Catching up

Well, here it is Friday April 9 already. Easter has come and gone. The NCAA men's championship was decided, and opening day for the Royals arrived. Out of those three, Easter was by far the most noteworthy.

The day before Easter I was tied up all morning and afternoon with filming for The Wake. Marian had planned on taking the boys to Baldwin City to meet up with Lisa, Pat, and Cash Bishop for their city Easter egg hunt, and my truck had been loaned out to an acquaintance from school all week, therefore I was left without a vehicle. Filming began in the empty house 9-10 miles southwest of Ottawa at 8:00. So, I woke at the same schedule as for school days, 5:15, breakfasted, then set off. I allowed myself plenty of time because southwest of Ottawa are the Chippewa Hills. It's a very pretty landscape of rolling hills and curves. I wasn't sure how I'd do on them as I'd be riding my three speed and I wasn't sure if the low gear on it was quite low enough. Plus, I'd be carrying two changes of clothing, my workboots, and a canteen of water. The bike is built for utility to begin with, including fenders, chain guard, and two collapsing wire baskets. It's much heavier than a bike built for racing. Long story short, I made it up those hills slowly, but without walking and made it there in good time.

Then, we adjourned to town to a separate location for the basement scenes. I was done around 3 and went home. Mare and fam. were there. They said it was super busy a the egg hunt. Jack liked talking to the Easter Bunny, but told him "you're just a pretend one!" He also liked jumping in the moonwalk.

Sunday we went to Grandma Bonnie's house. We arrived shortly before she did. It was a beautiful day, but WINDY! All the regulars attended, except Addie, Dustin and Jayme (Stanley) Fowler's daughter. We ate a big meal. The men talked about fields, oil, and county news. The women talked about . . .Jack and Leo? Everything was delicious. Then we sang happy birthday for Jack and he opened his big Tonka Truck "like Tukers!" and we had a slice of birthday cake Marian had made and brought with her. Then Grandma handed out assignments and the men all split to perform various chores for her: change the oil and filter and grease two mowers; use the chainsaw to cut down some brush along the south pipe fence; repair her mailbox some lowlife had vandalized; and dad and I went ahead and prepared her flower beds for planting, just in case she decided she wanted to plant something.

I was roped into playing washers with Dustin and Ross. Ross has this custom made traveling washers game he brought to humiliate us with. Turns out, Dustin was the big winner. We then assembled on the west end of the big red barn for a group picture in the wind and had to give mom all kinds of heck about it. Once, she had to run from the group to catch the camera from being blown over on its tripod. We were all yelling for her to catch it and laughing, and it made Leo cry.

We left there about five. Our family went in to visit Grandma Irene for Easter, and to look at her Lincoln. We're trying to think ahead for a year and a half from now when Mare probably wants to get pregnant again, and we'd outgrow our trusty little Ford Focus. Grandma is so generous, she is not concerned about selling it to us, but using that amount of money toward a college fund for Jack and Leo instead. I tell you, my family is blessed.

We left there about dusk and headed back to Ottawa to prepare for another week. The boys were worn to a frazzle and I think Mare and I were too. It's hard work having that much fun.

Leo's first birthday

What a busy, busy weekend. We celebrated Leo's first birthday on Saturday, even though it was a little early. Both of my grandmas attended. They traveled with my mom and dad. Marian's parents and brother also came. Marian's best friend and her husband and their one year old came too. Marian worked hard all week to get the house in order for the guests, not that it is ever much of a mess. It's just that she was distracted all week with spring cleaning and that usually produces a huge, temporary mess. She made a carrot cake, from scratch. She'd made a silhouette of a rabbit from powdered sugar to decorate the top. She also made some carrot cupcakes. She served some finger food of veggies and dip and those ham, pickle and cream cheese tortilla roll-ups. I wasn't any help through the week, other than keeping the boys occupied and out of her hair when I could. All in all, I think everyone enjoyed the afternoon.

Leo has such a good extended family. They all get along and there was no "drama" like you hear about in other families. He received some nice books, toys, and money we'll place into his savings account. I was very proud of him and I felt great when he'd crawl across the room through the guests talking to him and offering their arms to hold him, to me. He'd pull himself up on my pant legs and want me to hold him.

Jack was also pretty well-behaved. He hadn't had a nap and did pretty well. Jack also received a few presents so he wouldn't be left out. See how thoughtful our families are?

I was busy Saturday acting in the short film that's being made. I learned alot about how movies are made, even if it was on a small scale, and equally small budget. All of us had quite a pleasant experience. I returned there after the birthday party until almost eleven. Then, I returned to film some more all Sunday afternoon. I'm anxious to see how it all comes together after the editing.

