Creeping Up

We're creeping up the list.  Ever so slowly, but creeping nonetheless.  Today, the family that has been at the top of the waiting list for girls for over seven months received their referral (WOO!), so now my husband and I have nudged up to lucky number 13.  Woot.  We know there are three more girl referrals in process, so quite soon we'll be moseying up to the (bottom of the) top ten.  It's still impossible to predict how long we'll be waiting, but it seems reasonable to assume at least another seven months til our referral.  Anything sooner will be a (reallyreallyreally) pleasant surprise (ohplease ohplease ohplease be sooner...). 

Incidentally, the word "creep" always makes me think of "The Yellow Wallpaper."  If ever there's a story to make your hair stand on end, that's the one.  The last line.  Ohhh, how it gets me.  It gets me every time.  (If you never have, or if it's been too long since AP English, go read it!  It'll freak your fragile mind right the hell out!) 

And while you're at it, you might as well revisit "To Build a Fire."  I think we read that in our "gifted program" in sixth grade, and it disturbed me beyond belief.  When he's fumbling with the matches?  And then they get wet?  And something about a dog?  Gack!  Every time I'm forced to endure frigid conditions -- such as sitting in my office between May and September, when they insist on blasting the A/C such that my fingers go white and numb and I contemplate setting my desk on fire to survive -- I think of that story.  (Conversely, when it's hot as blazes, "The Veldt" comes to mind.  Erf, so unsettling.)

Right.  So that was a little tour of my mental associations with (junior) high school English.  Which, in turn, reminds me that our 11th grade English teacher was arrested for shoplifting after we graduated.  And my French teacher thought that France was shaped like a boot and filet mignon was a type of fish.  Nothing but quality educators in our school system, I tell you.  Shaping young minds.

Finally, I have a bunch of thoughts to share on Jonniker's recent post about society's confusion about weight and body image and whatnot, but I got home late and I don't have many coherent thoughts left out of today's (admittedly meager) allotment, so I will save it for another time. 

Have a great weekend!

Comments

[Allison]

We read "The Veldt" this year in 7th grade! "To Build a Fire" is saved for 8th. Yeah, we're warping young minds here in NC daily.

[metalia]

Ah, "The Yellow Wallpaper"...I remember it well. It does an incredible job of slowly building tension, and it freaked me right the hell out when I read it in high school, such that I involuntarily shuddered when I read the title here. (Thanks, Lawyerish! ;))

[Emily]

Hi...I've finally decided to de-lurk--I'm a big fan of your blog!

At the mention of those short stories, I was immediately reminded of The Lottery--totally freaked me out in Junior High! :)

[Mauigirl52]

I have to admit I haven't read any of the stories you mentioned, although I've read other Jack London books. But I totally know what you mean about being disturbed by something you had to read in junior high. In 7th grade we read "The Red Pony" by Steinbeck, and the pony DIES. It dies and has its eye pecked out by a vulture. Nice, huh? I have never read anything else by Steinbeck because of that story. Which is too bad considering he is considered one of the great American authors. But I never forgave him for that pony. They should really reconsider what they expose impressionable young minds to!