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.”

BLOGMAS 2021, Day 26

Whew! As my grandmother used to say when something came to an end, “It’s all over but the shouting!” Today will truly be a day of rest as every Sunday/Sabbath should be. Leftovers, yes, no cooking. We ran the dishwasher yesterday to clean up the things we cooked in, and will run it again today to clean up the dishes we used for our meal. We expected five people: two came besides us, one had to back out at the last minute, and we sent two plates home to people we would like to have come, but they were unable to do so. Everything was delicious (if I do say so myself), and the mother and daughter who came brought a delicious orange salad. All in all, it was one of our best married Christmases yet. Turkey for two can be pretty depressing, even though My Better Half has always been an appreciative diner and never leaves the table even on ordinary days without complimenting me on the meal. THAT makes cooking a pleasure. For me cooking is therapy and a creative outlet for me most of the time. I love to “invent” casseroles and desserts, using leftovers and what is on hand. Many chilis, soups, and salsas began with the question, “What needs to be used up that’s already in the refrigerator?

Tomorrow I will get back into the routine of things but for today and tonight I plan to take it easy, luxuriate in the Sunday newspaper, and read, read, read…

BLOGMAS 2021 will continue through December 31st, then again, it’ll be “…all over but the shouting!”

Sleep tight, Santa, you did right by the kids in our neighborhood. Our 88 degree day saw lots of new bikes and scooters being tried out Christmas Day.

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7 responses to “BLOGMAS 2021, Day 26”

  1. beth Avatar
    beth

    enjoy

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Thank you, and thank you for checking in. May 2022 bring us all better things.

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  2. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    It sounds like you had a wonderful day, Rae. Today, I finished all the cleaning up, delivered leftovers to my son and his family and took down and put away all my Christmas decorations as I leave on Wednesday to spend 3 months in warmer climates.

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Prayers for safe and UNEVENTFUL travel, Carla. I put a few decorations away today, just because I wanted to get rid of a few and pack a few others for next year, but I am giving myself until New Year’s afternoon to finish and taking it easy in this “in-between” week.

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      1. Carla Avatar
        Carla

        Thanks Rae. I agree, if I weren’t leaving, I would leave things up until New Year’s Day. Enjoy your “in-between” week and time to relax.

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  3. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I hope you have been able to relax after Christmas. I never start deconstructing until after January 1…the lights make me feel happy and I hate to take them down. This year it was such a chore to get the tree up (my husband almost fell down the attic steps twice!) that I’m not sure whether we will do it again. We will definitely let go of some of the decorations and find a better place to store things.

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      We have done no tree or a tiny tree ever since we’ve had indoor cats. A cat sees a tree and it’s only natural she’ll want to climb it! It’s just as easy to display ornaments hanging from shelves, doorknobs, and cabinet knobs. LOL

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