Greta is Better

 Greta loves her family and they love her.   She drew this today and she is feeling better.  Erin said this morning she cried and did not want to get out at school.  She was very embarrassed about her eye.

 Laura and she were looking up jokes to tell Clayton over the weekend. 

Erin said she ate some today.  Laura thinks she needs a water pic to clean the top of her month.  Erin, look and tell me how much they are and I will send you a check to get her one.  The water pic will clean the top of her mouth.  Laura has a student that has an expander and he told her Greta needed a water pic. 

September Day

 Helen's hogs are getting fat.  She gets throw outs from the grocery in Green Forest.  Guess they are digging it!

 This is what Ingie and Sig got Laura for her birthday.  They created them at Pottery Barn.  I think they are special.

The first night Greta had braces she fell out of bed.  Poor little thing.  I was not going to post the photo, but did not want to forget what it was like for her.   She did not want to go to school.  She has a palate expander.  I guess it made her sleep difficult and she was restless.  Every three days, Erin had to turn a device in the top of her mouth to expand the palate.   It will continue for a year.   She is not eating well and you can see why with that metal thing in the top of her mouth.  Hope it will be better soon.   Clayton told her to just tell the kids he hit her.  I think she did say that some which I don't think she should as some at school might believe it.   One more day and then weekend and maybe the black eye will fade.

Metal Mouth

 Greta got her braces today.  She sent me a picture so I could see her "metals".

Philly Steak Sandwiches

Erin made these tonight. I wish I was at her house. 

Tony's On The Big Hunt Now

Tony's on the Big Hunt Now!

Ole Ton was home a huntin', just a thinkin' about nuffin'

Always slow drivin', after dark had gathered round

The moon above the mountain, it seemed to be acountin'

A million little coon eyes lookin' down!

Have you ever stopped to ponder about all those stars up yonder

Maybe bein' coon eyes lined up on a fence

Well, the thought it got me going, and the idea kept a growin'

And I have felt a little better ever since!

Well, that Foreman way up yonder, he's really quite a wonder

He'll show you grace and teach you how to mourn!

And any night you're a gazin', you'll see the coon eyes grazin'

In the Foreman's Milky Way of corn!

And somehow I keep thinkin', as I watch those eyes a blinkin'

About ole Ton--he bein' wise and some to spare!

His gold chariot's in the corn fields with old Maggie chasing coon heels

Serving that Great Foreman a huntin' coon up there!

Uncle Richard--he's a driving and Billy Joe's contrivin'

Directing where to turn when there's no need.

Ole Ton, he's riding shot gun, ribbin' both but  just for fun

Til they hear him shout, " Maggie's treed!"

Their chariot burns across the heavens, with not even one misgivin'

As they pile that vector with their ringtail catch

The Great Foreman's whoopin' loudly, as He rewards the hunters proudly

For protecting that great Milky Way corn patch!

Betty Renfroe September 2018

Sunday

 Erin took me by to see the "tree house" Greg has built for a neighbor.  He was finishing the inside of the cabin on top of the deck.  It is attached to trees and as study as one of the big rocks on Galla Creek.   Greta and Clayton are friends with the grandkids of the owner so they get to enjoy it, too!

 Ocean Ozark near Jasper, AR on the morning of Tony's funeral.  My phone did not do the scene justice.  It was breath taking.

Coon Hunters Heaven that the coon hunters sang for ole Ton!  Very fitting tribute.

Week's Happenings

 ATU Cross Country had their first meet in OK.

 Ingrid is not bugged by her friends.  The HS team won last night so they were all smiling.

 Greta Ann  made the paper!

 This is what Phoebe looked like when Astrid brought Penny home!  She said, "I don't want a sista!"

 Greta created her image at school!  She is loveley.

 Laura said Sig woke her up when Ingie brought them home from the football game to tell Laura that a young man she liked, "said she was pretty".   He is correct.  Sigrid does not hold in what is in her heart.  I love that about her.  When I pick her up from Jr. High, she chats all the way home!

 Another of Ingrid all in red!

 Erin found this picture Greta had drew at home.  She loves Clayton and Clayton is finding his niche at school.  He loves school and told Erin last week that he was going to college.  Yes, yes, I think!

My little cousin Tony's service was perfect.  His coon hunting friends sang and one told of great adventures they had.  Roscoe Wade did a great job with the tribute!  It was all just perfect!

Happy Birthday, Little Red Headed Girl

 That little red headed girl is having a birthday!
She has her keys and is off to play
Full of cinnamon spice and all things nice
Humble and kind and totally fine!

No wonder Charlie Brown loves her so!
And her Daddy and Momma too!