I know eventually I'll get to posting more pictures on this blog instead of all the writing. But, once again they'll be no pix this time.

Spring is here! . . . maybe

Things around Franklin county and Ottawa are looking up in one regard: weather. As most of you noticed here in the midwest, our first day of spring brought with it a dump of up to 4" of snow. Enough snow arrived on Saturday night it made the outlying county roads around here impassable and Monday's school was cancelled. Then, on Monday we were treated to a snow day where we enjoyed a day of sunshine and upwards of 50 or more degrees. Go figure!

Spring break just concluded. Most of it was cold, damp, and gray. I did manage to rake 95% of my lawn and haul off the leaves; six pickup loads. I also sewed some fescue in the lawn and broadcast some fertilizer. So, the damp conditions were favorable for that, at least. Mostly I was home helping to keep the boys occupied while Marian tried to do things she needed or wanted to do. We attended the Lawrence St. Patrick's day parade. Though the parade was good, we were situated on the other side of the bridge, and were bothered by traffic delays which caused big gaps in the parade at times.

Both boys are doing well. Marian went with them to Oklahoma to visit my sister and her family in Ada. They had a big time with my aunts, my mom and my grandma.

This Saturday we'll have a birthday party for Leo who will turn one on the 31st. Also, filming for the short film I will be in begins this Saturday.

Meanwhile, it's back to work and trying to get into the swing of things again after the break. We've entered our last quarter, and I expect it will fly by. Take care everyone. Best wishes and fortune to you all.

Sickness making the rounds

Good news, the sun is out! It's still nice and brisk, but at least the light is bringing some color to the sky. Everything else seems kind of washed out in color. I think everything needs to have some green grass growing and the trees to sprout some leaves for the other colors to come alive. the forecast predicted up to 50 some degrees today. Of course it's welcome.

Our household has been battling sickness over these last few weeks. Two Mondays ago I remained home from school because both Mare and I were not feeling well. This most recent Monday I stayed home again to care for the boys while Marian recovered and rested. Jack had a night where he was unable to keep his food down. Only recently has Jack and Leo both been sleeping through the night without hacking and coughing enough to keep them and us awake. Last night was my turn. About midway through my college course my stomach didn't feel right. I knew I would go directly home, though I wished I felt better so I could join the others afterward to celebrate the end of a particularly difficult course and to say goodbye to some of them who had reached the end of their masters program, while myself and some of the others have two more classes to complete. I went to bed but didn't stay there long. About midnight I needed to relieve my stomach of its contents. But, it made me feel better. I didn't eat any breakfast, but I'm not hungry either.

I think all of us need some good walking out in the sunshine and raking, and playing in the park to get us back up to the health to which we're accustomed. We're thinking about a possible one night camping trip at the lake over spring break coming up after next week. It will still be a little cool at night, but hopefully it will continue in this sunny warm trend during the day.

Last Saturday I performed at the talent show. Grandma Bonnie and Grandma Irene both attended with Mom and Dad. We all met at Poncho's for supper. Grandma Bonnie ate fried ice cream for supper with a coke. She deserves it.

The performance went well. They had the monitors turned up and pointing at us so we could hear ourselves, and that was something I hadn't experienced before. I thought I sounded nasally and flat. But, apparently that's how I always sound because no one made a comment about it. We didn't win, or even place, but there were some genuinely good talents there. I was disappointed that first and second place were more or less karaoke acts: singing to a compact disc background. But, they did sing well. I guess I thought the judges would have more respect for singing and playing instruments, and some wrote their own material, which we did not do. But, in the end it's what the crowd likes and the crowd likes the popular. It was a good experience and I'm glad I participated. I learned that the corporate sponsors they contacted for the fund raising benefit raised $2,000., while the crowd present that night raised over $5,000. So, like the emcee said, Habitat for Humanity was the real winner.

I'm glad I have family who takes the time and effort to attend these events like I'm still in school. Some of these students here where I teach probably couldn't get their parents interested in anything they do, good or bad.

We're doing state tests this week and next before spring break and the end of the third quarter. We'll be glad when they are done. We're all crossing our fingers because the sophomores who take the test are kind of lacking.

It's been determined we will no longer have a block schedule next year, but instead will have the seven hour school day like I grew up with. I've never taught that way, but it may turn out to be something good. We'll see.

