Thursday This and That

I can remember as a child riding my bike down North Boyer after school was out and admiring the wild roses enveloping fence posts or rising from deep, dusty grass along the road right-a-way.  

Their appearance, in my mind, signaled the beginning of another carefree summer vacation.

It's May 19th, and even back in the day, school did not dismiss for the summer until after Memorial Day----'cept for that time 36 years ago yesterday when Mt. St. Helens gave students and teachers an extended vacation. 

Wild roses are coming on; lilacs are drooping and fading but still sending out some lovely fragrances as they succumb for this season. 

Of course, the wild roses invite us to come smell, and the nasal pleasure is always worth the effort.  My white, aromatic roses in the yard received an overnight bath, so talk about a fresh, clean fragrance and appearance.  

Many of the fragile blooms suffered major petal collapses or full separations from their base, due to the heavy rain, while others fought the good fight and managed to maintain their shape while supporting all those fresh raindrops. 

The rain was nice and welcome, and the morning, especially nice because billowly black clouds filled with moisture have floated on in deference to some sunshine. 

So, it's a clean-earth day, and no need to do much watering of veggies or flowers.  

It's also jury day for two family members----Laurie and Debbie. 

Jury-duty talk has been a staple this past month during Friday-night dinners, and both have managed to avoid the responsibility until today.  

Over the weekend, both announced that they were to check in Wednesday night.  So, this morning I sent texts to each:  jury duty????

"Yes," on both counts.  Debbie also included an unsmiley face with her response. 

Laurie's class of fifth graders has Waterfest at Riley Creek Campground today, so a substitute will have to accompany them. 

Anyway, this week's Friday-night dinner talk could be more interesting than usual. We'll see; maybe they'll serve; maybe not. 

I also see this morning that Annie has a new post on her "AdventureGirl" blog, so be sure to check.  She's definitely winding down her days at work as her Sunday departure moves closer.  

In other news, it looks like my eye worries are gone for a while, 'cept for keeping a closer eye on my purse.

My appointment with Dr. George was at 3 p.m. yesterday, so, knowing that at least one eye would be filled with drops on my drive home, I stopped at Wal-Mart before the appointment to pick up some items for dinner. 

Later, when I arrived at the eye clinic and grabbed for my purse, it was NOT there.  Talk about compounding the stress of a doctor's appointment. 

Inside, after listening to my frantic announcement, Rosalee dialed Wal-Mart, and I talked to a lady in customer service and gave her my phone number.  Then, Rosalee arranged for my appointment to be flipflopped with another patient who had just arrived.

Back to Wal-Mart in slow, slow traffic.  

Have you ever noticed how the world slows down in front of you when you have an urgent need to get somewhere?  Well, the cars in front of me were definitely poking along during that few-minute drive, but I managed to maintain a calm, "this will work out" demeanor. 

I also had a talk with St. Anthony on the way. 

He must have been listening because "beauty in black beat-up leather" sat on the counter behind the customer service lady.  

"You have my purse!" I announced gleefully.  

Thankfully, an honest person found it in the shopping cart and brought it untouched to the window.  

Whoever you were, I so appreciate you. 

Back to the eye clinic, and after a thorough exam, Dr. George announced that the "event is over."  I'm good to go until the next thing. I'm hoping a lot of time passes before that happens. 

Finally, in the "gee, those students are sure making their mark" category, I must congratulate Joeli Buck Martin, one of my English aides from a few years back, who was named "Teacher of the Year" her school in California. 

After congratulating her, I received a quick note, which read:   

My 6th graders (50 of the little darlings) scored the highest in our district on the writing assessment. 88% were proficient. 65% of them moved from below proficient. I am so pleased. The remaining 12% were right at the line. I am hopeful they continue to make gains next year.

Great job, Joeli!

And, one more SHS success story involving a former student and longtime family friend. Jeff Balch, son of Dan and Dorene and brother of Melissa, was featured in an interesting story in this morning's "Outdoor" section of the Spokesman-Review.

Jeff, who's pretty much a self taught and later-in-life computer nerd for his generation, has developed an app for hunters.  

You can read his story, written by Rich Landers, at http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/may/18/outpeople-sandpoint-outdoorsman-creates-basemap-on/

We, as a family, have enjoyed a lifetime of associations with the Balch family, mostly through horses, but also through teaching and even a story years ago when Jeff's aunt donated a kidney to her brother. 

They've accomplished some impressive achievements through all those years, and they're mighty fine folks. 

So, Jeff, congratulations!  We are proud of you!

And, with that, it's Happy Thursday.  Enjoy your day.