A favourite iris is blooming — it was a favourite of my Dad’s, and he and Mom divided one from their garden and planted it in mine at least 15 years ago. Dad’s been gone 12 years now, but I suspect I’ll never point the iris out without mentioning that he loved it and planted it for me.
We haven’t had much sunshine to coax the blooms out, but at least they’re getting as much moisture as they could possibly need!
Rather busy on the work front, here:
— I’m doing research for a paper I’m presenting next month at Slayage, an International Biennial Conference on Whedon Studies, being held in Vancouver. So reading furiously, scribbling notes, pacing, and muttering aloud.
–I’ve also set up a Twitter account for my department, and I’m playing around with a new Twitter persona. It’s interesting to watch this new digital develop, to see how it diverges from my personal Twitter account.
–I’ve been working to bring a prominent Canadian poet to our campus for a lecture series we host annually. This is an exciting committee to work on, but I have some ducks to get in a row right now in order for all to go smoothly in the fall. The immediate task is an application for funding a student helper.
–I’m trying to decide on course readings for the fall so that I might get my book orders in within a month (late) of the deadline. So additional research and much reading for that. Plus I’m starting to think about the prep work for a brand-new 2nd-year course I’ll be teaching in the Spring.
On the more personal front, the past week has been taken up partly with getting back into this time zone — nine zones/hours takes me the full week, but I’m once again sleeping normally, somewhere between 10/11 p.m. and 6 a.m. I’ve run 3 times this week, 8 or 9 kilometres each time, so I’ve got a decent base to build toward another Half Marathon. I’ve also managed to fit in two Pilates Reformer classes; my arms, shoulders, abs, quads, and hamstrings will all testify to that!
I haven’t felt the energy or the motivation to pick up my knitting since I’ve been back, but it’s on the list. I’d like to resume at least one project sometime during June, but I’m being patient.
After all, the garden is the more urgent project, especially since we’re hosting my son’s wedding here at the end of August. So whenever it stops raining, I try to fit in some weeding and pruning — lots to be done!
And something completely different, and quite exciting for me, is that I’m going to a Blogging Conference for the first time ever. In fact, I’ve been asked to be part of a panel on“Owning Your Beauty” that Tracey Rossignol (who blogs as FashionForward40, and whom I met when I was live-blogging for Vancouver Opera a few years ago) is putting together for the Northern Voiceconference in Vancouver. Given my current workload, I probably shouldn’t have committed to this, but I’m glad I did — I have no idea what to expect, but I’m quite sure I’ll meet interesting fellow bloggers and perhaps gain a few tips on how to be a better blogger.
Meanwhile, though, my daughter, son-in-law, and future grandchild (yes, another one is growing in utero, ready for delivery sometime in November) are ferry-ing their way for a weekend visit. So it’s time to put away the lists and settle in for some catch-up family time. . . .And what about you? What does the weekend hold?
Wow, so much exciting news in this post! A blogging conference! Another grandchild! Presenting a Whedon paper! I'm in awe. And that iris is wonderful, especially because of the memories. I have a night blooming jasmine plant that began as a cutting of a cutting of a cutting from a 100 year-old-plant in the garden of a house my dad lived in as a child. (Whew, that's a lot of prepositions.)
The story of your jasmine plant is wonderful! What a connection to have, right in your garden.
Congratulations on your new growing grandchild!
I suppose you can't share what you'll be presenting at the Whedon conference but I'm curious.
The blogging conference sounds like a blast and you'll do very well on that panel.
It was very sweet of your Dad to plant that beautiful iris for you. What a nice way to remember him.
I forgot to mention that my daughter recently talked me into seeing the Joss Whedon film Cabin In the Woods. I had to watch most of it with my hands covering my eyes! But she thought it was really clever…
The program's on-line for the conference, so you can check out the title of my presentation — but that was based on my proposal — who knows what I'll discover in the next few weeks' research!
A colleague who's a huge Whedon fan was trying to find someone to see Cabin with her — I don't think I could do it, too scary!!
Was nodding at all you're doing (congratulations!), and then- you dropped that last tidbit in… whoo-HOO! What delightful news.
And the iris, magical. To think of your grandchildren running in the garden, your father's iris blooming… such an echo of continuity.
Ah, thank you, K. I hadn't yet connected my grandchildren in the garden with that iris, but I'll have to get Nola over soon while it's in bloom. And yes, we're thrilled about the expected little one.
I've been noticing the tweets about this conference and been very curious. I'd love to be a little mouse in the corner while you're part of that panel.
Have to admit I love your imagery — I think I might be picturing that little mouse while I'm speaking. 😉
Wow – things are blooming for you!! Congrats on your new family member coming. Does Nola know about the new baby? How is she feeling?
The baby will be Nola's cousin, and I suspect she'll be tickled about it as she's not likely to have sibs. But I don't think anyone's told her yet — once the belly begins to take shape, probably in the next few weeks, the fun will start . . .
You have certainly hit the ground running since returning from Europe (pun intended). Not much lying around and enjoying the view for you!
Love the iris, and the story behind it. Some of my irises are dragging on the ground, too heavy, I think, with all the rain.
How exciting to anticipate the birth of another grandchild. Our newest was born this past week. We are in awe of her perfect tiny self. And she's what's keeping me busy these days – cooking, helping out, and just loving.
Enjoy your weekend!
I love the photo you posted of your new granddaughter, such perfection. It's always surprising, all over again, how tiny they are.
It's nice to have time to catch up on your past posts. Why am I not following? I'm about to fix that.
I'd love to go to the Northern Voice conference but will be speaking at another sort of conference further up the road at a National park – too bad!
Your iris, planted by your father, is my favorite sort. I love the blues. Last year I bought an unidentified iris at the Oak Bay garage sale (great source for plants!) and I am very happy each time I pass it along the driveway wall.
Thanks for following, Pondside! I suppose time must be stretching out luxuriously for you in the wake of the wedding's busy-ness. Don't suppose that feeling will last long (you're already heading off to a conference!), but enjoy it while it lasts.
These irises are so prettily delicate — they make the more common ones (the ones that often get called 'flags') look rather clumsy.
Such great projects. It looks like a fruitful creative period for you. That's so wonderful! Enjoy.
Thanks, Anne. I'm trying to focus on this time as fruitful and creative, although I'll admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed, impatient some days to have only my own stuff on my list, nothing for work. . .
Congratulations!
Sounds like life is very busy and rich in every sense of the way.
You know what they say…
if you want something done ask a busy person!
So much good news!
I am looking forward to seeing you on Saturday. I am sure we will have a lively panel discussion. And after our session we need to have a serious Buffy conversation. 🙂