The Riddle of the Sphinx

"What goes on four feet in the morning, two feet at noon, and three feet in the evening?"

So just when I should be leaping out the door in that teacher’s “School out!” exultation, I spent the entire day in my house yesterday. Some of my avenues for re-charging and maintaining my energy closed with big roadblocks, but luckily, I could still play piano— and did for some five hours. I could still sit and write and started to make a list of the top 100 jazz tunes. I could still lie down and read— and finished Ben Sidran’s thorough, engaging and informative book on the role of Jews in American popular music. I could watch Fred and Ginger in “The Gay Divorcee” and think about making those little doll puppets for the kids next year (see the opening scene).

But just when I had hoped for time to bike and hike and exhale into the beginning of summer, the riddle of the Sphinx knocked on my door. For those who don’t know, here's the answer: It’s a person who crawls as a baby, walks as an adult and uses a cane as an elder.

And so here I am with my pulled muscle hobbling around with a cane and it’s not a good feeling. Only two weeks max, the doctor says, but a sense of coming attractions when my world will start shrinking and I will proceed so slowly, limping from one thing to the next.

But as I said last entry, small problem in the face of all that could have happened— and

by the way, is anyone else noticing this epidemic of school shootings? According to the recent news, 74 since Sandy Hook. Shouldn't we be paying attention to this?

Last day of meetings today, report cards still ahead, one week before heading off to Ghana.

Hopefully, with the cane left at home.