Our two favorite boys, being our favorites

Here is a couple videos captured the same evening. Both boys are in good spirits and I had the camera ready this time. They are a little lengthy, but hopefully equally entertaining.-cb

A new milestone for Jack

At the risk of embarrassing Jack when he's older, I'll let you in on his latest milestone. Yesterday he called me at school to let me know he'd finally overcome a fear he'd been avoiding for some time now. He went number two on his stool.

We'd promised him a party for the day he did it. So, we took him to Dollar General to pick out a couple new Hot Wheels cars, then we all ate at McDonalds where he enjoyed a happy meal and playing with his new cars.

He attended an ACT Ottawa meeting with me later in the evening. He was a very good boy. Leo has a tooth coming in on the bottom and is still sweet. He's a big boy, too. Bigger than Jack was at the same age. Marian is healthy and doing well. She's a great wife and the kids are lucky to have her for a mom. She's great. We're all blessed, overflowingly.

Thanksgiving recap

Hi all. I've neglected my post for several weeks. For that I apologize, because I know for certain each of you were deeply disappointed that I had not written anything new for you to read. Likewise, I acknowledge your root desire to spend minutes and hours reading and re-reading every word from my keyboard; hanging upon each syllable as if it were sustenance you need to maintain your sanity and calibrate your moral compass. Well, be disappointed no more. The following is a play by play (of sorts) of my activities over the Thanksgiving Holiday break.

Of course, I did receive a genuine Holiday break from my job of teaching English. Not only did I receive the following Friday off work, but I also enjoyed the previous Wednesday away from the classroom as well. I'm blessed with that work schedule.

That previous Wednesday I rose early, early in the morning in order to drive and arrive in Humboldt by 7 a.m. I took good old Shelby along for the ride.There I did some cleaning out of the garage on a property that my aunt Betty and grandma Irene have been rejuvenating. I spent the day with Betty doing some improvements on the inside as well. We installed flooring . . . on the wall. I did some cobbling and installed some mopboard along the walls of a couple rooms. I didn't want to do too good of a job, otherwise it would look out of place with the rest of the house. It's a budget renovation, therefore should avoid investments of time or money when possible.

Grandma Irene treated us to lunch at Humboldt's H&H grill. Betty and I were joined by her son Dusty and his daughter Janae. Over a great cheeseburger and susy q's, I spoke briefly with Shawn Clounch. He looks and sounds just like his dad, my former little league baseball coach.

Around two thirty or so I became antsy to get back to Ottawa to see my own family, so I took off in a huff. About Colony dad called me saying "You forgot your dog!" Oh my gosh! She'd jumped in grandma's car to visit her house, and they were gone when it came time for me to go, and I just plain forgot her. I confirmed with grandma it would be okay to have Shelby stay the night, and continued driving on home.

At home, I indulged in a bit of a rest since Jack and Leo were both napping. Then, when Jack got up we did some serious playing with his cars. After a while, the nice sunlit day was hearkening for us to get outside and enjoy it, so we loaded up on the Hawthorne (my bicycle I resurrected from my Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Frank's auction pile, after grandpa died). We rode to Forrest Park, located beside the beautiful Marais des Cygne river, which is French for Marsh of the Swans. Jack played and played until just before dark. Back at home, we ate supper and prepared Leo and Jack for bed. Shortly after, Marian and I prepared ourselves for bed as well.

Thursday morning (Happy Thanksgiving!) we rose and got around in record time (for us) to travel to Humboldt again. We arrived a little after ten a.m. and spent some time catching up with my sister Clarie and her husband Dusty, who'd driven up from Ada, Ok. the night before. Their girls Macy, oldest, and Kali came with them (naturally) and their youngest, the boy Tuker. Tuker and Jack busied themselves playing. Kali and Macy played with Jack, too. But, they really were interested in Leo. Those girls are just the sweetest little things and they're the best cousins for our boys. Tuker is a boy, so I won't call him sweet and embarrass him. I'll say he's a fine young boy full of the curiosity and spirit that comes from good parents and a healthy country upbringing. Mom and dad's kitchen was full of giggles and kids' footsteps all morning. I could tell they relished having both their kids and their kids' families all there together.

It was a brisk Thursday, yet sunny and not too bad out of the wind. But, the wind was sharp and biting. Clarie and I visited Grandma Irene and handed down some of her stored Christmas decorations for her to access. On the way back to mom and dad's we were treated to a truly pleasant sight: Tuker and Jack in waist high grass trying to pull a little red wagon. They were having a ball trying to pull that wagon through the grass and falling down on the big cushion-like tufts of tall grass.

The food was delicious, of course. We ate our fill and retired to the chairs for some good conversation.

On Friday I went back to Humboldt and did some more work at the house on Central street. Not alot, but a little. Mom and dad went to Springfield so dad could pick up his brand new motorcycle. Once I returned from Humboldt, our family went to the local thrift store and purchased a few Christmas records to play on our record player. Since we were there, we allowed Jack to pick out a new car. He chose a police car. He likes police cars and emergency vehicles.

It was a great Thanksgiving break. I love getting to see both sides of the family. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I think most everyone did.

There must be a word for that

Here's a little thing I wrote awhile back. I don't know exactly what to call it.

