We had a cold spell this past weekend. I’ve been surprised at how long our trees have held their green. They seem to be running about two weeks behind this year. Bill Chatman is plowing the corn fields to sow wheat and the Pinsons have turned their attention to harvesting soybeans.
PLAYING FOR THE INDIANS. Ben has moved up to a whole new level of basketball. Last Monday (the 21st) he tried out for the middle school basketball team and made it! He tried not to let it show but he was pretty anxious that night as he waited for the roster of new players to be posted the next day. Ben now has practice every day after school until 5:00 which he seems to really enjoy. They are scheduled for a ten game season with games every Monday and Thursday beginning November 11, and there’s a tournament when we return to school in January. There’s also a Junior Varsity schedule with probably half a dozen games but we haven’t received that yet. That’s where Ben will get his game time this year.
Nate, on the other hand, will be playing Upward ball again this season. His practices will start up after Thanksgiving with games every Saturday in January and February.
FALL CAMPOREE. The Boy Scouts had their Fall Camporee this weekend. Ben, Nate, and I went. The only bad part about the whole trip was the cold spell. Saturday morning we woke up to a morning low of 29°. Let’s just say I did learn it is possible to put on an extra pair of socks without getting out of my sleeping bag.
The objective for this Camporee was to build a ball kicking machine. Each troop constructed their machine and goal posts from all natural materials by using poles lashed together with ropes. The contraptions were judged on various things and out troop won second place for kicking machine design and kicking accuracy.
Speaking of Scouting, Ben received merit badges for Basketry, Sculpture, and Soil and Water Conservation Tuesday night. We were hoping that he would receive his Second Class Scout rank this time but scheduling the Scoutmaster’s conference never worked out. Ben says he wants to earn First Class by the time Nate crosses over from Cub Scouts in January. I know he has a lot done on that, but I am thinking basketball will make that challenging for him.
POSTPONING HALLOWEEN. We normally have our Trunk or Treat at church on Halloween night. We are postponing it to Sunday night this year due to a weather system that is predicted to move through right at the time for the even tonight. The forecast is for several inches of rain with the possibility of hail, strong winds, and even tornados. Hopefully this storm won’t be packing it’s predicted punch, but we rescheduled to be on the safe side. To that end, Happy Halloween, weather permitting.
Joe
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
A Week Full of Saturdays
If you have to stay home during your time off then the best thing you can have is a week full of days that all feel like Saturday! To top it all off we had church at the park today and we couldn’t have had a more perfect morning for it.
HUMOR IN UNEXPECTED PLACES. I got to spend Thursday morning with my cousin Amanda and we had a wonderful time. Since Sarah and Jason didn’t have a chance to see our museum here in Cross Plains Amanda decided to come back and check it out with me as the museum has a lot of pictures of interest, most notably for us: senior class pictures of Mom and Aunt Linda’s classes, basketball team pictures from when Mom and Aunt Linda played ball, and an old group school picture with their mother, Nellie, in it. (We have very few pictures of Nellie.)
Amanda and I had a great time together, but what started the day off with a laugh was when I decided to pull out Nellie’s old high school diploma to show Amanda. (Nellie is my grandmother and Amanda’s great grandmother.) Nellie graduated in 1923. Her diploma is framed and is in great shape, however, the brown paper used to cover the back of the frame was so old and brittle I decided it was a lost cause to try to keep it so I brushed it into the trash. That’s when I discovered the text printed on the cardboard used to hold the diploma in place. Part of the text was cut away when the cardboard was trimmed to fit the frame but what survives brought a chuckle.
The cardboard must have been from a box that held a burial vault that was made by the Champion Chemical Company on Springfield, Ohio. (A little research on the web and I see they are still in business.) According to what’s printed here the vault was not only rust proof but ghoul proof as well!
That’s right. You did read it correctly. “Ghoul proof” is not a typo on my part. Boy, that leaves a lot of unanswered questions!
By the way, the diploma features something of a transcript showing the subjects in which Nellie earned credits. These include Arithmetic, Algebra, Plane Geometry, English Grammar, Rhetoric, English Literature, American Literature, Beginners’ Latin, Caesar, Cicero, Ancient History, Medieval and Modern History, American History, Biology, Chemistry, Sewing, and Cooking.
END OF AN ERA. I suppose I’ve eaten my last meal at Thomas Drugs. After 23 years Debbie Greene is closing the lunch counter (the soda fountain will continue to serve ice cream, milk shakes, and other treats). Amanda, Mom, and I ate there Thursday. Mom and I also ate there Monday. They’ve had a steady stream of people like us trying to squeeze a last meal in. We will miss them, but I think some of their recipes will show up on the menu at True’s Barbecue.
