Request For Obama, Jackson, and Sharpton

Yesterday a 28-year-old police officer was gunned down in Greenville, SC.  He was trying to talk with a self-proclaimed gang member who was suspected of trying to obtain a gun, and the young thug shot him down in cold blood.  The officer never even drew his gun.  The thug ran away, and, when close to being caught, killed himself rather than surrender to authorities.

Oh, and this 17-year old gang-member murderer was released from prison after serving 251 days of a 10-year prison sentence for a felony--strong-armed robbery.  He was convicted in adult court for that crime, after years of juvenile offenses.

The police officer leaves behind two young sons and a pregnant wife.  He was known in Greenville for his ability to work with young people and to be a positive force for curtailing gang activity.  He had a Purple Heart.  He was an Iraq war veteran.

I would like to ask President Obama, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and others to make a statement about this death, as they have about so many others.  Does it matter that this officer was white, and the assailant was black?

I would like to hear from these three leaders about THIS death.

Friday's Fave Five, 3/18/16

LINK to Friday's Fave Five host blog.

1. Son is MOVED OUT into his own apartment.  Mike helped him last Friday; they worked like troupers and were done by noon.  It is in a nice complex, and they are on the back side, where their view is of grassy areas and woods, which is nicer than looking out over a parking lot.  We went over in the evening to see how it looks, and they are getting things in order.  He will live there until the wedding, and it will then be their first home.

And this is what his old room at home looks like now!!  Renovations to come...

2. An impromptu trip to a baseball game on Saturday.  Mike works this weekend and next, so we decided fairly suddenly to make the trip to Columbia to see his beloved Gamecocks play baseball.  It was the first time I had been in Founders' Park - it is a beautiful baseball stadium, and we had a very nice Saturday going to the game.

On the way home we decided to stop at Fatz Cafe, since I had a $20 gift card for there.  We stopped at one partway home, had a nice meal of soup and salad (didn't want to eat too much too late), paid for the meal - and then realized we hadn't used the card.  Oh well.  That means we can go again, to the local one.

3. Daughter passed a very important evaluation this week at her job!!

4. Today is the Fine Arts Festival for our school, and I am NOT making the trip - the first time in four years.  As much as I love the kids, and watching them perform, it is a relief not to go this year.  It is a huge day - leave at 5:30 a.m., ride a bus for two hours, watch students perform and go to awards ceremonies all day, leave about 6:30, stop for supper, and get home around 10 p.m.  I do not have any groups performing this year, so another teacher is going instead to be the "long arm of the law" with the students.  So I instead get to work at school (no classes - most students are going) and do a little substituting for an elementary teacher instead.  It is a relief to have a year off.

4. I have all the junior research papers and all the senior journals graded, and during today's workday I will finish the senior career projects.  I want them DONE and off my mind.  It's a good feeling to get all the paperwork done.

The REAL List For the Guy You Should Marry

Yesterday for the nth time I saw one of those memes that floats around regularly, about what kind of guy a girl should look for and marry.  It always includes statements such as "Marry the guy who dances with you to your favorite song, under a full moon."  "Marry the guy who kisses your eyelids tenderly when you are upset," etc. etc.

Well, sweet romance is all well and good, and has a lot to do with the initial attraction between a man and a woman.  I get that.  But romance alone does not make a good marriage.  I am afraid that Disney and other factors have upped the ante so high on romance that it's almost impossible for most men to meet.  Or girls to lower their romantic expectations.

However, romance does not make a marriage.  Most girls may not be willing to see this, but it's possible to be married to a man who seems decidedly unromantic where flowers and soft music are concerned, yet is decidedly romantic in the truest sense of being a good husband.

Marry the guy who says:

• "We will stick together through thick and thin.  We will not think divorce.  This is permanent."
• "I'll help you babysit.  I like children."
• "Your car needs an oil change.  I'll get that done."
• "I would stay here and be with you.  Now.  But we'll wait until marriage."
• "I'd love to impress you by taking you to that nice restaurant, but it's beyond my budget."
• "I wish we could see each other tonight too, but I made a commitment to my friend, and it's important to keep my word."
• "We will be faithful to church."
• "I care more about my relationship with the Lord than I care even about you."
• "I am a sinner.  I will fail the Lord and I will fail you.  I will do my best to make amends with you whenever necessary."

No man will be able to meet everything on this list.  But a good man will meet many of them.  And I guarantee you that this is a better list for a solid marriage than a man who dances with you in the moonlight.

Friday's Fave Five 3/11/16

LINK to Friday's Fave Five Host Blog

I have been a very poor blogger in recent weeks.  Maybe the next few weeks will be better.  In the meantime:

1. Last night we saw Andrew's new apartment, and he and Mike moved a desk into it.  That one piece of furniture about finished them both off - neither realized how heavy it would be, moving it up three flights of stairs.  Yes, the apt. is on the third floor, but it has a balcony and a nice view NOT over the parking lot.  It has recently been renovated with new appliances, and everything else is nearly new.  He is getting a nice apartment, and he and his fiancee will have a lovely place to start out after their wedding.

2. Good week at school, especially with the class that is most difficult to teach.  They enjoyed what we did this week, and that is always good.  The class below is another one, using whiteboards to practice spelling for an exam. 

3. Last Friday evening after we went out to eat, Mike let me run into my favorite store.  On a whim, I bought a long sweater, lightweight and with spring colors.  It was more than I usually spend, but it was pretty.  Got it home, it fits, and will get worn this spring.  Probably a lot.  Now I have to buy a skirt to match it. . .

4. Last Sunday evening we went to a nearby city to hear Andrew sing in the quartet he helps with.  We always enjoy getting to hear them sing.

5. Saw ML last night also--she stopped by to see the new apartment.  Always good to see my daughter in the middle of her very busy weeks!!