My Other Collection

I am a collector.

There I said it.

Please do NOT confuse collecting with hoarding. Totally different. Don't believe me? Ask to see my records and files. If you document it, it's a collection, not a hoard, sez me!

Most folks are aware of my biggest (and favorite) collection - the horse collection. Big enough to make my kids tremble as they think of disposing of it after my demise, it represents fifty-two years of collecting.

But I have another, lesser known one that's only been thirty-two years in the making. Most folks have no idea it exists as I keep it neatly tucked away in tubs and boxes in the closet of the Horse Room (i.e. my office.) And unlike the horse collection, I don't actively keep up in this second hobby on Facebook, online forums, etc. I've perused those, but they're full of guys, young and old, who seem rather out of touch with reality. (To quote William Shatner/Captain Kirk, "Get a life!!")

Okay, I have been a member of the Mark Hamill Fan Club for 25+ years and cherish the glossy 8x10 autographed picture he sent me with MY NAME ("My best to LYNN!! [heart] Love, Mark Hamill." SWOON!!!) on it as a thank you for my longevity in the club a couple of years ago.

Oh, and my friend, Sue Seese, a friend of Shatner's whose horses were kept at the same facility as his horses, got him to autograph a book of his. "To Lynn with best wishes from Bill Shatner." (Not swooning over that one, but still... he IS a horseman and played the biggest Star Trek character of all time!)

Um, and I guess to be totally honest, I must write that I have attended a Star Trek convention. But I didn't go in costume, so it doesn't really count.

So, I collect Star Wars and Star Trek items, focusing on Princess Leia, Beverly Crusher, and Deanna Troi, my favorite characters. (I have the elusive 1983 Burger King glass with Princess Leia in slave costume tucked away upstairs!)

You hope that, as a collector, you can step back occasionally and keep things in perspective. Something I saw today on Twitter (er, I guess I should confess to following some Star Wars and Star Trek Twitter feeds. Maybe I am more involved in this second hobby than I thought) made me laugh.

I do have an Ewok Village Play Set in my closet (not the preschool one, but the one for older kids like me.) But what made me laugh out loud was the caption with this picture. "Back in the 80s when even your haircut reflected your love of  Star Wars."

See? I can keep my collecting real and reasonable; I can laugh at it. I don't need to "get a life." So, next time you're at my house, ask to see that Burger King glass. Maybe I'll even pull out my articulated Rancor. He's way cool...

A Surprise in the Discarded Books

This afternoon I was sorting through the fiction books I have in my classroom library for my students to read. I go through them periodically and store or get rid of duplicates or books that never get read. I have some really old books that haven't been read for a while, and as I was going through them, one caught my eye.

The Cry of the Crow, by my second favorite children's author, Jean Craighead George. I read her book, My Side of the Mountain, out loud every other year to my class and have loved it since I first read it myself in elementary school.

I hadn't read this particular book of hers, so I opened it to see what it was about. I was stunned at what I saw.

She'd signed the book!!

How on earth did that book get into a discard pile? And I nearly tossed it!

There is a library tag from Dayton Elementary School on the book's cover. My guess is that the author may have visited that school and signed the book then. (It was published in 1980, thirty-five years ago.) As time passed, the book was discarded and made its way to Hershey. (I have seen several other books from Dayton.) I found the book on the shelves in Nancy Sattler's closed classroom and grabbed it along with some others after she retired. Did she know the treasure she had on her shelf?

Hard to tell; regardless, I have rediscovered the autographed book and rescued it from my own discard pile.

I can't wait to show it to my students!

Throwback - a Student Funny

I am getting ready to begin my 18th year of teaching. (Hard to believe.) Doing a little math, about 500 kiddos have been in my classroom, some more memorable than others.

Tom, Kelly, and Brenda Koester.

Kelly was in one of my very first classes, if not THE first class I ever taught at Yankee Ridge. I remember Kelly (and her parents) for a lot of things - they are good people, and she enjoyed school. But I also remember Kelly because one of my earliest teaching funnies came from her.

She was pretty forthright, even at a young age, and not shy to speak her mind. It was Valentine's Day, and my students and their families had been generous. My desk was covered in boxes of chocolate, stuffed animals, flowers, and other gifts.

Kelly walked over to my desk, paused, and surveyed all my gifts. She then put her hands on her hips, looked at me, and said in all seriousness, "THAT'S why I am going to be a teacher."

