the same time. Most teachers are too exhausted to fight for better working conditions, which is why we need strong unions.



![]() |
Listening to news about the legislature is bad for my mental health. |
Our legislature is solidly Republican and solidly anti-union. Anger from teachers was met by legislative anger. So the union decided to start playing nice. The thinking is that we want the legislature like us. We also want parents to be happy, so we can’t keep kids out of school for a strike.
Those things are true, but they are also capitulation. I was angry, but wimpy, so I used poverty as my excuse. I’ve felt guilty off and on ever since. Today most teachers don't belong to the UEA, which gives it less authority and so even less power. Maybe if the NEA merges into the Teamsters Union, conditions will improve.
THE KNITTING
I’ve done a lot of knitting this week, but have nothing to show for it because I keep revising. I’m on the third version of sleeves for the orangish sweater I worked on last week. Just today I chose to restart the pink and grey shawl—also for the third time, so “third time’s the charm” is what I’m hoping for.
![]() |
My bed looks like this right now. (I want this woman's sweater!) |
I also have a huge urge that Stephanie Pearl McPhee calls “startitis.” There are at least two more projects that I’m dying to start. Hopefully by next week I will have something to show you.
If you want to look at pretty, finished knitting, please go to my shop. It is not too early to start shopping for Christmas.
Next week I’m going to the Utah State Fair with my family. I’m looking forward to cuddling sheep and pigs and getting my boys outdoors. But in addition to having fun, I’ll be looking around the fair and seeing how wheelchair friendly it is. I’m also wondering how my body will react to walking and standing for a few hours. I’m sure there will be a price to pay, but sometimes it’s worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment