Loyola Alumni

YEA--Peggy figured out the picture posting glitch so I am able to post the above picture after all. I received the Loyola magazine in the mail and figured I got it since I was a St. Vincent's
graduate. Back when I was going to high school, there were two Catholic high schools in Shreveport--St. Vincent's Academy (all girls) and Jesuit (all boys). St. Vincent's no longer exists. Jesuit changed its name to Loyola and now is co-ed.
I was looking through the magazine and noticed this page about alumni by state. I immediately spotted a very familiar face in the lower left side--my brother, Jerry. Jerry loves golf and to me it looks like the background in his picture is a golf course. If you click on the picture, you can get a better view of all the people and may even recognize someone else you know.

Anatomy Lesson

Yesterday I went to Durham to see an exhibit that has been showing across the country for a few years. Bodies: The Exhibition is not your ordinary field trip about history, art or the like. This exhibit is about the human anatomy and how our bodies work. The displays are real human bodies that have been preserved in a unique process.

I realize that some controversy surrounds this exhibit, but then again controversy is abundant in today's information spectrum. At any rate, I found the exhibit to be very tastefully done and respectful of the human body. Most of all I found it to be fascinating.

It was amazing to see the actual inner workings of the human and to know that each and every organ, vessel, nerve, gland and muscle must work in conjunction with each other just to make it possible to wake up each morning; just to be able to eat a sandwich; to be able to read and understand the newspaper or go on a long walk and then bend down to sniff that wildflower.

This exhibit is most definitely not for everyone, but if you want to know more about it click here.

The End

Well it's the end of my career in education. As you can see in the picture below, my badge expires Monday. After 29 years in the classroom, I've decided not to renew it because I've got so much else going on in my wonderful life right now. Yes, Mel and I both love this stage in our lives and realize how blessed we are with wonderful children, grandsons, brothers, sister and all extended family.

This is where it all began--Cherokee Park Elementary Shreveport, LA 1967. It's hard to believe my first class are 46-47 year olds now! The two little girls in the front row, second and third from the left, were rice girls in our wedding.

I received this tray as a gift from this first class. The inscription reads First Class 1967-68.

I did appreciate it, but remember thinking what am I going to serve on this-- beer! Of course, I appreciate it all the more now as it is a wonderful remembrance of the beginning of my career. Also, I do use it to serve coffee/ dessert at dinner parties. Those room moms knew I'd come of age someday.

I've passed the grading pencil on to Missy and know she will do an excellent job for many years to come.

Why Mom Worries

Yesterday Will hiked to an active volcano, Pacaya, outside of Guatemala City. Click on the picture to read the sign.

I have to admit that this must have been an incredible hike.

Wow! It's Wii

On a recent visit to the Bostic home I was introduced to the latest video game - Wii manufactured by Nintendo. I had heard of this new game but of course had no clue how it worked or what all the fuss was about. I continue to be amazed at today's technology and this video game is amazing. This is not a game where the players merely sit down and press an up and down and sideways button. In this game, each player holds a control and actually simulates the action of the game being played. For instance, when I played a round of tennis with Melanie I had to swing my arm with the control like it was a tennis racket. The tennis court, players and ball were all on the TV screen. It took a few minutes to catch on but once I did I was hooked. How about bowling. The control is the bowling ball and the lanes and pins are on the TV screen. I was galloping all over that game room.

Wikipedia says Wii is the seventh generation of video games. I am proud to say that I vividly remember playing the first generation in this form:

Sometimes I feel like a geezer-ette when I remark to my children (or anyone who will listen) "gosh darn, that Pong game was so much fun and I just loved playing it whenever I had a quarter to pop in the machine. I was pretty good at it, too!" If I didn't have a spare quarter I would just play with my hula hoop instead.

QT

This was a quick trip for the Barrs-----
John, Beverly, and kids (Hollie is in Houston) came over this a.m. to pick up their newly purchased Trailblazer pictured below.


We had lunch at one of our favorite places--J C's and then they were off to shop and head back to Shreveport.

Tulsa Weekend

Mel and I drove to Tulsa Friday to spend a long weekend with Tom and Linda. We didn't leave the rain or mosquitoes behind in Plano. They have had as much if not more rain up there and the mosquitoes are abundant. Last year when we drove up there, the Red and Colorado Rivers were so low you could almost walk across them. Now they are so full it seems they are almost bridge level.




