Call the rendering plant

I don't know how many of you know what a 'rendering' plant is, but the trucks used to pass by our old house in town. A rendering plant is where dead animals are processed into, well, who knows what? I used to see the big red dump trucks roar by and once in awhile I'd catch the odd cow leg or moose horn sticking out from the back.

I sure could use their services now because I'm worn out beating this dead horse.

But there is a silver lining.

Two things - first, during my second go around at reviewing in American Lit (this time it actually worked very well), Coy, a very shy and struggling student, piped up during his team's review turn and answered a very difficult question. His teammates loved it. I think he also smiled too. Second, one of my seniors (who I've taught in Comp II, College Comp, and now American Lit) had me pick out one of his senior pictures. I did and went to tape it to my desk (as I do with all the senior pictures I am given). But he said, "Wait. I have to write on it." One line from his note was "You taught me a lot about writing, and you taught me how to enjoy it more importantly." Those two things made the whole damned first hour debacle worth it.