Special Education

Today I was in Fresno at McLane High School. I thought it was kind of cool because they were the Scots! I was to spend all day at this high school, 3 periods with Dr. Lippman then one period with Mrs. Anderson. That is all I knew until I was walking up to Dr. Lippman's class and they told me it was SDC. I asked them to clarify and they said it was Special Day Class. I was surprised, usually I try to find the smartest people in the school for the recruiters to talk to, and today I was working a Special Education class. The biggest problem is my job is to work with qualified applicants for the Armed Forces, and these kids weren't qualified. But, I was there already so I might as well make the best of it. I had to modify my presentation and change the way I talked a little. It worked great, the kids all stayed on task and instead of having them work independently the teacher and I read the assignment to them and we did it all slower. The highest score was 9 and that is, in fact, higher than some non-special education kids get. I had a good day. I had to hurry home so I could see Sarah's softball game, that they won and then worked at the school in the evening. Sarah got her learner's permit today so I think I will have some things to say about that over the next six months.

Idols!

Yesterday I was at Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton, California. It was a very nice school with great staff and the students were very pleasant and smart! I was really happy to travel to the school and talk to the students about their future and careers. As I was walking the halls of the school I noticed they had famous pictures of people on the walls. One picture was Cesar Chavez, and that I expected. He was a fighter for equal rights and for workers in the fields to get a fair wage. I didn't like him as I was growing up, but part of that was because I didn't really understand what he was fighting for. The farmers provided their workers places to live, but they were really substandard and had not been updated for 50 years. The workers had bad working conditions and the farmers were taking advantage of the situation. So, I understood his picture on the wall. After all, the school was named after him. They also had Mother Teresa's picture on the wall. This was a little strange since she was a religious figure, but she was really famous for helping the poor and downtrodden just like Cesar Chavez. So I understood her picture on the wall.  On another wall was the picture of Nelson Mandala. This one made sense since Nelson Mandala was the head of a country and overcame many obstacles without violence. Then I looked around the corner and they had the picture of Billy Graham. This picture really surprised me. Billy Graham is only a religious figure, as far as I know. I don't know how his picture would be okay to have on a wall of a high school. I think it would upset someone. But, the strangest picture on the wall was the first one I saw when I entered the school. The first picture I saw, so the one with the most prominence, was Martin Sheen. An actor that wasn't Hispanic, wasn't famous for helping others, wasn't famous for religion, I don't even know what he was famous for. Many schools have pictures of people on the walls of the school so students try to emulate them. The pictures are of people that the students should idolize and try to achieve the same status. What Martin Sheen, someone tell me!

Today I was in Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California. This was another nice school with very nice students and a good staff that really wants the best for their students. I saw some announcements on the wall and they were written in 3 languages. English, Spanish, and a language I didn't recognize. I asked the counselor and she said it was Hmong. I knew there was many Hmong people in Fresno, where I will go tomorrow, but I didn't know in Sacramento. I was giving out the student test results and I noticed there were many Vang last names. I found out that is a common Hmong name. One of the Vang's was Sue. I looked closer and saw it was a male. It turns out that was a common Hmong male name. It reminded me of the song, "A Boy Named Sue". I laughed and he joked with me, and then I was happy I went to the school. I learned something today and I felt like I got a little smarter! 

Politics

Today I had lunch with an old friend. Both of us had sat in a speech by Ronald Regan when he was governor in 1973. I just remember being in the room, and don't remember what he said, my friend remembers at least one thing and that was the answer to the question of whether he would run for president. As we know he eventually ran from president and won. I really think politics has changed from back then. Sometimes it gets to be what is the most important thing in a persons life. I have seen ads by women looking for men that the most important thing to them is they are liberal, which means democrat. I have talked to people that refuse to shop in a store because the owner has a different political view. I have quit talking to a girl because all she does is talk about how bad right wingers are. I don't care that much about politics, at least I don't think I do. But, when I listen to radio shows and I don't agree with their political view I change the channel, when I vote I care more about what party they are in than anything else. I wish I could be more open minded, but I find myself as close minded as the people I complain about. Is politics really that important? Will the focus of the country change because one party is in charge versus another? I hope our lives haven't been boiled down to those basics! Is it time for a drastic change?

