Finals Week

Here it is, the final week day of finals week. That means that I've been grading papers all week.
I've just finished grading the last essay that students turned in Sunday night. Now I can begin grading their final exams -- which are also essays.
Essay grading can be truly tedious. I have a list of comments that I insert, reminding students how to use MLA format, where to put commas, etc. Still, it takes a long time.
This is the farthest behind I've ever been in finals week. By this time, I've usually added up the grades and turned them in. Graduation this week and a visit from my parents put me behind.
So when I got up at 6 this morning, I gathered my computer and my coffee cup and headed to the front porch, my portable office.
And here is my view as I grade papers, looking up from my laptop:
And when I look to my left, the direction where I can see the downtown skyline in the winter, here is what I see:
So, although I am stuck grading papers. I can't complain about my little house in the treetops.
And, I'd better get back to work because I am expected for a family get together in Dayton this afternoon.