Excuse me, Dr Bush,

It’s a good thing my dear parents are in heaven.  Since they paid for my B.A. in English, I think they might raise an eyebrow or two and wish a private word with you concerning the need to renew my degree.

Also, I have taught Slaughterhouse-Five (not my choice) to my high school juniors for several years.  It was the summer reading for September discussion.
It made them needlessly more depressed beyond returning to school no matter how many different times I tried to explain it and put it into context as an important work in American literature. 
 
So much better to have shortened SL-5 book discussion and jump right into the mighty Mississippi River with Huckleberry Finn, which they absolutely love each year; 

It certainly is our favorite time of year.  I do play Andy Williams’ “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” every September on the first day of class and it gets even the most emotionally hardened of students to smile and grin.  But hey, what do I know?  I’m still learning myself.

I do know that you graciously let me win a round of billiards against you at Elmira last year.

:D
John Pascal
> On Aug 17, 2018, at 5:30 PM, Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Colleagues;  I was reminded of this by another colleague, and especially fo=
> r the younger folks on this LIST:  don't overlook the very crucial need to =
> RENEW your degree before the start of class.
> 
> 
> https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/how-to-renew-your-english-degree
> 
> 
> O yeah, one other thing -- just in case you meet one of those Vonnegut stal=
> kers at the welcome back cocktail party on campus:
> 
> 
> https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/what-to-do-when-someone-asks-if-youve-e=
> ver-read-vonnegut
> 
> 
> cheers, my friends!!  The earth has yet again returned us to our favorite t=
> ime of year...
> 
> 
> 
> Dr. Hal Bush
> 
> Dept. of English
> 
> Saint Louis University
> 
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> 314-977-3616
> 
> http://halbush.com
> 
> author website:  halbush.com