Mom’s wheat was cut while we were gone to Virginia and Bill Chatman has been busy planting soybeans since we got back. If we don’t get some rain soon the beans will have a hard time coming up.
ANSWERED PRAYER! Several months ago we asked you to pray for Brent and Cindy Roycroft and the adoption of their son Tyler. We have just heard that the birth father has consented to allow the adoption and will sign papers to this end a couple of weeks from now. We do not know any other details. We’re just glad this is coming to a resolution. On behalf of the Roycrofts, thank you for your prayers.
TRASH AND TREASURES. Cross Plains had its annual community yard sale last weekend. We hadn’t planned on being as involved this year as I needed to work Friday and we had a wedding we wanted to attend Saturday (which, by the way, was beautiful Sherri). But at the last minute Ben wanted to set up a table to sell old toys. His impetus for doing this was to earn money to buy a Game Cube like Cameron and Zachary have. The kids earned a total of $38.10 for two mornings of work. Most of this trickled in with sales of $1.00 or less. Ben also found a $10 bill on the ground while he was out perusing other “vendors” which brought the grand total to $48.10. Of course, the out-of-pocket money from my wallet for the two day adventure probably exceeded their income.
Ben says he would do it again next year, but I think he was surprised that so many people would look over his table of “good stuff” and not buy anything. It reminded me of when I set up a table four years ago to sell copies of The Call of the Whistle. I don’t think I even sold ten copies. I did, however, have a woman who didn’t speak English come by and disconnect my DVD player (which I was using to preview the film on my table) and try to buy that. Ben had the same problem with his bubble gum. A handful of people bought some, but he could have sold the gum ball machine several times over.
SWIMMING LESSONS. Ben and Nate had swimming lessons at the YMCA all week. Jenna came along and practiced her skills as well. They have all had a blast. A typical day for them included driving to town, suiting up, slathering on the sunscreen, taking Nate to the bathroom, swimming, taking Nate to the bathroom again, a picnic lunch, taking Nate to the bathroom again, swimming some more, changing back to street clothes, and shopping at Wal-Mart or some other store where the kids were still hungry (can’t blame them), and arriving home for a well deserved rest.
Speaking of sunscreen, whenever Vicki would scan the pool to check on the kids she would simply count every glowing child she saw and when she got to three she stopped! Sorry kids...your parents had no pigment to pass along to you.
INDEPENDENCE DAY. Wednesday morning found us at the cemetery up the road where our community holds its annual Kilgore Rememberance celebration. The program this year focused on our nation’s patriotic music. Ann Morris, Jenna’s piano teacher, brought her keyboard and lead us in a sing-a-long. She also told us a lot of interesting things about the songs. I did not know America the Beautiful was originally sung to the tune of Auld Lang Sine. We also had our traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence as well as some long hunter re-enactors present to fire a gun salute with their flintlock rifles. One of the longhunters brought his four-year-old son with him. The boy was also dressed as a longhunter complete with power horn and toy rifle (which was taller than he was). He was really cute. I asked him if I should call him the short hunter.
That evening we grilled out at Pauline’s. Mom and Aunt Mar came over. Then we (except Pauline) went to David (my first cousin) and Betty Jo Thompsons’ to watch the White House fireworks. Their house is located in the perfect spot to see the show. We relaxed around their pool, munched on watermelon and cookies, and “oohed and aahed” over the 25 minute spectacle. The kids were all sawing ZZZs by the time we got home.
RECONNECTING. I was very blessed to have the Freelands for neighbors as I was growing up. The adventures I shared with Brian, Steve and Brent could fill a book. Steve is the only one who still lives here. Brian lives in Murfreesboro and Brent in North Carolina. Brent, Sabrina and their four kids have been in this week. Brent, who works as a chaplain for Corporate Chaplains of America, preached at church Sunday. That afternoon I barged in for a visit as I rarely see all three brothers together anymore. Thursday evening we all went over to Kenny and Lori’s barn to swim and have a cookout. While I wish we could all be together more often I’ll take what I can get. It was a pleasure to catch up on everyone. I know Mr. James Earl and Mrs. Sue are proud grandparents, they have good reason to be.
NATEISMS. Nate spent last night with Mom and Aunt Mar. This morning Nate, obviously in a sleepy stupor, asked Mom, “Now which one are you...Mar or G’Anne?”
While proofreading this newsletter Vicki and I were discussing some of the finer points of details and Nate, assuming the role of peacekeeper, said, “Stop argheein’ and take a deep breeeath.”
THE NEWS FROM LAKE WOBEGON. After being introduced to a book and several cassette tapes I have been a fan of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon. Unfortunately, I don’t get to catch A Prairie Home Companion when it airs on Saturday nights. Vicki borrowed the movie (excellent by the way) from the library this week and it renewed by interest again. Well, I have now discovered that the Lake Wobegon news is available by podcast and I have had a great time catching up on my lunch hour at work.
I think one reason I enjoy Keillor so much is that, beyond the humor, I admire the way he captures life. I keep thinking some day I might write my own book and fund college, weddings and retirement. With almost four years of the Swann Family News I am well on my way to having enough material. And maybe with 10 more years of practice writing about the misadventures of our family I will be able to crank out something that would sell. Until then that’s the news from the Swann household, where the man is going gray, the woman is better looking every day and the kids are all very active.
Joe