YOU OWE ME. Several weeks ago Kenny hired the kids to help him pick apples for a couple of afternoons. Last week he asked them to give him their hours so he could settle up and this week he sent them a check. Kenny being Kenny he decided to mess with Nate so Nate got a slip of paper with the following written on it:
The first thing out of Nate’s mouth when we got there was, “Mr. Kenny, you are an unfair man.” Nate listened patiently as Kenny launched into this long dissertation about how we all have to pay taxes, etc. He even offered to work for free but Kenny would have none of that (though he did knock 50¢ off the bill since Nate never used an apron). And when Kenny got done Nate insisted that he was still an unfair man. Of course, Kenny came clean before we left, letting Nate know he had done a good job and that he had earned his $6 without owing anything. It was very funny.
You know, I’m proud of Nate on a couple of levels here. First of all, he took the joke very well. He doesn’t like it that I’m writing this up, but I told him he’d look back on this someday and laugh. Of course, now he’s trying to figure out how to get Kenny back (Kenny, you have been warned).
On another level I am proud of the way Nate acted when he didn’t know this was a joke. Sure, he was upset to think he had to pay $3 to pick Kenny’s apples, but he decided to go and confront Kenny about it and did so with more professionalism than you would expect from a ten year old. He took up for himself and didn’t back down from his position. I was very glad to see that.
Joe
HUMOR IN UNEXPECTED PLACES. I got to spend Thursday morning with my cousin Amanda and we had a wonderful time. Since Sarah and Jason didn’t have a chance to see our museum here in Cross Plains Amanda decided to come back and check it out with me as the museum has a lot of pictures of interest, most notably for us: senior class pictures of Mom and Aunt Linda’s classes, basketball team pictures from when Mom and Aunt Linda played ball, and an old group school picture with their mother, Nellie, in it. (We have very few pictures of Nellie.)
Amanda and I had a great time together, but what started the day off with a laugh was when I decided to pull out Nellie’s old high school diploma to show Amanda. (Nellie is my grandmother and Amanda’s great grandmother.) Nellie graduated in 1923. Her diploma is framed and is in great shape, however, the brown paper used to cover the back of the frame was so old and brittle I decided it was a lost cause to try to keep it so I brushed it into the trash. That’s when I discovered the text printed on the cardboard used to hold the diploma in place. Part of the text was cut away when the cardboard was trimmed to fit the frame but what survives brought a chuckle.
The cardboard must have been from a box that held a burial vault that was made by the Champion Chemical Company on Springfield, Ohio. (A little research on the web and I see they are still in business.) According to what’s printed here the vault was not only rust proof but ghoul proof as well!
That’s right. You did read it correctly. “Ghoul proof” is not a typo on my part. Boy, that leaves a lot of unanswered questions!
By the way, the diploma features something of a transcript showing the subjects in which Nellie earned credits. These include Arithmetic, Algebra, Plane Geometry, English Grammar, Rhetoric, English Literature, American Literature, Beginners’ Latin, Caesar, Cicero, Ancient History, Medieval and Modern History, American History, Biology, Chemistry, Sewing, and Cooking.
END OF AN ERA. I suppose I’ve eaten my last meal at Thomas Drugs. After 23 years Debbie Greene is closing the lunch counter (the soda fountain will continue to serve ice cream, milk shakes, and other treats). Amanda, Mom, and I ate there Thursday. Mom and I also ate there Monday. They’ve had a steady stream of people like us trying to squeeze a last meal in. We will miss them, but I think some of their recipes will show up on the menu at True’s Barbecue.
YOU OWE ME. Several weeks ago Kenny hired the kids to help him pick apples for a couple of afternoons. Last week he asked them to give him their hours so he could settle up and this week he sent them a check. Kenny being Kenny he decided to mess with Nate so Nate got a slip of paper with the following written on it:
Received Bill as FollowsNate was astonished. We all knew about this and played along. After he had fussed a bit I finally said, “Nate, I think you need to take this up with Mr. Kenny. Do you want me to drive you over there?” Well, he did, so we went.
Jenna: $15
Benton: $12
Nate: $6
---------------
Total: $33
Deduct
Taxes @ 20%: $6.60
Sponge rental: $1.20
Apron Use: $0.50
Water: $0.70
---------------
Total: $9.00
Deduct from lowest amount.
Pay
Jenna: $15
Benton: $12
Nate owes me $3.00 [This was underlined and highlighted.]
Please pay ASAP
The first thing out of Nate’s mouth when we got there was, “Mr. Kenny, you are an unfair man.” Nate listened patiently as Kenny launched into this long dissertation about how we all have to pay taxes, etc. He even offered to work for free but Kenny would have none of that (though he did knock 50¢ off the bill since Nate never used an apron). And when Kenny got done Nate insisted that he was still an unfair man. Of course, Kenny came clean before we left, letting Nate know he had done a good job and that he had earned his $6 without owing anything. It was very funny.
You know, I’m proud of Nate on a couple of levels here. First of all, he took the joke very well. He doesn’t like it that I’m writing this up, but I told him he’d look back on this someday and laugh. Of course, now he’s trying to figure out how to get Kenny back (Kenny, you have been warned).