Discouraging

I went to the doctor for an annual check up 2 weeks ago and he suggested I build muscle by lifting weights in addition to running. He told me that muscle used increased metabolism and having more muscle would help me loose weight. I thought that was a great idea so I decided to go to the gym and run a mile, life weights for 15 min, then run my second mile. I did that and then got discouraged and didn't go back to the gym. I have been able to do this running because I got the philosophy of "do what you will do and don't do what you won't do". Tonight I went back to the gym, realizing that if lifting weights was distracting me from doing my 2 mile run then maybe I shouldn't worry about it. The gym was closed so I actually came home and ran outside near my house. I haven't done that for many many years. I could have done pushups and sit ups for muscle building, in fact I could do it right now instead of writing this, but I need to realize that if it discourages me from doing other things then maybe I shouldn't worry about it. I need to find a sport that will help, or work outside in my lawn. I am happy that I am running and I need to maintain my momentum.

Decisions

Before the start in Dublin.

I went running today. It was just like last time I ran, after running for 5 minutes I wanted to walk. I kept thinking about my pains and envious of the people I ran by because they were walking and I wanted to walk. I know the first time I walk I will not be so committed to run all the way next time I run a 5K race. I have run 8 races so far, 6 this year.

My trophy wall.

I have not walked at all, the first race I stopped to tie my shoe lace and this time I had to stop and pick up my phone (all 3 pieces) after I dropped it. Since I dropped my phone I couldn't take pictures and ran the fastest time this year. I finished with a time of 34 minutes. I have been increasing my time all year, starting at 36 minutes and did 37 minutes 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure if I am getting better or just more focused today. I gave it my all, and was completely exhausted today. I had trouble walking to my car after the race because I really did give it my all. What do I think about when I run? Today I was able to play my music so that was good (in Oakland the battery on my MP3 player was out so I didn't run with music). As I was thinking about walking today I kept thinking about my decision to run 2 5K races a month this year. January - 2, February - 2, March - 2, will I be able to keep it up? Next will be April 1 and then April 7. Then I teach for 6 weeks and lets see what happens in May. I have cleared up July 29 for the San Francisco Marathon! I can't think too far in advance on these things or I will be frustrated if it doesn't work out. One step at a time, I have to finish each race before I can concentrate on the next. I guess I can map out my year now, and figure out what races I want to do, but I want to do this whole thing. Making the decision was a little quick and easy, but seeing it through is not so easy and will take a whole year.

1800 runners today!

I'm going to Dublin!

Today's St. Patrick's Day. I didn't really do anything, just stayed around the house and watched TV. Tonight I went to a bar and had one beer just to say I did. I have to sleep early tonight because tomorrow morning I am going to Dublin, California to run a race. I thought it was kind of cool to do that on this weekend. It also is how I am getting in the second run for March. I found out about another race on Tuesday to help the local school sports, but I had already committed myself to work in Stockton on that day. I could run next weekend, but I want to see if I can get up to Lake Tahoe to ski once more before the ski season is over. Starting April 14 I will be working for 6 weekends in a row so I can run on the weekends after that for my April run. Tomorrow is the first run I haven't preregistered for, because when I realized I was going to do it the preregistration was over. So, I will register when I get there. The problem is I don't know if I can be motivated enough to get up if I haven't paid. Let's see what will happen tomorrow.    

I bought a gun.

I met a girl a few nights ago that told me she had bought a gun a few months ago. I asked her if she did target practice and she told me she never fired the gun. I didn't understand, why had she bought a gun. She told me that she was very depressed and wanted to kill herself. I was as shocked as you are. I thought I didn't understand her correctly and asked her again. She said she bought a gun to kill herself. She said the 2 week waiting period (is that how long it is?) was enough that she didn't feel that way when she finally got the gun. She paid $600 for the gun and sold it back to the store for $200. My mouth fell open and I couldn't believe she was telling me this. She was married and her husband left her with her son, he went back to his country. She was devastated, then found out she was pregnant. She had the baby and the father, her ex husband, said he wanted to see the new baby girl. He came to see her and the mother was scared the father would take the new baby. This depressed the lady and she became very stressed. She lived alone with the baby and if anyone has been around a baby 24/7 they know that in itself can drive a person crazy. This lady is very attractive and I was thinking about dating her. I wonder if she has bought another gun or maybe a big knife. I am worried that I will date her for a while then break up with her and I don't want to know that I depress her and ...

