A good reason for forgetfulness . . . long may it wave!!

This morning, Marcie forgot to take her flute with her into the school. (She left it in the car.) I discovered it later, and drove by the school to drop it off so she would have it during band class. As I came whipping around the corner into the hall where the glass windows let you see into the main office, the "Star Spangled Banner" began blasting through the hall via the intercom. I stopped where I was and looked into the office--there was a flag. Voile! I could just stand where I was and put my hand on my heart and take a moment to think about the wonderful blessings that are mine because I was born in the USA. When the music stopped, we all recited the Pledge of Allegiance together. It has been a very long time since I've had that experience in a school setting--and it made me both homesick and proud. I loved having a flag in my classroom. And I am happy that our schoolkids are still having that experience! It was nice to see all of the ladies in the office and counseling center standing where they work and participating in the patriotic gestures! I decided that it was good that I needed to run by the school this morning--I liked what I saw there!

She's arrived!! Check out this smile!!

For most of the past 11 years, Maggie has disliked immensely getting her picture taken. She particularly disliked photographers who would try to get her to smile for a portrait by saying something "cheesy" or having Maggie say something "cheesy." She would not smile for them if she didn't like their tactics! We've discussed many times how she is the one that gets stuck with pictures she isn't fond of when she "punishes the photographer" in this manner. Today Greg got out his camera, and I think she finally has the idea! Isn't she gorgeous at age 14? Maggie has good news this week--she auditioned for Granite JuniorYouth Orchestra--and she made it! She plays a stand-up string bass. After her first rehearsal, she happily announced that it's a lot more fun to play with people who know what they're doing!

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? or new hairdos?

Several people have tried to get me to go with a new hairstyle over the last few years, but I have been reluctant for several reasons. Darla finally prevailed, and today was the day! I think I'm going to like it--though I look at it and have no idea how to style it. Hopefully, I'll learn as the days go by! You'll notice that the red is faded--in fact all of the cut hair on the floor looked very blonde. I guess I'll just go merrily on my way and be happy that I still have some hair!

Check out this Farmall--like the one we grew up on!

We had a neighborhood breakfast yesterday morning, and for publicity we used the words "Chug on Over!" We served milk chugs and fruit and pastries--and about 50 people came!! We had our neighbor, Jake Barbour, bring over his restored Farmall tractor--and everyone loved it! He was hesitant to bring it because he didn't want people to think he was boasting.

About a year ago, I was out in the yard working one day when this shiny red tractor turned the corner in front of our house and went cruising down the street. I, of course, followed it home to find out where it lived! It still smelled of fresh paint and was just out of the paint shop--and it is absolutely gorgeous! He told me he spent six months restoring it and that he has before and after pictures.

It is a tiny bit smaller than the Farmall tractor I learned to drive on (when I was five!). Our Dad used to have the little kids steer the tractor when it was time to haul hay. I learned to steer around the bales and if I got scared, he told me to kick the kill switch. So, I would dutifully steer in and out trying to get the hay wagon close to the bales for the men to load them. When I got to the end of each "land" of hay, I would kick the kill switch and my Dad would then come and start up the tractor and turn it around. Then I was back in the driver's seat! I think about Stewart (our grandson who is now five) and I wonder how I could do that job without messing up somehow!

Someone asked Jake how fast his tractor would go, and he told them 15 mph! I asked him if that was "road gear," and he said yes. I did a flashback to the days when I would sit on Dad's lap and steer the tractor as we went "flying" down the road after taking the tractor on one of our irrigating jaunts "to turn the water." We were only going 15 mph! No wonder Dad felt safe letting me steer!

p.s. The little girls are Sadie and Kennadee Pearson who live next door to us.