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.”

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: Mishmash

Some random thoughts on a cloudy, but thankfully warmish Thursday morning…

My “devotional” from Simple Abundance this morning deals with “Reordering Your Priorities.”

A definite source of joy for me daily

It begins as follows: “Most women I know have one conscious priority: making it through the day.” We expect rain today, and I am wearing a T-shirt I had made locally. It reads, “A rainy day,/Coffee,/ and a good book–my idea of Paradise.” I have had my first cup of coconut flavored coffee, followed by a 3X Vietnamese coffee that was a gift from a friend. Needless to say, my eyes are wide-open, and I am ready to roll. The good book is Writers and Lovers by Lily King,

Soon to be reviewed on PWR

I am ready for a rainy day. So…bring on the rain to water the new plants I put out yesterday to replace the dead, soggy mess of what was left of my old ones after the 14 degree freeze last week. My thoughts refuse to rehash the hardships of our Snowmaggadeon, but let me just mention that milk and eggs are still limited to two per customer. We only need one of each, but what about families with six children? Judging from the TV, there still are people without food, water, and the basic necessities of life in Houston and right here in Alvin. Donating checks to Farm Girls, a local charity and a local church, whose pipes burst and completely flooded, sets the tone for my priorities today. Looking forward…

I am scheduled for shots in my feet Monday and am really looking forward to the appointment. It means that soon, I can walk in my neighborhood for exercise, returning to a routine I had started before the BIG FREEZE when the arthritis and nerve damage in both feet became unbearable to the point where I had to take pain meds just to hobble around the house. Funny to be grateful for painful shots, but the results…

Enough meandering, enough musing, enough thoughts for a Thursday morning; I plan to spend until lunchtime reading books and friends’ blogs and enjoying the semi-retirement I am blessed to enjoy.

Set YOUR priorities. May they be as pleasurable and comforting as mine.

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5 responses to “THURSDAY THOUGHTS: Mishmash”

  1. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    Oh no… Glad you are starting to recover from the snowmagedden – and I hope your temperatures are now at least well above freezing. I always feel for folks who have flooding and burst pipes in the winter, because it’s a misery trying to get houses properly dried out while it’s still cold and wet:((. And I’m really sorry about your feet, Rae – I recall you had the injections in them before. Presumably, this is an ongoing treatment… I’m guessing COVID makes it more challenging to get ‘non-urgent’ medical care, also?? I hope the injections aren’t TOO painful and that you can soon resume walking again!

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Shots didn’t “take” in right foot–need surgery (again!) Boooooo.

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      1. sjhigbee Avatar
        sjhigbee

        Oh, I’m so sorry – what a wretched nuisance, Rae:((. It’s always a misery when anything with feet are involved as they are always so painful and disabling! I hope you don’t have to wait too long for the surgery.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    I pray that those who are still struggling from the snow storms and all that went with them are getting some relief. Good luck with your shots Monday Rae. I hope they are not painful and they give you the relief you are looking for. We have also had warmer weather this week and our snow is almost melted which is nice. I have been able to get out and walk, which I sorely need. Enjoy your weekend.

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  3. Rae Longest Avatar
    Rae Longest

    Sad news the injections didn’t take in my right foot this time. The doc says I need surgery. (again!!!) It’s not the surgery that’s so bad; it’s the two months in bed recoup that I dread. Sigh…

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