WTFR . . . oh, and our anniversary

Last Saturday we went to the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. Because it was the first weekend for the fair, the lines at the rides were ridiculously long. I kid you not. It took an hour to go on the ferris wheel. We had shorter waits at Disney! The rides at the WTFR are your typical carnival fair types. Rick and Katie did a few rides, but I opted to stand aside this year. If you recall, last year I forgot that I had developed inner ear issues and I accompanied Katie on the Tilt-A-Whirl. After the ride Rick had to escort me to the fence and I had to hang on to his arm for the rest of the night. Anyway, we had a good family night and it was a different way to spend one's anniversary. We have now been married six years.

I learned a new thing about Cody. The light in the range hood burnt out, so he had no night light. And boy did he boo-hoo about that. I finally had to turn on another light to calm his little frazzled nerves. I also learned that Cody does not like thunder. It is actually thundering right now and he is beside himself. I need to go and sit with him, but before I do here are the pictures from our anniversary at the fair. Unfortunately, there are none with Rick and I together to commemorate the day.

 Katie and Rick on the #9 ferris wheel car. Me on the ground.

 Ferris wheel

Waiting in another line.

Katie coming down the super slide.

And she made it!

The Track

Katie has P.E. (physical education) class from 8:30 am to 9:00 am. On Wednesdays they walk around the track that rings the football field and parents are invited to walk with their child. Of course I motored up to the school. Katie and her friends ran most of the track, but I chose to walk. I think Katie went around the track three times which would be 3/4 miles. The school has a running/walking incentive where once you walk 5 miles you become a member of the 5 Mile Club. Walk 10 miles, 10 Mile Club. And so on. I thought Katie did pretty good despite not changing into her tenny shoes. It was only 80 degrees this morning, so she wasn't too warm with her black leggings and long sleeve shirt. There was one little boy who was very overweight, obese. I was walking behind him--Katie and her friends had left me in the dust--and he started throwing up. He said he was okay and sat down. Further up the track I met the mother, who weighed at least 300 lbs, coming in the opposite direction. I told her he was sitting because he was throwing up. She replied it was probably his asthma. I don't think so. I think it was his weight, but his mother might have been embarrassed to say so. He made it once around the track and no one walked with him, including his big mama. My heart broke for the little boy. Chances are he will struggle with his weight all his life and through no choice of his own. How is a young child supposed to eat healthier food if all the food in his house extremely calorie laden and fat filled. He sure can't go to the store and buy it himself or cook it himself. I am somewhat angry because allowing your child to eat until he has double chins, waddles when he walks and throws up after walking 5/8 can be considered a form of child abuse. Actually in Texas there have been cases where a parent has lost custody of their child because the child is horribly obese. I am conflicted with this topic. I don't agree with the State telling us what and how much we can eat. Heck, the government has already decided what light bulbs we can use. It bothers me how many laws state and federal governments are enacted to keep us safe from ourselves. That is not their role. Oops, I felt myself stepping onto my soap box about our socialist leaning Commander in Chief. Getting down now.

Since I was at school, I decided to drop off my registration form for the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization. I wonder why it is not the PTA anymore?) I also wanted to pay for Katie lunches for this semester. The Principal saw me and I chatted with him for awhile. One positive thing about a small school is that the principal will know you and your child by name, and not because you're a troublemaker. From the conversation I learned why it takes Katie 1 hour and 15 minutes to get home. Elementary School lets out at 3:05 on. The middle school does not let out until 3:30 pm, so Katie sits in the cafeteria until 3:25 and then sits in the bus in the parking lot for another 10 minutes. She doesn't start her journey home until 3:40 pm. Once ballet starts up I will be picking her up four days a week. I might as well five. 

I wanted to include some pictures from this morning's walk, but I only had my iPhone and I had a very hard time emailing a picture to myself. When I finally got a picture, it was so small that there is not pointing posting it. But don't fear, I found a picture from two months ago that is appropriate.

 Kisses, Daddy. Kisses.

