Timber, Old Friend

We have lived in this house almost 30 years and have always enjoyed the gigantic oak tree in our backyard. It stood the tallest of all the trees for miles. We have tried to estimate just how old it could be, but were never really sure. As years have passed, the tree began showing signs of age, dropping huge limbs, and revealing scars from lightning strikes. With much regret, we conceeded that the tree needed to come down before it fell on our house or a neighbor's house. So a company came Friday to take it down. The base is 7 feet across and the trunk to the first branch is 34 feet long as it lays on the ground. The neighbors said you could feel the vibrations in their houses as it hit the ground. A friend who is a logger estimates the tree to be 300 years old. Just think, Abraham Lincoln could have slept under its canopy more than once. I will miss the tree, but always remember its majesty. And from the looks of the mammoth trunk, I will be remembering seeing it as well!

The Devil Carries Prada

Read in the paper about a new purse available. It is from Prada or is called Prada. For $1,750, one can purchase said purse. However, there is a limit of three per month. Rats$!

May the Best Man Win

Wow! The kids at school are tired of getting along and are ready to be out of school. No one masks his or her feelings, letting fly with hateful comments or even fists. With only 12 days remaining, I am not sure if we will make it to the end without seeing blood. I told a fellow teacher that we should lock them in the classroom over the weekend, and then teach the survivors on Monday.

Sleep Over

Our granddaughter stayed overnight with us last night. That's why I am blogging so early. She is still sleeping and I don't want to wake her. I need some quiet, sitting time this early in the morning. She did really well, once she got to sleep. A few times during the night, I heard her talking in her sleep, something about No, no. I figured she was conversing with someone at Day Care where she gets to be the boss. I could sure use my cup of coffee, but quiet time is winning out, at least for the moment. I just heard her, but maybe she is talking in her sleep again. Nope. Time to get up.

Recycle Me

I always teach a unit on recycling in my fourth grade class. A part of that unit is an assignment to make something from trash that is useful such as a bird feeder, pencil holder, birdhouse, game, lamp, etc. My class usually comes up with some wonderful, inventive ideas, but his year Mrs. G's class topped them all. The all-time favorite was a boom box. One of her boys, with help from his step-dad, used an old hard plastic tool box, radio, dials, and speaker from a trashed Mustang, and battery to create a boom box. It would put you in mind of the original larger-than-life boom boxes (which the current generation of elementary students would not have seen). There could be a market for it, again. Then the thought occurred to me that the ultimate recycling project would be to donate organs. I am listed as an organ donor because after I die, I won't have need of any organ. Hope you recycle your body as well.