I was disappointed to see only a few new posts, but those that are up are quite thoughtful and meaningful.  First, Jonathan's brief thoughts about the problems and issues that affect him in his community illustrate my desired results from assigning this type of research project.  I was reading an article in one of my writing journals, and an author referred to traditional academic essays as "alien artifacts" for today's students. I like it . . .


I think that as students we are led to believe that issues are always circulating "out there" and that they must be "huge" in order to research and write about them.  Also, the issues that personally affect us are often trivialized.  I believe that oftentimes those "out there" have a tremendous effect upon those "in here" - you cannot completely separate the public and the private realms.  Finally, small changes in values and behavior have to add up to larger, powerful ones.  Don't we have to believe in this?  What do you think? 

John's post and Elizabeth's follow up . . . well, both made me well up.  It's a difficult time of year for me anyway, as you know from my first freewriting that I shared with you that first week in September.  But I do find comfort spending time with my family and friends and deeply, deeply value these opportunities. 

I just made homemade applesauce with my kids.  I've never done this before and can't believe how incredibly easy it is.  For almost thirty minutes we worked together as a team with minimal controversy (outside of "It's my turn to use the apple peeler!") and no distracting technologies (outside of my laptop on which I pulled up the directions and recipe).  It sounds trite and corny, but I'm trying to achieve a simpler life.  Not simple.  Simpler.  It just has to be the small things . . . Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!