What a gorgeous day in Southern Indiana; I hope the North is fairing as well. Can we imagine living where the climate never changes? I love the gentle change of seasons, but in our Ohio Valley change can come quick and violently. Our farm was hit by the 1974 tornadoes which struck Louisville, Ky. That was a terrifying night. Right out of the movies; except our cattle didn't fly.

Janelle, Lady Avery is 2 and that means she is training to be an entertainer, spitting juice is just the beginning of her tricks. Staci's advice was spot on, ignore what you can and a tap on the lips when you cannot. You must pick your battles, she has to win some of them or she'll make YOU suffer. My sister chose to pee in our furnace registers for attention, and Caleb takes his "winkie" out to "look around". Lady A could be worse. Gee. I'd love to see her.

Our first week back was fun, 672 flats of SADD strawberries were sold and delivered, it rained another flood; our athletic fields are rice paddies for the spring, our students refuse to choose classes for next year so we are doing it for them, our teachers are reeling from next year's schedule and the counselors are to blame. Just another week in public education. The good news is that SADD is clearing a boatload of profits to pay for AfterProm and can rent the mechanical bull and pay for T shirts. The WildWest will rock on Prom night. I swear every year is my last, and I mean it this year. Someone has to take over, I'll be 60 next year, too mature to be riding bulls. Did anyone see that listed under the duties of a middle school counselor????

Steve is vacationing on his sister's Texas ranch with all his sisters this week, San Antonio is beautiful this time of year. He and his brother-in-law are going hunting, but this is mostly family time. He is the only boy among 5 sisters and is the next youngest, they still call him "Stevie". He will be ruined by the time he gets back. They are a very close bunch, my in-laws had 6 kids in 7 years; more like a litter than a family. All very strong, good women, I've been lucky with having loving in-laws. I did miss my coffee in bed yesterday morning; it is our ritual that is a day I can sleep in, Steve brings my coffee to me. Quite a luxury and I love him for it. All those years of carrying his dinner to him finally paid off for me. He has taken over many chores since retiring, grocery shopping, banking, his laundry and bedmaking. I feel like a queen.

I'm on my way to spend the afternoon with Mom, she has recovered from her bout with the flu, but is a little shaky still. I need to check out her financial statements for this quarter and we will replace the flowers on Dad's grave with bright tulips. He loved brilliant colors and we decorate his monument according to the season with the brightest we can find. He wore pink shirts before it was acceptable and always wanted to be styling. He was a very handsome man, dark with thick black hair and the blackest eyes. Even his coworkers called him "Dark eyes". It seems impossible that he has been gone 9 years; I still expect to see him when I walk into the house. I really do not think that will change. Janelle, my thoughts are with you.

Have a great week, Gaggle. We can start marking the days till summer. Hedy