The Spooks Come Out!

As I struggled to think of a costume this year, my thoughts went to my first Halloween

as a teacher. More than 25 years in the classroom have resulted in an abundance of Halloween party memories. But as with most memories, the first one will always stand out. My first year was spent teaching a group of ten 4^th-8^th graders who became family. As Halloween approached, they convinced me a spook house would be a great idea. (OK, to be honest, it didn't take much convincing—I was a young newbie excited to try anything!) They planned for weeks, decorated for days, 

and finally the day arrived. The old one-room school house was decked out to scare. 

Parents and kids alike donned costumes

and played games while they waited their turn in the spook house. Each student

 played a part as tour guide, 

fortune teller,

vampire,

and more. 

Since there was only one door, the obvious escape route was to slide out 

a window. I can still see the principal, Mr. Burke, making his exit! I’m not sure it would be possible to recreate that fun, but maybe it would be worth a try. 

Happy Halloween to all! BOO!

Snow Day, Snow Day!

 Teachers and students alike shout for joy when a snow day is called. Who doesn't love an unexpected day off? A completely unplanned day spread out before you. Typically at our house it means fresh bread and cinnamon rolls with some kind of soup for supper—YUM! However, two snow days this early in October is a first in my life. Feet of heavy, wet snow fell on trees that were not yet ready for winter. 

The weight was too much, and many came crashing down.

 We weren't long into Friday before the wind and snow brought power lines down too. Snow days aren't nearly as fun when you can't watch TV and keep up with friends on Facebook! Worst of all for the many ranchers, cattle were not ready. Calves were not weaned, winter coats were not grown, and many were still far away at summer pasture. The next few weeks will bring the extra work of finding, gathering, and sorting the cattle that weathered the storm. Death loss will be huge, but neighbors will come together to help each other. And years from now, we will still be talking about the October Blizzard of 2013.