Yesterday was the annual math department barbecue at Megan’s house, the only chance for all of us to get together and chat for several hours without needing to run off to teach class or grade papers. The food was also very good, each member bringing either an appetizer or entree. Because the math teachers’ heritage runs the gamut from Italy to India, China and the Middle East, we had a lot of really tasty dishes.

Swapping continues unabated. I mailed 2 books the past two days and I have already picked out the two I want to get in return. My summer reading list is currently so huge that I could not possibly finish all of it unless I sat around reading 24/7. Since I hope to start researching and writing the Route 46 book, that is not going to happen.

I’ve been ask to be the host and speaker at the retirement luncheon, so I am busily writing a speech this weekend, one that hopefully will combine humor with discussion about the past year at school. I’ve spoken at retirements before, so as long as I write a good speech, and don’t talk too fast, it should be all right.