School Days

Cleveland High School

I was watching a commercial the other day about school clothes and I couldn't help but wander back into my memory when I would get all excited about new school clothes.  Of course, way back then, it was a totally different world.  

Girls always wore skirts or dresses (no more than an inch above the knee) and boys had to wear shirts with a collar and it had to be tucked in their slacks - no jeans or t-shirts for anyone ever!  I don't remember anyone ever wearing sneakers except in gym class.  And the girls gym uniform was a blue one piece bloomer thing where we had to sew our names across the back.

Other things have changed as well.   I don't remember having to buy any school supplies until maybe high school.  And maybe it was because I grew up in south city and not the county but grade school was from kg - 8th grade and almost everyone went home for lunch.  I remember I was really disappointed when I realized my own kids would have to eat lunch at school.  Of course it makes sense, but lunch time was a little tradition all in itself.

But do they still say the Pledge of Allegiance in school?  I remember one of my favorite songs from school was "Fairest Lord Jesus" - I'm almost certain you won't hear that very often anymore.  One thing that is really sad is the leniency in behavior now.  Curse words or even ugly talk were not tolerated anymore than a fist fight was.  

Of course, kids are much smarter these days and they are given a  lot more opportunities.  I guess you have to sacrifice some and choose the lesser evils.  

One good thing - at least the little girls don't have to worry about the little boys lifting their skirts to see their underwear!

Sunday is Stevie's birthday!

The 4 cousins celebrating Daddy/Uncle Stevie's birthday!

The birthday boy is always smiling

My kids are all growing up too fast - can't believe my baby is going to be 27 tomorrow.  He is already a terrific husband and daddy - just like I always knew he would be.  And he's still the thoughtful and loving son with big hugs and his beautiful smile.  Have a great birthday Stevie - love you always!!

What are these plants?

Although I really wish I were - I'm no gardner.  Since momma & daddy were both great in a garden you would think I would have inherited some of that knowledge.  I don't mind getting dirty - I have always had house plants  - it's the heat and bugs that keep me out of our 72 foot planter that runs along the back of our yard.  

We (Steve mostly) try to plant things in the empty spaces that we hope will make it look better but every year we have big empty spaces and lots of greenery which I'm sure is just some sort of weed.  I didn't realize how bad it was until a neighbor remarked to me one day that the previous owner had always kept the planter gorgeous.  hint-hint - Oh well.  

But these purple plants (planted by the previous owner of course) have survived the whole 30 years we've lived in this house.  Each year there are more of them and they seem to be taller every year.  They spring up a few times a year and they last maybe a month each time.  And for some reason it just occurred to me that I have no idea what the name of the plant is.  In my walks around the neighborhood I've only seen one other home with these plants and they only had a few shoots.  

So if you know what these plants are, would you be so kind as to give me their name - they've been so good to me I would at least like to know their name when I go out to talk to them. 

Never on a Monday

About this time 36 years ago I was putting on the finishing touches as I prepared to walk down the aisle.  I don't remember it being this hot that year but I have no idea why I'd plan a wedding in the heat of the summer - plus the wedding dress style back then was long sleeves and high necks - at least air conditioning was common by then!  When Steve and I celebrate our anniversary we are usually low key type of people - I know one year we went to New Orleans and on our 30th we took the kids to Las Vegas - but usually dinner and maybe a movie is more our style.  

This year Steve decided to take off for the day and then asked me where I wanted to go.  I had never been to Washington, MO so I thought that might be a nice little jaunt - however, that was before I knew the heat index would be triple digits.  

So we went to IHOP for breakfast and then had a nice little drive to Washington.  Our plan was to walk around and see what there was to see, have lunch and head back home.  Well guess what - there is not a whole lot to see there and 80% of what is there is closed on Monday.  So I guess we spent about 45 minutes wandering around at a few shops (I think we found 3 open ones), checked out the Amtrak station (even the tourist center next door was closed), and then decided we might as well head home - besides, I was already caving in from the heat.

We ended up going to a matinee to see the Batman movie.  It was alright but so loud it really gave me a headache.  My headache and the heat kinda messed with my appetite so we just grabbed a bite at Fridays and came home.  But that's ok cause we are celebrating again Saturday night with the Beardens - whose anniversary was a few days ago - and are planning to dine at a nice restaurant that night.

Right now Steve is downstairs with his Pinocle buddies and I'm debating whether I want to watch tv reruns or finish reading a book I'm really not enjoying (it's our book club selection).  Maybe I'll just go ahead and start on a new book and finish the other tomorrow.   Which reminds me - I'm running out of books on my list - anyone have some good ones to suggest?  thanks - and stay cool!