many thoughts...

Okay, I apologize in advance if this gets long but there is a lot to talk about. First, let's start with school. Today we had an early out for inservice. That meant sixth hour class was only 10 minutes long, so the Junior high kids came in and I had told them to come with some homework/something to read and be ready to go (no going to lockers) because we weren't going to start anything for 10 minutes. Anyways, I was sitting at my desk and one of the girls got up and went over to another girl to have her sign something, I just saw this out of the corner of my eye and wasn't really paying attention. Anyways, what was being signed was the children's book "Duck For President" that they signed and gave me. I was truly touched. I can't really explain how I felt other than to say that is why we teach.

Next, as I was driving home I was thinking about the Hawkeyes. I know, its weird, but it is what I do. My thoughts were "how can anyone not like the Hawkeyes?" Over the Kirk Ferentz years we've seen "no-name" teams with star players who were either passed up by other programs or walk-ons and these "no-name" teams just win. They play hard, they obviously practice hard, and they flat out outplay the other team. Or look at this year's team. They have lost their top four running backs and a walk-on from Emmetsburg, Sam Brownlee has stepped up. His stats aren't good and the running game is poor, but you cannot fault the effort. Brownlee keeps chugging away, keeps fighting, and the team keeps winning. The best part of the season so far was the Penn St. game. 6-4 is an ugly score and the game wasn't pretty, but Kirk Ferentz's dad had passed away that week and you could tell the players were going to win no matter what for Coach. Then when Ferentz broke down and cried on the sideline...it just cemented more in mind what a guy Ferentz is. I love the relationship between the fans and the team too. Any road game the team goes and celebrates and high fives the fans who have traveled and the home winning streak is up to 17. It truly is great to be a Hawkeye!!!

Finally, tonight is Wednesday and that means church choir. I sing in a church choir here in Chariton and love it. The people are great and I look forward to Wednesday nights. They are kinda my lifeline as I learn to live on my own. They don't read this board, but thanks for letting me come sing with you! That's all for now.