It's just a little reflection on something small in life. Mostly, I wanted it to be

entertaining, but I'm not sure it accomplishes that. Anyway, enjoy!

We were playing casino, our favorite two-person card game; Marian and I. Leo was asleep in his crib. The two half jars of winter squash applesauce mixed with oatmeal were sure to soothe him, and his comfy footed pajamas would lull him into nightlong dreams of warm hugs and friendly, soft giraffes. Jack had fallen asleep on the couch watching musicians play their acoustic instruments on television. Their songs were like old barnwood and corn in the crib, and after struggling up ladders and zipping down slides at the park; after eating a supper of sauerkraut pork roast with carrots, fruit cocktail in a coffee cup, and two hot rolls with butter and honey washed down with milk; after he was scrubbed in a warm bath in the kitchen sink and he had pulled on his red and blue pajamas, the ones with a yellow neck band and little steam engines with smiling faces, the dark living room and warm acoustic music pulled his eyelids closed. I carried him in to tuck him into his bed.

Marian and I continued our game to its conclusion. A conclusion that was most dissatisfying to us both: a draw! At least there were no losers in the match. Since it was getting late our eyes were getting that scratchy feeling like sand in our eyes because we were tired. Marian laid her head down on the table. I suggested she go on to bed. She moaned that she couldn't, she still had to brush her teeth. "But, I thought you did that earlier, right after I carried number one to bed."

"No," she lamented, "I wish I would have," and added, "and I wish I would have put on my pajamas, too".

I thought there must be a word for that: that feeling of regret a person experiences when they realize they should have taken advantage of brushing their teeth and putting on their bedclothes earlier in the evening, before they become sleepy tired. So, when that moment of wanting to get in bed and go on to sleep arrives, all that must be done is to extinguish any candles and lights, look in on the sleeping babes, then slide in and curl up beneath the covers.

I'm not one for living with regret. Sometimes, though, I feel the burden of making that trek to the restroom to wash my face and brush my teeth when I have nodded off while reading in my chair in the living room. It's a routine sure to awaken me and cause me again to become alert and not at all sleepy and ready for bed like I was in the chair with the book in my lap.

What's the word for a small missed opportunity? It's such a small thing: to complete a task earlier than our regularly scheduled routine; all in order to give ourselves a little bit of extra comfort and ease in the future. I don't know what that word is; the word for the regret that comes from not brushing your teeth somewhere in between your last drink and bite to eat of the night, and the time when the right combination of being tired and ready for bed arrives. I don't know what that word is, but take a tip from me: give yourself that little reward at bedtime. Brush your teeth and put on your bedclothes early. Make it a smooth transition from chair to bed. You'll be happier for it!

Grandsons and their grandmother's technology

This is something I wrote a few weeks ago and have neglected to publish. My apologies for not keeping this blog up to date.

The following is for entertainment only. Any resemblance to actual persons is completely coincidental (feel better?).Enjoy!

It's the time of year for pictures. Trees have changed the color of the leaves and abandoned a carpet of them along the neighborhood lawns. The very sky has drained itself of its golden light: azure blue in the afternoon; Fabergé pinks at crisp dawn; sherbet oranges melting of a chill sunset. Charcoal geese have ushered in wet clouds the color of slate and through their honking have brought with them the rumor of winter. Sounds have become muted in the damp, cool air. Mothers unfold comfy sweaters from the bottom drawer. The outdoors smell of cedar and of smoke.

College students call home an extra time during these weeks. New moms dress their little boys in all their newest hand-me-downs. They have waited all summer to affirm their assumptions that he'd be a darling version of a little man in a chore coat, and brown leather belt.

Grandmothers everywhere again will take to the task of solving the riddle of their new digital cameras.You've seen them at the city park. They follow the little toddlers around viewing them almost exclusively through the viewfinder on the back of their new cameras. She may stumble unexpectedly as her foot steps from damp, grassy earth into the soft, slow pea gravel. And she'll mutter; or out and out talk to herself or to the camera in her hands as one holds it while the other works buttons on the back and turns a dial on the top. She may appear to be following the camera around, rather than following a possible subject for her photography. She is likely to demand of it, "Now, why won't you let me get back to that one I took earlier?" You may overhear her interject above the camera's silent argument with her, "No, no. You're not going to erase that one." She likely will call out to her daughter, there with her in the park, "This thing won't let me save more than one picture at a time," then ask, "does yours do that?"

Please be kind to these grandmothers. Look out for her safety if you see one. For you may have occasion to find her rebounding repeatedly against an out of the way windbreak wondering aloud "What's this thing doing?" or she may trapped in the corner of the shelter area expressing her bitter disappointment in the down turned camera, "I don't want to be clear over here. Take me back, take me back!"

But, she'll capture those little boys' smiles; the crooked blaze orange hunting cap; the slightly big chore coat and little brown leather belt. And the wind will blow brown paper bag leaves into a pile below the park bench. You'll see less and less of them as the season grows old and dies. They'll be back on one of those warm, false spring days just before February slams the back door and keeps keeps everyone pinned inside for a month. He'll be pulling her along by one hand, while she feels her way along with her feet, scowling as she complains to her newest technological marvel in hand, "No, I don't 'want to delete this image'!"