On another level I am proud of the way Nate acted when he didn’t know this was a joke. Sure, he was upset to think he had to pay $3 to pick Kenny’s apples, but he decided to go and confront Kenny about it and did so with more professionalism than you would expect from a ten year old. He took up for himself and didn’t back down from his position. I was very glad to see that.
Joe
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Sawdust
One of the things that always excited me about this time of year is watching the combines lumbering around the fields picking corn. I enjoyed riding combines as a kid and spent many hours in the cab with Mr. Harry Wilson when he was in the field across from home. Most of the corn is in now and it won’t be too long before farmers begin to harvest soybeans.
FALL BREAK. We are on fall break this week. Vicki and the kids left immediately after church to spend a few days in Georgia (they return this evening). I had a chore to do at work and fall break was the best time to do it so I stayed behind.
I had great intentions of writing a week ago but life got crazy as we approached the end of the first grading period. (I don’t say this as an apology, but as a lament for the stories I didn’t write down and have now forgotten--life happens.) We had projects to make and tests to study for. Poor Jenna lives in her biology textbook. I keep telling her four years from now when she comes back to visit her high school teachers she will thank Mrs. Lyons for being so tough. At any rate, we’ve all been ready for the break.
Jenna texted a picture to me while they were on the road to the Jones’ house. Vicki told the boys they needed to make birthday cards for Cameron so they go busy in the back of the van. Ben knew something didn’t look right and handed his card up front for Vicki and Jenna to read. He had misspelled his own name -- “Bention.” His only defense was that his brain had already turned to mush now that he was on “spring” break.
Fall break, son. You’re on fall break. Spring break happens in March.
SHOP TIME. One nice thing about some time off is I get to work in my shop. Rick and Sharon Robinson asked me to make a picnic table for them and I have been plugging away at it when I can. This table is one of the square, four bench type so it’s a little more involved than building a typical table. I was able to make a major push forward this week and the frame is done. All I lack now are the bench seats and table top. When that’s done I can get started on an outdoor nativity scene.
A FUN VISIT. My cousins Sarah and Jason visited this weekend. They stayed with the Dees in Ashland City and did several fun things around Nashville including a visit to the Grand Ole Opry and the Hermitage. We were honored that they wanted to spend part of their time visiting us as well.
Everyone drove over from Ashland City on Saturday and we ate lunch together at Mom’s. It was such a beautiful day that we ate outside. After lunch Sarah wanted to see a few sites in the area where our family lived so we took a driving tour to show her some of the houses, churches, and school campuses that had played a part in her family history. They all came back Sunday morning for church and we ate once again outside at Mom’s. We had a great time catching up with Sarah and getting to know Jason. It’s hard to believe they’ve been married two years now.
Joe
FALL BREAK. We are on fall break this week. Vicki and the kids left immediately after church to spend a few days in Georgia (they return this evening). I had a chore to do at work and fall break was the best time to do it so I stayed behind.
I had great intentions of writing a week ago but life got crazy as we approached the end of the first grading period. (I don’t say this as an apology, but as a lament for the stories I didn’t write down and have now forgotten--life happens.) We had projects to make and tests to study for. Poor Jenna lives in her biology textbook. I keep telling her four years from now when she comes back to visit her high school teachers she will thank Mrs. Lyons for being so tough. At any rate, we’ve all been ready for the break.
Jenna texted a picture to me while they were on the road to the Jones’ house. Vicki told the boys they needed to make birthday cards for Cameron so they go busy in the back of the van. Ben knew something didn’t look right and handed his card up front for Vicki and Jenna to read. He had misspelled his own name -- “Bention.” His only defense was that his brain had already turned to mush now that he was on “spring” break.
Fall break, son. You’re on fall break. Spring break happens in March.
SHOP TIME. One nice thing about some time off is I get to work in my shop. Rick and Sharon Robinson asked me to make a picnic table for them and I have been plugging away at it when I can. This table is one of the square, four bench type so it’s a little more involved than building a typical table. I was able to make a major push forward this week and the frame is done. All I lack now are the bench seats and table top. When that’s done I can get started on an outdoor nativity scene.
A FUN VISIT. My cousins Sarah and Jason visited this weekend. They stayed with the Dees in Ashland City and did several fun things around Nashville including a visit to the Grand Ole Opry and the Hermitage. We were honored that they wanted to spend part of their time visiting us as well.
Everyone drove over from Ashland City on Saturday and we ate lunch together at Mom’s. It was such a beautiful day that we ate outside. After lunch Sarah wanted to see a few sites in the area where our family lived so we took a driving tour to show her some of the houses, churches, and school campuses that had played a part in her family history. They all came back Sunday morning for church and we ate once again outside at Mom’s. We had a great time catching up with Sarah and getting to know Jason. It’s hard to believe they’ve been married two years now.
Joe
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