Turmoil in My Head and in the Sky

It’s been awhile since I last shared reflections and reactions. With Hurricane Isiais making its way into our part of the country, the storms inside my head and bearing down on North Carolina are equally potent. What’s on my mind these days?

• The start of the academic year for all students at all levels of education: I hate being right, but months ago, I suggested that colleges and universities hold off until Jan of 2021 and squeeze two semesters into the Jan-June period. I also encouraged higher ed institutions to offer free fall online supplemental education, networking and mentorship. Now, with Covid ravaging communities, returning to campuses, for those doing so, seems ill-advised. K-12 seems mostly online creating almost insurmountable challenges for families struggling to balance work obligations with kids school needs. It appears that we’ll be heading to Nashville for awhile to help with those grandkids. And if Denver needs us, too, we’ll be there! 
• The problems for those with jobs and kids schooling pale in comparison to those who have lost their jobs. That Congress and the White House have been so inept at managing this crisis is extraordinarily disheartening and will be the subject of history texts for many years to come. Shame on those with the power to help who refuse to do so!
• Just wear the damn mask! 
• How do financial planners sleep at all? I have no idea how best to deal with retirement funds. Is the market super inflated because of manipulation leading up to the election? Why hasn’t Covid laid waste to the market if it’s (clearly) dismantling the economy? I’d appreciate reliable forecasting for the next six months...anyone? Bueller? Bueller? 
• Why are Apple desktop computers so horribly slow? My brand new IMac desktop runs like my first Commodore 64! 
• How do I convert a live, interactive, experiential classroom experience (my Penn Exec Doc module) into a viable online model? 
• Halfway into season 2 of Schitt’s Creek...still don’t find it funny. What is responsible humor these days? Is it ok to watch and laugh at Kim’s Convenience? Why is Sara Cooper so funny? I’d love to engage in conversations about humor in 2020. 
• Just back from the dentist. I have a cavity! Who gets cavities these days, and especially at my age? Sigh...I know the drill (bad pun).
• Awaiting feedback from my likely publisher on my book...anxious to proceed to the next step. 
• Golf is such a strange game. One week I’m hitting the ball like I know what I’m doing and getting scores in the low 80’s; the next week, I can’t make contact and adding 10 strokes to my rounds. I miss my 40 years of M-W-F noon campus basketball games. But, we’re playing more and more pickle ball these days, as well. 
• Beans! We belong to Rancho Gordo’s bean club and get 6 pounds of heirloom beans every three months. Loving the variety of bean salads and dishes I’ve been making. 

Many of you know where I stand politically. I’m feeling a greater sense of urgency these days about the November elections. Please register to vote if you haven’t yet and please review your state’s early and absentee voting laws and procedures. Given Covid fears, vote-by-mail will likely be substantial for the upcoming elections. Be aware of what your state and local community requires for mailed in ballots. Make your vote count!