Lost in Bookland

For the past several days I have been lost. . .

lost in a world not quite like my everyday world.

It is part of the wonder of reading that ink on paper, or electronically produced words on a small device, can pull a person into a place that becomes very real and vivid in the mind.

Movies are great, and the technology that produces amazing special effects is mind-boggling. Most of the world seems to be hooked up to some sort of digital entertainment these days.

And I don't dislike these modern developments; I appreciate many of them a great deal.

But, for me, they cannot beat falling into the world a good writer creates with words--words that create brilliant mental landscapes. Words that make the world of the book more real than the mundane surroundings of reality.

I come from a reading family. My parents were readers, all six of their children have been readers, and the reading gene has gone through most of their numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

And just because it is one of my all-time favorite photos, I will share this one with you.



Jerry reading to Megan when she was about four. They are at Grandma Rose's.

Homecoming

Last Friday was Homecoming for our High School. It was a chilly cloudy day for the big parade down Main Street. It was a cold and snowy night for the football game (our team won). I went to the parade; not the game.

Here comes the band.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about Homecoming. It seemed such a strange tradition to me. Parades, ball games, a "Royal Court," a dance--how did this tradition start and what did it mean? So, of course, I went to Wikipedia. I learned that the tradition had its start in 1911. Kansas and Missouri had a big college football rivalry. A change was made in the location where their big game was to be held. "To renew excitement in the rivalry, ensure adequate attendance at the new location, and celebrate the first meeting of the two teams on the Mizzou campus in Columbia, Missouri, Mizzou Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited all alumni to "come home" for the game in 1911." (Wikipedia)

Megan wasn't issued a hat this year, since her leg
injury consigned her to the "Pit."

So there you have it. From that beginning the tradition grew. Many, many years ago someone tried to explain the meaning of Homecoming to me as the team coming home for a game after an away game. However, since this happens more than once during a season, it didn't make much sense to me. What was the big deal about that? "Homecoming" meaning a celebration to invite alumni and former residents to attend a big game makes much more sense. But, as happens to traditions, the original meaning and purpose can be lost. The tradition continues and develops new twists. Nobody knows what it means, but everyone has fun with it!

My granddaughter, Megan, was marching with the band in the Homecoming Parade, which is what got me out of the house that chilly day. It was a big deal because it was the only time she got to march with the band this year. Her stress-fractured leg is finally healing. The doctor said it was OK for her to walk on it--just no running, jumping, or carrying heavy objects yet. It's too late for her to get back in the marching band for the competitions (she plays the xylophone in the "pit" instead). And she couldn't carry or play a bass drum in the parade (which was supposed to be her instrument this year), but she could carry cymbals and march with the band. This was a big goal for her ever since her leg injury grounded her from marching.

So, cold and wind and the fact that she was not feeling well that day could not keep her from being really excited and marching with the band in the Homecoming Parade!

She's a Sophomore!

There was only time for one quick snapshot--perhaps her Mom will have gotten some better ones.

 

 

Yesterday was the first day of school. I caught Megan on the fly when she ran upstairs to get something she'd left in my house. She paused just long enough for me to take this photo, then off she went for her first day as a sophomore.

 

We have a rather odd arrangement here for high school. There are two Junior Highs (now grades 7-9). Then there is a separate school some distance away that is Sophomores (10th grade) only. Juniors and Seniors are in yet another school.

 

I believe this odd arrangement came about because of the reluctance of our town to have two separate high schools. Sports enthusiasts are afraid that splitting into two high schools might weaken the sports teams as a power in the state. The South Campus, now for sophomores only, originally held certain classes, which involved students moving between North and South Campuses during the day. This meant students were on the road throughout the school day--a very inefficient, and even dangerous system, as it put students in their cars on the busiest street in town, rushing from one building to another.

 

So after a few years of that they decided that South Campus would be for sophomores only, and the constant traffic back and forth would be halted. However, band involves 9th through 12th grade students, so everyone meets at North Campus for band.

 

There is talk now of going to two completely separate high schools. But building schools is expensive. Maybe someday this odd arrangement we have will be normalized.

 

For now, sophomores rule in their own school!