"No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched." - George Jean Nathan

It was freezing when I went for my run this afternoon. Literally.

Manufacturers of old single wides used time tested tricks to make you feel like you lived in spacious surroundings, like making the sliding closet doors into big mirrors. At a certain age that's a mixed blessing, especially when you've put on spandex running tights for that run in freezing temps.

It turns out I really have worked my butt off.

In an interview with a Belgian magazine Pope Francis talked about the media's habit of reporting on scandals, real or rumored. He likened it to coprophilia, and said those who consume it are guilty of coprophagia.
I'm not sure which surprises me more, that spell check knew those words or that the Pope knows those words.

The people are the best part.

Today I heard from Jule. A former student, she's one of those rare people whom everyone would agree fits the definition of the word sweetheart. Jule has no sharp edges, is gracious to everyone, and would hug a porcupine in an honest expression of compassion.

Jule and her husband came to GBC as foreign students. She got good grades, but mostly I remember her as one who always gave it her best, a serious and dedicated learner. Her husband was the same, and I had him for five years because he was in the pastoral degree program which I chaired. Older students typically approach their college work with more seriousness than those fresh out of High School, and foreign students usually ramp it up another notch because they appreciate the educational opportunities they have here.

After graduation they went back to their home country, but several years ago came back to the States where he now pastors a church, very successfully by all accounts. They have a daughter who is a chip off both blocks and is just beginning a Masters program in international studies.

Jule and her husband both still call me "prof." I encourage my former students to call me Craig now that we're out of the academic setting, but some of them just can't pull it off. In the case of these two I accept that word as a term of endearment, and it's entirely mutual.

Jule contacted me today to tell me she's been diagnosed with MS.

The people are the best part, my students are still my children, and tonight I'm sad for Jule, her husband, and their daughter.
I wish I could reach across the country and give her a hug.