I think many of us get depressed at times of our lives, but not many think they will actually do anything about it. If you feel like buying a gun it would be better to buy a gallon of ice cream and forget the diet. Maybe go for a run. If you feel really depressed maybe it is better to use the $600 and get a babysitter for a few days while you go for to Hawaii and sit on the beach. I don't know anyone that can stay depressed sitting on the beach in Hawaii!!

Cleaning the home

I cleaned the house today. I have cats so I should do it more often, no matter how often I clean I can't clean enough. I clean the litter boxes every 2 days, I have 2 LARGE litter boxes. Today I cleaned the bathroom floor, the litter box is in there so there is loose litter around the floor. I vacuumed the bathroom and all the rooms. I keep my kitchen fairly clean and I keep the kids' room door closed so the cats don't go in there, but I still vacuum there. Today I cleaned the tub and threw out the garbage. I really am not home much so I don't keep things picked up often. So, if you are going to come over, come over tomorrow ... it is ready for my mom to visit right now!!

Mr. Phillips

I spent 10 years in the Army as an officer and was Lieutenant Phillips and Captain Phillips, I spent 2 years teaching elementary school and was Mr. Phillips, I have been working with the National Guard for the past 4 years and they call me Mr. Phillips. I want to be called Scott. When I teach ESL I tell my students they can call me Mr. Phillips or Scott, whichever makes them more comfortable, but they can not call me Teacher nor Mr. Scott. What would you rather be called? What name would you feel comfortable calling me? Why don't I want to be Mr. Phillips? Calling me a formal name puts a barrier between us. I would rather be part of the group rather than the leader of the group. If you want me to, and there needs to be a leader than I will do it and do a good job! I like my name, I like Scott Phillips. I just feel it is more friendly to be called by Scott. I know when my wife was pregnant we worked hard to find the right name for our daughters. We looked at different ways to shorten the names, we looked at the initials, we looked at words the names rhyme with, we looked at many different ways the names could be spelled. My daughters sometimes say they wish their names were different, lets see what they say after they are adults for a while! Mom, thanks for my perfect name.

Good Health makes everything easier

I went skiing in Lake Tahoe today. I haven't been skiing for 3 or 4 years. I have gone many times in the past and every time I ever go skiing I am miserable. I enjoy it a little, because it is a good experience, but I always decide I won't go again. Then after 3 or 4 years I decide to go again and the cycle begins anew ... This year I loved skiing. My legs didn't hurt after, I was able to ski better because my legs and ankles are stronger. I stayed on the slopes the whole time and I want to go again, soon. I feel so happy about my running because it seems like many things are better now. I have more stamina, I sleep better, my weight is down and remaining down, and now I find I love skiing. I was able to comfortably ski with Sarah and help her as she snowboarded. She got a lot better this time, her second time on the slopes and she will enjoy the snow more now. I am just happy today! I feel like running NOW, at midnight, because I want to celebrate my happiness.

Day with my Daughter

Out my motel window

Sarah and I drove to Lake Tahoe today. Her friend came with us which was nice. I really miss spending time with my daughter. Today was nice because I got to talk to her about nothing, and listen to the type of things she talks to her friends about. After spending the day talking about nothing I have a better idea about who my daughter is and the type of things she likes. I like my daughter and like the adult she is growing into! I look forward to helping her grow and mature.

Oakland

Today I ran a 5K race in Oakland then went to the last two games in Sarah's softball tournament, in the evening I went to my monthly poker tournament. The softball games were wonderful. The first game I was a little unhappy, again, because they took Sarah out of the batting order and had her play first base, but not bat so they could use a designated batter. The won that game, so had to play against the winner of the other game being played later in the afternoon. One of the two teams that were playing in the other game beat Sarah's team 17 - 1 last week. I had hoped that Sarah wouldn't have to play that team again. The second game started late, and the other team got 3 points in the first inning. The rest of the people in the stands and I were cringing, wondering if this was going to be the same as last week. Then, Sarah's team came up and answered back with 3 points themselves. This was going to be a good game! Sarah was now batting fourth, cleanup! Every time she came up they needed her to make a good hit, and every time she came up she made a great hit. She did everything right. The whole team worked together and the other team was falling apart and making many errors. The game ended in a tie 16 - 16. They had to play an extra inning since this was the last game of the tournament. Sarah's team ended up losing 16 - 17. It sure shut up the skeptics, like I was. Wow, what a game. Then Sarah made the All Tournament Team! I had to leave early and didn't see the end of the game because I wanted to play in my monthly poker tournament. I have been doing pretty good over the last couple of months and this month I came in 11th out of 22. I'm still in the running of being the best!

