“The eye of the storm went deaf, and I tried to speak but found my voice had been deafened as well. But not for hearing my mother’s voice in my brain, it might also have been deafened. However, it was not, and the good fortune of it all made me glad to be alive, in spite of all the others who were not alive and therefore unglad of it, if their senses had not been likewise deafened.”

Yes, I’ve started reading the essays. I think I was better off before.

My mind’s eye went blind about a half hour ago, and it helps a little.

In fact, I think most of my senses have been both blinded and deafened. This is by far the worst batch yet. The firly brinkmire is looking better and better.

Help.

These students are genuinely nice people. I don’t want to hurt their feelings, but I am also obligated to tell it as it is.

And both “it” and the “telling” are painful.

Sigh. Red pen out, aimed, FIRE.