For Fun.

"To Kill A Mockingbird"

Sorry they are dark. Clayton can be seen as Judge Taylor (left photo, center) and giving a bow with the cast (right photo, second from left). -Mare-

Halloween

Here are some Halloween pics. At the bottom are photos from the Pumpkin Patch. -Mare-

"Trick Or Treat!"












Even cowboys need rest after a
long day of horse riding.

Leo is happy just before bedtime in his walker

My apologies to everyone about the low lighting. When we recorded Leo in the kitchen, it seemed light enough, but obviously it's not. However, the good stuff is still there. He's developing a personality of his own and interacting with us more and more. His little feet just barely graze the floor in this walker. Of course, he's real sweet. Yes, it is only November 2, and we've already found the radio station with the twenty four hour Christmas music! If a person listens closely,it's playing in the background.

Things are going along smoothly. I need to make a conscious effort to update this blog more often. I'm sure all you readers out there are just desperate for me to write so you can pore over it. There's not much higher in everyone's priority list above reading Clayton's blog, I'm certain.

We're praying for everyone's prosperity and good health. We love you all.

Leo and Clayton

All the drama is over

After about seven weeks of rehearsals in the evenings and on the weekends, we finally had production nights for To Kill a Mockingbird, and a Sunday matinée. I came down with some pretty wicked congestion, sinus pressure and very sore throat on Sunday night. I stayed home from school and didn't attend rehearsal on Monday. Despite that, I think it was very successful. We received alot of positive feedback from those who voiced their opinions.All of our actors performed very well. Actually on Friday we skipped a significant portion of the court scene, inadvertently, near the close of Act one, but the audience didn't notice or mind.
The Wednesday previous, we had another day performance for our freshman students. They even liked it, so to me that's pretty credible. Because ninth graders don't like anything as geeky as a play.

We were pleasantly surprised to have sold out performances on Friday night and Saturday, and nearly three quarters capacity on Sunday. Friday night I had a whole slew of people I knew who took time out of their busy schedules to come be in the audience. Let's see, Mom and Dad, Grandma Bonnie, Aunt Becky (thanks for the pretty flowers Beck!), Jane and Joe Works and Jane's mother Maxine Wollen attended. Thank you all for the support. It was a big investment of their time as our play extended past four hours when arriving early is taken into account. That's alot of sitting in some not too comfortable chairs. Sunday, Marian and her father attended the matinée performance. Again, thanks.

It took many evenings of my time and I need to thank Marian, Jack, and Leo for allowing me to pursue something as selfish as the play. Marian had many, many days where she was the sole entertainment, guidance counselor, food provider, and many other roles for the boys. She deserves a standing ovation for her efforts. Many days I'd leave before they were up, and arrive after they were in bed. I know it put a strain on Marian to have sole responsibility for the boys all day long. Also, thanks to Jack and Leo who, bless their hearts, are so easy to forgive their dad for not being there to spend time with them in the evenings.

I'll finish with the comments on the play with this: acting is fun. It's a rush to go out on stage and let everyone scrutinize your every move and word while you embody another's spirit and character. The people who worked to make the production of To Kill a Mockingbird are some of the neatest, most supportive people I know who are very understanding and multi-talented. Working with and getting to know these people has been a blast. Some of them I knew from the previous summer's production of The Skin of our Teeth, but there was a whole new group that I came to know in addition to them for this play. Thanks to Harper Lee for writing the novel. It's a classic. You are rendering a great disservice to yourself if you haven't read her book. It's fun, and it's deep. Thanks to Steve Strickland, who played that dirtbag Bob Ewell, who picked some mighty fine guitar and sang some low down, trampy blues for us (and allowed me to join in) at the cast party Sunday night. I recommend getting out there and taking on a role in your community theater, it is good for your spirit. I'll try to get some pictures of it up here someday.

That Saturday I took Jack to Humboldt to spend the day with his Papa David on his birthday. Mom had traveled to Tulsa (as it turns out) with her gal group, so dad was on his own for his birthday. Jack and I arrived close to eleven. Dad and I played our guitars and Jack played along on the harmonica. Then, we took ride on the gold cart, despite the cool, wet weather. Then, we wrapped it up with trip to visit grandma Irene (g.g. for great-grandma Irene) where she fixed us a delicious lunch of scrambled eggs and mushrooms, with toast and coffee. That was a pretty nice day.

I have to say thanks to Clarie for all her wonderful support. She's like a good pair of underwear with all the support she provides. I know she's not through giving support either. I want to make you proud Clarie, and your advice does not fall on deaf ears.

I have to toot Marian's and my horn a little. Last week, during all the scrambling to put on a play, we celebrated our 8th year of marriage. We couldn't even do anything special. She got a nice message on post-it note from me. She tolerates alot from me. And she does a great deal of doing without for her family's sake. But, my goal is to change that and place myself in a position where I can be a better provider and give her the nice things a woman like her desires, and deserves. I'd be a bum without Marian. I love you, Marian.

We've completed the first quarter of school already. It's flying by. Believe it or not, I sort of look forward to this time of year when it's not just crackling cold yet, but nice and brisk and I can come in from the dark to a warmly lit, wholesome smelling kitchen. There I'll find my wife with her little ole' apron on cooking something up, and my two boys on the kitchen floor playing while she does so. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm richly blessed.