Before the race began

At 8am I ran the Running is My High 5K race in Oakland, California. Oakland is not known as a beautiful city, even though it is. Oakland is not known for warm people, but today the people were really warm and helpful. I had fun. Today was the first time I ran into someone I wasn't expecting, a girl from a class a few months ago was working in one of the booths. It was a nice surprise to see her. The run was easy because it was just around the lake near downtown. The hard part of it was the course was not closed to everyone else so people were walking on the course and some people were walking in the other direction. Overall I enjoyed the run and I enjoyed Oakland. It was nice to see the nice part of the city and not see any of the bad things I have heard about the city. I look forward to running there again.

Today's route.

Winning

Simon and Theodore at home.

Because I want to write in this blog every day I spend a lot of time in the day thinking of what I will write at night (I usually right before I sleep). I often have good ideas and then forget them when I sit down to write. Even as I write I can't decide if I should change my idea. Tonight I went to the first game of the softball tournament that Sarah is in this weekend. They won, the other team wasn't that good and it was a big ego boost to beat them. Tomorrow night they play again, and that game will be MUCH harder. Sarah's first at bat tonight she bunted the ball very well, and they overthrew her at first. She ended up with a home run off of a bunt! Then she got three more singles. It was a good night for her offensively and defensively. I find these days I stress too much about things Sarah is into. I exploded yesterday when I got an email response back from her Algebra teacher which pretty much sounded like Sarah is a good little girl and maybe the Math is too hard for her. I blew up, especially when I found out she complained to Sarah that I shouldn't have emailed the teacher and Sarah should have handled it herself. It is the first time I had ever contacted one of my three daughter's teachers and that is because I am worried about her grade going from a 95% to a 75% in 2 months. Oh well, we gotta keep going on.

Sarah at bat

 Tonight I got upset because the JV team was playing, which Sarah is a part of, and for the tournament the coach brought two players down from Varsity to "help out" the JV team. He didn't do that last year, when it was needed more, because he said he wanted to give the girls the experience of the tournament. He said it wasn't so important that the team won or not. What does bringing the two girls in just for the tournament do to the moral of the JV team? Is it worth winning if the team doesn't do it? Is it worth bringing in better pitchers if the catchers can't catch the balls of pitchers that they haven't worked with before? I think I got more upset than Sarah did, and I don't think i should. I should be the one to tell her it is important to follow the coaches decision on matters like this. Winning this tournament isn't as important as building the team and the team's confidence in themselves and their coach. Oh well, I guess I should have written about going skiing this weekend with my daughter or how I have a race on Saturday and haven't run all week or something else. Let's see what pops into my head tomorrow night. (hopefully we will win again, GO BRUINS!!)

Article for paper

Upper Lake Main Street

On The Road Again …

I do a lot of driving in my job. I support Bravo and Delta Companies of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion of the California Army National Guard. My job is to visit high schools in Northern California and that covers 600 miles north to south and 200 miles east to west, 120,000 square miles! There are over 1000 high schools in my area, but I don’t visit them all. I go where I am needed to do ASVAB interpretations or where the recruiters ask for help. Since I drive a lot in my job I need to find ways to make my job interesting. I listen to audio books and travel with my camera. Once or twice a month I will stop at the local library and check out two or three audio books on CDs. One book could last me 2 or 3 days depending on if I have long distances to drive. Last year I went through 53 books. I have recently learned to download books onto my smart phone so I don’t have to worry if I can get to the library on time to return books or to get books for my next trip. I just browse for books when I have internet access.  Since I drive for long distances I need to find a way to force myself to stop every hour or so to stretch my legs. As long as I do that I am fresh when I get to my destination. I often take hundreds of pictures a week. I think the most I have driven in a one week period was last month when I drove 1500 miles in one week. On Monday I drove to Monterey and back to help a recruiter work with his high school.

On Tuesday I drove to Middletown, near Clear Lake, to do an ASVAB interpretation at a high school. Then I drove over the mountains to Novato and San Rafael to help a recruiter get school lists. On Wednesday I drove to Fresno and then Lemoore to do ASVAB stuff at the schools. That night I drove up to Upper Lake so I could be at the school at 0800 hours Thursday morning to work in the high school there all day. That night I drove home. Friday I was supposed to work in Corcoran at 0800, but the recruiter said he could handle the ASVAB interpretation by himself so I only had to drive as far as Fresno by 1000 and do the interpretation there.

