Pronunciations and Spellings

Did you know that the correct spelling of "thesaurus" is "the sources". Did you know that "italicize" is pronounced "eh-licious"? Did you know that the "tech guy" who came to work on my computers is really the "tight neck" guy? Did you know that the correct spelling of "encyclopaedia" is "enclyoptidy"? I didn't know any of this. I sure am happy that I have 8th graders to teach me these things.

Big Frank

I have students of all shapes, sizes, and colors and I love them all, but I just had to show this picture of one of my boys. We affectionately call him "Big Frank". Frank was 13 years old in November. Yes, I said 13, not 23! He is 6 ft. 3 in. and weighs 250 lbs. Frank said his Dad is 6' 6", weighs 270, and played football for Auburn. Big Frank Sr. also ran track (40 in 4.4 seconds). I have a sneaky feeling that Frank will outsize his Dad and that someday Auburn may take a look at him as well. In the meantime, I will just ask him to stay seated so that I can talk to him eyeball to eyeball.

What daffodils mean to me. . .

For years and years, as soon as the daffodils bloom (and that is usually in February in the South), John would come to the front of the house and ring the doorbell. When I would go to the door, he would be standing there with his arm behind his back and a big smile on his face. I knew at that point that Spring had "sprung" because he would pull out a freshly picked bouquet of daffodils from behind his back and hand them to me with a hug and a kiss. May sound a bit corny or even mushy, but it still makes me happy to know that he still loves me that much--even after 36 years. As you can see from the picture, "Spring was sprung" just yesterday! I do love that man!

Heart of the Community

I can't tell you what a shock it was to be awarded the Secondary Teacher of the Year Award for the Phenix City School System on February 7 at the Heart of the Community Awards Program. I was so stunned that John had to help me up out of my seat when my name was called! Back in November, I was honored to be named the "Specialty" Teacher of the Year for South Girard School, but had no idea that I would get the district award for "Secondary" teacher. I am now nominated by Phenix City Schools for the Alabama Teacher of the Year. I am very humbled by these honors and hope that I will live up to the expectations for such. I will try to represent my school and the district to the best of my ability. Additionally, two of my good friends from South Girard also received honors. Sonya Whitmer, our drama teacher, was named the Classroom Teacher of the Year, and Lou Caldwell was named the Support Person of the Year. All in all, the South Girard Bulldogs were represented well!

Farewell to our Little Friend

A few months after we moved to Alabama, we met the cutest pair of Jack Russell dogs we had ever seen. They would just show up every now and then to visit awhile only to disappear for a few days. We called them Spec and Spot because of their markings. Eventually, we found out that they belonged to our neighbor, Bruce Boswell, and their names were really Kate and Katie. Shortly after we found out who they were, Kate met her fate on the highway between Mrs. Boswell's and our house. Katie aka Spec found a new playmate in the person of John. Eventually she moved in lock, stock, and barrell to our place and made every step John did. When she would hear the Boswell children, she would run over there to play. When the kids left, she would come back to hang out with John. For over 4 years we enjoyed watching her chase and tree every squirrel on Boswell Road. We always thought that if we could attach a propeller to her tail, she could fly! John made a pact with her that he would shoot out one of those squirrels at least once a week. She quickly caught on and as soon as she would tree one, she would look back at him to see if he was getting out the .22! Not only did she enjoy hunting squirrels, she went into a hunting frenzie when we got the pool net out to capture frogs! We all miss Katie Boswell aka Spec Sutton who also lost her little life in the same place her sister did. We are comforted that she is in the Happy Hunting Grounds where all the best dogs go. Go get 'em girl!

Will New Tennis Shoes Make You Run Faster?

When my children were little, the first thing they would do when they got new tennis shoes was take off running. They declared that new tennis shoes really would make you run faster! So, last week when I got my new Asics, I decided to put their theory to the test. I put them on, went out front on the sidewalk and took off. I can say with all honesty that "NO", you cannot run faster in new tennis shoes! Oh, wait a minute! I forgot! I can't run in any kind of shoes!