And so the School Year Begins. . .

I am blessed to have a flexible job that permits me to attend the grandkids events during the day.  Josh and Amanda were notified this week that Maddison would be getting an award at school and her family was invited to attend.  I tagged along with my camera and enjoyed an outdoor awards assembly with all the 3rd graders at the school.  Maddison got an award for "Academic Excellence" in all subjects. We are proud that Maddison does well in her class.  She is a sweet little girl who rarely causes any trouble and has a bit of a competitive streak in her.  Maddison seemed very pleased that her dad and I got to be there.  Josh got a big old hug and kiss as he congratulated her on her achievement.  I love attending the kids activities (well, I have to admit that sometimes the sporting events get rather old for me. . . I spent so many, many years following Josh's wrestling, baseball and football activities I may be a tad bit burned out).  We try to make as many events as possible because we know just how quickly these years race by. 

Rhocc and Roe

We recently dog sat for two of our grandpuppies.  Sad to say, the larger dog, Rhocc, was hit by a car on our gravel road while staying here.  Randy took him to the vet, but they had to put him down.  Jessica and Scott were 600 miles away when it happened, so that made it even worse.  For some reason, animals are naturally drawn to Mason, and he is drawn to them.  This photo was taken the day before the accident.  Rest in peace Rhocc.

Estes Park Colorado

On our way home from South Dakota, we detoured to Estes Park.  I have been to Colorado many, many times but never to Estes.  It was magnificent.  I loved the Big Thompson River and could not seem to get enough of it!  We were there right after Labor Day and just two weeks later they are experiencing a great deal of flooding in the area. 

Some of our friends and family suggested that we check out the YMCA of the Rockies.  I was impressed with their facilities and especially the pets (see above) they had roaming around the grounds.  There were a herd of elk just wandering around the tennis and basketball courts.  This fellow just slowly made his way towards us.  I think he wanted his picture taken!

We decided to take the Trail Ridge Road up the mountain at Estes.  It was a rather long and often frightening drive to the highest point in Colorado.  The scenery was amazing, but for a girl who is afraid of heights, it was a bit overwhelming!

We finally made it to the top and were rewarded with a great view and a nice visitors' center.  Randy experienced a bit of altitude sickness, so we didn't stay long.  While we were there, we watched a herd of elk make their way up the side of the mountain.  When we left for the drive the temperature was 83, when we arrived at the top it was 54 degrees.  I loved the experience, but I was glad to get off the mountain!

South Dakota 2013

 We recently returned from a road trip to South Dakota.  This is our third trip to the area and will probably be the last for quite a while.  Although we love the state, we have seem most of it and have quite a few other spots on our "bucket list".  If you have never been to see Mount Rushmore, you really should put it at the top of your vacation list.  It is beautiful and inspires a patriotic feeling that is hard to match outside of the D.C. area.

 Randy and his brother Jim rarely let us take photos of them.  I am not sure why, but I have very few of just the two of them.   Jim and Randy have very different likes and lives, but they have remained close over the years and are truly good friends.  We manage to see Jim and Joanne once or twice a year, even though they live 1500 miles away!

 A wonderful surprise on this trip was a scenic drive through Custer State Park.  We took the Needles Road, which was beautiful and was named after this rock formation that looks like the eye of a needle.

 A trip through Custer would not be complete without seeing the buffalo roaming around.  We got caught in a hail storm during this drive, which seemed to make the buffalo rather motionless.  They are majestic animals and I love to watch them.

I love to photograph the changing skies in the West.  This was taken in Custer on the Needles road.  Shortly after I shot this the hail started coming down!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/20/introverts-signs-am-i-introverted_n_3721431.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Almost without exception, this describes me.  Thanks for sharing, Michelle.  I don't have low blood pressure, but I am going to diagnose myself as an introvert. Very interesting!

School Days. . . and Memories of Days Gone By

I got to go to open house at Mason's school tonight.  He will be in 1st grade this year and has a first year teacher who seems sweet and confident.  There were pencils and little desks, blackboards and chalk.  I saw crayons and books, water fountains and bulletin boards.  I watched the parents and children wander through the halls and talk to teachers and find the totes for the backpacks of school supplies.  But what I was really seeing was the second grade classroom at North Park School circa 1980.  My mom taught 2nd grade in the same classroom for almost 25 years.  Her room was next to the office, second room on the left when you entered the building.  She had a wall of windows and a little bathroom in the back corner.  There was always some kind of animal in the room, often fish and hamsters.  The smell was of chalk, pencils and old Chief Tablets.  The hallways echoed with the sounds of children and the click of heels on the polished floors.  I spent many, many, many hours in that room helping my mom.  We put up bulletin boards and alphabet charts.  We marked and organized books and learning resources.  I got to see first hand what it takes to be a great teacher. . . dedication, compassion, love and kindness.  I observed a woman who had honed her craft to a fine science and knew how to reach children and make them feel loved.  She never won any "teacher of the year" awards.  Her students didn't top the charts in the old "achievement" tests.  Her classroom didn't sparkle with perfection and shine.  But what she had was a unique and special knack for touching the children who needed her.  The children who came from homes where turmoil prevailed, the children who were shy and did not like school.  The children who were picked on by others. 
We lost my mom 27 years ago to breast cancer.  She never got to retire from the job that defined her life.  She had a very short time with 4 of her grandchildren and has 3 more she never got to meet.  In her short years, she left a legacy of  love to over 500 children.  Many still remember her and the hugs she gave out.  I know this because her former students still tell me stories about her and the warm experiences they had in her care.
Each year that goes by, I hope that some of the pain of losing my mom lessens.  And I guess it has.  But then there is that school smell, those visual memories of a primary classroom and all the other trappings of an elementary school.  In an instant I am transported back to that little room, and a sweet teacher named Mrs. Hall.  I wish I could tell her what an impact she had on her students.  I wish I could talk to her just one more time and tell her about the impact she has had on my life and how I still strive to be more like her.  For today, I will have to settle for the smell of chalk, the sound of echoes in the hall and the alphabet charts on the walls. 

Thank you!

 My sister, Debbie made some cute sun dresses for her granddaughters.  I was jealous of her talent, so I asked her to make one for Maddison, since I really do not like to sew.  The plan was to get the girls together and take a photo of them in their colorful sun dresses.  However, the timing just did not work out, and by the time they are together again it will be mid fall, and the weather will probably not allow such an outfit.  Maddison likes her dress and wanted to thank Aunt Debbie!

We have had an unusually nice August with several nice rain falls and cooler temperatures.  It is rare to see umbrellas around here in late summer.  I cannot believe how tall Mason is getting. . . he is going to be a 1st grader this year!