I am smiling now as I remember. 

A Beautiful Evening

I'm not usually at a loss for words, but I am tonight. I had a lovely experience I'd like to record, but I am so touched by it, I am not sure what to say. It began when I received this text last Friday evening:

I was very touched, excited, honored, and a little nervous.

But I agreed to go, and I am so glad I did. This class is my favorite of my entire teaching career - the 3rd graders from the original 2/3 class who moved up with me and so had me for not only 3rd grade, but 4th and 5th grades, too. They were a wonderful group of kids, and many have remained in touch over the years. Still, I was nervous - would we have things to talk about after all this time?

I should not have worried. After a flurry of hugs, squeals, and excited giggles (er, some of that just MAY have been from me...) we had a lovely evening catching up and eating dinner at the Blanchard home.

 Brooklet (Brooke), Madeline, Carobou (Caroline B.), me, Taylor, and Loftus (Caroline L.)

Such beautiful young women! Both inside and out. But there was a double bonus - I had the siblings of these girls two years later, and they came to dinner, too!

 Natalie, Audrey, me, Emily, Kathleen, and Sophie.

Lovely girls, too, and it was a surprise that they were there - I thought it was just to be the five senior gals. But the bonuses kept happening -  to my delight, some of their parents came as well!

Grandma Hunt, Sandy Boyer, Kelly Blanchard, Barry Loftus, Kim Loftus, me.

This is a terrific group of parents, and those girls are a credit to them.  I enjoyed getting a chance to catch up with them, too.

I felt teary all evening, despite the happiness of the reunion. It is difficult to articulate just why, but suffice it to say that tonight I got a glimpse into the end result when a teacher and her students genuinely connect.

And that was a beautiful moment for me, and one I will remember all my life.

My Stepping Stone Garden

Most people mulch their gardens in the spring. I do it when I get time, and I finally got that time yesterday. I also added the four new stones I'd made during Groompa Camp and Kyle's visit. (July was a busy month for us!!)

 Here are before and after pictures.

 Some of the stones are partially buried under the old mulch and hard to see.

 Craig surprised me by weeding the garden for me, saving me a lot of time.

 I placed the new stones near the fountain (the garden is nearly full!)

It took two bags of cypress mulch to fill the bed, and I probably could have used a third bag.

I brought the statue of Duffy from the front flowerbed to the stepping stone garden where it will be more visible.

 I repaired the fountain (it needed a new motor) and got it up and running, too.

My house plants spend the summer on the front porch. They fill the corner nicely.

I am so pleased with how the stepping stone garden looks.

Dammy's Dinner at de Dam

Last night we went up to Monticello for dinner at the Oakdale Dam Inn.

 It is situated at Lake Freeman on the edge of the Oakdale Dam, hence the name.

We love small, rural restaurants and prefer them over chains or even upscale local dining spots.

This one played on the word "dam" everywhere, from its slogan to its menu.

I told our waitress that my nickname from Corinne was "Dammy" and asked if that meant I could have a freebie, but no dice!

There was even an old fashioned outhouse with a moon cutout in the back (well maintained, but I think only for effect) and a stretch limo painted to look like a fish!

Temple Workers

Last Saturday Craig and I received a surprise phone call asking us to meet with President Miskin, first counselor in the Indianapolis Temple presidency, Sunday afternoon. We have been called and set apart to serve as temple workers for the next three years in the Indianapolis Temple.

Our duties encompass all aspects of the temple, and we will receive training as we go.

Craig and I will be putting in a weekly five hour shift and it will be challenging since I am not retired, but I have faith that this will be like any other challenge the Lord gives you - He helps make it work. I know that from having paid tithing, sending sons on missions, and serving in other challenging callings. Accept with faith, and the Lord makes up the difference.

I have been saying that the Indianapolis Temple is "my"temple, more so than any other temple I've attended. There is a pull to it that I feel, and to know that I will be not only attending as a patron but also serving those who come makes my heart soar with joy.

We begin August 25 - I cannot wait!

Summertime!

Summertime,
An' the livin' is easy
Fish are jumping'
An' the cotton is high.

Gershwin's song from Porgy and Bess makes me smile, and I sing it often this time of year. Although I learned it wrong. I always sing,

Summertime!
And the livin's easy.
Summertime!
And the living is fine.

I sang it that way for several decades until I discovered I had it wrong!

