Pittsburgh
March 2018
1
On my way home on an urban walk, minding my own business, looking at the architecture of the houses along the route, I am befallen by feathers. Suddenly, swirling around me like little clouds as I walk, a flock of small, grayish-white feathers alight on my shoulders, my head, my jacket. I pretend it is mystical, as if I were being blessed. Can’t hurt to take a shot.
Wait a minute. I’m in the city. Pigeons live here with us. These are pigeon feathers! One just flew over my head, up around the tops of the utility poles. These are pigeon feathers! Pigeons, the rats of the sky. Shedding on me. Yep, I’m blessed.
2
Three times a year, I include a section on my classroom tests which gives my students an opportunity to submit a personal reflection about the course material or the class. They can earn extra credit with their responses.
One student wrote, “You’re an awesome teacher.”
His test grade was the lowest in the class.