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The Australian Open is over and the Men’s Final was a superb match. I think what has impressed me over the years watching Roger Federer is his awesome sportsmanship. He is a class act. No, in your face looks or actions; his racquet speaks for him. I hope my tennis players took the time to watch some of his match. I can’t say enough about his skills, or his classy way of handling himself under pressure.

My family is back from Big Bend. Dave and Dee spent four wonderful days in one of Texas’ most beautiful areas. Like the Grand Canyon, Big Bend defies pictures. You can capture little fragments of it, but the majesty can’t be captured in a photograph. You have to put the scenery in the scrapbook of your mind. Dave said it was not the vacation spot for everyone. He’s right. If you are an indoor viewer, the Big Bend is not for you! This is for the active, the adventurous, and maybe even the brave. They saw javelina around the camp, plenty of deer, and the signs warned of recent mountain lion sightings in the area. Definitely not the place for sandals or the weak kneed. I’m glad they enjoyed it, because it is one of my favorite places to remember. They also stopped by San Antonio for a few days. They had perfect weather for the trip, which made the journey that much better. Mind you, it seems as if I have given Dave this nasty chest congestion crud that is keeping me pinned down. Their time with me is getting short. They have helped make the separation from my son and his family, a little bit more bearable. Can you believe they want to go to some warm spot called Florida? They received a call from their daughter Tina on Saturday. She was planning on going ice fishing next weekend. Perhaps there is a reason for this southward flow! Russ says if we’re in global warming, why is it so cold everywhere? Scott said Germany is having a record snow year???

The Gifted and Talented notice has been published in the paper. If you are a parent wishing your child to be tested for this program, please contact the school for an application. All requests for entry into the program must be made before the end of this month.

I took some good natured ribbing from Susan Luna on Thursday. I would have received it on Monday, but the paper with her pseudo name didn’t come out until Thursday! It seems I want to change her last name to Lupe.

Now Lupe, at the clinic, is a wonderful person, but I don’t think she wants to lend her name to Mrs. Luna. Certainly, Mrs. Luna, lady of the moon, would like to keep her own name. Mrs. Starr was left out of the mix last week for the board dinner, even though she was the organizing force behind the cheerleader participation and the dinner itself. We, at the school, know what a blessing she is to the school. If there is a spare job to be done, it usually finds itself on Mrs. Starr’s desk. That is, if it isn’t on Mrs. Mask’s desk!

One Act Play, under the direction of Mrs. Hall, is practicing up a storm. That is one area of extra-curricular activity that requires dedication and hours of practice. Not that tennis and all the other sports can get by without practice. That’s one of the reasons I am so frustrated these days. I can’t get any team practice time, because everyone is in some other activity. I sound like a whimpering old coach. Oh, that’s right, I am! I guess like most sponsors of an activity, I would like my players to practice so that they have a chance to be successful. Play is really a bad verb for team sports. I like the word compete better. It suggests something seriously demanding. At any rate, I wish the actors the very best of luck. "Break a leg!"

My class was able to see pictures of Niedstein Castle last week. I pulled up the wrong castle. Apparently my grandchildren went to visit Nanstein Castle, not Niedstein. We had fun, and the kids have another picture of the world to add to their collection of online vacations.

The 6th graders and their sponsors Mrs. Gossett and Mrs. Miller had a very successful bake sale on Friday. In spite of the miserable weather they raised about $100. They are trying to get enough money together to go back to the USS Lexington. The 5th grade has a bit more to raise before they have all their money.I recommend the trip; it is a super experience on a real live air craft carrier! It comes complete with meals, and a three tiered berth!

Mrs. Melanie Smith has taken up temporary residence in the high school. Besides literature, UIL competition is the delight of her heart. She is a joy to mine because she speaks French. I have invited her to my class to give me a presentation of her poetry class. Although she presents this to many professional gatherings, she is always willing to come to our classes to give free presentations. She is our hidden resource center, and very much appreciated.

Mrs. Gossett is still looking for box tops. My 5th grade class has not been very active in this area this year. I guess I’m not doing my job. "Rah- rah- sis- boom- bah, come on 5th graders, bring in those tops! Okay, that should bring them pouring in to school! Watch out for World’s Finest Chocolates within the next few weeks. We aim to raise our funds and your waistline inches all at the same time!

I hope all my fellow crud sufferers get better soon. I can personally attest to the debilitating effects of constant drainage and coughing! Please pray for the sick in our community, our government, our leaders, and our precious troops and their families. Have a blessed and healthy week. Why not visit a shut in if you have time. Spare a smile for those you meet, it may be the only happy moment of the week for them.