Bill Gauthier's Gauthic Nights

Hello, friends. This past week was pretty good. Pamela and I had breakfast with a close friend, G went to a robotics camp and found something she loved, and I got some writing stuff done. I needed a week like this. We all did. Welcome to the 181st installment of Gauthic Times, the newsletter about my writing, my life, and musings on courage. If you’re a reader who subscribes via Substack, my…

Hello, friends. Here we are in the heat of summer, pretending everything is okay though we all should know it’s not. At least we’re together, you and I. This week was dreamlike, it felt. I felt (and feel) strange and out of it. Recovery from the 2005-2026 school year, perhaps? I think so. I’ve had dreams about the Day Job almost every night. Not good dreams. Not necessarily bad dreams, but not…

Hello, friends. Summer vacation has finally arrived. About seven weeks of—checks notes—writing and recovering. I’ll be writing more about some thoughts about this summer’s break in today’s essay. Right now, though, I have more important business to handle. Today, Pamela and I celebrate 17 years married. We got together in 2007 and married in 2009. How anyone can spend longer than an hour in the…

Hello, friends. Happy Father’s Day, for those who celebrate! I have two days of the 2025-2026 school year left. Two days. The two longest days of the school year, most likely. Especially the Monday. This year’s season ender isn’t feeling as bad as last year’s (so far) but it sure as hell isn’t giving me hope for next year. That said, I did have some good times this year and am proud of many of…

Hello, friends. The 2025-2026 school year is winding down. As a teacher and a parent, there’s a sense of endings. The season finale will soon be upon us and one hopes there’ll be no season-ending cliffhanger. I’m still reeling from last year’s. The world around grows increasingly more terrifying and getting through more difficult. That’s what today’s essay is about. So, let’s get to…

Hello, friends. My parents would’ve celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary this past week. It’s crazy to me that Mom’s been gone for seven years now. Dad is still recuperating from having a pacemaker installed. He’s been at a rehab place and I’m guessing will be released soon. He was full of piss and vinegar yesterday, which made me smile. Aside from that, we’re just truckin’ along. How are…

Hello, friends. We’re leaving May behind and swinging into June. Things have been a lot. Still, the end of the school year quickly approaches and I’m there for it. So. Much. So. Because if what I’ve witnessed is any indication, next year will be even worse. But I’ll have my stories. Thank goodness that there’s always stories. Welcome to the 175th installment of Gauthic Times, the newsletter…

Hello, friends. This past week…I know, I know. I say it every week in this space. But this one… This past week was special. Dad is in the hospital as I write this but he’s fine. A recent doctor’s appointment found something that needs fixing and, unfortunately, the three day weekend is making what should be a fairly simple in-and-out (or maybe one-night) procedure into a mini vacation for the…

Hello, friends. Are you sick of me mentioning the past week has been busy? Not only am I sick of writing it, but I’m sick of having them. This coming week will be more of the same with appointments for my father, for me, and other things. The only thing I’m really looking forward to comes at the end of the week as a certain bounty hunter and his 500-year-old son come to the big screen so I can…

Hello, friends and happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate! Another busy week which will lead to other busy weeks this month. I feel spread so thin that you can see right through me! Welcome to the 172nd installment of Gauthic Times, the newsletter about my writing, my life, and appreciation. If you’re a reader who subscribes via Substack, my website, or Patreon, your encouragement helps…

Hello, friends. This past week was strange in that it somehow dragged while still moving quickly. It was busy with two nights honoring G, one for poetry and another academically, and the typical return-to-school-after-vacation silliness. Welcome to the 171st installment of Gauthic Times, the newsletter about my writing, my life, and thinking about alternative histories of one’s life. If you’re…

Hello, friends. Spring vacation is over and now the last 2+ months of school remain. There’ll be holidays and such, but there’ll be other things that are exclusive to teaching in the 21st century that are not as fun. Either way, writing full-time won’t resume again until the end of June (except for weekends) which means you get gray cloudy Bill back! Not really. Well, maybe a little. But I’m…

Hello, friends. Spring vacation has sprung and I, apparently, am going to use clichés now. Perhaps it’s because Rome wasn’t built with a cliché, but I’m not thrilled by it. It’s the opening I have, though, and—like many of my students approach their work—I don’t feel like revising it, so you’re stuck with it. I’m looking forward to resting, writing, and reading. Maybe even being mildly social…

Hello, friends. This past week was a nice short one thanks to Good Friday and having to take my 13-year-old for a medical appointment an hour or so away. This coming week…brrrr. The Day Job will be trying, I’m sure. Meetings and what I suspect will be annoying things coming from all angles. But the end of the week will be fun with an appearance at a library. This week’s essay is more of a list…

Hello, friends. This week was somewhat trying at the Day Job. Not entirely surprising if you’ve read these weekly updates but it still gets under the skin. I spent a few days with headaches from clenching my jaw and suspect there’ll be more of that in the coming week or so. On the bright side, this week’s a short week! Extra short because I need to take a family sick day for an…

Hello, friends. We had a super busy week this past one as G had her school drama club show on Friday and Saturday, which meant Tech Week for her, staying at school until 5:30 every day. The shows went well and she had fun, which is what counts. For me, I didn’t get to write this week or work on anything writing-related, but that’s okay. Recharging the ol’ batteries isn’t a bad thing. That means…