Well, I gotta go and scrub the pool. The walls look a touch green

To Catch Up

Cody ate my second pair of glasses. Like an idiot I put them on the breakfast bar then walked into the bathroom. Zip, they were destroyed. I don't know if I was more upset at myself or the dog. Thank goodness I had purchased dog-ate-my-glasses insurance for them and thank goodness Rick wasn't home. Rick was so mad when I told him about the eaten glasses that had Rick been home Cody would have been packed and out of here to a new home that day. They make humane muzzles and I quickly ordered one. It should be here Friday. Until then, I guard my glasses and sunglasses with my life. I don't like to think about how much monetarily Cody has cost us. Just with the two pair of glasses, one pair of sunglasses and kitchen floor the total is running in the thousands. Do I regret getting Cody? Yes, yes I do. I should have stuck to my guns and gotten a White German Shepherd.

 Cody 2, glasses 0.

Yesterday Katie was trying on one of the new swimsuits that I bought her. (Target has their swimsuits on clearance and I only paid a little over $6 per swimsuit.) She was modeling a swimsuit when she told me that she needed to get her tummy "like this" and she sucked in her stomach. She informed me that according to TV she has to have a flat tummy before summer. I was heart broken. I told her TV lies, lies, lies and had a long conversation about how great she looked now. No matter how careful you are with what your child watches, some evil commercial will stick in her head.

When Rick was away last week in Valley Forge, PA he picked up a surprise for Katie. It was Bug Hunter gear. Here she is out on her quest. The gun acts like a vacuum and sucks up a bug that you then put into a container. The look on her face reminds me of a great explorer looking to the horizon.

 In the above picture you can also see our grass or where our grass should be. We are in a severe drought and in the Abilene Reporter they published an article about our conditions and a quote from a local man
". . .  longtime Abilene resident Bill Wright said a friend recently was talking about having experienced three great droughts — the Dust Bowl, the one in the 1950s, and today's.'And they weren't sure that today's wasn't worse than the '50s,' he said." We have had 100+ degree temperatures since mid-May. According to the newspaper we are in the 40th consecutive day of 100+. You will also notice in the above picture how green the mesquite are which means their roots are pretty deep. It is not uncommon for the tap root to go down 90'. Though I hate mesquite I am thankful for the shade and the bit of green they add to the scene. Without that green it would look like John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. Also, needless to say, it is like a tinder box out there. One spark from a fence welder and acres can burn in minutes. One careless smoker can take out a whole ranch just like that. According to Texas Fires 2011  "Since fire season began on Nov. 15, 2010, Texas Forest Service and local firefighters have responded to 15,188 fires that have burned a record-setting 3,327,484 acres." Even for a state the size of Texas, that is a lot of land." As for the cotton crop, I have yet to see any field with cotton plants. It looks like cotton will be a total failure here in West Texas. The people that plant the cotton on our land were pretty sure that this year was going to be a very dry year and we insured our crop in accordance to their prediction. I am amazed at the old farmers around here knowing if it will be a good crop year or not. They can read weather maps and trends better than any meteorologist I have ever seen.

As stated, Rick is out of town again this week. He is in Springfield, IL, land of Lincoln. He will be home next week, but then goes back to Springfield for the following two weeks. His brother's family is motorhoming across country this summer and will be stopping here sometime next week. Boy have they picked a time to visit West Texas.

Rick got a new toy, a Schonstedt MAC-51BX. Basically it is used to find electrical lines, water pipes, survey markers, etc. It is essential for bringing permanent electric and water to the base. Look how happy he looks.

MOPS is starting to gear up for the new season. As you know this will be the last year and it will be sad to go to MOPS without the Doodlebug. It is hard to imagine Katie being gone all day. As I said before, I don't get teary-eyed about her being in school all day. I get teary-eyed when I think of her climbing on that big bus and riding to school.

Yesterday I delivered some MOPS brochures to Abilene Regional Medical Center/Hospital. I told Katie that she was born at ARMC so after dropping off the brochures we went into the hospital and toured around a bit. She got to walk out of the doors that she did almost 5 years ago. I told her that right at that very spot was the first time she was in the great outdoors. She loves hearing stories about herself so this blog will be valuable to her once she can read. My regret is that I did not start this before she was born.

