Pearls, Ponies, and Points

Posted on October 12th, 2004 by Neal Locke

The Pearl: Between the Doctor, the Priest, and the Pearl Buyers, Steinbeck is trying to make a point here about the effect that power, money, and greed can have on a person. Any thoughts?

The Red Pony: There’s a sort of symbolic relationship here between Gabilan (the horse) and Gitano (the old man). See if you can draw any similarities between the two and their relationships to Jodi Tifflin.

Of Mice and Men: In the case of Carlson vs. Candy, if you were the judge instead of Slim, do you think you could have come to a better resolution, while still keeping the peace in the bunkhouse? Give it a “shot”… (pun intended)

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Way to go, Class of 2008!

Posted on October 9th, 2004 by Neal Locke

Congratulations to the freshman class–you worked together and pulled it off, beating sophomores, juniors, and seniors to win the homecoming decoration competition.

One of the things I love most about teaching freshmen is this time of year–I get to watch a bunch of kids from various middle schools and social cliques put aside their differences and come together with a single identity, a single purpose. Remember: The friendships you form this year will likely carry you through good and bad times for the next four years of your life, and perhaps beyond.

This week, you made some new friends, and this Friday, you made a memory that will last a long time. You did great, and I’m proud of all of you!

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Sentiments on Steinbeck

Posted on October 2nd, 2004 by Neal Locke

Of Mice and Men (Chapter One):
In the first chapter, Steinbeck lays out three of the novel’s major subjects: loneliness, dreams, and inequality. Anybody notice any of them already?

Grapes of Wrath (Chapter Three):
This is one of the most famous chapters in the novel. The turtle is a symbol, a metaphor for the Okies and the Joad Family, and foreshadowing of the challenges they will face on the way to California. Anyone care to elaborate?

East of Eden (Chapters One through Five):
The Hamiltons and the Trasks are portrayed very differently. What do you think is responsible for their differences? What is Steinbeck trying to say here?

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Date Night

Posted on September 30th, 2004 by Neal Locke

Amy and I had our first date last night since Grady was born. Grandma and Grandpa were in town, and volunteered to come by and babysit for an evening, so we took advantage of the opportunity. Dinner at Bennigan’s, then a movie–Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Dinner was good, the movie was slightly better than mediocre, but my date looked gorgeous, and it was nice to spend time just for each other again.

Of course, Amy was ready to call home and check on Grady about five minutes after we got to the restaurant, and then again right as the movie was about to start. But baby boy was in good hands, and was happy (although not exactly sleepy) by the time we got home. While we were gone, his Grandpa Jim recited the Gettysburg Address to him, thereby introducing him to his first political speech. I was so proud. Although perhaps a speech by a Democratic president might have been preferable…

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Of Mice, Men, Scottish Poets, Doctors, and Switchfoot

Posted on September 27th, 2004 by Neal Locke

My apologies for the long delay in updating the good ol’ blog–please bear with me as I learn to divide my time between family, school, and the blogosphere…

For my freshmen, I finally updated the English One Page to include your assignments and such for this six weeks. If you want, you may get a head start on the new composition, though as a few of you seem to have already discovered, Robert Burns’ Scottish dialect almost seems like a foreign language!

Grady had his first visit to the doctor today–also his first “outing” since coming home from the hospital (which wouldn’t really be an “outing,” would it. More like an “inning.”). Anyhow, I’m pleased to report he has gained a pound, and a few inches. In fact, at 9 lbs. and 22-3/4″ long, his doctor said he’s longer than 95% of infants his age. He’s gonna be a giant. I hope he doesn’t beat me up someday…

Finally, how come no one ever told me about Switchfoot? I bought their CD “The Beautiful Letdown” today, mostly because I learned that the first song–Meant to Live–is actually based on Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, which we’re about to study. Perfect timing. Great song. But not only that, I kept listening, and almost every track on the album is just as good. It’s the best one I’ve heard in quite a while, and Amy likes it too. We even let Grady listen to it tonight–his first “rock” album! As wonderful as the music is, I’m even more impressed with the quality of their lyrics, which are searching, yet optimistic. One of the songs even mentions U2’s Bono, so they must be on the right track. Anyhow, I’m glad that there’s still good music out there that’s fresh, challenging, and hopeful.

Alright, enough of this–back to the grindstone (grades due tomorrow, lessons to write, babies to burp, etc.).

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A Family Emerges

Posted on September 19th, 2004 by Neal Locke


Looks like we made it safely through the first week. Yesterday at 12:11 was Grady’s one week birthday, and although I don’t specifically remember (it’s all a blur of feeding, changing, and sleeping) we probably celebrated with a fountain of bodily fluid…

I joke about the lack of sleep and the messy diapers, but when all is said and done, I’ve grown pretty fond of the little guy. Looking into his blue eyes (which will change colors in about a year) when he’s about to drift off to sleep, I feel a rush of emotions somewhere between anxiety and relief, between love and fear, excitement and caution. Most of all, though, is adoration.

I also love the focus and structure he brings to what I can now truly call “our family.” I don’t mean structure in the sense of “schedule” or “predictability,” because heaven knows those words don’t mesh with his sense of timing. Rather, structure in the sense that no matter what he’s doing, I know we’ll be feeding him soon. Then changing him soon. Then coaxing him to sleep. Always. Well, at least for the foreseeable future.

And focus. He consumes our time and attention–so all those things we once thought were important pale in comparison, and only those things that really are necessary apart from him get our time and attention. Like, for example, each other. I loved Amy before Grady came along, but somehow I can honestly say that after what we’ve been through together in the past week–I love her more than I thought possible a week ago.

Tomorrow I go back to school–not without a tinge of regret at the first of many days I will miss in my son’s life–but now I’ll have twice as many reasons to come home, and twice as much love to welcome me through the door.

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Run, Bambi, Run…

Posted on September 16th, 2004 by Neal Locke

Today was “dress up Grady” day at the Locke household. Mom and Grandma decided it was time to put some of those cute outfits to use in an all-out photo shoot. The one pictured above was from his Grandpa Jerry, of course. Grady might have enjoyed all the attention, except that he slept through the whole ordeal. Not to worry, though: He’ll be back up and full of life sometime around midnight tonight…

Posted in Family, Fatherhood, Grady, Pictures | Leave a comment