EMERGENCY!

No one likes to get those calls: the unexpected ones.

I was teaching right along explaining the stinging dialogue between Mercutio and Romeo to a class of freshman students when the phone rang.

Marian's voice was calm, but I could hear the thick waver and knew she'd been crying, "Honey I'm having an emergency and I need you to bring your keys down to the library. I've locked my keys in the car and Leo's in it."

I ran through some scenarios quickly before I spoke. "Okay, I'll leave right now." I tried to sound confident and purposeful and above all, calm.

My main problem, as far as I could ascertain, was that, like usual, I'd ridden my bike to school. OHS is on the south end of town. Our house is across the river on the north end of town. I first had to go home to get my car keys, because I don't carry them with me when I'm on my bike. The next obvious problem was getting there quickly.

I gathered up my gloves, my leather jacket, and my helmet; told the students I had to leave then, and I exited the room. Almost immediately I ran into an assistant principal. I explained my dilemma and asked that he take over the class or find someone who would. He immediately offered the use of his pickup, and though I thought about objecting, I quickly thought better of it and accepted.

I drove home and retrieved the keys, then drove back across the river about halfway between the school and home to the city library where Marian stood holding Jack by the rear passenger side door of our car.

Poor Leo was buckled in his car seat looking out at Mare and just crying in frustration fear and confusion. Immediately Mare's face eased into relief. I had them unlocked and we both loved on Leo for a bit to ease his distress. I kissed them all bye, and drove back to school.

I spent the rest of the afternoon explaining to each class the "emergency" I had to attend to and assuring them nothing truly "emergency" happened.

I feel as if this incident will be proof positive to some of the people out there who would argue I need to drive a vehicle instead of pedaling my bike. I don't know about that. Yes, I was able to accomplish this task much more quickly, but I feel I would still have accomplished it nonetheless, even on a bike.

Lastly, I'm relieved this did not occur in the brutal heat of summer. That might have truly been an emergency.

All's well that ends well!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hey everyone it's that time of year when we have to "prove" our love to our significant others by spending some quantity of either time or money on them. Wait, that's the other 364 days of the year. "But, Clayton, the commercials and media tell us we need to show them our love in the ways they suggest! Look at those couples reigniting the flame of their love over a candlelit dinner; or the other couple in winter sweaters, before a cheery fireplace, sharing a long, genuine hug after he gave her a diamond. That's good stuff!"  Well, maybe. But, more and more I'm becoming a person who generally doesn't believe in celebrating holidays, or recognizing birthdays or anniversaries. Maybe that means I need to become a Jehova's witness. I'm told they share a similar approach.

However, I appreciate the sentiment. I suppose I'll admit, rather grudgingly, that it does feel somewhat nice to know someone else beside myself is thinking of me, and my kids. My admiration for St. Valentine's day would likely grow if public education would successfully lobby to observe that holiday by not attending school, along with all the other ones it already observes. While they're at it, they should just tack on St. Patrick's day, too. After all, the only thing accomplished on those days in public education is the completion of NCAA tournament brackets!

Lastly, I'll apologize for not writing lately. Or maybe I'll accept your thanks for not writing lately, depending upon how you the reader view it.

I think I've successfully made it through the roughest part of the winter and have rode my bicycle each day school was in session. Eight snow days has helped my goal considerably. The coldest morning the bank sign said negative 12 degrees. Negative twelve degrees. I had a good frosty beard (I have a beard now) when I arrived at school and the students remarked on that.

Our family attended the groundhog feed in Humboldt. Mom and dad were in California. We visited Irene and I dropped off books in case she wants something to read. We visited Janay's birthday party and got to see the new Bartlett, Katelyn Jo, just a couple weeks old. We visited Bonnie and looked at a bunch of pictures from about the last fifteen or so years. That was a trip down memory lane. I sure did like seeing my grandpa Frank on his horses, and my cousin Tim roping, and Ross, Jayme, and Shane as youngsters.

Saturday night our single neighbor took us out to eat pizza for shoveling snow from her driveway. Then we had some teacher friends come over for a bit. Sunday, our family took a ride on the bikes out and about. It was nice and sunny; clear and cool, perfect conditions for a bike ride.

I was told about my sister's bad day of getting stuck in the snow, locking herself out of the house and running out of gas . . . all in one day! Now that's what a former generation would call a "Calgon" day, as in "Calgon, take me away!" Good thing my sis is so tough. Nothing affects her.

The boys are fine. They have a blast and fight a little bit, too. Mare's well. She takes care of us and I love her. Hope all is well with all of you. You are all on my mind.