School starts soon and the signs are everywhere. School supplies are in and shoppers are filling their carts with the advertized specials.  I picked up five unneeded notebooks, but how can I resists at only twenty five cents each. I remember going to grade school with one notebook and a yellow #2 pencil. We didn't have backpacks or any of the frills available today. I grew up on a farm near Huntley, Wy and had to walk about a quarter of a mile to catch the school bus. On really snowy days my dad would drive us to the bus stop, but mostly my sisters and I walked and then huddled in a culvert to protect us from the harsh Wyoming winds. We were bare legged because girls weren't allowed to wear jeans or slacks except on Fridays. In the first and second grade I wore long brown stockings, if it was cold outside.
When we would hear the bus pull up, we would pop up out of the culvert and run to get on the bus.  By the time we boarded the bus it was about half full and I always opted for a seat up front. Some of the farm boys on the bus could be downright mean, so it was safer to ride up front. Huntley school consisted of a  grade school, jr.high and high school. There was an average of twenty to twenty five students in each class.We all were farm kids and almost everyone rode a bus to school. School started at 8:30 and dismissed at 4 p.m.
The major focus at our school was to learn! Reading, writing and arithmetic. Looking back, we received a good education and no monkey business was tolerated. We had lockers to put our books and personal belongings in and there weren't any locks on them.  I don't remember anyone ever getting anything stolen!
We recited the  Pledge of Allegiance and the teacher offered a prayer to start our day. We respected our teachers and studied hard to get good grades. We had extra curricular activities like music, sports, school plays, band, FHA, FFA, etc. One thing you could count on was homework! We didn't have any television, so evenings when home, were spent doing homework. I could go on and on about what school was like when I was growing up, however that could get boring. I admire the teachers of today because it is often a thankless job and many of them put their heart and soul into their profession.  (I know, because I have many teachers in my family!)  So, give your kids a loving send off and encourage them as they start the new school year.

4th of July - Past

Nostalgic memories -
Always a picnic
at the lake.
Swimming and fishing
Aunts, Uncles and Cousins
have joined us.
Free to run and play
No worries or cares
It's the 4th of July!
Celebrating our Nation's
Freedom.
We all knew it was a day
to honor our country and
the freedom we have.
A picnic lunch is ready
to eat.
Gathering around the
picnic table.
We all enjoy this time
together.
We pop all our fireworks
in late afternoon.
Say our goodbyes
and head for home
Tired, but happy
we live in the
 "Land of the Free"

My mother Viola Strecker

Tomorrow is Mothers Day and I am happy to be able to go to my granddaughter's home to enjoy a brunch with my family that lives here.  Being a mother has been a privilege that I enjoy.  I loved the years when my children all lived at home and I could nurture, raise and be with them.  One hears often "Enjoy these years when your children are young because they go all too fast!" How true it was! I have had the joy of watching my children become parents and raising them to be good people. In March I became a great grandmother for the first time. All of these events hit home how fast life goes by.  My mother passed away January 1990 and at times I long to be with her and just sit and visit. She was a good mother and tomorrow I will honor her in a special way on Mothers Day.  She raised seven children and worked hard on the farm where I was raised.  Her cooking was 'par excellant' and I think of her whenever I cook some of her dishes that I loved. She took us to Sunday School and Church every Sunday and I'm thankful for the spirituality that she passed on to me.  She taught me how to work until the chore was finished and to not be lazy. My clothes were made by her hands and I in turn learned to sew.  I owe a great debt of gratitude to her for the way she raised me for I am the person I am today because of her.  So I begin this day honoring my mother, Viola Strecker and thank God for choosing her to bring me to this earth.

"A New Day"

Happy February! So good to feel the sunshine today and have temperatures on the plus side! I'm dog sitting for my daughter this week and the dog did not want to go outside, however she was excited to go for a long walk today.  We enjoyed the walk until we came to a street that no one had bothered to clear their sidewalks, so that was a bit like tramping in the back country! I've been trying my hand at some poetry the past few months so I am going to share with you "A New Day" which I wrote one very early morning. Hope it inspires you to spend some time in prayer when you are up early.

A NEW DAY 

                                                   

I awaken early each morning

tossing and turning.

It’s no use – I get up.

The darkness hasn’t lifted

I await the light.

All is quiet and calm.

It is good to be up and awake.

No noise to clutter my brain.

What to do first?

Thank God for a new day.

Praise him for being with me

through the night.

Love and adore him and

acknowledge I am nothing

without Him.

Read His Holy Word.

Let it speak deep within.

Ready for the day

with God by my side.

Nothing can shake me -

I am steady as a rock.

God has prepared me

for whatever comes my way.

His love enfolds me

and tenderness surrounds me.

The light is beginning

to shine through the window.

My soul has been nourished

I’m ready to begin,

a new day has dawned.

    --Dorothy Lansing