It reminds me of the time I wrote a nasty note in 7th grade. I was extremely upset at a girl that was spreading untrue rumors about me. I wrote in my note how I would love to beat her up and get everyone to hate her. Well, the teacher walked by and asked me to give her the note. She went back to her desk and read it. I was mortified that she may read it to the class, as this has been known to happen. Instead, she folded it back up and called me to her desk. She handed me the note back and told me to go see “Cowboy Callahan,” the Vice Principal. Mr. Callahan was a nice man but occasionally we would hear him over the loudspeaker, “This here is Cowboy Callahan and – yee-haw – it’s time for a Tardy Round-up!! Teachers, lock your doors and send your tardies to the MPR for a detention slip.” I never once got detention for Tardy Round-up. In fact, I had never been in trouble before. So I took the note and went to the office. I sat and waited for him to see me and when he called me in, I just handed him the note and started to cry. He wasn’t happy about it but also asked me why I was so angry against the girl. I told him that she spread rumors about me and I didn’t know what else to do than rally other girls to hate her. He gave me a few tips for dissolving such situations, asking for help from teachers if I needed to. But then he said he is going to have to call my parents because they needed to know. Darn. That episode temporarily ended my note writing career and I definitely didn’t write anything that others couldn’t read.

I did tell my baby girl about my note writing experience – leaving out the beat-up and hating parts. Hopefully, she learned from my lesson and from her own embarrassment of knowing her mom found a note and read it. I had my chat with her in hopes that I may have possibly spared her some pain and embarrassment of others finding words written in secret.

Last Monday, we all had a terrible day as we transitioned into Summer mode. The kids wandered aimlessly because they didn’t need to prepare for school and consequently fell to boredom and quarreling. I fell apart because my house was a wreck and any attempt to keep it clean was just futile. We’ve come a long way this week in our transition. It’s Friday and Madeline and Owen know they have a few responsibilities to complete before leaving the house – both academic and domestic. I have staked out a few rooms that they are not to clutter under any circumstances and let go of the others until just before bedtime. I have also learned that a stocked fridge equals a happy family. This is do-able for me. This week has been a week of negotiations on everyone’s part so now we can feel free to play knowing the boundaries and expectations of Summertime.

The fire trucks came and it was out in about 30 minutes. Luckily, we still have June Gloom and no wind so it was out really quick. They are still cleaning it up as I write and investigating. From the pop sound, we think it was started by the electrical poles. Anyway, Good Morning Sunshine!!

Owen – “Look! Look! Do you see that cross on the hill over there. Look quick!”

Garth – “Oh yeah…I see it.”

Karna – “Where? Oh, there it is…”

Owen – “Wait! Is that where they stapled God to the cross?!”

Karna – Laughing hysterically in the passenger seat, unable to reply.

Garth – “People put that there to remind people of what Jesus did.”

Owen – “Oh.”