Memorial Day

They are not dead who live in lives they leave behind;

In those whom they have blessed, they live a life again,

And shall live, through the years, Eternal life, and grow each day more beautiful

As time declares their good, forgets the rest.

~Hugh Robert Orr

Update on Shoe Sightings

More shoes have been added! Feel free to add anything else you want (except maybe roadkill - yuck!) - I saw a motorcycle jacket just the other day. To add a sighting, just click on Shoe Sightings in the sidebar at the right.

Time Flies on the Weekend

Is it Sunday evening already? How did that happen? I'd like to order another weekend day, please. Friday night, we took red beans and rice to my parents. My mom and I eat it, but my dad and David love it. Saturday, David took me to the greenhouse where we bought our big trees last year to pick out flowers. Then we went to check out the Ozark Bluegrass Festival/Farmer's Market/Car Show/Art Show that we'd heard about on the radio. It was cool out and really windy, so I didn't last long. I'd go back next year though. I don't know a thing about bluegrass music, but I still like to listen to it.

Today I spent most of the day outside planting the flowers we bought yesterday. I'm trying to grow tomatoes for the first time since we moved here, so we'll see. For the cost of new pots, supports, dirt, tomato spray, and plants, I could probably have bought quite a few tomatoes at the Farmer's Market. But, there is something especially rewarding about eating tomatoes off your very own vines. We'll see how they turn out!

If You Were Teeny, You Could Live Here (Also known as, I Couldn't Think of a Title)

Last week, I was able to take a few days off from work to help out my mom who is now almost two weeks past her hip surgery day. We had a great time. It was the biggest chunk of time I'd spent in my hometown since the summer after college. It's nice to know that some things never change - the unique smell of the old post office, the layout of the local drugstore. I meant to get some pictures and give you a tour, but I never got around to it. My parents house isn't the one I grew up in but there are lots of familiar things there. This dollhouse for example. My dad built it for me for Christmas when I was 3 (I think. Mom?) Isn't it neat? Real glass windows and lots of little furniture. It even has carpet and linoleum!
Somewhere there is a picture of cute little Erin and her new dollhouse - I'll have to hunt for it a bit.

Mom is doing great and getting along well. She'll be running marathons any day now! :)

Crawfish-Fest 2009

Last Saturday, Melanie, Dale, and Kevin hosted the 2009 Crawfish Fest. I wasn't brave enough to take the picture below - David did that. I did get close enough to check out the creepy-crawlies in the cooler. Ick! Scotty isn't as afraid of being touched by a crawfish as I am I guess!

There were lots of other tasty things to eat - like corn that wasn't boiled with the crawfish.

Look! No hands!

So how about it? Have you eaten crawfish before? What did you think? Spell check doesn't like "crawfish." What do you call 'em?

Leaning Tower of Treeza

The tree beside Tuley's house has been leaning a little for a long time. The storms of May 8 almost finished it off, but not quite. The picture makes it look like it will fall right on Tuley's house, but it will really just clip the back corner - no worries! It should be gone by next Sunday at the latest. In the meantime, we are just hoping for calm days with no wind!

Last Day of School

Today is the last day of school for seniors. They will graduate on Monday. As the tech students have passed through the room, I've tried to think of one last thing to say to them. Something wise that they can take with them, but I haven't come up with anything yet. One asked for a hug. Another shook my hand with the most serious expression on his face. As a collective whole, we've done everything we could. They don't belong to us anymore, and all we can do is hope that they are ready. For college, for work, for whatever is next.

They remind me of the last day of school when I taught. In January, it seemed that that day would never come. By the time the last day actually arrived, I wondered where all the time had gone. Every day, the kids would line up by the door at the end of the day. Just outside the door they would split up - after-school care kids one way, walkers another, and car and bus riders with me. But on the last day, I would stand at the door to say good-bye to each of them. Most of the girls were huggers. The boys were suddenly uncomfortable and shy. Some wanted a hug, some just waved, eyes down. Someone always cried a little about leaving. Sometimes, even the teacher's eyes were a little wet.

