RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

Sunday (Evening) Post

What I finished this past week: Since I was working on my kid’s class most of my waking hours this past week, I did not read as much as usual, but I did start and finish (in two days) The Book That Matters Most: A Novel by Ann Hood.  I will review it here soon.

What I Am Continuing to Read: Coming of Age in Mississippi (The protagonist has come as far as college and the  Jim Crow South is feeling stirrings of discontent.), The Bone People (The person who told me about this book warned that it “dragged a bit towards the middle; well, I have hit the middle.), Max the Mighty (A YA book that I am anxious to finish and put out in my Little Free Library).

What I Have Started: A wonderful picture book for adults, All Black Cats Are Not Alike, by Amy Goldwasser and Peter Arkle .

What I Watched: “Timeless” (the episode about Benedict Arnold which ends with the main heroine captured by the bad (?) guy), two episodes of “Speechless” (always enjoyable), the latest episode of “The Big Bang Theory”, and the season opener of “To Tell the Truth.”

I know that next week I won’t have, or even find, more time to read, but I resolve to MAKE time.

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6 responses to “Sunday (Evening) Post”

  1. aspiringwriter22 Avatar
    aspiringwriter22

    I’m resolving to make more time as well. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Today started off really well! Went to the foot and ankle surgeon today and asked for a steroid shot in my right foot (bone on bone arthritis) and he also agreed to give me a shot in my left foot as well. It’s a miracle! I can walk without screwed up sourpuss face from the pain. I felt so good, we stopped at a favorite Mexican restaurant in a small town on the way back from the doctor’s. Surprisingly, today’s shot was five months (to the day) from the last shot, so the doctor and I were both pleased to get that kind of relief. It was a good day! If the rest of the week is as good, I will be sooooo thankful! I hope your week is everything you wish it to be.
      I did get some reading in and that was another plus.

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  2. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    Yes – this week has hit me like a brick:). Still, I’ve hit all my must-do targets so far… Hope you get through next week still being able to read, my friend:)

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      I’m off to a good start–relief from a much needed source and did some reading as well. I did miss making my Monday Morning Musings post, though. Since we were traveling to the doctor, we got up early and all I was left to muse on was the going-to-work-traffic. Oh well, tomorrow is Tuesday, and since I am reading, I’ll have a teaser.

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      1. sjhigbee Avatar
        sjhigbee

        And at the end of the day, this blogging is supposed to be fun, so it isn’t the end of the world if we miss the odd one, is it?

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Rae Longest Avatar
    Rae Longest

    So true–and so encouraging. Thank you!

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