Category Archives: Education

Sunday Evening Potpourri: I’m Around Here Somewhere Edition

Posted on February 21, 2021 by profmondo

Wow — almost a month, huh? Sorry about that. As I told the Spawn the other night, I’m writing thousands of words a week, but unfortunately they’re all for the online classes I’m teaching this term. But I haven’t forgotten … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Family, Literature, Music | 1 Comment

Put Down the Ball; Pick Up the Book

Posted on January 27, 2021 by profmondo

From today’s NYT “This Morning” newsletter: [A]thletics are not the best route to a scholarship for most students, Ron [Lieber, finance columnist and author of the new book, The Price You Pay for College] writes. Academics are. “Each spring, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education | 2 Comments

Tuesday Afternoon Potpourri: Paternal Pride Edition

Posted on January 26, 2021 by profmondo

I used a hand sanitizer at the supermarket a while ago, and now my hands smell faintly of band-aids. But that’s not important right now. *** I’m pleased to report that the Spawn has made her professional bones. Her Appalachian … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Family, Literature, Music | Leave a comment

Saturday Potpourri: A Pint Low Edition

Posted on January 16, 2021 by profmondo

I’m listening to the Green Pajamas this afternoon, wondering why I haven’t blogged of late. The answer is that I really haven’t had a great deal to say, but why should I let that stop me? *** I’m back in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Family, Music, Politics | 2 Comments

I’ve Never Been a Gatsby Fan…

Posted on December 26, 2020 by profmondo

… not least because I think it’s one of those books (like many other high school standards) that yields enough on first reading not to warrant subsequent ones. But every once in a while, it does resonate: A stout, middle-aged … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Literature | Leave a comment

Once More to Poetry Corner

Posted on December 24, 2020 by profmondo

I’ve mentioned my fondness for Gerard Manley Hopkins’s work in the past, that he’s a poet I once found almost incomprehensible, but whose work brings me pleasure and wisdom that grows with subsequent readings. He can be hard work to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Faith, Literature | Leave a comment

Honorifics Redux

Posted on December 14, 2020 by profmondo

In the first year of this blog, I addressed the issue of titles like “Doctor” and “Professor.” My viewpoint is basically the same now as it was then, but since I have picked up at least a few readers (I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Family | 1 Comment

In Which the Prof is Peevish, Prescriptive, and Pedantic? Perhaps.

Posted on December 14, 2020 by profmondo

I guess we can file this under “signs of growing older,” but at this time of year, I find myself increasingly irritated by the use of gift as a verb. Yes, I know the OED traces this usage back to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Pixel-stained Wretchery, Why I Do What I Do | Leave a comment

The Projector’s Clatter, The VCR’s Grain

Posted on December 10, 2020 by profmondo

A former student of mine tweeted today about what she sees as the oddity of ZIP codes that begin with a zero. (She’s from Out West, with little reason to mail things to New England.) I replied to her that … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Family, Music, Pixel-stained Wretchery, Why I Do What I Do | Leave a comment

Sunday Potpourri: “It’s the Big Heat”

Posted on December 6, 2020 by profmondo

As is the case with many buildings of a certain vintage, the campus building that holds my office has what is called a chiller/boiler heating and cooling system. In practice, this means that the building operates at two temperature settings: … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Music | Leave a comment