Well, off to  "enjoy" the 100 degree heat. However, there is a rare cloud floating over the missile base maybe it will be a tad cooler. Katie wants to swim and I need to clean the pool. We are not doing taekwondo today--we did it twice yesterday--so this is one precious day where I am not driving to Abilene.

PS:  Here is Eye-Glass-Chewing Cody. If you think he is the cutest dog that you have ever seen, email me your address. He will be there tomorrow.

Snow Ice Cream

I still don't understand snow ice cream.  For those not in the know like I was, snow ice cream is made out of freshly fallen snow, a little milk and a dash of vanilla extract.  And yes, you actually eat it.  I am not sure if it just a Texas thing or a southern thing or a brown-haired, hazel-eyed thing, but as many of you are aware I was born and raised in snow country and in my long years in said snow, I nor anyone I knew ever made or heard of snow ice cream.  Perhaps because snow is rather rare in my adopted neck of the woods it is viewed as so awesome that you have to celebrate such as in the scenario below:

Child:  Mommy, it snowed!  It snowed!  It snowed!  Yipeeee!!
Mom:  Great!  Let's go outside and eat it!

The concept of using snow to make a dessert. . . .just can't get my head wrapped around it.  My question is this, if snow ice cream is such a treat why isn't anybody raving about rainwater lemonade on Facebook?

One More Indication

Here in West Texas I often see work horses in trailers.  They are saddled up, ready to start their day and patiently wait for their riders to finish their biscuits and gravy in the local diner. Sometimes I'll pass these horse trailers on US277 and one thought always comes to my mind.  I wonder what is going through their minds as they zip down the road at 70 miles an hour.  Are they bewildered by the fact that they are going so fast, yet their legs are not moving?

Why, you ask, am I posting this topic.  Well, because we among cotton fields and cattle ranches, when I need to go to the store I have to travel a minimum of 10 miles and 35 miles if I want to go into a "big city."  I mind tends to wonder as I go from point A to B and since moving to Texas I noticed I tend to ponder things weird things, such as what the work horse is thinking; why one cotton field looks fluffier than another; whether a field is irrigated or not; will I be eating that cow some day; and so on and so on.  I guess this new random thoughts are another indication that I am becoming a Texan.

TCR Rodeo

Last night we went to the TCR Rodeo. We met our friends and fellow missile site owners Bruce and Dona for dinner before heading over to the rodeo grounds. Below are the pictures from the evening. I did not bring my long lens, so I didn't take that many pictures.

Katie watching the action

The pick up men gathering up a bronc after he threw his rider.

Dona and Bruce. For Breast Cancer Awareness, the night's theme was "Tough Enough To Wear Pink." They handed out pink feathers for those who hadn't worn pink.

Rick and Katie absorbed in the action in the ring. Well Rick was absorbed; Katie's attention was on the kids in front of us.

Waiting for a bull rider to exit the pen. Notice all of the pink shirts on the cowboys.

Katie wanted a closer look so Rick took her over to the rail. Like a true cowgirl, she climbed the fence and hung there.

TCR Parade 2009

This afternoon we went to the TCR (Texas Cowboy Reunion) Parade in Stamford. The parade kicks off the TCR Rodeo, which is billed as the largest amateur rodeo. It was really hot today, but we managed to score a spot of shade along side a building on the square. Below are just a few of the many pictures that I took this afternoon.

Hardin-Simmons University's Six White Horses, an elite equestrian team

Hardin-Simmons University's Cowboy Marching Band

Rick and Katie. The sirens on the police cars and fire engines had her clamping her hands on her ears. Here she looks frightened because the fire engine was squirting water.

These ladies are in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. At the rodeo on Thursday night, the theme is "Tough Enough To Wear Pink." All the cowboys and cowgirls that participate in the rodeo will be wearing pink, as well as the spectators. A portion of the ticket sales will go to Breast Cancer Awareness. We will be attending the rodeo that night so I have to find Rick a pink shirt. Perhaps I can wash one of his white ones with something red.

