Southern Mothers

It's very interesting to be a solo traveller in a place like Disney World. You can be such a smug, opinionated observer when you have no one tugging at your shorts. My advice for parents-to-be: forget about this place until the youngest child is at least five. I have seen very few happy toddlers here. It's simply too hot, too crowded, and there is far too much waiting around between each magical moment to appease many of the under-four set.

Let me tell you one thing I know for sure. Southern mamas are a force to be reckoned with. If you, or someone you love is a southern mama, please know you have my utmost respect and I stand in awe of you. But dang, you are fun to watch in full battle mode. You can bark orders at your husband, flash your uber-white toothy smile at the waiter as he brings you a sippy cup on demand, and give your two year old the evil eye without missing a beat.

You. Love. Your. Monograms. On this trip alone, I have seen children, backpacks, spit-up rags and even a few strollers monogrammed to the nines. You also love names, I'll give you that. Many of you use cities for names. This week alone, I have heard the following names shouted in a sugar sweet, but most threatening voice: Dallas, Savannah, several Austins, Jackson, and even Orlando. I also love that people both revere you, laugh at you quick wit, and fear you, all at the same time. It's an amazing feat.

I Miss Clouds

It's been a long, hot, dry summer in St. Louis, with day after day of high, hazy blue skies. In Florida, the daily afternoon showers announce themselves with clouds that roll in prior to bursting and then linger to create beauty from dusk to sunset.

I really enjoy Epcot's World Showcase. After an early morning flight, quick and early check-in at the Doubletree, (topped off with a warm chocolate chip cookie--thank you, thank you), I was off to explore. By 5PM I was dragging and staggered right into the World Showcase Paris attraction. There are a few places to eat in this area, but my automatic crème brûlée sensor went off went as I walked by Chefs De France. I was lucky to get a table for one, as it was dinner hour for the older crowd (just like at Miss Sherri's Cafeteria back home). My waiter seemed thrilled that I used my very, very limited French (his native language) to say please and thank you and tell him that my meal was yummy. Little things make my day.

Mommy Goes to Disney World

Oh my stinking heck, I love this place. It's hotter than hooey, it rained in the middle of the afternoon, and the Magic Kingdom was packed with every variety of human ever created by God. However, I repeat, I love this place. I went to the left after walking down Main Street (an old Jim Reed trick), and started in Adventureland. I passed by the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, the Magic Carpets of Aladdin (but I saw him!), and went right to that perennial favorite, Pirates of the Caribbean. The line went pretty fast, only 15 minutes or so. It's such a classic Disney moment. However, I swear, back in the day, Captain Jack Sparrow did not used to look like Johnny Depp. He does now.

This is why I love Disney: Since International Talk Like a Pirate Day is September 19, I wanted to get the whole KHS English Department eye patches to mark the moment. In the Pirates Gift Shop, they had a combo eye patch and earring for $2. As I started to gather 24 packages of the combos, I asked a "Cast Member" if I could just buy the patch. When she asked why, I explained that I was a teacher, and wanted 24 eye patches for my teacher friends. She said, "Let me talk to my manager." She came back with a little Disney Logo bag of 24 eye patches for me-- FOR FREE! Now, where else on earth could that happen besides Disney World? I told Miss Helen from Wilkes- Barre, PA (I love how well the Cast Members are labeled) that she just made my whole trip one thousand times more special.

Next, I headed over to Frontierland and rode Splash Mountain after a 30 minute wait. I had two very special red haired, freckled faced young Guests in front of me who caused me to enjoy the 70 foot drop even more! Next, it was on to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is where I lost lots of steam. The sign said 30 minutes--my personal max---so I went for it. Fifty eight minutes later, I boarded the ride. I always, and I mean always, get behind grumpy New Yorkers during these ordeals. At the end, we bond and exchange email addresses, but getting there is not half the fun! Then it was on to Liberty Square, and the newly refurbished Haunted Mansion, which had a 40 minute sign. Jim wanted a report, as it just reopened this week, so I stayed. It was fun and fast, only 20 minutes, but 12 month old Aiden from PA kept his Mom yelling every, single, second of those 20 minutes. It was fun, and everything smelled new, but it seemed very much like the old ride to me.