One week of driving.

After Fresno I drove to Los Banos to work in a high school there before I could get home for the end of the week. I have the best a fantastic job, not only do I help guide students to maximize their potential, hopefully they see how the National Guard can help them achieve their goals, but I also am able to see the most beautiful parts of this wonderful state. From my 1500 mile trip I have included some of the trip here.

Broken Stuff Update

Hi,Scott
We apologize for the defective mount. We had received a bad batch from
the manufacturer,we have since then received a good batch and are shipping them out as free replacements for out to are customer, if you would prefer a refund please let us know.
Best regards

Customer Care Team

That is the response I got from my email to the company. I sent them my address and I got an email today that the replacement piece was sent. Hmmmmmm, good customer service? They should not have sent me the bad piece if they knew they had bad pieces, and if they have replacement pieces already then they knew they were sending out broke stuff!! I guess I'm just glad they are replacing it without me having to send the old one back! 

Depression

Sometimes I wonder if I suffer from clinical depression. I can't believe how my emotions control me, instead of me controlling my emotions. I cry easily, from watching sappy movies to thinking about bad things that happen to people to seeing injustices. I have problems sleeping sometimes, and it continues for many days until I just wear myself out. I feel like I am worthless and not important and I would rather not be around (not that I want to die, just I don't want to be around ... like I want to hide under my blankets). I looked up the symptoms of clinical depression and they are:

• you can’t sleep or you sleep too much
• you can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult
• you feel hopeless and helpless
• you can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how much you try
• you have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating
• you are much more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual
• you’re consuming more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behavior
• you have thoughts that life is not worth living 

 Most of these I have, except loosing my appetite. Then I realize that when I run I am able to combat most of these problems. When I run I sleep easily. When I run I am able to concentrate more and it helps me think about things that bother me and I figure out what I can do. When I run I feel better about myself, because I am able to do things I never thought I could do. I have mentioned that I run 5K races to my friends and everyone envies me! I don't often drink so that isn't a problem any way. Running 5K races gives me something to look forward to, and doing two a month I am never far away from my next race! I have never wanted to take anti depressant medication. Every time it is mentioned I get upset at the thought. I now realize that running is my anti depressant .. I wish I had discovered it before.

Another class over!

Feb 2012 TESL class

Today was the last class of the February Oxford Seminars Certification class. This group was the youngest I have had in the 5 years that I have been teaching this course. Last month was the oldest! This month I had two sisters that are18 and 20. I had two Stanford students that are 19 and 23. The other students were older, but those four were very young. Is it possible for an 18 year old to go to another country to teach English? I'm not sure, and I really am not sure if that is something I should even think about. My job is to teach them effective ways to teach ESL, and the sales person's job is to convince them that they can get a job if they take my class. So, how much responsibility do I have in advising them in how to get a job? Just something I was thinking about this month! What they learn is really my responsibility. So, I try to teach them how to be organized inside the classroom so what happens outside the classroom, in a foreign country, is not so severe. I give them a simple template to use zs they teach that if they follow it they will be successful teachers. If they don't follow it they won't necessarily be bad teachers, but then it is up to fate and their own personalities. I try to give them a simple lesson plan template they can use. I encourage them to learn ESA as the components of a successful lesson. Engage means to ask the students questions to evaluate if they need the lesson and how much they already know. Study is the lesson, sometimes ESL teachers forget that they have to teach something before giving the students an activity to do. Then the Activate portion of the lesson is having the student do something that reinforces what you taught them, how do you reinforce it unless you taught it? I stay in touch with my students so it will be interesting to know what happens with this young class.

Jeongyoung wants to teach pre-school

We are all tired by the end of class

Chris is a Freshman at Stanford

Learning to drive

Sarah's first driving lesson.

