It was a wonderful first day of school for me, after all these many years. I was as jumpy and thrilled as I was that first year in the classroom back in 1965. I simply cannot believe how lucky I am to belong to such an excellent profession. I felt like some kind of honored dignitary today. And tomorrow, lucky for me, I will have the opportunity to make 36 children very happy. I take it as a challenge -- every day.

Now a quiet evening at home in the woods of Brooklyn, with crickets and other creatures singing all around.