It's a Small World had a 45 minute sign. No thanks. After almost running down a four year old to get to the Mad Tea Party teacup ride, I decided it was time to move on. The Reeds are intrepid, early morning park people. I have never seen the Magic Kingdom so crowded, and combined with the heat and humidity, the magic was dwindling. It was time to head off to my favorite park, Epcot.

Right in My Own Backyard

Ever since second grade, I have been fascinated with the space program. I routinely wrote letters to the original astronauts, and received many photos, letters, and informational brochures from NASA. My bedroom wall was covered with all that stuff.

Tonight, Jim knew that at exactly 9:53PM the space station and space shuttle would be chasing each other through the night sky, and would cross over our backyard. The two just recently separated after being docked in space for several days. The shuttle is due to land on Thursday. Though I grumbled about missing the number two and number one AFI most popular movie clips, I went outside. We have only seen this one other time, several years ago. Sure enough, right on time the two orbiters streaked over our backyard as scheduled. It is always fun to see such large spacecraft move through the sky. They are usually easy to spot and follow, as they are really bright. I wonder how far apart they are in space? From the earth they appear to be about four inches apart. I also thought about those folks in the space station--are they confident that the computer glitch is fixed for good? (By the way, I'm sure it was a PC--the "fatal error" was a dead give away.) And do the space shuttle folks feel good that they were able to help? They have safety issues of their own, your know. Never a dull moment in space!

Adios, IKEA, Sunset, Sunrise

After being sent off with a tear-jerking PowerPoint, and a commission to go forth and continue our good work to inspire and instruct the most at-risk students in the nation, the conference ended. Beers' words of affirmation were welcome. We tend to harp on each other as professionals about what else needs to be done, and the "next best thing" often eats us alive. I need to remember that lesson when interacting with my colleagues next year.

So, despite grandiose plans to hit the road on a big road trip adventure, I am heading north. End of the school year exhaustion, combined with long and busy conference days, have caused me to just want to sit on the patio and read. However, this sad state did not stop me from taking a Texas-sized shopping spree.

On the way home, I hit the Prime Outlet shopping area in San Marcos. This place recently ranked third as the "Best Place to Shop" on ABC's "The View." Draw you own conclusions on that one. It is an amazing proliferation of merchandise, representing just about every brand name known to man. However, I had to save my strength, for just 56 miles down the road was Mount Olympus. The Mother Ship. IKEA.

A virginal IKEA shopper, I marched right in and ignored "the arrows". Big mistake. The arrows take you all around the store in a very organized manner, sort of like that little boat in "It's a Small World" at Disney World. Follow the arrows and you'll see the world of IKEA. Always one to do things my way, I just grabbed a cart and took off--after an hour I humbly backtracked. Their carts are worth the price of admission, as they can spin on a dime, some sort of counter-balance thing that we haven't figured out yet in the US manufacturing world. I almost took out two older women, as I ran around the first corner in breathless anticipation, without realizing the damage that could be done with such rash movement. Apparently, Swedes are much less spastic than I.

Whitney is moving into her first unfurnished apartment and has a list of cute tables and accessories for perusal. Here is our favorite. It is only $19.99. Of course, it was out of stock, as was the bed she liked, the coffee table she liked, and the kitchen table she liked. We (via conference call on cell) did choose a few things that will "cuteify" her new digs. Perhaps a road trip to Chicago is in order later this summer. I enjoyed the whole shopping experience (they are so shrewd as to include a well needed cafeteria half way through the arrows) and will probably never be the same as a result of this experience.


Then, it was on to the highway. The drive really could not be more mindless. Two highways, and I am home. This allows for many extra-curricular driving events. Among other things, there was a beautiful Texas sunset to enjoy.
The camera has been a good toy for me. Nothing like rolling down the window at 75MPH and shooting away. Classes are in order for this summer. The picture does not do the scene justice.

