Category Archives: Home Life

My Autistic Son Called Me From His School, and It Was Sweet

Any parent knows that horror you feel when the phone rings and it’s from your child’s school, especially when it’s during school hours. This is even worse when your child is autistic and prone to violent meltdowns. What horrible thing has happened, and how quickly must I pack up and head there?

This afternoon as I was in the classroom getting ready to teach when my phone rang. It was the school. I braced myself for the worst and answered the phone. I expected to hear the voice of the principal, or of my son’s teacher.

Instead, I hear, “Hi Mom.”Continue reading “My Autistic Son Called Me From His School, and It Was Sweet”

Must Be Monday

This week is the first full week of classes since the semester began. I knew it was going to be a rough day because I was sick-ish all weekend, and was still feeling less-than-fabulous this morning when I woke up.

I managed to get up and get the boy off to school, as usual. The commute was harmless and I even found a pretty decent parking space. The mass spectrometer was cooperative and I got it tuned to linear really quickly. (I’ll have to explain what that means in a later post.)

So pleased, I took a selfie!
So pleased, I took a selfie!

Continue reading “Must Be Monday”

Time for a Career Change? No, Not yet.

OK. Don’t panic. I’m not quitting my job. I mean, for crying out loud, I’m a vertebrate paleontologist! I’m not gonna just quit that!

But I do have other interests, other passions.

And I do have visions of one day retiring, and by retirement, I mean being able to do that which I want to do without having to worry about grant funding and the other hoops associated with regular full-time employment.

If I’m going to take risks, I’m going to ride waves of my own choice, not the whims of people and organizations who have to support my salary.
Continue reading “Time for a Career Change? No, Not yet.”