An End of an Era.

I went to Dr. Joe's memorial service today. It was very appropriate in that it was a celebration. The Harding Alma Mater played as we viewed photos. Dr. Ganus talked about all his years here. I wanted there to be something else. WHAT? I don't know! Later in the day, I looked around campus at all the students running every where and I realized that they never knew Dr. Joe. They never knew the overall impact that he had on this campus. There is probably no single individual who has influenced as many different aspects of Harding as Dr. Joe. He was involved with the year book, athletics, academics, etc. He will be missed.

Homecoming/ArkSHA/Life at Home!

Another Homecoming has come and gone. We all really had a good time and it was GREAT seeing everyone. Of course, we really missed Tammie and Tim, Beckie and Vivian. Of course we gossiped about them a lot, and we were all jealous of Beckie in Munich, but we made the most of it. Ian and I decided to go to the bonfire, something I haven't done in years. It is fun to view events through the eyes of a child. As is pictured, he helped himself to a smore and was a hit with the college crowd. The tailgate was small but fun and many stopped by to visit. The game was exciting and we won by an interception and a touchdown during overtime. Quite a shoe for homecoming. "Fiddler on the Roof" was also good. They did something funny with the fiddler, but Craig was enjoyable and the students did very well. It seems appropriate somehow that Dr. Joe died on Friday night of homecoming. He was so much a part of Harding and he will be missed. I hope they come up with a memorial to him similiar to the one they are planning for Uncle Bud.

ArkSHA was also GREAT! Jennifer did a wonderful job and I enjoyed not having any responsibilities except showing up for my presentation and collecting CEUs. I even stayed at a cheap motel away from the convention center and didn't even have to worry about money. About 10 or 11 students came from Harding and I went to eat with them Friday night. I had forgotten how much I enjoy enteracting with students away from the classroom. Becky decided not to go (we had already cancelled all classes and therapy).

The 9 year old in this house is so excited about Halloween. He and him Mom have been decorating and getting candy. From the looks of it, we are expecting approximately one million trick-or-treaters. It should be fun.

We just found out this afternoon that Ian was adopted. Someone called to cancel an appointment and told us that one of the reasons they loved Ian so much was that he was adpoted just like their kids. I corrected them just so they would know but told them that we had been planning to adopt. We were surprised when she told us who had told her that he was adopted. Harding is indeed a small world, but not as small as some like to think!

Adolescence Already?

I have always heard about the problems faced by parents when their children become teenagers. However, I always thought I wouldn't have to deal with it because I assumed that by the time the kid became a teenager, I would be senile and Keri would have to take care of the both of us. Boy was I wrong! It all started with homework. Now I dread getting out the homework and beginning the confrontation. Case in point, Ian decided that, during a football game the object was to "takl" the guy with the football. No amount of reasoning could convince him otherwise. That leaves me with the dreaded parent statement "because I said so". He changed it and then got it right on the assignment but by that time he has dug his heels in about something equally confrontational, like "90" is 899 rounded to the nearest hundred. Once again I'm reminded of why God intended young people to have children. People trying to console me always say that it will get better, then they pause and add "after adolescence". All the other parents of nine year olds always tell me how well behaved Ian is. If that's the case, we should remember all of those parents in our prayers. Of course, I don't mention any of this to Kim and Willie. They will discover it soon enough. I remembered this photo from the beach. He will kill me when he realizes that I posted it. Meanwhile, I'm going out to the front yard and change my sign again. It usually says "FREE TO A GOOD HOME" but I'm going to scratch out the "GOOD".


Most of my students are great. I'm enjoying teaching the early CSD classes for a change. For the past several years I have encountered the students after they are Juniors and are already afraid of me. It's hard to get to know most of them that way. We have a great group coming in.

By the way, Mike bought a popcorn machine for the department. Sharon has always obtained one through ARA (something the rest of us could not do) but this semester they were going to charge her almost $200 for 87 students. Mike decided that at that rate we could find uses for it and we are already making plans. We are going to have popcorn for everything. As the reigning social chairman,Beckie needs to be thinking of ways to entertain using popcorn! I'm sure she will come through for us all.