I pray overflowing prosperity and blessings on all my family, friends, and enemies, and myself. Try to value each day and suck the marrow out of it. I love you all.

October's dark, damp days

It's a Thursday, and it feels like it. Rain fell on us in the early morning hours while inside we were tucked away, cozy in our beds. Drizzle dampened the tops of my legs on my 15 minute bike ride to school, and moisture gathered into fat drops on the brim of my helmet as I rode. Light from the streetlamps reflected onto the wet streets stretched nearly a block long and cast the rode in a yellowish bath. Now, the black sky is incrementally growing brighter outside the window in my classroom, but low lying clouds will insure a gray, morning.

Last Saturday I loaded up the family and we drove to Humboldt for the 52nd annual Biblesta parade. I had been contacted by my aunt Debbie to be on the First Baptist Church's float. I portrayed one of two men who encounter Jesus on the road to Arameas. I wore a full length crimson robe and turbin, and the funnest part was wearing an artificial "fu-man-chu" beard. Matt Loomis portrayed Jesus. I've known Matt just about my entire life, so it was good to chat with him. The day started out cool and gray, but then turned to warm sun and cool breeze.

Marin, Jack, and Leo sat on the west side of 8th street in front of the bank with grandma Bonnie, aunt Becky and mom, where they've sat each year for as long as I've been attending the event. Marian tells that Jack completely averted his eyes away from and would not view the horses as they passed, but rather watched her face and asked, "are they gone?" But, he liked watching all the people and he almost worked up enough nerve to enter a "moonwalk" inflatable jumping area. Mom took him to the elementary school playground for a while. After the parade, Marian, Leo and I sat with Becky and talked, while grandma had moved to the park to listen to the music entertainers. Mare and I sampled the hot dogs and pie.

We then took the boys to see grandma Irene. We talked and the boys played and then she joined us at mom and dad's for the ham and bean dinner. Dad still wore his full biker regalia as he was helping to put on the motorcycle show. He'd just arrived back the day before from a whirlwind trip on his bike to Las Vegas. He's the real deal. Then mom and dad had to take off to attend their church's revival, so our family loaded up to leave around 6:30.

Sunday was a bright and gorgeous October day, so we took the boys outside of town to the pumpkin patch for a hay wagon ride behind the tractor. They took us out on a short ride to the pumpkin patch and we picked out three. Jack finally got his chance to try out the moon walk at the pumpkin patch and he tore it up. He was just bouncing and singing and screaming and just being a boy. It was a fun afternoon.

The play is going along well, I've started accumulating my costuming options, and I've nearly got all my lines down pat. I attended Wednesday night graduate class last night. Tonight and Friday night I'll be at the courthouse attending play practice. I'll be relieved when the play is over and I can be home in the evenings.

For those of you who are wondering, Shelby (my dog) is doing well. She's itching and scratching and otherwise underfoot most of the time; same as usual.

I also forgot to mention Marian received a speeding ticket the other day when she was leaving Ottawa, driving to Lawrence. It's an expensive little ticket. She was leaving a 30 mph zone and approaching a 45 zone. I guess she jumped the gun a little.

Kitchen moments

This is a lengthy video of Jack seated in the high chair at the table looking at some recent acquisitions from the library and just being a kiddo.

I hope everyone is well. This Saturday we'll be traveling to Humboldt for Biblesta. I'm looking forward to seeing both of my grandmas and parents.

Marian took Jack and Leo to books and babies today. Then on to the dr.'s office where Leo received three shots. While there, Marian tells me, Jack played real hard with a group of other kids in the waiting room with all the toys there. She said she let him play for an hour there while he was just silly and happy. He didn't nap today, but she said he remained pleasant all day.

I promise we are not shy about photographing Leo. But, I do see a lack of his pictures here. So, I'll make a pointed effort to get him on video and download some pictures of him here. I don't want to appear to favor one boy over the other. I love them both equally. We're very blessed with healthy kids. I am blessed to have such a great wife and the boys are blessed with a great mom. We're blessed. There, that ought to cover it!

Today was gorgeous weather, if a little windy. Temperatures in the seventies and that fabulous autumn sun really welcomed in October. Play practice tonight, in an hour; then, Friday (hallelujah).

We love you all, you know who you are.

Saturdays in September

What a glorious time of year. Saturday afternoon in the shade of the mature maple tree, while all around luxurious, warm sunlight bathes the neighborhood. A cool breeze from the west makes even common outdoor tasks a pleasure. A good day to take Jack on the single speed Hawthorne, in the seat behind the saddle, not in the trailer. Wear the bright yellow, reflective safety vest to increase visibility. Turn east out of the drive onto Powhattan. It's one of the sections between north and south streets that is gravel, and it crunches beneath the tires. Adjust the rearview mirror on the helmet so cars can be seen approaching from behind.

