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Congrats, Dave. Quite the run!
Arthur wrote: "Congrats, Dave. Quite the run!"
TY, but ah, it's not a hard life, sitting around talking and writing about books. I got lucky with this gig.
Dave wrote: "TY, but ah, it's not a hard life, sitting around talking and writing about books. I got lucky with this gig."
The two years I spent teaching college comp during my MA were enough for me. Again, impressive!
I've just been more or less 'revised' out in the middle of year 48 (about a decade in the high school system, the rest at universities). All the best for your retirement and your writing.
David wrote: "I've just been more or less 'revised' out in the middle of year 48 (about a decade in the high school system, the rest at universities). All the best for your retirement and your writing."
So we are out to pasture together?!
But thanks, all, I always figured reading and telling people about books was just an extension of teaching English, in a way. Promoting reading, anyway. Sharing passion for stories.
Arthur wrote: "Dave wrote: "TY, but ah, it's not a hard life, sitting around talking and writing about books. I got lucky with this gig."
The two years I spent teaching college comp during my MA were enough for ..."
Ha! Well, I wasn't cut out for any of the work my Dad tried to get me to do with him--putting up aluminum siding, windows and doors. He thought I might die in the streets or the gutter, with my head in the clouds with all this poetry and reading and acting in plays. He was terrified for me. I got lucky, Dad.
This reading iin community is a very interesting and enjoyable second career, though I hope the writing comes back in full force this summer. We'll see what happens. I read John O'Connor's Streets and Sans and got inspiration for telling my father's story, a project I abandoned for the most part years ago. Most writing projects don't come to fruition, but some do!
ty, friends. And yes, it feel weird, a bit, but it seems like things will not be so different for me, reading and writing a lot. Maybe more writing,
congratulations, Dave! you’ve had a great ride and are leaving in your own timing, which must be satisfying considering the alternatives we observe around us daily. i wish you the best with your writing goals 👍
Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your classes at UIC - you were a great professor. Enjoy retirement!
Rod wrote: "Congratulations! Hope Goodreads has a place in your newfound free time!"
I can't seem to quit Goodreads. . .
Carol wrote: "congratulations, Dave! you’ve had a great ride and are leaving in your own timing, which must be satisfying considering the alternatives we observe around us daily. i wish you the best with your wr..."
True, I was not fired as so many have been for unpopular views; I was not downsized a year from a pension; AI did not replace me, though this is one long term plan for teachers, and all-tech schools exist that have few paid humans, and son. I am lucky.
Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) wrote: "Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your class at UIC. I look forward to your future projects." A few years ago, yes, and we are still regular Goodreads friends sharing our love of books!
You must have been such a brilliant teacher to your pupils – passionate about your subject and someone who could ask exactly the right questions to spark their thinking. Reading your words here on Goodreads, I simply can’t imagine it any other way. A teacher like you can really make a difference for young people.
Enjoy your years ahead!
Moira wrote: "You must have been such a brilliant teacher to your pupils – passionate about your subject and someone who could ask exactly the right questions to spark their thinking. Reading your words here on ..."
Well, "brilliant," Moira.. . . I can't accept that. It's not even true, though I hope my mother is reading this in Heaven! But I have been and continue to be passionate about books and ideas and stories. But thanks for the kind words.
Retirement advice, get a regular physical regimen going, physical health helps every other aspect of your life. Beyond that, what you said, reading and talking about books, not a bad life.
Rhys wrote: "Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your classes at UIC - you were a great professor. Enjoy retirement!" yr awesome, rhys!
Joe wrote: "Retirement advice, get a regular physical regimen going, physical health helps every other aspect of your life. Beyond that, what you said, reading and talking about books, not a bad life."
ty, Joe, i walk or jog every day and go the gym 3 days a week, may increase.
robin wrote: "Congratulations, Dave. Retirement has suited me. I am sure you will be active and happy. Robin"
I am sure it will be great. Thus far have been doing a lot of . . reading and begun some new writing, for the first tme in a while, but things will be rather different soon, with my visiting lots of people. One was my best friend in high school and through my twenties, lost to a divorce--mine--who I will reunite with this summer. Things like that. But I already feel freer in ways I had not quite anticipated And I love teaching, had a good teaching spring, and will miss it in the fall, I suggest spect. But get this: I am still on a number of dissertation committees, so in some ays I am not fully "gone," of course. That suits me, too, in a kind of transition. I like working to mentor people , help with writing. I have four books from Goodreads friends to review, too.
Nick wrote: "Best wishes for a long retirement!"
ty, Nick! I have a little classical drama to read this summer, too, and I see you are doing this again.
Dave: May you live long and prosper! What an achievement, friend. I can only guess at how many students you have positively influenced in your career.
Julie wrote: "Dave: May you live long and prosper! What an achievement, friend. I can only guess at how many students you have positively influenced in your career."
ty, Julie. You and Nick mention a hoped for "long" retirement, with an eye to aging, of course. I have a young family, so have that reason for hoping to stick around longer, for sure. And this TBR list--must finish, up that hill. . . but my brother, a former Keebler employee,--he was on the invention team that invented Pop Tarts! True!--retired at 55 and it was way too early, as he had few interests, was too idle for my and his tastes. I will be active. Now, off for a jog!
