A two-day trip to Oberlin

For a long time I've been wanting to visit Oberlin College in Ohio, because of its historical importance as the first college to accept both women and African Americans in this country. I finally got my chance this weekend when I attended the meeting of a multi-college committee I serve on, and a Student of Color Leadership Conference, at which I moderated a panel on the retention of students and faculty of color.

My husband came with me since he also was curious about the place and we were able to get a great house and pet sitter and left Lizzy and the kitties in very good hands.

Apart from the meeting and the conference, we also got to have breakfast at our favorite place: IHOP. I remember the times in Puerto Rico when we would drive from our house in Guaynabo to the IHOP in Hato Rey but then it closed. Since there are no IHOPs in Central Ohio I'd practically forgotten all about it.

That was until I saw an IHOP commercial on TV the other night and my husband, without betraying his intentions, found out that there was one near Oberlin and drove us there this morning. Those scrumptious buttermilk pancakes were quite the treat!

Spending a day or so in Oberlin reminded me once more of the a-historicity of the opposition to Affirmative Action. As I remind my mostly Anglo students, we need to consider that Harvard College, which opened for white, propertied men, was established in 1636. Oberlin College, which was the first institution of higher education to open its doors to non-whites and women, was established a little less than 200 years later.

How can groups of people make up for 200 years of being actively excluded and prevented from benefitting from and participating fully in the intellectual life of nation? That's one of those questions that visiting a place like Oberlin should make us think long and hard about.

The taken trail

This is what most of my and Lizzy's mornings look like when the weather cooperates. We didn't get the day off for Veterans' Day but we got a great looking day for our early morning walk. And, more often than not, that's plenty.

It's a good day...

when Lizzy can see her shadow, and when, after our morning walk, her tongue is already half out her mouth by the time we made it back home.

In the afternoon, Pepper came to play. Lizzy was so mugrosa by the time Pepper left that we had to give her a full bath.

All in all, I'd say it's been a good Sunday for Lizzy. And, thankfully, not a half bad one for us humans, too.

November views

For my papi, because he wondered:

This is what November looks like around here.

Happy Halloween!

This Halloween, we're in a lovelier home but it's located on a country road without sidewalks so there's no trick-or-treating tonight.

That makes my first year in recent memory that I haven't worn my witch's hat and scared some neighborhood kids and that we haven't (well, more like I haven't) bought almost $100 in candy to give out tonight.

This is also one of the first Halloweens we've had in Ohio when my mom isn't with us either.

Still, while this wasn't much of a Halloween for us, I did dress Lizzy up at least for one photograph to commemorate this year. She wasn't too crazy about her witch gown so my husband had trouble getting her to pose.

Hamlet, on the other hand, contributed the perfect Halloween photo recently when he posed for a photograph on the windowsill of my husband's office, next to one of the decorative pumpkins.

Happy All Hallows Eve!

Moon chasers

Today, I found myself busy for every minute between 8:20 a.m., when I arrived at my office, and 6 p.m., when I headed back home.

Once here, and after dinner, my husband and I and Lizzy went on a leisurely walk right at dusk, my very favorite hour of the day.

And the moon followed us.

On the way back, darkness had fallen and Lizzy's whiteness shimmered in the moonlight, fluorescent.

Birthday presents

Under the spookiest of moons, I turned 48 blessed by the best of husbands, the wackiest of furry children, the lovingest of families, the loveliest of homes, the most rewarding of jobs, the most deserving of students, and the best of friends.

Oh, and then my husband built a fire in our backyard and we sat together to watch the flames dance until it got too cold and Lizzy decided to bark too loudly and repeatedly at the moving shadows in the forest.

For a moment, all was perfect. And who can ask for more?