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message 1: by Arthur (new)

Arthur Graham Congrats, Dave. Quite the run!


message 2: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 3: by Jan-Maat (new)

Jan-Maat Best wishes! May you enjoy the years to come!


message 4: by Arthur (new)

Arthur Graham 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!


message 5: by Maria (new)

Maria Very nice! Congrats. What a great career you had and that you continue to build <3


message 6: by Alexander (new)

Alexander Peterhans Congratulations, Dave. Looking forward to seeing your upcoming books.


message 7: by David (new)

David 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.


message 8: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 9: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 10: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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!


message 11: by Jonathan (new)

Jonathan Congrats and best of luck!


message 12: by Alwynne (new)

Alwynne Must feel very weird, but sounds as if you're a man with a plan!


message 13: by Rod (new)

Rod Brown Congratulations! Hope Goodreads has a place in your newfound free time!


message 14: by P.E. (new)

P.E. Congratulations, Dave, may you enjoy to the fullest this haven of time off :)


message 15: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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,


message 16: by Carol (new)

Carol 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 👍


message 17: by Rhys (new)

Rhys Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your classes at UIC - you were a great professor. Enjoy retirement!


Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your class at UIC. I look forward to your future projects.


message 19: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma Rod wrote: "Congratulations! Hope Goodreads has a place in your newfound free time!"

I can't seem to quit Goodreads. . .


message 20: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 21: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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!


message 22: by Moira (new)

Moira Macfarlane 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!


message 23: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 24: by Joe (new)

Joe Bruno 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.


message 25: by Luis (new)

Luis Diaz Congrats!!


message 26: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma Rhys wrote: "Congratulations!! I really enjoyed your classes at UIC - you were a great professor. Enjoy retirement!" yr awesome, rhys!


message 27: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 28: by robin (new)

robin friedman Congratulations, Dave. Retirement has suited me. I am sure you will be active and happy. Robin


message 29: by Nick (new)

Nick Best wishes for a long retirement!


message 30: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 31: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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.


message 32: by Julie (new)

Julie G 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.


message 33: by Dave (new)

Dave Schaafsma 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!


message 34: by Julie (new)

Julie G I think we stay young, body and mind, when we have shiny objects on our horizon, things to live for. May you always have such objects on the farthest shore and the energy to swim or run towards them!


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