A long overdue howdy in video person

Pomp and circumstance

It's a rainy time of year and kind of cool and gray these days. We had a busy Friday and Saturday. On Friday I sped home and did what I could to help us prepare to leave for my cousin Shane Stanley's graduation from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. The best way I can help, usually, is to run interference with Jack and Leo while Marian gets all their "things" ready to go. We were able to leave the house close to 3:30, stop for gas fill-up and an automatic car wash (which apparently was the super-deluxe, fifteen minute wash option) then first travel east on K-68 to Louisburg, then head south on 69 highway all the way to Pittsburg. We took much less time to travel there than we had anticipated. We planned for the trip to take two and a half hours, but ended up taking us an hour and forty five minutes.

We met our friend Jamie Reagan and her 19 month old son Jeremiah at our favorite old, Mexican food restaurant in Pittsburg: El Charro (in Spanish this means "the Charro". It's a good thing we were running ahead of schedule because they were busy for graduation and the place was packed. Jamie and Jeremiah were a delight. Jamie caught me up on all the gossip at Frontenac High School, the school I first taught. She and Marian traded mom stories. Then it was time to go.

We decided to split up. I'd take Jack into the commencement ceremony to sit with my mom and my grandma, and my two aunts, their husbands, and Shane's sister and her husband. Marian would take Leo and go to the "mall" in Pittsburg. Mom and I were texting back and forth, communicating where we were, how long we'd be, etc. So, Jack and I found them easily.

We arrived right at the scheduled starting time, but they didn't actually play and sing the national anthem until 7:45, fifteen minutes late, to get things started. This gave me some time to people watch and think.

Pittsburg was a town in which I didn't think I'd stay for long. I had plans to just get my degree and take off to the next destination. I had had it in my mind, probably from listening to other "negative Nancies", that I didn't like Pittsburg, though I didn't know why. Well, without going into all the sordid details, I extended my schooling there, and then kept extending it. Then, of course, I met Marian and that changed things too. I ended up staying there nine years, or somewhere close to that.

Pittsburg looked good. They had widened Broadway street in the downtown, and also added all new streetlamps and traffic signals in black. It looked nice. Most of Pittsburg looked the same, some new businesses were there.

I did recognize a few students from Frontenac High School I'd taught. We all had difficulty remembering each other's names, but once we heard them they became familiar. A pair of boys I'd taught admitted they couldn't remember my name, but they remembered that eagle song I played for the talent show. I guess I made an impression that way.

I also sort of realized all of the cousins are all grown up now. Shane was the last of us to graduate from college. All this time I still thought of him as my little cousin. But, let's face it. He's a full head taller than me and probably has at least fifty or more pounds on me, so he's anything but my little cousin, except in age.

It made me wonder how much longer all of us will be getting together like that. Neither of my parents get together with their cousins. With Ross out in Montana, who knows whether he'll come back or not, or when.

I also spoke briefly with one of my foremen at the construction company I worked for while living in Pittsburg. "Spinning Jim" earned his name from his attempt to multi-task about half a dozen different things on the job site and the ensuing flurry of activity surrounding him as he tried to get a bearing on what he started out doing. He drove this panel van, on its last leg, full about waist high with all the tools of the trade he owned. He'd pull up to the job site at quitting time and just start chucking things in there with no regard to position. We always told him to never get his brakes fixed, because if he suddenly had the ability to stop the van suddenly he'd get his head taken off by a flying "c" clamp, or router, or saw blade or something flying up front from the back. Another old man I worked with there told me how spinning Jim once sneezed driving down the road and it caused his false teeth to fly out the window causing him to stop the van and retrieve them from out of the road way.

I'm sure Shane will make all of us proud. He's going to be employed with Xerox. He's a very nice young man with good morals and I know he'll be successful at whatever he does.

Jack did well sitting with us in the crowded gymnasium. We took one extended potty break and I let him run around outside amidst all the cigarette smoke from those who hover near the entrance doors on occasions like this. Then Marian called me on mom's cell phone. She had some clothes picked out to buy but I had the credit card. So we arranged a swap out front of the gym.

When Shane walked through we all stood and clapped and yelled and his mom Becky and dad Randy honked one of those clown horns you see on bicycles sometimes. Shane smiled and waved and played it cool.

After the ceremony, Marian picked us up and we attended the reception at a church. They had some good cake and ice cream and drinks. Jack and Leo ran and crawled all around having a ball. We stayed there until eleven o'clock. We dressed the boys in the pajamas and took off for home. They were asleep nearly before we got out of the driveway. We arrived home right about one o'clock.

The next day was rainy and we attended another graduation reception, this time in Lawrence, outside. We met in a nice covered shelter, but it was cool, windy, and rainy. The kids all had a blast playing while the adults grumbled. After that we went to Marian's parents for about an hour to warm up and visit before we headed home.

It was good to see my "alma mater". I had to use that term just once, to pacify my mother.

She's very fond of that term and finds new and creative ways to use it in conversations with me. Now, Shane will look back with glowing fondness of his years spent at his alma mater.

Overdue!

Here it is the third day of May 2010, and I notice I haven't updated since the ninth of April! What a slacker! And, I've used three exclamation points already in the first three sentences!

We're busy, but not any more busy than the rest of you out there, maybe even less busy than all of you, but it seems busy to us. I've been scorekeeper for a few varsity baseball double-headers. I finished my second-to-last class in my master's program and will begin the last class on Wednesday. This upcoming May 23 will be my commencement ceremony for the master's program from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. I haven't done any acting or talent type stuff lately.

I've been trying to keep up with the yard work, mowing, weeding, treating etc. I'm slowly formulating a plan on how to attack and remodel our bathroom, with Marian's help.

We've taken the entire family on a couple of bicycle outings: Marian pulls Jack in the trailer, and I carry Leo in the front seat. Yes, a seat that straddles the top tube of my bicycle and sits behind the handlebars. It's pretty fun having them both out for a ride.

Yesterday we watched Marian's friend's kids; all four boys. So, we had a nice play date for the six boys present. I had the fenced in yard all mowed down to look nice. I even drug the canoe into the yard for them to play in. We took them all to the park and when we arrived back home, we made ice cream cones for the four oldest. I think they all had fun and played hard.

Mom and dad have been gone for quite a bit on their motorcycle trip to the east coast. I've been getting little updates from mom, but haven't spoken to her fully in close to two weeks. I'm sure they're getting anxious to get on home by now.

It's sunny today and looking good outside. A pleasant breeze looks like it's blowing. I think rain is in the forecast, though.

Wow, I was able to summarize nearly a month's activity in a few short paragraphs. I'm sure anyone reading this is thankful for that.

cb

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