Mamie's Birthday

Today is David's mom's birthday. She would have been 77 today.

Homeward Bound!

Mom is going home today! Her hospital stay just wouldn't have been complete without tornado warnings. When the sirens went off this morning, they moved all the patients into the hallway. Don't you know that was exciting! I spent the time in the school basement with students and teachers. I'm glad it was the beginning of the day instead of after they've all been to P.E.!

Mom's feeling good today and is looking forward to getting home. Her kitty, Sophie, will be so very glad to see her!

Shoe Sightings

Update: Here are the shoes so far! :)

Lately I have noticed quite a few shoes that have been abandoned on the road. On my way to work a few days, there were a total of SIX shoes who'd been separted from their owner! If you see an abandoned shoe on the road, feel free to add it using the shoe sightings form. There will be a link back to this post on the sidebar. :)

Update

Mom's been up and walking on her shiny new hip! Out of her room, down the hall a bit and back. Now she is sitting in a chair awaiting a delicious (or not!) hospital lunch. I'm offering to sneak in contraband food.

Success!

If you are checking the blog for an update on my mom - her surgery went very well! The surgeon said everything went by the book. Once the effects of the anesthesia wear off, she'll be feeling much better.

Love Thy Neighbor

We really like our neighborhood - and the neighbors. They are all great. But I am beginning to find it challenging to love the neighbor who walks his dog and lets him poop in our yard. Especially when the offending poop is right by the mailbox. Where I will most likely step in it unless I clean it up. Ugh. And the weeds that have taken over the backyard of the recently abandoned house next door? Not loving that either.

It Was The Cat

It wasn't the man sitting on the curb that prompted me to stop and offer a few crumpled bills. It wasn't the rain falling on his dirty coat. It wasn't the broken look in his eyes. It wasn't his sign, which simply read "Help". It wasn't the way his head hung toward his chest. It wasn't the air of hopelessness that surrounded him. It was his companion, sitting quietly in his lap. It was the pink collar and leash. It was the cat.

Vacation

I'm tired of hearing the term "staycatation," but I guess it does describe the last week. David and I were both on vacation last week, but had decided that we wouldn't try to go anywhere far away. After returning from our camping trip, we settled in for the week. Much like any trip we've taken, our vacation at home revolved around food.

Monday we ate at Casper's. They're famous (at least in Springfield) for their chili. If you want to sit, you should get there right at 11:00 as the tiny Quonset hut doesn't seat very many. This website has a great slide show of the outside and inside of Casper's - you've got to see it.

Tuesday we joined my parents for lunch at Cheddar's. I had invited them for dinner Tuesday night and completely forgot. The meat for dinner was still in the freezer. I'm not sure where my head was! They were very gracious and didn't hold a grudge. ;)

Wednesday morning we went to Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe in Bass Pro for their breakfast buffet. It was fun to play a tourist in our own town. We ran into my uncle John who avoids coming into Springfield if at all possible. It was really a surprise to see him at Bass Pro!

Thursday we went to World Fest at Silver Dollar City. The light rain kept the crowds away, and we got to see a couple of groups that we never miss during World Fest - the Academic Band from Russia and the Invaders from Trinidad/Tobago.

Friday we ate at a new(er) sandwich place in Springfield - Which Wich. Pretty good, but I think we are still sold on Jimmy John's. :) Friday evening we tried to eat at the Pizza House on Commercial, but it was packed so we went to South Avenue Pizza instead. It was delicious! It was First Friday Art Walk again, so there were lots of people to watch.

Saturday we went to Arts Fest on Walnut. Arts Fest in 2000 marked our official beginning, so we love going back every year - rain or shine. We also enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby at Krista's annual derby party. I left my camera in the car, so don't have any pictures of the festivities.

It was a wonderful relaxing week full of good food and plenty of naps. :) I really enjoyed having David home for a full week!