August in Oklahoma
Still summer, but things are afoot.
The lush green of spring has burned off and faded to a dull matte--no depth and yellowed.
Even so, autumn's approach always seems fresh to me. So many beginnings.
During my childhood autumn was the time to buy new school clothes (in "my day" it was Sears Toughskin jeans--husky size--in green, brown, and traditional blue denim). I didn't know that husky meant...well...CHUNKY. I thought it had something to do with the dog breed--a very cool breed I might add--the wolves of suburbia with frozen chrystal blue eyes.
It was also a time to get a new lunch box. This selection was crucial because the lunch box carried the treasured Doritos and Hostess snack cakes. The people of the 70s didn't know about trans-fats. Little since has melted into my palate with such unapologetic brashness.
I only remember two of my lunch box choices. In first grade I had a Looney Tunes box with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. In second grade I selected a Partridge Family lunch box designed to resemble the hippie-esque bus in which they travelled. I wish I still had these gems. I wonder what they might be worth.
To this day I still love Bugs Bunny. My esteem of the Partridge Family, sadly, has not endured.
Now at the age of 41, I no longer need a new lunch box or Toughskin jeans. As a teacher, though, autumn is still a time for anticipation of new things. New classes, new students, new schedules and lesson plans.
This year in particular, profound change is coming. On Monday I leave the US to assume an English teaching fellowship in Iasi, Romania. I will be gone for a minimum of ten months to train Romanian English teachers.
Though I leave behind friends, family, co-workers, and dogs (one of whom is pictured above), I pray this blog will be a means to stay in touch and share my experiences.
If I happen to find a communist-era Ceausescu lunch box, I will be sure to post pictures of it here.
Regards,
Jeff
