Two weeks from today, Thanksgiving will be over. I feel that autumn has zoomed by too quickly--I always feel that way, regardless of whether or not we've had a hurricane to disrupt everything (and part of my brain is still reeling at the idea that we've had such a huge amount of storm damage in the mountains of North Carolina). I have volunteered to bring a vegan main dish casserole to the family gathering, so this week-end, I will test my idea: a casserole with barley, roasted butternut squash, roasted brussels sprouts, and mushrooms with brussels sprouts frizzles and toasted pecans for the topping.
We are traveling to the other side of the mountain this year to have Thanksgiving with my spouse's side of the family who are gathering at the home of my father-in-law and stepmom-in-law. As with many families these days, we have several family members who find their diets restricted for a variety of reasons. I first started experimenting with vegetarianism back in the early 80's. I love cheese and butter too much to be a vegan, but I understand cooking principles that will make vegan foods taste good without butter and cheese.
I've been training my whole adult life for this moment!
The other night, I had a similar moment in the middle of the night. I dreamed that Trump had asked me to be in charge of the Department of Education. In my dream, I thought, I don't have the experience to do that.
I woke up thinking, well, I have been teaching since 1988, so there's that. And in the days since that dream, as various cabinet candidates have been announced, I've thought of that dream and who has qualifications to lead which parts of our national government. I still think that I don't have the right kind of qualifications to lead the Department of Education--that person should have K-12 teaching experience.
Of course, I will not be asked to be part of Donald Trump's cabinet, and if I was, I would say no. I hope to avoid that kind of toxic workplace going forward. I feel incredibly lucky to be responsible for teaching, not administration, and that's how I want to end my working days. I am under no illusions that "I alone can fix it."
In fact, in moments of despair, I have doubts that anything can be fixed (see hurricane in North Carolina mountains). But then, through the magic of technology, I see good theatre, and I am once again inspired to write.
Last night, we watched Arthur Miller's All My Sons, a play I read long ago in high school. It was the 2019 London production with Sally Field and Bill Pullman, and what a performance! The play, which was written in 1946, still feels fresh and also timeless.
It also reminded me that I'm teaching the American survey class next term, and I am so looking forward to that. In these days where there's so much happening to upset us, let me remember how much joy we can still have: good literature, good teaching opportunities, good theatre, and vegan creations that give us autumn in a casserole!
No comments:
Post a Comment