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Arthur
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May 15, 2026 02:16PM
Congrats, Dave. Quite the run!
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Arthur wrote: "Congrats, Dave. Quite the run!"TY, but ah, it's not a hard life, sitting around talking and writing about books. I got lucky with this gig.
Dave wrote: "TY, but ah, it's not a hard life, sitting around talking and writing about books. I got lucky with this gig."The two years I spent teaching college comp during my MA were enough for me. Again, impressive!
I've just been more or less 'revised' out in the middle of year 48 (about a decade in the high school system, the rest at universities). All the best for your retirement and your writing.
David wrote: "I've just been more or less 'revised' out in the middle of year 48 (about a decade in the high school system, the rest at universities). All the best for your retirement and your writing."So we are out to pasture together?!
But thanks, all, I always figured reading and telling people about books was just an extension of teaching English, in a way. Promoting reading, anyway. Sharing passion for stories.
Arthur wrote: "Dave wrote: "TY, but ah, it's not a hard life, sitting around talking and writing about books. I got lucky with this gig."The two years I spent teaching college comp during my MA were enough for ..."
Ha! Well, I wasn't cut out for any of the work my Dad tried to get me to do with him--putting up aluminum siding, windows and doors. He thought I might die in the streets or the gutter, with my head in the clouds with all this poetry and reading and acting in plays. He was terrified for me. I got lucky, Dad.
This reading iin community is a very interesting and enjoyable second career, though I hope the writing comes back in full force this summer. We'll see what happens. I read John O'Connor's Streets and Sans and got inspiration for telling my father's story, a project I abandoned for the most part years ago. Most writing projects don't come to fruition, but some do!
ty, friends. And yes, it feel weird, a bit, but it seems like things will not be so different for me, reading and writing a lot. Maybe more writing,
congratulations, Dave! you’ve had a great ride and are leaving in your own timing, which must be satisfying considering the alternatives we observe around us daily. i wish you the best with your writing goals 👍
Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your classes at UIC - you were a great professor. Enjoy retirement!
Rod wrote: "Congratulations! Hope Goodreads has a place in your newfound free time!"I can't seem to quit Goodreads. . .
Carol wrote: "congratulations, Dave! you’ve had a great ride and are leaving in your own timing, which must be satisfying considering the alternatives we observe around us daily. i wish you the best with your wr..."True, I was not fired as so many have been for unpopular views; I was not downsized a year from a pension; AI did not replace me, though this is one long term plan for teachers, and all-tech schools exist that have few paid humans, and son. I am lucky.
Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) wrote: "Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your class at UIC. I look forward to your future projects." A few years ago, yes, and we are still regular Goodreads friends sharing our love of books!
You must have been such a brilliant teacher to your pupils – passionate about your subject and someone who could ask exactly the right questions to spark their thinking. Reading your words here on Goodreads, I simply can’t imagine it any other way. A teacher like you can really make a difference for young people. Enjoy your years ahead!
Moira wrote: "You must have been such a brilliant teacher to your pupils – passionate about your subject and someone who could ask exactly the right questions to spark their thinking. Reading your words here on ..."Well, "brilliant," Moira.. . . I can't accept that. It's not even true, though I hope my mother is reading this in Heaven! But I have been and continue to be passionate about books and ideas and stories. But thanks for the kind words.
Retirement advice, get a regular physical regimen going, physical health helps every other aspect of your life. Beyond that, what you said, reading and talking about books, not a bad life.
Rhys wrote: "Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your classes at UIC - you were a great professor. Enjoy retirement!" yr awesome, rhys!
Joe wrote: "Retirement advice, get a regular physical regimen going, physical health helps every other aspect of your life. Beyond that, what you said, reading and talking about books, not a bad life."ty, Joe, i walk or jog every day and go the gym 3 days a week, may increase.
robin wrote: "Congratulations, Dave. Retirement has suited me. I am sure you will be active and happy. Robin"I am sure it will be great. Thus far have been doing a lot of . . reading and begun some new writing, for the first tme in a while, but things will be rather different soon, with my visiting lots of people. One was my best friend in high school and through my twenties, lost to a divorce--mine--who I will reunite with this summer. Things like that. But I already feel freer in ways I had not quite anticipated And I love teaching, had a good teaching spring, and will miss it in the fall, I suggest spect. But get this: I am still on a number of dissertation committees, so in some ays I am not fully "gone," of course. That suits me, too, in a kind of transition. I like working to mentor people , help with writing. I have four books from Goodreads friends to review, too.
Nick wrote: "Best wishes for a long retirement!"ty, Nick! I have a little classical drama to read this summer, too, and I see you are doing this again.
Dave: May you live long and prosper! What an achievement, friend. I can only guess at how many students you have positively influenced in your career.
Julie wrote: "Dave: May you live long and prosper! What an achievement, friend. I can only guess at how many students you have positively influenced in your career."ty, Julie. You and Nick mention a hoped for "long" retirement, with an eye to aging, of course. I have a young family, so have that reason for hoping to stick around longer, for sure. And this TBR list--must finish, up that hill. . . but my brother, a former Keebler employee,--he was on the invention team that invented Pop Tarts! True!--retired at 55 and it was way too early, as he had few interests, was too idle for my and his tastes. I will be active. Now, off for a jog!











