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.”

EVERY-OTHER SUNDAY (EVENING) POST

A quick listing,catch-up is all I have time for tonight, for I still have six, five page Argument/Research papers to grade before tomorrow’s 8:00 am class.

What I finished: The Address, a superb second novel by Fiona Davis, which I will review tomorrow or the next day.

Daughter of Time, reviewed recently on this site.

Today’s Sunday Edition of The Houston Chronicle, a reward for all the hard work I’ve done this weekend.

What I am continuing to read:

A wonderful book of poetry, Poetic Rituals, by a blogging friend.  I have shared several of these poems with  my students in those “settling-down-and-getting-ready-to-start-class-for-real” times. (These occur frequently with an 8 o’clock class!)

Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States, which I confess I haven’t touched or opened this week.  High hopes for next week.

What I have begun:

The Leavers (see excerpt on Tuesday’s Teaser) by Lisa Ko

I have spent my time grading each evening, into the night, doing some much needed grocery shopping and some fine meal planning and cooking (and freezing in preparation for the end of the semester (6 days to go!) when I KNOW I won’t have time to cook and will just want to “warm up something.” My Better Half bought a lovely cheese and fruit tray home today.  We added potato salad from the deli and pan-grilled chicken hot dogs, complimented by pita chips, and we had a light, healthy lunch.  We are trying to eat our main meal at noon which is easier on senior citizen digestions and nocturnal early bedtimes.  Five thirty or six o’clock comes mighty early in the mornings.

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5 responses to “EVERY-OTHER SUNDAY (EVENING) POST”

  1. James J. Cudney IV Avatar
    James J. Cudney IV

    good luck with everything, and a happy start to the new week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      It got off to a really ragged start, but after tea for four at a friends at four today and a gift handmade by her husband, things are looking better! (Mon. evening)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. James J. Cudney IV Avatar
        James J. Cudney IV

        Excellent!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. readerbuzz Avatar
    readerbuzz

    You should be close to finished with the semester (I hope!) Time for a bit of rest and relaxation, I think.

    My husband and I are trying to eat lighter at every meal. I’m thinking carefully about everything I eat. Last night, I passed on the potato and went for the green beans. The green beans were amazing (unexpectedly), and I’m glad I did.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      And we’ve been doing the opposite…have eaten out three times this week! Have you tried the BBQ place on Why 6? BEST EVER, but they sell out by noon. They open at 10:30. Better than Joe’s!!!

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