Then, at the intersection turn north onto Sycamore. A smoothly paved gradual incline leads to the a main artery out of town in Wilson street. A right turn goes east again. It descends gradually all the way to a Franklin Co. road, Davis street. The bicycle picks up speed gradually to where the single speed Hawthorne hits top end and pedaling is impossible. Few cars and pickups are out and about, and they're generally respectful of the space the bicycle requires. Hold your line and keep straight. Give them a wave as they pass if they gave the bike room. Not everyone gives room.

On Davis street, turn left again and head north past the American Eagle distribution center and its campus. Between the two massive cream colored buildings is a walkway above a paved delivery road. It's enclosed for employees to walk between the two addresses.

The road levels out and at the stop sign where the road intersects with Franklin Co.,Sand Creek

road. Schuff steel is on the corner where they hundreds of massive dark steel I beams and channel iron and different arches stacked neatly beneath a football field size bridge crane. A mistake made in handling one of those steel beams is unforgiving. Men have died on a half dozen different occasions there through the years of its operation.

Stay north on Davis and a quarter mile section of the road turns to gravel. Keep going up to the newly paved approach to the viaduct over what will be the new section of Kansas highway 59. Do a U turn and look at the dozen or so different five ton trucks with their unique tanks and hoses and boxes and each one a red cab with a white business logo on the door.

Get a drink from the canteen as thousands of small flat bottomed, puffy topped clouds race by above. Drink in the deep blue of the September sky. Smell harvest on the wind.

Back down the overpass, retrace the path onto the gravel and stop beside a field of feed corn still on the stalk. Get off the bike and walk around beside the corn. Listen to it. It sounds like people talking in a convention, or in the intermission of a play. It rattles, chatter. It whispers. Thumb off a dozen kernels into the palm. Pour ten into Jack's pocket and let him carry two in his hands.

It's getting on toward supper time now. Ride along and keep the eyes on the side of the road for pliers and rope and bungee cords, and reflectors. Listen to Jack ask about the chasing dogs and the cows in the dairy farm. Listen to the train pass a ways off, then see the long line of rail cars through a break in the trees. Thank God for prosperity and family, and his creation. Ride home without incident and cook chicken out on the grill. Heat canned corn on the rangetop.

For your enjoyment: my interesting family

Greetings! I don't have much to report. Last weekend was the big car show in Ottawa. Saturday night we walked downtown to watch the vintage cars and customs cruise up and down main street. There were an estimated 1200 cars entered in the show. Downtown Ottawa was packed! I was genuinely surprised. It's an annual event, but we'd never attended. We took the boys in the double stroller, the side by side one. That was a mistake. It made it very difficult to maneuver through the throngs of people crowding the sidewalks. Food vendors set up booths on the courthouse lawn,with all the usual fare. That's what we had for supper. Seeing all those old vehicles made me want to have an antique truck to putter around on and in. No more than I drive and need a truck, I figure I might as well have one with some character.

School is going along. The play is going along. It's a little cold on my bike ride to school these days in the morning. We're already only a few weeks away from completing our first quarter.

I've began a graduate class on multicultural literature. I'm reading some interesting books with that label in common. One is a graphic novel, a book length comic, which is an autobiography of a

girl growing up in revolutionary Tehran, Iran. It's informative and helps simplify the conflicts taking place over there.

I have some pictures that are really quite random, and that I am not responsible for taking. They show my family members (mom, dad, and sister) doing some different things. Enjoy!

This Clarie competing in a "mini-triathlon". Yes, that's right, a triathlon! My dad David took this picture. I was not present. Clarie's hard core!

Below is a picture of my dad David standing in front of a "longboard" in Hawaii. Mom and dad visited Hawaii last year (the bums!) and dad tried his hand, er . . . feet, at surfing. He's standing next to his surfing coach, Russel Risch. He married Chika Hiwatashi. She was a Japanese student who stayed at our house for a period when I was in elementary school. Hang ten dad!

On the right is my mom Terry and her sister, my aunt Debbie, tap dancing in a show. They've got the step-ball-change down. The bling! Look at that bling! Hot feet, hot feet!

Above is mom and Debbie again, and I think that's the third sister, my aunt Becky. The Trifecta! You can't defeat them, you can only hope to contain them.

A great weekend; now for a great week!

I don't have any pictures for the blog entry today. I hope everyone was well enough to get out and enjoy the great weather we had (at least it was great in Ottawa). The days are getting shorter and before too long I expect it'll begin to frost in the night. But, it's getting on to be my favorite time of year: autumn. I love the smells of fall, and the colors. I like the cool weather, too. I'll miss the longer daylight, but I won't miss the humidity and heat (which we seemed to be spared from this summer). Plus, autumn is the season for going back to school; Biblesta; and my wedding anniversary. We have two sons to costume for Halloween this year. I know Marian is looking forward to that. I guess I don't get too excited about football anymore, but I sure did when I was in high school and fall was the time of year for all those previously mentioned things, as well as high school dances and dove hunting.Anyway, you don't need me to tell you all the things that arrive with fall.

So, a report on what I did this weekend: Friday night, the four of us ate at Poncho's and I had to rub it in a little by sending Clarie a text message saying so. We rented a movie from the Redbox at Walgreen's: "Slumdog Millionaire". It's interesting. Takes place in Mumbai, India among this entire city of homeless people living among a landfill and cardboard shacks. The main character's parents are killed by Mumbai's residents who wish to banish the squatters from the temporary city. He somehow gets on "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" and he . . . well, you'll just have to watch to learn the outcome. Beware! It contains alot of subtitles.