The parade is compromised primarily of cowboys and cowgirls as you can see in this picture. One of the reasons why I enjoy the TCR Rodeo is because the participants are real working cowboys and cowgirls.

The young lady on the black horse is our neighbor's daughter Taylor. She looked so happy and had the parade wave down. I didn't get my camera to my eye in time to take a shot of her from the front.


This is our neighbor Tony and his other daughter Tanna. This time I was ready with the camera. I actually got three good shots of the two of them.

Failing The Developmentally Disabled

I lived the majority of my life in Michigan, so when I moved to Texas I subscribed to Texas Monthly to educate myself on the issues and news of Texas. From Texas Monthly I have learned some depressing facts about my adopted state, such as we have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the country and the percentage of the Texas population over 25 years old with a high school degree or higher is 78.3%--the worst in the country. However, the facts I learned in this month's Texas Monthly make me ill. The article called "Failing Darla" is about Texas' funding for the developmentally disabled. In 2008 the US Department of Justice investigated Texas' thirteen state schools. As a result of that investigation "more than 800 employees across all 13 facilities have been suspended or fired for abusing facility residents since fiscal year 2004."

I expect the Texan readers to tell me "love it or leave it" and I respect their right to do so, but before you start throwing sticks at me and saying "Yankee go home" read the article here. I realize that there is no Utopian state in the US and that all states have issues. Furthermore, I love living in Texas and Texas has many things right about it, but that does not stop me from cringing when I read articles like "Failing Darla" from the sheer horror of the situation and from embarrassment that I live in a state where Darla's story is common, the norm. My question is why are we so backward and Johnny-Come-Lately to so many important social issues? Perhaps it is the result of Texans being an independent bunch of folks that prefer a less intrusive government. I really don't know, but something has to change.

Sunsets--In Texas And Of One Life

Lowering the mattress in Katie's crib has not stopped her from getting out of it. When she was done napping this afternoon, she climbed out of her crib. To top things off, she did not get enough sleep last night and has been a holy terror today. And of course Rick is out of town, so there is no break for me.

Last night for dinner Rick cooked t-bone steaks on the grill and they were absolutely delicious. I had to laugh because Rick kept on going "mmmmm" while eating and didn't realize he was doing that. No sooner did I point that out to Rick when he caught me doing the same thing.

When we were walking back to the house from the grilling area, we ran into a baby snake. It was a bull snake, which is a "good" snake. After dinner we took a walk up the driveway and we ran into the same snake. We haven't seen any rattlers lately--knock, knock, knock on wood.

I previously posted about a fellow MOPS' two-year-old nephew who is fighting AML, which is Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In February he had a bone marrow transplant in an attempt to eradicate the cancer; however, I learned the other day that his cancer is back. The doctors are giving the little guy one to two weeks to live. I cannot even fathom what hearing that news must be like for his parents. We are not meant to understand the seemingly unfairness of life, but I always ask, "Why?" And like Rick said, "But for the grace of God that could be any one of us." I pray that his parents find peace during these last days of their son's life and I pray that he will be gently released into God's arms.

Below are two pictures that I took yesterday evening. A storm was rolling into the area north of us as the sun was setting. The beautiful sunsets that we are fortunate enough to be privy to help ease the uncomfortable "Why?" feeling and remind me what is truly beautiful.




Gotta go. Katie just escaped from her play pen. Is it bedtime yet?

Random Thoughts

Here are a couple of random thoughts that are going around in my head.

I think Rick's preaching to Katie about saving electricity has finally sunk into her little head. Today after she was done watching Dora, she turned the TV off before going to her bedroom to play. Which brings up the observation that Rick sounds like such a typical parent when he tells her we don't own the electric company.

Along with "Dora The Explorer" Katie likes "Go, Diego, Go." However, Katie cannot say "Diego" so her pronunciation is "Ego", which makes me laugh. When she calls his name, it sounds like she is chastising him for being too self-satisfied.

This morning when I checked on Katie in her bedroom she had removed all of her tops from her dresser drawer and placed them on her desk. She proceeded to re-fold all of her tops and then put them back in her drawer. Apparently my laundry folding technique does not meet her meticulous standards.

