Motherwise Cracks

Went through the old campus today as I had to drive my son to a place across the street. How appropriate that I be there this weekend, the anniversary of the Bilzzard of ‘77. I was at Buffalo State at that time and lived through the -60 degree wind chill and snow up to the street lights.

One of the craziest things was watching the US Army vehicles coming up the (198) highway in a long trail with no other vehicles around as there was a driving ban. It was surreal to see the long line of help arriving amid the bleak snow all up and down the until then abandoned highway.

Well, I went back for a look at the old school, and while it was in the single digits today, only about 6 inches of snow but everything seemed so small. I remembered it as a much bigger place.

My perspective could have been a tad off because of the deep conversation(s) I had been in with my son on the way there. My parenting skills were dissected by this budding professor of human observation and behavior. He was kind: I am cooking dinner tonight and he knows where his bread is buttered.

I took a photo of the nut house next door to Buff State while I was there and I think I scared a couple of passersby. I said hello but my guess is that the guy thought I was a former occupant of the nut house rather than the college. The former psychiatric center (now mostly abandoned) is the coolest and creepiest building at the same time. Take a look here – tell me it’s not creeepy.  Probably not a big thing to highlight to perspective students and their parents, but at least now it is empty. Not so when I went there.

One of my favorite memories was when I to get into the elevator to go to my room, and heard men yelling, “Stop that elevator!” There was a guy and me in it so I pressed the door open button. Two police officers greeted the guy next to me saying, “Oh, here you are Ted. We’ve been out looking all over for you.”  I was reassured. Didn’t tell my parents that one.

Well, I will hear all about how my son’s workshop was over dinner.

I got a cup of coffee at a shop near the campus after I dropped him off. I didn’t get the same warm welcome I used to get as a young female student years ago. (And I emphasize young and female.)

Not to worry about that. I am a lot smarter now.

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“Education is a private matter between the person and the world of knowledge and experience, and has little to do with school or college.” ~ Lillian Smith