85 Comments

Between you and Rachel Maddow I’m hanging onto my sanity and motivation. Rest well, with the gratitude of many thousands of us who hang on your balanced, erudite posts.

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HCR, Maddow and Randy Rainbow are getting me through this nightmare.

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And Sara Cooper!

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yes....the trifecta!!!

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I only wish I could have put it this eloquently.

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Another gorgeous photograph! It helps put things in their proper perspective. Thank you, Heather.

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Thanks for all your words and work. Rest well, you deserve it. Yes, the academic world starts up again (I'm an emeritus; have a couple of friends at BC). Good luck with the semester, in whatever way you are teaching in this strange world we now inhabit. Buddy's photographs are always so calming and reflective. Lovely colors. This is an amazing community you have created. Enjoy the evening....and tomorrow as well. Good evening.

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Beautiful photo!

Here is the link to the movie, Miracle on 34th Street Post Office Speech. The first two minutes of the video discusses the importance of the post office and that it was a well-run organization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOl19-30dPg

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Ah, this takes me way back to 1960 when my new bride and I became friends with Val(entine) Davies who wrote “Miracle on 34th Street” through our mutual love of breeding and showing beagles in California. Lunches on their patio in Los Altos revealed him as his own model for Kris Kringle. A melancholy reminder these days of more innocent times (for those of us who were not victims of our non-innocent crimes against fellow Americans).

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These past several daysn I had the same thoughts about "Miracle"! Thanks for sharing.

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Get all the rest you can! I know all too well what it's like preparing for a new semester and academic year of teaching and how hectic it can be. But, for the first time in 16 years, this Fall will not find me getting ready for another semester. I was let go from where I'd been teaching for the past 12 years because all retirement-age adjuncts were let go due to university budget constraints brought about by Covid-19. I hated going out the way I did. No hugs. No goodbyes. No thank-yous. Just shut the door of my empty office and walk away. So very sad. Though I will miss my kids and savoring that wonderful energy and enthusiasm of 19-20 year-olds--they've been my oxygen for a long time--I will not miss all the added complications now imposed on teaching, as well as the increased risk for us all of being infected. I do worry for my colleagues having to deal with it all. I wish you tons of good luck and good health in academia in the coming year. We desperately need people like you educating our young people, and I have no doubt you are an inspiration to many students. Keep up the great work and keep on giving us the benefit of your learned expertise. God be with you.

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That is so sad how you were let go. I hope you find ways to carry on what you have to offer as a teacher—and get that oxygen in return!

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Thanks for all you do and all that you are. you’re doing your country an enormous service by keeping us all historically educated. blessings on you and your household.

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Get your rest while you can. It is going to be a bumpy ride.

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enjoy your night of much deserved rest, professor!

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Thanks for taking the night off and for the beautiful photo. I agree with the reader who says it puts things in perspective. When I can't sleep, I go out and look at the Milky Way and the night sky. Every little t'ing gonna be alright!

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What a lovely trade. Buddy gives you a beautiful photo to post for us, you take a break to rest your weary head, and we get to meditate on the beautiful photo and also rest our weary heads! ❤️

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These Sunday photos are the best - beautiful, interesting, a reminder of the beautiful nation that we will once again battle to protect next week.

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Your writing and teaching is a wonderful gift you give to the world, and as well, the gorgeous photography that Buddy produces. Many thanks to you both. It is a comfort to have the privilege of knowing both of you through your talents. I hope you both have a good week.

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I love your posts, but with school starting back up again, I think most of us would understand if you took more days off. We don’t want you to get burned out! Maybe you can do 3 days a week. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday or something like that. And do smaller posts when you really feel like sharing something important in the moment...or you can keep doing what you’ve been doing, which is also awesome. I just hope you don’t feel obligated to produce daily content for paying subscribers (that includes myself), because that’s exhausting and we care about you!

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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you....... for your letters, weekly history time, books, questions and everyone’s answers, your academic teaching, and beautiful Buddy Poland photographs. I appreciate all that you do and share with us. I feel overwhelmed just thinking about it! As much as I look forward every morning to your insightful and educational summary of the news from the day before, I am glad when you take time off. Take more .... especially with your academic year starting amidst the pandemic. We will really need your perspective during the next three months! Take care of yourself.

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Thank you for your newsletters. They help me stay sane!

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It is more important to be here for the long haul--so take care of yourself. Maybe take all Sundays off....

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