Rather than waste time and money in a hotel, I drove all night and hauled it into St. Louis at 7:30 this morning, after a thirteen hour trek. I really should be a trucker at some point in my life. I love it when they flash their lights at me after I pass them. It makes me feel as though they view me as a kindred spirit. I did want to share the bug encrusted windshield at some point, and the sunrise in Missouri over Highway 44 provided that opportunity.

It was nice to pull on to Halcyon Drive with my sweet Jim and our favorite dog in the window watching for me. Home sweet home.

Thirteen fateful days in 1836

There isn't much of the Alamo still standing. The front part of the building is The Shrine, dedicated to the memory of those who fell in defense of the Alamo. One of Davy Crockett's muskets, and a vest that we wore are on display. It's pretty quiet in The Shrine, as Texans take this historical site seriously. The Alamo was originally a home to missionaries and their Indian converts. The Spanish came in and secularized the five missions located in San Antonio.


In the early 1800s, the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the former mission. The soldiers referred to the old mission as the Alamo (the Spanish word for "cottonwood") in honor of their hometown. The Long Barrack, the other original remaining structure, housed the first hospital in Texas. There is a long story about how Commander Willam B. Travis, helped by the likes of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, fought to fend off General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's army for 13 days. Finally, on March 6, 1836, the Alamo was taken by the Mexicans. People continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against overwhelming odds--a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Now, I all but choked to death on my own spit as I was walking out of the Alamo today. This odd little occurrence seems to happen to me when there is absolutely nothing on hand to drink. Fortunately, today I was saved by these cute Baptist kids who were handing out small bottles of water as a service to sun parched tourists. There is a BIG Baptist convention here, and I guess this is their way of keeping their young ones busy. I had tears in my eyes from choking to death, and I think the little guy who gave me the water thought I had been moved by the story of the Alamo.

The River Walk comes alive at dinner time. There are jazz groups, and rows of bars, steakhouses, Mexican food cafes, and even Italian eateries. The narrow cobblestone sidewalks of the River Walk prompt everyone to be close together as they move along the winding path. The Spurs are playing in NBA final game 3 tonght, so that adds to the festivities. Go Spurs Go! (That's what you say here to be polite.)

Today is Whitney's Birthday!!!

Twenty one years ago today I was sitting in a hospital in Norwalk, CT with a sweet little pink child in my arms. I will never forget the first time Lindsey and Evan saw her. They looked at her with awe and wonder, sort of how we all look at her today. She is as happy now as she was 21 years ago, and is still our pink girl. Have a good one, sweet Whit!

Early Morning Musings

Old clocks are so interesting to me. I'm not sure how this started, maybe because I spend so much time staring at clocks all night long, wide awake. Here are two nice new additions to my collection. The one on the left is in San Antonio, and the one on the right is at Union Station in Kansas City.

Have you noticed that the shower heads in hotels have an 800 phone number on them? I wonder how many people, as they shower, think, "Boy, this shower head sure is mighty fine. I would like to own one!", and then get out of the shower, dry off, and come back into the shower with a pen and paper to record the number. That just can't happen very often. But I give them credit for trying. I enjoy creative marketing.

Teachers are such bad students. They talk while the teacher talks, cannot follow directions without multiple repetitions, eat, drink, make lots of noise with their papers, and generally disturb the peace for others in very rude ways.

Wowsers!!!

I am so professionally charged! The four leaders of this workshop are awesome. They balance research and the real world in a totally seamless way. (Not an easy task, as you can pretty much find any sort of research to back up any sort of claim in education.) I get to be in a small group tomorrow (like 12 people max) with Kylene Beers, Robert Probst, and Terri Lesesne for thirty minutes each. It's almost like an audience with the Pope. I have made two new best friends from Pennsylvania, so I don't feel like a loner at this conference of 250, which is a good thing.

Tonight all of San Antonio is holding their collective breath as the Spurs are playing here in the NBA finals. I could care less. I have the Tonys, and the final episode of The Sopranos (which I have never, ever watched, but when it's the final episode, you watch). More tomorrrow!