Flies, flies and more flies despite having hung two fly bags in the front yard. They are driving me nuts. I am not sure what has caused the surge in the flies--perhaps the fields have been recently fertilized. Regardless, each time I go outside they are just chilling on the front steps. And because Eric is slow coming up and going down his ramp, at least five flies get in the house each time I let Eric in or out. This morning I found myself walking around the house with a fly swatter in one hand at all times.

Til more randomness occurs to me.....

Random Thoughts On A Cold Morning

Brad Pitbull is still a member of our household. The guy who supposedly wants him did not come by yesterday. Maybe today.

Rick has leash-trained Brad, so Rick takes him for walks up the driveway. Actually Brad really likes Rick and in general is happy as a clam when we come out of the house. Rick admitted that he is getting attached to Brad, but Rick assures we won't keep him. Katie is afraid of Brad because compared to old Eric, Brad is very exuberant and she is not used to that.

Thank goodness the Great Moms Walk was yesterday. Even though the sun is out today, there is a cold wind blowing through the trees.

We are invited to dinner today at our neighbors. By neighbors, I mean a couple that lives about a mile from us. Here in the boonies, that is a neighbor. Which has me thinking, even though our distance to our neighbors is a lot greater here at Corinth West, we are closer to them than the ones that we lived 50' away from in Lansing. Perhaps this is because of Texas hospitality or country folk do not suffer from jadedness like those from a big city. Also, in a city you tend to distrust everyone. Whatever the reason, out in the country we look out for each other and depend on each other more. After a bad storm, the first thing phone call is to the neighbors to make sure they are okay. Perhaps

Dorothy and Toto Update

Another extremely windy day here at Corinth West. The wind speed is 32 mph with gusts to 46 mph. The swing set was on its side again and one of the bug lights was on the ground. I took Eric's ramp down because the last thing I want is a 8' piece of metal sailing through the front yard.

Because the fields are empty, we have a blowing dust advisory until 4pm. A dust storm is like a snow storm but worse. Snow melts and usually doesn't blow into the house in every tiny crevice. Not to mention that the dust/sand/dirt gets in your mouth and eyes if you are brave enough--or dumb enough--to go outside.

Katie and I had to go to the bank today and I had to hold on to her so she won't blow over or away. She firmly clamped a hand over her eyes to protect them from the particles. Also while in Hamlin I stopped for gas at the Shell station, which turned out to be a full service station. I didn't think those types of stations existed anymore and I tried to tip the man that filled my tank, but he won't accept it.

Rick will be home this evening if he makes his flight out of Newark--he was running late.

Today I tried to teach Katie how to say her last name. It is very difficult for her to say and comes out like Kerchin, which is not close.

That's all for now. Dorothy and Toto signing off.

Water Line Break

Since Monday I have noticed a change in our water pressure. Then the other day I noticed that Lake Kirschner looked larger than normal. (Lake Kirschner is an area to the side of our driveway that will fill with water after a rain.) This morning Rick checked the water meter and it was spinning like all heck. He walked the water line back to the house, which is about 1100 feet long, and found an area where water was just gurgling. When Rick dug down, he discovered a joint in the PVC that was not glued properly and it just came apart. Since February 1st we have used 95000 gallons of water. Our norm is about 4000. Jay from Ericksdahl Water came right out and turn our water off and Rick fixed the break in the line. Jay also informed Rick that they have been looking for the leak for two days now. Below is a picture of the break.


This episode reminds me of why I am grateful to be living in a small community. In a larger city I doubt that head of the water company would have arrived at our home within 15 minutes. Also, I doubt that a large water company would offer, without our asking, that they will work with us concerning the forthcoming large water bill.

Where's The Anti Venom?

As those of you who know my husband, you know that Rick likes to be prepared. Therefore, today my husband sent me on a telephone mission. The mission was to call all of the area hospitals to see who keeps rattlesnake anti venom on hand. So for those of you in my area of West Texas I have found that Anson, Stamford, Hendrick and Abilene Regional all stock the anti venom.