Saturday, I got Jack around as quickly as possible and took him on the bicycle down to the park where they had the weekend long Power of the Past antique engine and tractor show. We couldn't possibly look at all the tractors and engines they had. Jack looked at tractors and played on the playground equipment. We returned to the house for a catfish lunch and to see Mare and Leo. For supper, all of us returned to the park and Mare and I had a hog roast dinner complete with homemade pie and homemade ice cream.

Sunday morning, again I got Jack around as quickly as possible and took him, you guessed it, to the park again for an outdoor church service. Then, playtime on the equipment with other kids. We watched an old, old thresher at work. Those old time belt driven machines sure look like they'd take an arm off without even thinking about it. Jack was a good boy, so he got sunday morning homemade ice cream.

In the afternoon we watched a little bit of the Chiefs game. Then Jack and I rode the bike to Wal-Mart with our trailer and picked up some necessities before returning home for a supper of homemade chicken pot pie. That Marian is sure getting to be a good cook!

So, that's it. There were lots of little details about the weekend I could go on and on about, but you all have lives you might want to get to, so I won't. It was a gorgeous weekend, and I didn't do one productive thing, aside from investing in my family with our most valuable resource: time.

I hope your week goes well, all of you. We're thinking of you.

Happy holidays! 9/4/09

Happy holidays! That is, enjoy your labor day holiday and three day weekend. I hope everyone gets to enjoy a three day weekend. I know some of you out there don't get the privelege of a three day weekend, but I do and I'm very grateful for it. If you have to work over the weekend let me just say I respect and admire your work ethic. This world would not go 'round if everyone kept the same schedule as us spoiled teachers!

We had a big annual campout planned for the weekend, but with the forecast calling for rain and low temps., we decided against it because Jack and Leo both have snotty noses and coughs. Mare and I have camped in the rain before plenty and gotten along just fine, in fact enjoyed it. But, it's not fair for the little ones to be expected to wear rain gear the whole time or be stuck in the tent, so we'll break tradition and stay home. After all, we musn't be bound by tradition, now should we? Instead, I'll try to strike a few "honeydos" off the extensive list I've let accumulate.

I have successfully secured a role as Judge Andrews in the community theater's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird". It's to be shown in mid October. I hope all of you will consider coming up to watch it. I'll be shamelessly promoting it and equally shamefully asking you to buy tickets from me. It's not a big role, but not a small one either. I kind of like the authority I feel sitting in the judge's chair behind the bench. Overruled! or Sustained! Which is it? I don't know, but it feels good just to say it in a commanding voice.

Mare had her birthday on tuesday. We had a nice dinner date at El Mezcal for it. She fed Leo some rice cereal on that day. I think he's ready for some food containing more substance. He wakes up about three times a night to feed. I'm (we're ) ready for him to sleep a little longer through the night.

I've just got to brag a little here. I think I've been blessed with the best family and in-laws a guy can have. All of my relatives have played such an important role in making me who I am. (For that, you may take credit, or share the blame; depending on how you think I came out!) But, seriously, I love all my family: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, of course parents and sister, and my in laws I've grown very fond of as well. When I see some of the horrible relationships some of my students have with their families, or when students don't have that stable home life, like I was blessed with, I'm doubly thankful for all of you. I'm very proud of every one of my relatives. You've overcome obstacles and adversity and have thrived in a world that tries to bring you down. Keep on fighting the good fight!

Try to do something for yourselves this weekend. It's okay. You deserve it. Stay healthy, avoid that swine flu, that mad cow disease, and beware of angry old goat syndrome too!

I'll leave you with this truly bad joke: A man went to a psychiatrist for help. He said, "Doctor can you help me? One night I dream I'm a wigwam. The next night I dream I'm a teepee. What's the matter with me?"
The doctor said, "I know what your problem is. You're two tents!"

Back ai it: 8/30/09

Here it is a sunday and the weather is just gorgeous for any time of year, let alone August!
The high for today is 72. Last night was plumb cool. Plumb cool, I tell you. We built a fire in our outdoor fireplace; our neighbors drifted over to talk with one of their little girls. All of us (our family) went up to the Franklin county court house (the historic one no longer in use, designed by noted Kansas architect George Washburn, on the historic square) for me to audition for Act Ottawa's production of Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird". You may remember that novel of hers, the only one she wrote, her first naturally, which one the Pulitzer Prize, from your freshman English class. Themes: racism; growing up. I auditioned for a "medium" role, not the most important, but not the least. I'm looking forward to it.

I was able to take Jack on a bike ride in the trailer both today and yesterday. I'm trying to work all the kinks out of this Takara three speed bike.

The first day of school is complete. We started off on the right foot in all the classes. I only have one class that will be really low performing. But, I think the couselors beleive I'm these students' only hope at success. Everyone at the high school is starting off with a positive attitude. Should be a good year. Next week we'll have the monday off for Labor day.

Marian's birthday is on tuesday she'll be . . . well, she'll be entering the final year of a particular decade, let's just put it that way.