Care Group Hayride

I must admit that care group meetings are not always the most exciting events of the year, but we had a great one tonight. Earlier today I posted that this is my favorite time of the year. Well, tonight supports that feeling. The care group meeting consisted of a chili cookoff and a pumpkin carving contest. I bet that there were twenty big pots of chili to choose from and all were great along with all the other accompaning treats. We ate ate on the patio of this wonderful log cabin with views of the surrounding hills and forests. Following the cookoff, we had a pumpkin carving contest. Although my photo is poor, the Harding Bison pumpkin won. There was also a Harding swing along with the many traditional entries.

We then loaded up for a hayride. It was great fun. Even the people who usually don't say much were laughing and telling funny stories. This is the way care groups are supposed to be.

Fall Has Finally Arrived!

After a long HOT summer, the air is finally cool. I must admit that fall is my favorite time of year. I love everything about it, the colors, the air, the clothing, the holidays, etc. As a child, my mother began decorating for Halloween around the first of October. She made skeletons out of round steak bones and chicken leg bones and painted them with fluorescent paint. She had bales of hay with corn stalks and scarecrows and she worked very hard on her treats, all home made of course. The school Halloween Carnival was also a major event with each class hosting a booth or event. It was a much simpler time and one that I remember fondly. I would love to create some of those memories for Ian, but we do good to get him a costume and treats to distribute.

We three went to a movie last night. Probably not Academy Award material, and certainly not the opera as Beckie mentioned in her blog. It was great to just go out and enjoy the evening. We don't do that as often as we need to. Keri had to work today and I am desperate to get all of my papers graded and recorded before grade are due Monday. Five large classes have proven to be a little overwhelming, but I chose to do it. (Given the circumstances, I would do it again!) I am realizing how much difference there is between grading 60 papers and grading 187 papers.

I've got to get breakfast for myself and the kid. He is engaged in Pokemon in TV. I think there is an evil plot to use Pokemon to suck all the brains out of children before the grow up. It seems to be working!

The Sweet Potato Queens in Little Rock

Today was a wonderful day in Little Rock for the Race for the Cure. There were over 43,000 participants which included Jill Conner Browne and the Sweet Potato Queens. Of course they said that they had no intention of running but planned to leisurely stroll the route. Seriously, This is the first (and Jill says the only) time they have ever appeared in their regalia away from Jackson, MS on St. Patrick's Day. It seems that one of the Queen's developed breast cancer this past year. They were here for the entire weekend and since Keri's sister is very involved, we saw a lot of them. The highlight however, came during the luncheon today where she was the honorary chair and spoke. As usual, she was very funny and (despite a few words Ian will probably repeat at school) inspirational. She talked about the value of laughter and that that was what the Queen's were all about. I was impressed. I liked her speech too. (Just kidding.) As you can see, Keri wanted her picture taken with Jill and even has on her mini tiara (although you can barely see it). The next photo is of Jill, Ian and Flat Stanley (FS). She said she is not often asked to have her photo with Flat Stanley. We are wondering if Ian's 3rd grade class at HA can handle Stanley with HRH, the Head Sweet Potato Queen. We will have to see about that one. I bet Ian would be the only child with a FS and Jill Conner Browne photo. The entire day was great and they raised lots of money (which was the whole purpose for all the highjinks). The announcers said that this race was one of the largest in the world. It was 7th last year so we will have to see how it ranks this year.

We missed having Beckie and Mrs. O with us this year, but as you know, Beckie is suffering in Florence, Italy. (Poor Beckie!) Unfortunately, Mrs. O was wanting to avoid the bright sunshine today because of her eyes so we missed their company.

Vivian had her head shaved today for a worthy cause. We are all waiting for photos to be posted on Tammie's blog. Way to go Vivian! We love you!

Larynges & Rantings

One of my loyal readers (1 of 2) has requested a photo of the table of larynx models submitted for my A&P class. These are always so creative and they are such fun to grade. Unfortunately, I do not grade them and get them back as quickly as one of my colleagues would like (and you can see from the photo of the covered conference table that they are in the way). There are usually only 20 students enrolled in this class, but this semester there are 49. Needless to say, 49 larynx models can be a little overwhelming. They also vary in size. The rule is that they must be proportional in size. Following that rule there are some that would work for the Jolly Green Giant and there are some from the Land of Oz. This semester my favorite has to be the one that looks like a Viking helmet. The creator even named it as you can see in the photo.


