In an effort to post more regularly here, I’ve decided to do something of a weekly roundup — almost like a news letter, but without sitting in your inbox forever with all the other things you thought you’d read.
This week, I’m…
Reading
Puerto Rico Strong, a comic anthology supporting Puerto Rico Disaster Relief and Recovery
For their first international understanding project, the OHS Interact Club wants to do a project to support agriculture in Puerto Rico. I’m reading a few books to increase my own knowledge, as well as help direct them to books they can write papers on to make up some of their attendance (particularly important for athletes). This anthology is incredibly broad, while still being accessible and enjoyable, so I think a lot of the students will connect well with it.
Listening to
The 1619 podcast from the New York Times.
Technically, I’m listening to it through my subscription to The Daily. This series has been incredibly well done, always with an interesting build from the (also interesting) 1619 Project pieces published by the New York Times. Today I listened to part one of a story about a modern black farmer who’s faced discrimination in having his sugar cane farm financed — incredibly frustrating, but something we all need to realize still happens.
Watching
My Brilliant Friend
I went several long months without HBO access, so I missed out on watching this when it was first released. I loved these books (commonly referred to as the Neapolitan Novels). They’re just as moving on screen. Most of it is in dialect, but there are also flashes of Italian that refresh my memory from college.
Working on
Our annual 4-H Week Section
Every year, we put together a special section to recognize Fortyville, Mighty Mo and Napoleon Cloverleaf 4-H members. This year, the feature is on Wade Johnson, an OHS senior and Mighty Mo member who does sport fishing. It’s a fun one, and as usual with these sections, I’ve learned a lot.
Excited to write about
The highway dedication ceremony in Mayview today.
Today the Mayview Fire District unveiled signs dedicating a stretch of E Highway to Jeff Sanders, a Mayview Firefighter who was killed while working a call along the highway a few years ago. The dedication was important to the community, but one special aspect is that the fire chief’s 12-year-old daughter, Abby, shown, led her 4-H Club in raising money for the signs, and did a great job of speaking at the ceremony.
Looking forward to
Mizzou Homecoming!
My college roommate and long distance bestie, Elise Oggioni, has finally given in to my begging and is coming back for Homecoming next weekend. Please enjoy this photo of us at a football game in 2010. So, Friday I’ll be out of the office.
And now, a recommendation list:
This 60 minutes piece on modern farming
This debate, about how Simone Biles’ new skills should be valued
A reminder that mosquitos are bad and climate change means more of them