When I looked at the memo regarding grades, I read that they were due 5-6-11, so I spent the last two weeks grading feverishly to be done by today.  Yesterday at about 4:30, a colleague informed me that grades aren’t due until 5-9-11.  I’m not dyslexic and don’t normally invert numbers or letters, but this time I did.  The bad news is that I pushed myself excessively for no real reason.  The good news is that I’m done with grading.  After graduation tomorrow and tying up a few loose ends on Monday, I’m free from the college for a month.  All of my attention and energy can now be directed onto the farm and the final edit of book three (By the way, be looking for an announcement about The Fall of Dorkhun next week).

Last night, I was so exhausted I fell asleep around 8:30 and didn’t stir until 6:15.  I had forgotten to turn off the alarm on my phone or I probably wouldn’t have awakened then.  I’ve experienced both physical and mental exhaustion, and while neither one is pleasant, I’ll take physical every single time.  Mental exhaustion is excruciating.  When my brain is taxed, I can’t concentrate on anything and even menial tasks (like reading the date on a memo) become difficult.  Also, there’s an element of stress that comes with mental exhaustion that’s absent with physical exertion.

Today, I’m going to head out to the farm and get a little work done.  I’m not sure what I’ll focus on, but there’s plenty to do, so I’ll find something.  Mostly, I just want to get back in the groove of working on the building and recuperate from the end of this semester.  Please, keep an eye out for that announcement about book three, and in case I don’t get to write another post before Sunday, happy Mother’s Day to all the moms.