San Antonio

Wow. Another day on the same road. 35S goes all the way from KC to San Antonio. My kind of drive. Steinbeck says "Once you are in Texas it seems to take forever to get out." I kept thinking about this quote as I drove further and further and further south to get to San Antonio. If I'm not back by July, just look for me in Texas. (There is an IKEA store just north of Austin, so that would be the first place to look!)

My hotel is named the Gunter Sheraton. Gunter just doesn't sound very southwestern to me. It's an old, historic building that was recently renovated. Gunter was apparently a community leader, who with a group of investors, built this hotel in 1909. The hallways look old, and I like the attention to detail with which the building was remodeled.

Just outside the hotel and over a block is the River Walk (Paseo del Rio), a man-made canal that runs through the city. It is lined with shops and restaurants, and many turistas.

The Alamo is still on the list to visit, though as the conference begins tomorrow, there will be very little free time. Can't wait to see what Kylene has in store!

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A

The drive from KC to Oklahoma was very relaxing. The highway outside of Evan's condo goes right to Oklahoma City. Absolutely no navigational skills needed today. The large cattle ranches and rolling hills are a nice change from the flat prairies seen along Highway 70 in the middle of the state. There was even a rest stop that had wireless internet! Oklahoma City has a trendy area called Bricktown. It includes many old, red brick warehouse type buildings which have been turned into shops, lofts, and restaurants. To top it all off, there is a minor league baseball team with the world's cutest stadium. For some reason, I always forget that Mickey Mantle is from Oklahoma. The stadium has a beautiful sculpture of him at the front entrance.

They really like "street art" exhibits in this town. The buffalo roam on almost every street corner.

The Trip Begins

Leaving St. Louis for Columbia, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, I feel thankful to have been kicked out of my place of employment due to construction, as I feel foot loose and fancy free. There is no going back until August 1. First stop, good old Columbia, Missouri. Whitney is there this summer to sing and dance, for which she gets paid! Columbia brings back sweet memories of being away from home for the first time, growing up, and being newly married. Life was much simpler then, though as any good college student, I didn't realize it at the time.

Whitney lives in an old apartment building. It has an urban, movie set feel about it.

She loves the proximity to her classes and other important landmarks. For instance, her apartment is only 99 steps from the back door to The Berg. Please note the addition of an ATM machine, of all things, to the facade of this beloved landmark, which was all but destroyed by fire in 2003.

Whitney's home is also close to the beloved quadrangle, home of many traditions for the Mizzou faithful. A newer tradition includes "walking in" and "walking out" of the University family. This is symbolized by walking through the columns, toward Jesse Hall, as a freshman (and being given free Tiger Stripe ice cream from Buck's Ice Cream Place), and walking away from the University, through the columns, upon graduation (and being given two free beers). You have to love a university that acknowledges personal growth in such a concrete way!
The University continues to beautify the campus in ways not evident, or even dreamed of, in the seventies. The plantings are lush and beautiful, and properly labeled by eager, young horticulturists. There are several fountains and sculptures, such as this very detailed one of Thomas Jefferson, which sits near his original tombstone. Mr. Jefferson is writing on a portable writing box, one of his many inventions, on which he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Way to go Tom!

I love spending time with Whitney, but it was time to move on to Kansas City to see Evan, always an enjoyable experience.

Kansas City is a fabulous place. The fountains, Country Club Plaza, and the western feel of the city are all ingredients for big time merriment. Evan's condo is also very conveniently located near many landmarks. He is in his third year of dental school, also located within walking distance of his home.



Union Station is an amazing building that is connected by sky walks to Crown Center and Evan's condo. Beautiful old buildings like these just make me happy. It's fun to think about all of the travelers from times past who graced these marble floors. The intricate ceiling patterns, authentic light fixtures, and period furniture all add to the ambiance of a time long past. They just don't build them like this anymore! A Norman Rockwell exhibit starts here later this month.

Off to Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...