Spring Break

It is Spring Break on the Skiatook school calendar and Spring arrives Thursday, March 20^th. The weather on the pond this week has been like Spring with some nice sun and warm temperatures –we reached 72 degrees today. When it gets that warm in March in Oklahoma, you know what that means – thunderstorms. It happened tonight. We had some rain and quite a lightening display as we looked out the back windows. And it will be more seasonal weather tomorrow as it gets a little cooler.

When I was a kid we did not have Spring Break. We were off on Good Friday but it was a holiday and we knew why we had it off. By the time my kids were in school they had Spring Break – a whole week! On our day off as a child we played outside with our friends or went to visit relatives. People who do Spring Break right these days take out a second mortgage and go to Disney World, skiing in Aspen, or tanning in Mexico. In the 1990's Amber went skiing in New Mexico with her youth group from church which set us back about $600 (and they stayed at one of the church member’s cabin!). To be able to send her we saved money by eating beans and cornbread and sharing bathwater (Debbie always insisted on going first).

Maverick got today off from school (teacher’s conferences) and then has all next week off too. I am taking the week off from work to spend with him (I told the people at work we are flying to New York to take in the theater – hey you gotta try and keep up an image). The weather is expected to be raining Monday and Tuesday so we will be having fun watching it out the back window. In this state we could have a snowstorm by Thursday. Oh, we will try to go bowl a few lanes and go into Skiatook a couple of times for donuts. It will be an exciting Spring Break for us and I am sure we will have some fun together.

But I have a suggestion for the school board: For those of us who have to stay in the state for Spring Break could you move the week to a warmer month – say.. early June?

Bad Guys In Washington, DC

On our way to school the other morning we met a Skiatook police car running fast with lights flashing and siren blaring. As he roared past us I said a little prayer. A minister mentioned once in a sermon that anytime he heard a siren he said a prayer for the policemen, firemen. and/or ambulance driver and the people they were speeding to help - because someone was in a crisis. I thought that was a good idea and began the practice myself.

As the sight and sound of the police vehicle faded Maverick began our conversation:
"Grandpa, are there bad guys in Skiatook?"
"Yeah, there are, Maverick, but not too many, I hope!"
"Not as many as in Tulsa?"
"Right."
"Do they call them criminals?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Are there any bad guys in Washington DC?"
"Yes. You know what they're called?"
"What?"
"Congress."

He didn't get it.

Baseball Season Begins for High School

Skiatook's High School baseball team (Jr Varsity and Varsity) began their season today. Scrimmages past they now move into the games that count. The 1st game was here in town at the diamond on the school campus. They played against Debbie's Alma mater - Nathan Hale (class of '75) in Tulsa. It was a warm and sunny day so Maverick, Debbie and I decided to take in the game. I sunburned the top of my head and only had my hat off for about an hour! It was windy but a good game and a winning experience with the home team Bulldogs defeating the Rangers 8 - 7.

Maverick was VERY interested in going to the game. He watched intently for 3 innings before we needed popcorn, chips and a soda. By the 4th inning he saw one of his baseball teammates, Noah, and went down a couple of rows on the bleachers to sit with him. By the 4th inning both boys had moved from the bleachers to the grassy area.

Yes, it was spring-like weather and John Fogerty's "Centerfield" was blaring from the speakers. It was baseball! What was Maverick doing out on the grassy area? Playing football

Friday Morning at the Donut Shop

Donut Day
On Fridays Maverick and I make a stop at the Daylight Donuts shop in Skiatook. I don't know if they're this busy every day but I do know they are packed on Fridays! I love the sausage rolls - especially when they are still warm! Maverick likes them too but loves the sugary stuff best of all. We usually share the different flavors while greeting folks we know as they rush in and out. We see some of his school friends, neighbors, and local business owners. It is quite the hub of the town from 7 to 7:30 on Friday mornings.

Here's your Sign
(with a tip of the hat to comedian Bill Engvall)
This morning while we were sitting enjoying our rolls and watching the folks in line I overheard a couple of men talking - they obviously knew each other. Their conversation started out like this:
"Hey, How you doin'?"
"Okay. You?"
"Alright. You here for donuts?"
I had to chuckle out loud and almost spewed my coffee! And have been grinning all day from that question. I never heard what the other fellow answered but I had several responses rattling around in my head all day! You have any? Leave a comment.

Spring or Snow?

The temperature rose to 69 degrees on the pond today - the sun was bright as I drove home from work. It had me thinking of Maverick's baseball team and their practices and the season looming large on the horizon. Spring was on my mind!

Then As I settled in to check my email a note from my sister popped in. Up in Chicago they are expecting another 4 to 8 inches of snow! And she sent this picture of her house before the next round of snow began. I have to admit I have never seen that much snow at one time. Let me add I don't really want too either.





Don't misunderstand, I like snow. I like to look out the window at it if I can stay inside with warm clothes and hot cider. It is especially pretty up here at the lake. Here is a photo from our back porch of a little snow we received November 30, 2006.

Yeah, tomorrow it won't be as warm as today but I got a taste of spring today and I am looking forward to warmer days again soon. However tonight wind advisories have been issued. After all, this is Oklahoma - where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.