Nonetheless, it is the perfect song to describe spending time with Ian on a hot summer day. You just need a few things for the experience.

 You need Ian.

Water.

A willing grandmother.

And you get this:

Having Aunt Lisa as filmographer is a bonus.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Curt invited me over for a tour of his new home and to see if I could help him identify the many plants growing in his flowerbeds. The home is lovely and the gardens chock full of beautiful perennials!

Including this whopper.

I am not sure what it is, but the leaves are humungous! Better be on the lookout for giants, Jack!

Er, I mean Curt!

Kyle's Family Visits - Saturday

Our main goal for Saturday was to visit the great-grandmas and to celebrate Addie's birthday. But we got in other activities, too!

Lisa and Braden played a round of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit...

... while I mixed up some concrete and made stepping stones.

Pressing Addie's hand into the wet concrete. (It was only after the fact that I realized we had not gotten any photos of Corinne making her stone!)

Corinne's stone.

Addie's stone. 

(I sure missed having Trinity to help me make the stepping stones!)

Braden loved playing our antique player piano and spent quite a bit of time on it.

Uncle Curt and Ian dance along to the cantina music from Star Wars.

I noticed that Braden pumps the pedals in rhythm with the music much of the time!

Kyle, Ian, and Whitney. (I love this photo of them!)

Lisa "plays" Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with Ian.

Around 10:30, we headed over to University Place to visit my mother.

She displays the Lego bluejay Kyle's family made her in her bedroom. We brought it out for a family picture.

We had a lovely visit - we sang Happy Birthday to Addie and then to my dad. I think Granny Slash really appreciated that.

Then we headed over to the hospital to visit Pooma. Wednesday she was admitted to the hospital and they discovered she has cancer. Lots of family has come in as a result.

Carla, Preston, and Betsy.

Pooma.

Craig and Lisa clowning around.

Kyle joins in the fun (Corinne had asked him to make a silly face.)

Ashley and Roxanne.

Thirteen people in one hospital room! The nurses kindly brought in extra chairs.

A bit of a teary moment - a family shot before saying goodbye.

Whitney had not wanted to be held by any of her grandparents the entire visit, but I finally got a chance late Saturday afternoon to hold her.

LuAnn grabbed her phone and got some quick shots for me (thanks, LuAnn!!)

We celebrated Addie's birthday after dinner - poor girl, she had become ill and was running a fever of 102! But, she could still smile over her gifts.

I made her two dresses for her American Girl Doll. She looked at this one and said she thought it was a bit small, thinking it was for she herself to wear!

Corinne received a late birthday gift from Lisa - a butterfly dance costume! (Love the Braden photobomb!)

After the kiddos were in bed, Curt challenged me to a game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. Lisa and Kyle joined in, and Vanessa read the questions for the players. My kids really know their Star Wars trivia!!

Sadly, that is the last of the pictures from Kyle's visit. They left Sunday morning at 9:00 to return to Florida as Kyle had to be to work Monday morning.

Kyle's Family Visits - Friday

Today's focus was on the Indianapolis Temple - it was the first day of the open house, and we had tickets to the 10:00 tour.

The artist's rendition was stunning.

Kyle and his family had come up for the tour, and we were joined by Curt, Lisa, and Ashley's parents, Lance and LuAnn Weaver.

 Lance, LuAnn, Addie, Ashley, Whitney, Corinne, Kyle, Lisa, Braden, Curt, me, Craig.

 There is nothing like the joy of being at the temple with your children!

Corinne, Addie, Braden, Ashley, Whitney, and Kyle. 

 Braden, Corinne, Addie, and Whitney. (The sun was right in their eyes, poor things!)

We ate lunch at Red Robin in Carmel and then headed home. Traffic was backed up on 65 at Frankfort, so we turned around and went west on 52.

We ran right into a severe storm that produced two tornados, one at Clarks Hill and one near Stockwell. We had heavy rains and hail, and the temperature plummeted twenty degrees in about ten minutes as the front went through, but luckily we missed the brunt of the storm, even though we drove directly through its path.

Homes in those areas were not so lucky.

Some of the streets near Walmart in West Lafayette were flooded over, and bits of hail pelted our car as we arrived home. The sirens began blowing, so we texted Kyle and Ashley (still on the road) to make sure they knew about the tornado warning and where the tornado was.

Luckily, all eventually made it home safely. That makes for four tornados in the county just this week!