My third daughter is 15. On March 23 she will be fifteen and a HALF and that will mean she can get her driver's permit and then I can start teaching her to drive, officially. I taught her mother to drive, I taught her two sisters to drive, and now I will teach Sarah. None of the others were as excited to start driving as Sarah. Her mother didn't really want to drive, and really didn't want me to teach her. I still remember her saying I love the car more than her, after she hit a pole and I was upset, she thought I should be glad she wasn't hurt. Lindsey didn't get her permit for a few months after she was eligible, and then was not really in a hurry to start driving. After Lindsey got her license her mom all of a sudden got so sick she couldn't drive any more and Lindsey had to drive everyone everywhere. Jayne was never confident driving and she reluctantly got her license to everyone's surprise. Today I took Sarah to a parking lot to start to learn. The truth is I have had her drive the same place twice before, a few years ago. Now it is for real and she is taking it seriously. I had her drive around a while, up and down the empty parking lot, with me in the car, then I got out and she drove by herself. I had never done that with the other three and I guess you can glean from that how good I think Sarah is already. This fourth time will be fun. We are already planning road trips to visit her sister in San Diego and her grandmother in Arizona. We will go to get her permit on March 23, and then get her license on September 24 since her 16th birthday is September 23.

Broke Stuff!

It Broke!!

I drive a lot and rely a lot on my GPS. I only have one GPS, which is probably normal, and drive two cars. I drive a government car for work and I have my own personal car. I had been using one windshield mount and switching it when I drove different cars. The more I put it on and take it off the less the suction works. I went on the internet and ordered two suction cups. I had two before and it worked well. I received the two I ordered and put them on my two cars. I was happy, and just changed the GPS when I changed cars (I should probably buy another GPS). After 3 days the one I put on my personal car windshield was on the floor when I got in the car. The rubber part of the suction cup had come off of the plastic part. I still had the receipt I had gotten with the mounts and I took a picture of the broken thing and sent and email to the company. One thing I don't like about the internet is I don't know if I will even get a response from the company. According to the companies policy I'm supposed to return the old item and they will replace it. The thing only cost $3 and it will be less of a hassle just to order another one. I will let you know what happens. This whole episode reminded me of something that happened in college. I bought a MARS bar in a vending machine and when I ate it it was stale and yucky! I read the wrapping and it guaranteed freshness. You know college students are skeptical, so I wrote the company and complained. (this is before there was email) The guarantee said I had to return the uneaten portion of the candy, but I thought that was a little weird. I sent the wrapping, so they had the batch number and I sent them a little piece of the chocolate. The company sent me a whole case of candy bars. I was very happy with their customer service and I have been a fan of the company ever since! I hope I am a fan of this company too!  

Etna High lions

Beautiful California

Church in Etna

Tonight I am in Lodi! What a day, I woke up in 20 degree weather, it was cold, but dry. I killed time till 1 and then worked till 2. Then I drove 6 hours south. When I started to drive it was still cold and there were snow flurries. As I was driving it started to snow harder! I was worried the roads would close it was snowing so hard.

Snowing on the way south

After driving through that for an hour the snow turned to rain. After an hour of that it was dry and beautiful and warm, it was up to 65 degrees again. I started in the mountains and finished in the valley. California has a great diversity that you can see so much in one day!

Trees in bloom in February.

One reason I like my job so much is I get to see so much of Northern California (NORCAL!) and it is always wonderful to see new places and to be surprised and how fantastic this great state is!

Going Home

Old school is now a museum.

I'm staying the night in Etna, California. If you wonder it is then look on the map at the Oregon border! The drive up here was long and beautiful, at times it was literally breathtaking! I left around 9:30am and got here around 4:30pm. There is one place to stay here, the Motel Etna. When I got into town I decided to check into the motel and when I got here there was a sign that said, "closed till 5". I had to laugh a little because I haven't been to a motel that had it's office closed. I had to kill half an hour so I went downtown to take pictures. I decided to stop in at the one bar in town, it was the only place open after 4 except the grocery store. I was able to go into the drug store for a few minutes, even took a picture of the "soda fountain" counter. In the bar I talked to the bartender, since she was the only one in the big room with a big fireplace. She was saying that she had grown up in this little town, population 581, and moved out when she graduated high school. She was gone for 23 years and then decided to move back after her third divorce so she could help her mom take care of her grandmother.

The one bar in town.

 She said many people in this small town have done the same thing, left for more than 20 years and then came back. This town is cute, but nothing is open after 4 except the bar. Movie theater is 30 miles away next to the bowling alley. I can't imagine what it is like being in high school here. I guess they all have enough time to do their homework since there is nothing else to do. Home always is inviting to come back. It will always be home, no matter how many times you get married or how many kids you have or how many different jobs you have. Going home is always in people's minds!!

Soda fountain counter!