Happy spring to everyone and best health and prosperity.

cb

Surviving

Here it is February is almost over. We're looking at spring break in a few weeks. It surely doesn't look like it's going to be optimal weather, but then again alot can happen in a few weeks. The sun is out today, but it's still bitter cold. I forgot to check the bank sign on the way by this morning, but it sure felt as cold as it's been this winter. My ears were cold and began to throb once I entered school in the climate controlled environment. My bike is dirty from all the wetness on the roads and the grime and grit that goes with it. It needs a good bath and scrubbing, as well as lube.

This upcoming Saturday night is the Ottawa's got Talent show. It's a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. I'll be singing and playing my guitar and harmonica along with another fella I know through school. We're just doing one song and will be on stage for about two and a half minutes. But, it's going to be fun and be a good experience.

I've also auditioned and won a role in a short film being made here in Ottawa. A young couple has written a screen play and will be directing the cinematography. I think that will be another good opportunity to try something new. Who know where it will lead.

Every one in the house has been fighting off some congestion and sore throats, coughing, that kind of thing. Jack seems to have it the worst. Marian has it too. I directed her to take them all to the doctor to see what could be done. Jack's been hacking for a couple weeks now.

I don't have my college class tonight, which I'm relieved about, but I will probably spend that time working on finishing my project for the class. I have some more writing to do. I'll be glad when this class is over!

I'm looking forward to seeing mom and dad this weekend. They plan to attend the show on sat. night. We'll likely go out to eat first.

I don't know much of anything else to write about. I know I need to make this less of a journal entry and put a little more effort into the writing. Especially if I'm to maintain the comparison made between my writing and Garrison Keillor's writing. Very flattering, yes, but I'll need to step up my game to make my writing like Garrison's.

That's all for today. Sorry to disappoint you.

Still cold; but sunny

When I passed by the bank sign this morning at 7:00, on my bike, the temperature was 18 degrees. I found a credit card on the bike path just before crossing the Marais Des Cygnes river. I contacted the bank and it had already been reported as lost and directed me to destroy it.

We ate Chinese food for supper last night.

Marian watched a little boy Jack's age yesterday. Those two are getting to be good friends. They don't like playing many of the same games, but they both agree they like Thomas the Train.

The sun is out today, that's a welcome sight. I know spring will be just around the corner.

Tonight I have my college course to attend.

I just don't have much to report today.

Cold weather, warm feelings

Valentine's day was yesterday, Sunday. I had the pleasure of spending it with my own valentine, Marian. Jack was up before dawn, so that meant I was up before dawn. We played a bit and picked up some of the house waiting for Mare and Leo. They were up in short order then we had a breakfast of pancakes. We opened our Valentines to each other. Mare had a Matchbox school bus for Jack, which he loved so much he slept with it last night. Leo got a nice new ball to play with that he likes to drop from his high chair and watch one of us three pick it up. Marian made me a sweet card and poem accompanied with chocolates. I had a treasure hunt for Marian to find her little assortment of treasures. It led her to the fridge, the doghouse outside, the front porch, the outside A/C unit, the bed of my pickup and back inside. She recovered a couple little silly charms, a valentine's notebook, a pot holder (we needed it), and a token for a free back rub from me.

My mom and dad had sent Leo and Jack their own valentines. They really liked having their own mail. Mom and dad also sent Mare and I one. My sister Clarie sent the family a valentine's card too with a gift card to sonic! My sister is perhaps the most thoughtful person I know. She's thinking of others before herself almost always. She's a great sister who's burdened with a lackluster brother.

Marian's mom and dad came down on Sunday to join us for lunch. Then, they stayed at the house with Leo and Jack while Mare and I went to a musical as a date for Valentine's day. You're a Good Man Charlie Brown was a cute little show. It featured a number of students I know from the high school. It was cold in the auditorium, so we wore our coats, gloves and hats the entire show.

I rode my bike to school today. I haven't missed a day riding since the beginning of January, when it was really icy. I went by the bank sign on the north end of town, it said 7:00, 18 degrees! But, it's only for about 15-20 minutes of riding, so it's not as bad as you might think. I bundle up pretty well for the ride. My ears are the only thing that suffers noticeably. I have not yet found a good article to wear on my head to keep it and my ears warm which will fit nicely under my helmet. I could choose not to wear my helmet, which I'm not scared of doing, except that I would miss using my rear view mirror, which is attached to the helmet. I rely so much on the rear view, it's difficult to go back to not using one.

Maybe the sun will come out today. That would at least brighten spirits even if it didn't warm up all that much.

I've been asked to fill in keeping score for the basketball games tonight, so I'll be here until after nine.

Well, I wish you all safe travels and health and prosperity in your lives. Know that I am thinking of you all and missing your company.