and turned on the furnace. It was more than a bit "brisk" this morning, but my AM schedule is so tight that there wasn't time to tend to that chore.

When I got home it was another story. That was just about the first thing I did. And good fortune must have been behind me, because it went on first try. (Frequently the match burns out before I find the right location in the firebox. Or it burns out as I lower it to the the right level.)

Once upon a time the furnce had an automatic lighter, but after five years or so it quit. We had the same model furnace in our first mobile, but without the automatic lighting capabiility. At any rate, I've been doing the match thing for almost as long as I can remember. (We got the first mobile in 1960, and this one in 1964.)

And now the house is nice and warm, and I expect the cats are covering the floor vents.

I went in to work really early today, so I could give a make-up exam at 0630, just in case people needed that score to decide whether to drop or not. I think about six of the fifteen who missed the exam showed up.

I am not happy.

They have their Greece exam this Friday. That should be interesting.

A bunch of these kids are NOT paying attention. They keep complaining because I don't answer the mail they post on Blackboard.

I developed my class web site before Blackboard existed. I told them I do not use Blackboard, but that information seems to have floated over their heads.

The first-day-of-class-handouts had my web site address and my personal e-mail address. I haven't bothered trying to find out what password I used for my university address, so if anyone is using that they're barking up the wrong tree.

I think I'll have a couple of bonus questions on the Greece exam where I ask them what my e-mail and web site addresses are.

Another thing I haven't reactivated is my office phone. Since I'm in the office maybe three hours at the most per week I can't be bothered. The secretary has my cell number. My students also have my cell number and some of them have used that. That's a whole lot more efficient way to get hold of me.

I shouldn't be griping--my house is nice and cozy, I've got slipper socks on my formerly cold feet, and the cats are being super friendly.

As I was on my way home I realized that I had forgotten to bring home the make-up exams. I guess I'll grade them first thing Friday morning before class.

I think I'll take last year's Greece exam in to Newcomb tomorrow so I can make modifications on my lunch hour, then run it off in the evening.

Busy day tomorrow.