There is never a dull moment in the CSD hangout (as I'm sure April can remember). Her life is much more interesting in Albertville as her family prepares for life in Togo. I would link to her site but both of my readers are already loyal Emerson readers. Oh well, It would help if I announced my blog, but then I would have the problem Beckie now has, so I guess I will just plod along with two readers (DON'T DESERT ME).

Now on to other things- I went to a meeting this afternoon and listened to Evita talk about how much harder it is to learn Spanish than any other language. HEEELLOOOO!! Has she ever tried to learn any other language? I doubt it. And I also heard a Marcus Welby wanna-be talk about the fact that his was the ONLY legitimate career choice. Pleeeeese save me from these people! Where is Beckie when I need her? Oh, I just remembered, she is off picking grapes and trying to brush off nature. (Both of my readers have already joined me in Italy with her tonight so I guess I can't complain since she will have to return soon enough. So I guess I will go to bed and forget about it.) In the mean time I am so glad that they are where they are that I will go pray for them both and for forgiveness for being so petty.)

Yes Sir, Mr. Riviera!

I gave Jack the poster of the professional wrestling match staring Matt Riviera this morning. I found it on the window of a KFC when Mom and I went out for Sunday lunch. Although I had heard about him before, seeing the poster caught me by surprise. Brenda showed me his website. I wanted the poster for Jack because not everyone has a student who works on the Professional wrestling circuit. He has a "bad boy" image but he seems like such a quiet person when I see him in the hall. Now I know that he can beat the snot out of me if he wants to and I'm practicing my response now, "Yes sir, Mr. Riviera, I think you should get an A!"

HU now has an FM radio station with an eclectic mix of music. One can hear classical music, jazz, show tune, 50s-present hits, and WWII music all within the same hour. I actually enjoy it and keep the station in my office tuned in. Ian just loves it. He wants me to put the radio on the Bible station so he can hear the accapella religious music which they play in the evenings and on Sunday. He sings along with those he knows and asks me about those he doesn't. One of the benefits of attending HA is interest and I want to do everything to encourage this.

It is time to grade the laryngeal models that my students have turned in for Anatomy. They are all great, but some have personalities of their own. One looks like a Viking helmet and one looks like the wooden cutout of the granny bent over found in many gardens. Unfortunately, one student made theirs out of play-dough and it has drooped into a big puddle. I did warn them that play-dough doesn't work. I have them all on the conference room table in the Clinic. I had better get them graded and out of there before I get in trouble. Never a dull day in Searcy.

The Surviver

We survived Grandparent's Day at HA. Actually, it went very well for us. Ian had his crying jag at the breakfast table before school and by the time we got there he was ready to show me everything. I even wore a nametag. (I do think it is interesting that I have done everything possible to avoid being labeled as Ian's grandfather, and now I go to Grandparent's Day and sit with all the other grandparents. Life sure does take funny turns!) Several people I know that had no grandparents who could attend took their kids and left for the day. Early in the morning, I saw a little boy curled up in a corner with a book and he was crying. It seems that his grandparents couldn't come and neither of his parents could get off work for the day. So I was "grandpa" for two kids and we ended up having a great time. At one point I looked over and saw Ian singing a devotional song at the top of his lungs and knew why we had him at HU. I want him to grow up among believers with the best possible influences. Of course, I know there are bad and good influences everywhere, but maybe for Ian the balance is tilted a little at HU. That is certainly my prayer.

Well, I have readers. I have been very quite about having this blog because I wanted to see how it would go. I actually enjoy documenting my observations periodically and it appears to be an excellent way to stay in touch with people. I think it would be especially useful to post messages to everyone when travelling like Beckie is now doing. I must admit that I check her blog everyday (sometimes more).

I spent the weekend helping my Mom on the farm. I am once again reminded that I am a (lazy) city boy and that I couldn't keep up with her, even if she is on a walker.