Thursday, November 14, 2024

everything (three things) everywhere (in three places) all at once (and all tomorrow)

It's not quite at the same volume as the movie, but it does feel like I have to be in three places tomorrow: Nu is sick and has to stay home, it's my big NWSA day in Detroit, and BL is in labor in a Lansing hospital.

Today a coach at Nu's school died in a car accident. Apparently, he had been saddened by the student's suicide last week, so the community is wondering if he'd been distracted by that when the accident happened. He was a basketball coach and Nu is... decidedly not on the basketball team. So when I first got the email from the school informing me, I didn't even know if Nu knew him. But when I got home, Nu was full-on crying, their face swollen and snotty, and they were really quite inconsolable. And they felt warm to the touch, and sure enough they were running a temperature. Aaron will be home from work around the time I have to leave for Detroit tomorrow, so I think I'll be able to leave as planned...

... for NWSA! As it is, I'm not going for the whole four-day affair. And as it is, I've already gotten texts from friends I see only at conferences asking if I want to have dinner with them, etc. Alas. But both my panels and my caucus meetings are tomorrow, so my day trip tomorrow will have to do. Perhaps I could go in on Saturday too, if Nu is better and I have the energy and I'm not needed...

...At the hospital where BL is laboring to give birth to my honorary grandchild! I won't be in the delivery room, but I can at least be in town, right? I'm SO EXCITED!!

Pic: I was full of nervous energy + Nu felt like cake, so I baked some banana-pumpkin muffins. It turns out this was the project I'd been holding on to the hibiscus-sugar (that SD brought me when she visited in 2022) for.

10 comments:

Gillian said...

Good luck

Jenny said...

This is a lot going on! Poor Nu. It just seems like one tragedy piling on top of another. But- I hope NWSA is uplifting for you. I don't know BL, but good luck to everyone involved (an honorary grandchild, how exciting!)

Nicole said...

Oh no, that is so sad. That's a lot for Nu to handle - being sick, hearing about death so close to home. Hope they are feeling a bit better. I remember NWSA from last year and I hope it is just as wonderful for you this year! And a new baby! Wow!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you are feeling stretched thin and that there's been so much tragedy at Nu's school.

Those muffins look excellent.

NGS said...

So much stuff all at once! Hopefully things will calm down soon.

maya said...

Thank you!

maya said...

Thank you, Jenny! (I'm worried for Nu, but everything else is working out.)

maya said...

Thank you, Nicole. Yes, Nu is a bit overwhelmed. Being there to listen seems to help.

maya said...

Thank you :). I don't think of myself as a baker, so this is much appreciated.

maya said...

Yup! For the most part, anyway.

Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Nafplio

I've even had students named after Greek philosophers before, but oh--the thrill of hearing "Aristotle!" or "Chimera!...