A busy week, which is not something that seems typical of summer vacation, but which in fact happens quite regularly. Monday I went to PHS for a few hours to open some of the boxes of supplies which arrived, and talk with my supervisor about our ongoing problems filling the math positions for next fall. We will have 5 new math teachers next year, but we were foiled last week when the woman we really wanted, who is currently teaching in Pennsylvania, has not applied for New Jersey certification yet so will not be available for three-to-four months, much longer than we can possibly wait.

Tuesday I went to the dentist to have an old filling replaced. Yesterday was not so busy, since all I had to do was go mail a box of Visions of Paradise at the post office, and stop to get my car washed while I was out. Today Jean and I have an appointment with our financial advisor. With the boys nearing the end of college, and retirement looming 3-5 years down the road, it is time to start restructuring my finances from growth towards income.

I am halfway through reading Susanna Clarke’s historical fantasy Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. It is very slow reading, but interesting, with numerous strands that are slowly developing, including the relationship between the two very-different magicians, and the historical mystery of the Raven King, the supposed developer of modern magic whom Norrell rejects as irrelevant but Strange feels otherwise. I am anxious to see where Clarke takes all of this stuff.