Today I called the teacher that I had from Dec 1939 to May 1946 when I graduated from 8th grade.Her name is Lucy Monahan Hartley. She had graduated from High School the previous May and taught all 8 grades in the typical one-room red brick schoolhouse. She will be 90 years old this coming Jan 18 and sounded as lively as I remember her. We had about 20 minutes of talk and reminiscing about those long past days. I took the opportunity to tell her how important the education I got from her had been all my life. It's amazing how easily memories from 70 years ago come back, especially when they are so pleasant. Thanks Miss Lucy ,and may you have many more years of joy!

Well, the parade has come and gone! I tried to type something last night but the words just didn' t come.It"s easier now as I look at the pictures. It was a blast! The only people I recognized outside of our crowd were Mayor Jamie Cater, Police chief Smith, City councilman Dave Hetzel and of course ,Tyron Spearman, all of whom found me.
David worked past 2AM Saturday to put lights on my cart. It was in the 40's with a good breeze so it was "cool". I was so proud of our gang and I hope the little ones have good memories of it all. Maybe we can do it all again next year?? And, maybe I can
"see " it then.

Country life

This has been a wild week here on the ranch.. Tibo? the dog got ahold of something that caused internal bleding. We miss him, Thursday, my little barred hen hatched 4 chicks- all doing well. Friday morning I was sitting on the porch waiting to go to the pool and watching "Big daddy" rooster strut around the yard as thogh he owned it all. He went out of sight toward the trash can. Suddenly he let out a terrified shreik . I turned and saw him going toward the pen-not running , not walking ,not flying AS FAST AS HE COULD MOVE!, followed closely by who else but the black tomcat. Since there was no refuge at the chicken pen, Rooster turned toward the barn, still followed by Tomcat. When they reached the driveway ,Cat stopped and sat there as though nothing had happened
while Big Daddy kept going till he had a safe space to hide . Need I say that I almost hurt myself laughing?!! Ah, the joys of living at the Compound.

The Word

Those who are familiar with the wall in front of my desk will know how highly I value the word "Simplify" !!! Why should we complicate our lives with worry over the minutest details of everything? Life is too short for that. Simplify and enjoy.