Nut Brown Hare, Rain and Alone Time

Rick arrived safely back at Corinth West last night. It's good to have him home and not have to be a single parent. It is gloomy and chilly once again here in West Texas and I am ready for the sunshine. On the positive we received over 1" of rain these last few days. A good slow rain really hydrates the parched West Texas earth. Typically when it rains here it comes in like gang busters for 15 minutes, abruptly stops and then the sun comes back. That results in the water never truly getting into the ground because it dries off before it can. I shouldn't complain too much about the rain because the fields and cattle were in dire need of water, not to mention we have been under a fire warning for the last month or so.

While in Cleveland, Rick bought Katie the book, "Guess How Much I Love You." She has the book for her Baby Leapfrog, but this book came with a DVD version of the story. Rick popped it in the DVD player last night and of course Katie requested to watch it again and again and again. Then first thing this morning she requested, "the rabbit". Several viewings later, we ate a big breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.

I'm off to Wally World to get a few household staples. And pathetically I am rather excited because I will be able to go by myself. It's not often that I get to browse about in a store without Katie.

Morning Encounters By The Connoisseur

This morning Eric and I were walking to the gate when I spotted an animal come out from the bushes on the right side of the drive. The animal stopped in the driveway and then, catching my scent, glided off into the bushes on the left side of the drive. While said animal was stopped in the middle of the driveway I got a good look. He was solid brownish color with a small head; about Eric's height with a long tail that curled at the end. Definitely no coyote. When it scurried off the drive I noticed that it walked like a cat. I abandoned my mission to open the gate and returned to the house and the Internet. I had a sneaking suspicion of what I just saw, but wanted to double check that this area would not be out of the animal's range. My Internet search confirmed that what I probably saw was a cougar. Now that I know they are out there I need to do more research so I know how to handle the situation if I encounter a cougar again and at a closer range.

Also, the cougar explains the mystery piles of poop I have found in the driveway. Not to veer off into the disgusting, but I do what we call "poop patrol" in the driveway and front yard. It entails taking the pooper-scooper and a trash bag lined bucket and scooping up Eric's poop. I often run into other animals' feces and scoop those up as well. Because of this chore, I have learned what animals have been through here by their feces, such as skunk, coyote, frog, rabbit, possum and armadillo. There's something I will probably keep off of my resume "connoisseur of animal feces."

Fond Farewells

In the waning hours of 2008 I am reflecting upon the last 12 months. It never ceases to amaze me how much happens in one year. The changes that have happened in the world and those that have happened in me.

Today a rather sad change occurred. Our friends James, Marian and Grant--our instructors on all things Texas--packed the last of their belongings and headed for their new home in San Angelo. Rick is melancholy and not looking forward to not having them "around the corner." They will be missed, but they will be in our prayers as the embark on this new chapter.

On that note dear readers, my wish for you in the new year is contentment and the ability to be grateful for everything you have right now. Make resolutions if you choose, but do not forget how wonderful you are right now in the last moments of 2008.

The People Have Spoken

The votes are tallied and Election 2008 has been dubbed as historic. Americans want change and they voiced that desire in the voting booths across this great country. I am excited about what lies ahead. This election's outcome was closely watched by the world and by electing Barack Obama we, the people, have shown the world that we are not an antiquated entity. We are changing and moving forward.

Now, Texas, on the other hand has disappointed me. Both U.S. Senator Cornyn and U.S. Congressman Thornberry retained their seats even though both voted for the bailout package. I was hopeful that Texans would send a strong message to these two Republican incumbents, but it did not happen. I was also hopeful that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals would be shaken up a bit. It desperately needs reform. Matter of fact, in almost every race in Texas, the incumbent took the prize and that incumbent was Republican. Does this mean that the majority of Texans are content with how affairs are in this state and country? Or does it mean that the majority of Texans are complacent? Or does it mean that the majority of Texans are extremely loyal to the Republican Party? Or am I being too harsh on my adopted state?