I've been asked to be on the Franklin County United Way board of directors as a representative of USD 290. I'll begin with a meeting on tuesday night. I think it will be a good opportunity for me.

Below, I've included some random pictures from off of our camera of different days and activities from the summer and more recently.

I hope everyone is doing well. We love you all and hope your autumn is getting off to a good start.

Good morning class! I took this picture just for mom: my first day of school. Look at me. Just look at me, would you? The top half of my wardrobe consists of entirely "previously owned, gently used" clothing. The blazer, I think is from grandpa Jim. The shirt and tie are definitely his. The tie is so old it is from "Hatch Town and Country Fashions, Humboldt, Kansas". I've never even heard of it before. But it's just like new and I've received some compliments on it. I think I'm the only one, besides one administrator, to wear a tie. The previous two male teachers who occupied this room before me, wore ties daily. I thought I'd keep up the tradition, even though I'd never worn one before to work. But, as my colleagues pointed out, one of those teachers resigned to go teach in Korea, the other one was canned at the end of last year, so, I don't know what that means for me.

I received my bike tires from FedEx last night and hurriedly installed the front one, which had been flat for two weeks. So, I was able to ride my bike on the first day of class with students. I'm sure I looked like Mr. English Professor riding my bike looking like this with my helmet on, and my backpack tucked into my front wire basket. I'm ready to go in spirit and attitude, even if not fully ready in materials and planning. I guess I could use this time more wisely to prepare for school instead of writing on this blog. Wish me well!

Here I am in my classroom Monday morning. You can still see there are boxes that need put away and the walls are pretty bare, but other than that I'm ready to go. That's a baby moon hubcap that's up above the whiteboard beside the digital clock (black rectangle). I picked it up from beside the road when I was cycling to school last year. On the floor over my shoulder you can see a small square section of the former gymnasium floor. I have it placed in front of our class podium for height and conversation.

I have plenty to do to prepare for students for half the day tomorrow. I'd better get to it.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

All of the USD 290 teachers reported back to work today. Some looked a little different. Almost all I knew had something to say about my hair cut. Generally, everyone looked tan and slimmer. I still have much to do to get prepared for school to start.

I'm bummed because I can't seem to get my school computer to work correctly and do everything I can get my older school laptop to do at home. I'm trying to figure it out because I want to incorporate some technology into my classroom lessons. I guess it'll be solved in time.

Yesterday, Marian began watching another little 2 year old boy. He and Jack had a blast together. Jack is good at sharing and not bossing. They must have played quite a bit, because Marian said they both ate quite a bit. She is scheduled to watch him about three times a week until October.

A lengthy ramble on the weekend's events among other things

Hey all. It's Monday morning on the 10th of August. I'm writing this at the high school. I hooked up my computer and needed to check out all the systems and take it out for a drive to blow the cobwebs out of it and what better way to do that than to make a new post on the ole' blog.

Jack came up here with me on Saturday to do a little initial organizing of the room. He is a big help. I'd promised him a McDonald's Happy Meal, but when we turned the bike and trailer onto the bike path I got a flat tire (ugh!) I'm having fits with flat tires on my bikes, let me tell you, but I just ordered some high dollar tires off the internet last night and they should take care of that problem when I get them. Anyway, we ate a Happy Meal at Dairy Queen instead and we had just as much fun. Marian came and picked us up and she and Leo joined us for lunch.

Speaking of bikes, I was stopped at a lighted intersection in downtown Ottawa by a grizzled looking cyclist fully loaded down with saddlebags in back and in front who said he was pedaling from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. He was on his way to a local state park to camp for the night. Someday, I'd like to do something like that.

I've got a new room at the high school. It's not as big as my former room., it does not have any student computers, and it's regarded as the black sheep of all the English classrooms; but, I love it because it has two big wall height windows looking into a courtyard of sorts. I plan to get that courtyard looking good and hopefully be able to utilize some student labor to do so while learning English related content in the process.

After hearing a couple of stories about newborns being born with severe complications and disabilities, Marian and I took a few moments to thank God for healthy children. When I hear some parents complaining about their child's hair color or eye color or height, weight etc. I remember those parents who are not able to hold their children for however long, because they are in an incubator or must be rushed off immediately for surgery. We are truly blessed to have healthy children. God provides all we have. None of it is from my own hands.

Well, I've been sidetracked by blogging this morning and in the meantime, boxes need opened and the rest of the room needs organizing. I suppose I should walk down the halls and see if any of my teaching buds are here too. Most of them will wait until the last possible opportunity to arrive back at the school. Me, I'll probably be here all week and wait to get anything done until the last possible moment. It's going to be the best school year so far. Let's get it on!

Friday, Aug. 7, 2009: Back from the great outdoors

The family took a camping trip to Woodridge campground this week. We left on Tuesday late afternoon, drove 30 or so miles to Clinton Lake on the West side of Lawrence. We took so much we had to take two vehicles! We only planned on staying two nights, but we had enough ice and food leftover, and no plans for Friday, so we decided to stay Thursday night as well. It was on the border of being just too dang hot. We staved off the heat by cleaning up with soap and a washrap pretty frequently. The weather was actually pretty mild. Jack absolutely loved it and played as hard as he could until dark then would crash in the tent until morning. Leo is a camper too, and didn't fuss too much until Thursday night when he couldn't quite get comfortable. We took a bunch of pictures, so you should expect to see some of them posted before too long.

