An unusually pleasant day in the remote Midwest (aka RedNeckLand)

[IrishAyes]

3. Maybe not many, and certainly I try not to wear out my welcome where it exists;

But here's the odd thing: for some reason I'm most touched by the kindness of a person who has every reason in the world to do otherwise, at least by the usual dictates of his own group. I've always found that sort of brave.

He's not a particularly educated fellow and sometimes feels awkward about the questions he asks in class, but he goes ahead and asks anyway. He also seems to understand my answers, although I keep them simple in a dignified way. I've seen a lot of growth in him over the past 2 years or so.

Lest anyone misunderstand, he's at least 3 decades younger than me and recently married. There's no romantic connection of any sort to me in anyone's mind. His new wife knows he's safe!