Nada Mucho

Sisters, sisters; there were never such devoted sisters...

Today is sister Robin's birthday. Though more than half a century has passed since her appearance on Earth, I vividly remember the event. Grammy Tobin was staying with us while Mom was in Mound Park Hospital. Always cheerful, sister R has made all of our lives better just by being who she is. Happy birthday, sister!

Sister Susan loves football, particularly if the Vols are playing. Once when she came to visit me, we went to a sports bar so that she could watch the Tennessee game. She is the most loyal fan I know. Nobody had better say anything negative about her Vols. So, when I awoke this morning and learned that the Colts had won the Superbowl AND that Payton Manning (former Vol) had been named the MVP, I thought of Sister Sue and how happy she must be.

Melissa the Jinx

I am not much of a football fan, but I am loyal to my beloved Gators, the VT Hokies, and the Tampa Bay Bucs. Probably because I jinx any team whose game I watch or listen to, I avoid most games. I have become so superstitious that it is a bit laughable. But, ask my sons-in-law and they will tell you I am forbidden to check scores, turn on the radio or the television if any of their teams are playing. This all began years ago but became serious one night in Champs sports bar in Blacksburg...the Hurricanes had come to Blacksburg to play VT. If my memory serves me well, Tech was favored. Jess, Bob, and I settled in with some of Mike's killer bruschetta and other treats. Horror of horrors Miami scored on the kickoff. They scored again very quickly. Bob looked at me and I knew it would be best if I left. As I made my way down the old wooden staircase to the street below, I heard Skipper, the VT cannon go off. Tech had scored! By the time I got home Tech had scored again. When I got home, I tried to ignore the cannon lest I ruined Tech's chances for the big win that resulted. Skipper has resounded every time Tech has scored since Homer H. Hickam built the cannon in the early 1960s. I guess if you live in Blacksburg, are not a jinx, and can't go to the game, you can tell how well Tech is doing just by listening for Skipper. You can hear Skipper from most any place in town.

Full Bore Panic Mode

These days there is always too much to do and too little time. So you are wondering, why am I maintaining a blog. There is no reason. Who knows what motivates me? I've yet to figure it out.

One of the courses that I love to teach has a required 15-hour practicum where my students team teach a social studies unit they have created. Setting this up is never easy, but this semester and last it has been beyond difficult. The school is a great place and the principal is supportive. BUT!! She does not get me the information I need so that my students can write their units. Each team of students needs to know the grade level, the teacher's name and the topic they are to teach. I'm about to implode because we were to begin unit writing in January. Now it is February and time is zipping by. CALGON! TAKE ME AWAY!!

My Nostalgic Wish

Well, we don't vote for a new president for 23 months, but the candidates are lining up quicker than a bunch of tin soldiers. Here's my secret wish...When I was a child I loved to watch the conventions. It sent a thrill up my spine to hear the chair of a state delegation say, "Mister Chairman, the great State of Florida casts all of its votes for..." The roll call was so exciting because no one knew FOR SURE who the candidate would be. Of course there were cigar filled rooms with all kinds of deals going on that the television audience never got to see. Wouldn't it be grand to once again watch a convention and not know ahead of time who the candidate will be? No wonder no one much watches them any more.