Well, I'm going back to school next week. It will be nice to be back on a schedule. I've learned we now must report to the school by 7:15 a.m. each school day. It's only fifteen minutes more, but it seems like it will make a difference to my schedule on how I get around. I already rode my bike to school in the dark most of the school year, this will make it even more likely to be dark when I ride.

I read with interest an informational flyer sent by our district's senator how we the Kansas voters will vote to decide to reword the right to bear arms wording in the Kansas Constitution. I'm unsure if it strengthens or weakens it. It is much more specific in nature.

This weekend I hope to finally put the very last finishing touches of painting on what I've left to go on the house. I might go up and visit my school room tomorrow, Saturday to put some things in order.

It's been a great summer and for all practical purposes has drawn to a close. We have one more big weekend in Labor day coming up. We traditionally do another big campout at Woodridge with Marian's parents to celebrate her birthday, but she said today if it's above 85 degrees, we might break tradition.

That's the Broyles' family news: nothing exciting, just the everyday life that will make for great memories for us, and hopefully a great upbrining for Jack and Leo.

More to come . . .

A lunchdate with Jack

Here's a short vid. of Jack just eating a lunch of leftovers from Ponchos. It's just a little bit of the everyday life people don't get to see which is just alot of fun.

A new pic. of Leo in his swing, sort of grinning

Catching up on all the biz-ness

Well here it is Tuesday the fourth of August already. I'll try to recap what we've all been up to, though really I can only speak for myself. I've been putting the finishing touches on the south side of the house with paint, mowed once (exciting stuff isn't it?). Jack and I camped over at Pomona Lake at the Adams Grove campground last Wednesday night. We had the entire campground to ourselves as noone else was out there. Jack had a blast letting his "pushcart" roll down the boat ramp into the water where it would start to float and he'd wade in to fetch it. He also likes watching the boats unload and load onto and off of their trailers.

We also went to Lawrence to Sunflower Outdoor and Bike shop to get mom a present. It was rainy and we'd brought along Jack's porta-potty because he was only wearing his underwear. He went potty in the back of the car on it in the rain.

Friday, we drove down to grandma Bonnie's house for polish sausages and the usual fare for supper. Becky and Randy came and mom and dad of course. We had cake and home made ice cream for mom's 61st birthday. She doesn't look a day past 29! We all had a nice visit there.

Saturday we'd planned all week to have dad come up to Ottawa to help install guttering on my house, but he had some sub-standard work performed by an employee he needed to correct and asked if I'd help him on Saturday instead. So, I went to Colony, Kansas and helped turn some wrenches with him and another fellow. We all ate at the A&W in Iola.

Sunday, all of us drove to Lawrence again for Marian to meet a lady at a park to purchase a twin size bedspread she'd found on Craigslist. Sunday night, Jack and I went to Garnett, Kansas and camped with a fellow I teach English with, and his two kids. I took the canoe, but Jack didn't like it, so one of the other guy's kids was the lone passenger. Oh, well. He'll come to like it in time. Yesterday, Monday, after we arrived home, we basically all needed rest, so rest we did.

All of us are to go to Lawrence tonight to Clinton Lake, at Woodridge Campground and camp with Marian's mom and dad. Oh, I hope it's hot and sticky. NOT!

Good news, everybody. Marian and I are finally going to see a dentist after 10 years or more for each of us. Our teeth are not falling out of our heads or anything, but they're overdue for some loving. We'll go today before we head out to the campground.

I've got about a week before school begins again. After this campout, I'll focus in on that.

Leo is rolling over and is just as cute as he can be. He slobbers alot. Probably because he's teething. He smiles alot at us and is a pretty happy baby. He's the calm one of the two.

That's all for now, I'll update when I can and will be a little more regular with it once school starts.

A video Jack made for Macy, Kali, and Tucker

A video Jack made for the

Jack and Clayton say hi and bye Wednesday, July 29,2009

Pix of Jack and Leo

Here are some shots Mare took at home with the boys.















I think Jack looks like Kali in this pic.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Yesterday, Jack And I drove to Lawrence to the bike shop and had their guys do a little mod. to my three speed. It rained quite a little bit while we were there, and on the way back to Ottawa, and then the rest of the afternoon! It made for some nice sleeping with the attic fan on.

I'm up with Leo this a.m. making a blog entry while Mare gets a little further sleep. Leo is cooing and coughing. His own way of talking. Today he has a doctor's check-up and must get his shots (boo).

I've got class to attend tonight and a little reading to do today, so no painting on the house today.

We'll be driving to grandma Bonnie's house Friday for cake and ice cream for mom's birthday. Saturday, mom and dad talked about driving up to see the grandkids and help put up guttering, respectively.

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Success!

It seems I've successfully posted our first family blog. Hooray! People who know me know
I don't normally use exclamation marks, so it should indicate the level of excitement I feel in doing this!

First blog: 27, July 2009

Welcome to the Broyles family blog. These are its virgin keystrokes. How exciting!

I'll add more when I know what the heck I'm doing.