Interestingly, in both Jones and Taylor Counties the Obama/Biden ticket won only 26% of the vote. Statewide, Obama and Biden received 43.7% of the votes. Countrywide, they received 52% of the votes. Nationwide, 67% of Latinos voted for Obama/Biden and 92% of African Americans did. The young vote and the woman's vote also were in favor of Obama/Biden. So why the low percentages in my area? Obviously the majority of Texans in my area have a different mind set from the majority of Texans, as well as the majority of Americans. Again, I wonder why this is. Is it because it is primarily a rural area? Is it because of the presence of Dyess?

Perhaps my amazement in how my fellow Texans voted in the races is because prior to moving to Texas 2 1/2 years ago, I spent the previous fourteen years in a liberal and culturally diverse college town. In any case, it appears I am not a Texan....yet.

Texas' Public Education

I subscribe to "Texas Monthly", one of the few magazines that I read cover to cover. The new issue that arrived in the mail yesterday had an article "How Well Do You Know Your State Board of Education". It's set up as a quiz about the members of the Board of Education. The answers to the multiple choice questions are at the end of the article. The statements the board members have uttered and their beliefs make me wonder, is this the best that Texas can do?!! These are the people that decide what our little Texans are taught in school. Here is the article so you can be scared too

http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-10-01/feature5-1.php

Here are some facts about Texas and its public education system.

• Texas is #49 in verbal SAT scores in the nation and #46 in average math SAT scores. (From the Texas Comptroller's Office 2005 report "Texas Where We Stand")
  
• Texas is #36 in the nation in high school graduation rates (68%) (From the Texas Comptroller's Office 2005 "Texas Where We Stand")

Also, Texas' policy is to deny contraceptives without parental consent wherever possible and to push an abstinence-only sex education program in public schools. Since Texas has the highest teen birth rate in the nation (63 births per 1,000 females 15-19) according to the KIDS COUNT Data Book, a national state-by-state report released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (July 29, 2007) that program is really working out!

Don't get me wrong. I intend to be Katie's first source on sex education and the school as a back up. But many households leave it to the schools to teach and when you leave it to a Texas public school, you are getting a puritanical sex education.

Now my mind has wondered to another thought, we rely on our education system to teach our children a lot of what we as parents should be teaching at home. Why do so many parents demand that the schools teach their children ethics, manners, respect, religion, etc. That is our job as parents!

Ramblin' Rose

Throughout the day a myriad of blog post topics come to my mind. Often these thoughts are born when I walk up the driveway or when I am pulling or spraying weeds. However, it seems that the daily activities get in the way and the blog topics vanish by the time I sit down at the computer. In any case, here are some random thoughts.

If I had to pick a favorite Texan season, it would be Fall. It's not the color change in the leaves because all we have are mesquite trees and their leaves just fall off of the trees and create a thick mat that chokes out all of the grass and promotes weeds and.... Sorry, I digress. I like Texas in the Fall because of the weather. It will be in the mid 80's during the day and 60's at night. In the Spring, the weather is similar, but Spring also brings horrendous thunderstorms and tornadoes. However, I do miss the brilliant fall colors that I grew up with in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I miss the smell of leaves as you rake them--not the raking, mind you. I miss the sound of leaves crunching under foot. A few years back I went home to my parents' in the Fall. We drove to Copper Harbor and the whole time I was "oowing" and "aahing" like a full-blown tourist as we past the painted hills and mountains. One weakness I strive to change is not living in the moment and not seeing the beauty only after I am not surrounded by it. I guess it could be summed up as not missing what you got until it's gone. (I think that is a line from a song by a 80's glam rock band!)

Here's an observation that I find interesting regarding Texas. High school football is BIG!! It garners more attention from the local papers and T.V. stations than professional football and college football. What is also of note is that most of the schools around here are small, yet the fervor and support surpasses even the largest Michigan school's team spirit. These young men live and breathe football. It's an honor to be on the football team and they are expected to live up to certain standards. It seems rather 1950-ish--long, before Al Qaeda, jihad, planes crashing into buildings and Iraq--and it's comforting to see and experience.

So that's the rambling for today. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.