Athens, Georgia

Watermelon season is a good season for us, lots of slicing and filling of plastic storage bins.

Athens, Georgia

Some progress, slow as there is a lot more rebar in the Stairs to Nowhere than expected.

Meanwhile, equipment for next year is starting to come in.

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia

The new (or, more accurately, one of the new) student housing projects is starting to loom behind a nice row of townhouses.

Midday, I checked in on the demo for the Stairs to Nowhere, now exposed after years of being hidden.

On an evening walk, I found more abandoned clothes at the elementary school. This has happened several times, there’s a story in this.

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Despite what my family, friends and colleagues think, I got lucky when the dean tapped me to oversee a major renovation project several years ago. Part of that was in getting to learn something new and shape how our students will learn for many years. I was able to do deep dives on engineering and design, budgets and finishes.

But the luckiest part was getting to work with a brilliant project manager from the Office of University Architects, Linda Henneman. Who retired today.

She was eminently patient with me, answered all of my questions with out judging my intellect and was an enthusiastic partner as we worked through thousands of decisions. That she became a friend was even sweeter.

I’m working on several other projects now and her lessons are serving me, and the college, well.

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia

With the campus quiet, the leaves are taking the place back.

Athens, Georgia

Having a few folks over for a cookout, we should just start with the Mrs. banana pudding …

Athens, Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Our little magnolia tree is still with us, catching a little light here and there.