This is the newest member of the Barr clan---Miss Sophie Barr. She is so cute and has the prissiest walk you've ever seen. I'd love to dress her in a pink tutu and watch her prance around.

We went to the River Walk in Jenks after church on Sunday and had a great Italian meal. There are a lot of little boutiques and restaurants which makes this area a great place to stroll, shop, and eat.

Although they are not on every corner as in Plano, we did manage to find a Starbucks so Linda and I could get a Mocha Light Frappuccino. The guys visited the Marble Slab next door then came over to sit with us.

*

We had a fun time visiting with Tom, Linda, and Sophie. Thank you, Tulsa Barrs, for the great hospitality.

Something New

You'll notice a new picture added to the right of the page. It's called a page element and is now part of the format of the front page. It will appear each time with the heading, archive listing, etc. I hope everyone likes it.

What a great time we had the summer of '04 in Gulf Shores AL. In looking over all the many pictures from that reunion I was again reminded of how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful, close family.

Forecast: Sunny and HOT

Our trip to Florida was so much fun and so relaxing. At first I thought a whole week was going to be too long but as it turned out the time flew by. We had no definite plans but just winged it day by day.

One day we went to nearby Sarasota to visit the Ringling Brothers Circus museum. John Ringling built a beautiful mansion which is now a state museum. Here I'm sitting on the patio in back of their home.

Another day we visited the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. The giraffe and Tim had a close encounter. As you can see this animal has a different way of saying "hello".

Several times we visited the beautiful beaches but only in the late evening as the sun was setting. During the day it was just too hot. We would seek out places that were somewhat secluded. Sitting on the beach at this time of day defines relaxation.

Pic From The Past

I was looking through old photos and came across this picture of my beloved first car. It was a new 1967 Chevrolet Malibu that I purchased after securing my first teaching position in Caddo Parish. I bought it at Red River Chevrolet (at the foot of the Texas Street Bridge in Bossier City). I remember feeling so excited to finally have my own car. My car payments were $97 a month for 36 months! I do believe I payed less than $3000 for it (not including interest). Think we kept the Malibu for about 5 or 6 years. I now have a love affair with my Honda which is 15 years old. I keep saying I'm saving it for Jacob when he gets his license.

I really think it will last that long!

Puppy Sophie

Here is a close up of SOPHIE. Isn't she cute?

New Baby Puppy

Last week, Tom & Linda went shopping for a new addition to our family. It has been a real challange training our Sophie with all the rain for 21 straight days. She is 1/2 Shih Tzu and 1/2 Poodle. She is so sweet and cute, as you can see!!!!!! She is now 10 weeks old and weighs only a little over 3 lbs. Her daddy only weighs 31/2 lbs. so she will only weigh 7-8 lbs. when grown.

On Vacation ..... Yipeee!!

Tomorrow morning Tim and I are flying to Tampa for a one week vacation. We'll be staying at Will's apartment and using his car while he's in Guatemala. Our only expense will be the air fare (good Southwest deal), food and entertainment. Tampa is very close to Orlando but we won't be going to Disney this time. The crowds will be huge and the heat unbearable. I'm sure we'll find plenty else to do even if it's lying out by the pool. Will's apartment backs up to a pond and a few months ago he shot this photo from his balcony - no kidding.



I don't think I'll be trying to leash and walk this backyard pet. Anyway, off we go and I'll check in when we return - that is if the gators don't get me.

Happy 4th

31 years ago today I was in Tulsa visiting Tom. I made a point of buying a postcard, addressing it and mailing it to myself to my apartment in Houston. (click on the picture to get a larger & better view). It was the Bicentennial celebration that day and I wanted some sort of unique memento for my little 'ole self and this is what I came up with. I think all the post offices agreed to postmark mailings with a special cancellation mark if you mailed on that day. The picture side of the postcard is a nighttime skyline of downtown Tulsa. I really don't remember what we did that day in Tulsa. What I do remember is when I returned to Houston and opened my mailbox, I was excited to see that the postcard had arrived safe and sound. I thought to myself "I will keep this postcard forever".