JanDunlap.com

Though I live in Minnesota, I teach English online for New Mexico State University in Carlsbad. Most of the time, I like the arrangement; since I’m states away from my students, I don’t have to worry about any of them confronting me about their grades when I’m sniffing cantaloupes at the grocery store or sipping a chocolate cooler at Caribou Coffee.

But today, I’m bummed that I don’t live near campus. They’re having a special event in the gym, and I would SO like to be there.

It’s Giant Inflatable Colon day.

“Oh my gosh,” I told my husband and daughter. “We are totally missing out on seeing the Giant Inflatable Colon. It’s a health project for the university. I wonder if it’s big enough to walk… ...more...

Lord,

Help me remember, when I feel it’s a chore,

the time will come when I’ll hold her no more

asleep on my chest (the crib refused,

the blanket, the pacifier, gone unused).

What better place is there to lay her head

than against my heart, my arms her bed?

For infants grow up and leave us behind

with only memories left to remind

us of midnight walking and predawn rocking,

of soft, helpless babies unable to sleep.

So, Lord, make me patient and keep me awake

while I cradle this child, and don’t let me take

for granted the moments I spend in the night

with this baby — Your gift, my joy, my delight… ...more...

We have been preparing for the mission for months. My partner and I have learned to respond to each other’s slightest moves. The strategy of attack has been mapped out, all avenues explored. The possible routes have been thoroughly scouted and the execution of the task rehearsed endlessly. If the need arises, the unforeseen happens, we can, at a moment’s notice, alter the plan to one of multiple alternative options for implementation. Our goal is to attain the objective within five minutes, then return to home base in less than ninety seconds.

There are those who doubt us, who believe the mission is impossible, but it can be done. I am confident of success. The hard work of the last five months has not been in vain. Failure is… ...more...