I guess when I was born, someone uttered the old Chinese curse: "may she live in interesting times"

13 teachers have been killed in Germany by an expelled student. This is the kind of thing that keeps those of us who teach awake at night. It makes you wonder - who in my class might snap? Do I need to invest in Kevlar undies?

And, on Thursday, my dad goes in for a cardioversion. I know what it is. I've taught about it to my students. I know it is "routine" and about as safe as anything when you're mucking about with someone's heart.

But that's not a comfort when it's my own dad who's involved. I'm gonna be a mess on Thursday, I know. I wish classes were out so I could go up there - if he were having it done week after next, I'd grade my exams extra fast, beg off going to graduation, and get in the car and go up there.

I knit some on the shawl last night. And I'm breaking the TV fast tonight. Watching Alton Brown and Martha will do more for me emotionally than listening to the woes of the world on shortwave.

The tv-free week was an interesting experiment. I've concluded that I will watch TV in the future - but will avoid news and trash and will plan better what I watch. And watch more calming things like HGTV.