worming right along

Cass did NOT want to do this. Last year the Worm Race had happened right after his Papa died, so he sat that one out, and this year....this year he had no interest in competing.

But it was so neat, you see. So absolutely small-town and rural and quaint, and exciting for the kids. When else can you take a small container of dirt to school and not have your teacher yell at you?

My son's school has had an annual Worm Race for over forty years. It's exactly what it sounds like - long stripes of wet dirt across the gym floor, a worm at one end, the finish line at the other. Lots of hooting and hollering, clapping and cheering.

Rosey was right out there in the yard, dragging a shovel and her father out, plotting where the fastest worms might hide, deciding where to dig. Cass dragged his heels a bit, but his interest perked up when he held two in his hand.

(Both went with two worms - one to use and a spare, in case someone else's special worm didn't want to run.)

So off they went.

And...

that's a third place medal right there.


He's marked the spot where we let the worms go, planning to re-capture his Wormy next year....

moderato con expressione

Well, it wasn't a round.

It was, to Cass's utter surprise and something akin to horror, a solo.*
Which meant up on the stage alone.

He went, bravely, stood on his mark, and at a whispered command from his music teacher tried to smile....except one side of his face wasn't working and the other looked like he suddenly couldn't remember what muscles to move to make it work. After a moment when he looked like he had a giant invisible cigar hanging out of his mouth he finally (like he had a toothache!) smiled, and then the music started.

And he sang. And we could hear him. Could even understand the words.

Afterwards, of course, hearing the applause, he grinned like a champ and sauntered off the stage, waving with both hands.

Ten boys singing the same song. Then a pause. And the judging.



He's decided the third-place ribbon means he's going to do it next year, too.



*I'm guessing they all practiced together every time? Well, no harm done.

making my day

"Holy crap! Blackbird gave me an award!"

I greeted B at the door with that other night. He doesn't understand about the blog world, how I've met so many people that make me laugh and think and nod and cry and show me things I've never thought about. I was chattering about someone the other day and he said, puzzled, "Now, is this somebody you can borrow a cup of sugar from, or a maybe-you'll-meet-her-if-she-ever-gets-to-Canada virtual person?" I think B classifies y'all as my 'imaginary weirdo internet friends,' (stole that one from Julia) while I think of you as friends I just haven't actually had coffee with yet.

It wasn't until after supper that I realized that Calvin had given me that award as well.


I am honored and grateful and so glad I make you smile. I have read you both for a long time, and my morning wouldn't be complete without checking in on the two of you with my coffee. Thank you so much!

Now, to pass the goodness on!

The rules say: "give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times."

I love Apathy Lounge. I get a thrill every time I see she's posted. Ms. Beaverhausen will either have written something socially relevant or a funny post about her life and family. She has a great writing style - check her out, you won't be disappointed!

Jenny at The Bloggess cracks me up. Every day. If she's not writing about her half-paralyzed shaved cat Bubba (I'm not kidding) she's recounting bizarre conversations she's had with her husband Victor, showing crazy pictures of her toddler at maximum cuteness overload or scheduling another big margarita party for bloggers in Texas.

If I Were Queen Of The World is one of my newest reads, and I've been amazed with not only her political views (nuculur. Everybody drink!) but her wit and style too.

Kitty Cafe is one of those sites where you sigh and stare and get inspired to create.

Lemon Life is a funny, sexy, fashionable place, populated with neat people. Oh, and you've got to see her dog! Sarah distills a busy life into sips of sweetness.

Marymuses is good people. She makes me smile. Look for the Lucy Snowe post.

Pea Soup. Ever look at someone's life and think you want it, even for just a little while? Suse cultivates beauty all around her and makes amazing objects, with help from her fabulous boys.

Posie Gets Cozy is an absorbing read into the world where handcrafted is king. Alicia will show you all her new projects, and (even for the decidedly not-crafty among us) make you want to try....

Stomper Girl tells a good tale. She's a tap-dancer by trade and has good stories of living far away. Her love and pride in her boys shines through every post.

Sweet| Salty is an amazing, heartwrenching, stupendous blog. Kate tells the story of how she and her husband and her two boys are learning to live with the shadow of tragedy behind them - her words sweep me away, give me lumps in my throat and make me see the light in different ways.


There are so many more. I find new ones every day. Please visit these fine folks and see why I think they deserve this award. They do make my day!