Tony Poor 1961-2018

I lost my little nephew today.  He was laughter and joy.  He was goodness and fun.  Only 57, and he is gone from us.  To me he is still a little boy.  Frozen in time.   This is what I think he would say to his family today--
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
Mary Elizabeth Frye

Russellville High School Hall of Fame

Astrid is being inducted into the Russellville High School Hall of Fame on October 5.  She is the only female being inducted from her class.  This is the most prestigious award she has earned.  We are so proud.  She has asked Pop to ride in the Homecoming Parade with her in the convertible.   Pop and I put a great deal of energy into raising our two girls--Laura and Erin.  Now, we are enjoying watching our Grandchildren's lives!   Erin shared this quote with me--Raise your kids, spoil your Grand kids.  Spoil or ignore your kids, raise your Grand kids!  We are spoiling our five Grands!
This is what the Courier printed about Astrid

RHS Athletic Hall of Fame

Christensen earned All-State honors in cross country in 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as All-State honors in track in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Christensen, who earned a 4.0 GPA, received a full academic and athletic scholarship to Arkansas Tech University.

“For me, her work ethic put her in the Hall of Fame,” Russellville head track coach Ben Goodman said.

“She excelled at holding teammates accountable as well as being an encourager to those around her. She also led by example with her work ethic and positive attitude.

“I never had to worry about her coming to practice ready to work or having to deal with her complaining about having to practice on a given day. She was and is a fierce competitor and got the most out of herself every year she was with us.”

Found this at the Hall of Fame Web Site! Stan Cochran wrote the article in 2016.  He is a member of the Hall.  Since writing this he has passed away.  I enjoyed learning more about the prestigious Hall and am sharing it here.

The Russellville High School Athletic Hall of Fame can trace its history back to 1923 when Wallace Bailey became football coach. It is believed to be one of the longest standing such institutions within the state of Arkansas, including the college ranks. It serves as a lasting tribute to many of the school's best student athletes over the past nine decades. By establishing the RHS Hall of Fame when he did (the first Hall inductee was All-State QB Jessie McBath in 1924), Coach Bailey was definitely ahead of his time.

As anyone in the Hall can attest, induction into the Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors any RHS athlete can achieve. It indicates not only a high level of sustained performance in the athletic arena, but an acceptable level of academic performance in the classroom and other school and community activities as well. Several Hall members have been National Honor Society members, class presidents and honor graduates. A significant number have gone on to participate in athletics at the college level, and the RHS Hall of Fame can even boast of members who went on to have professional sports careers. Hall members have also made significant contributions in government, business and education sectors. Thus, a common thread throughout its history is that selection to the Hall has generally been based on a "whole person" concept. While specific selection criteria and processes have varied somewhat over time as RHS coaching staffs have changed and evolved, a high percentage of Hall inductees have been outstanding student-athletes.

To better understand the Hall's history, it's important to review the context within which its membership has grown over the years. In its early years, football was clearly the dominant sport played in this part of the country, both at the high schools and college levels (e.g., the University of Arkansas fielded its first football squad in 1894, but organized basketball didn't appear at the Fayetteville campus until the early 1920's). In addition, high school coaching staffs of the day usually consisted of one or two coaches who coached football, basketball and track. In fact, as recently as the early 1960's, the RHS coaching staff basically numbered two: Chuck Horne, head football and track coach, and Keith Wills, assistant football and track coach, as well as head basketball coach.

Prior to Title IX becoming law in 1972, RHS sports essentially consisted of football in the fall, basketball during the winter months, and track and field in the spring. Up through the 1965-70 time frame, RHS "better" athletes tended to participate in all three sports. Thus being a multi-sport participant was a key factor for coaches and administrators in determining who should be considered for the Hall. While some RHS students did participate in other sports such as golf and tennis in the 1960's and earlier, with some actually competing for region or conference championships, it was not until Title IX that these and other sports such as baseball, soccer, and girl's sports teams were placed on the same playing field with football and basketball, and with their own coaches.

In summary, a review of the Hall's membership reveals a heavy football influence for its first 50 or so years, and then a more diverse sports representation over the past 40 years. In 2016, for the first time, all four inductees were female.

In terms of some important "firsts" for the Hall, the first to gain All-American honors in college was All-State tackle Firmon Bynum ('37). Bynum was named to the "Little All-America" football team in 1939 while at Arkansas Tech. The first African-American member was All-State basketball player Jim Marsh in 1967. Marsh was a 6'4" center who led his team to a 34-3 record, the best in RHS history. The first female honoree was All-State basketball player Becky Teeter, who also excelled in the classroom, in 1979. The first African-American female selected for the Hall was Penny Norman in 1981. Norman had an outstanding career in both basketball and track/field. The only non-alumni in the Hall of Fame is Lemoyne "Dub" Martin. Coach Martin was head basketball coach for 20 years starting in 1938.

At the end of 2016, the RHS Hall of Fame has 196 members. Of those, 51 are deceased.

Three Legged Move

My husband always finds a way.  He is going to tear down a lean to that he spend a lot of time putting up as he has decided it is a junk catcher for him.  He had to move this tractor and it only has 3 tires on it now as he has started restoring it.  A boom and chains did the trick.  They trucked right along on only 3 wheels.

Also, you will see in the video that it was really hot so for air conditioning he just removed his shirt!!

Greta Tri----umps!

 Greta finished a triathlon today--her first.  Look at that medal.  She was worried about winning but her Mom explained the goal was to finish it all.  I think first was swimming, then biking and last a half mile run!  Greta is only 7.  We are proud of all she accomplishes. 

 Clayton told his Mom not to "waste her money" on his entering.  He said that he knew he could do the swim and biking but after that he would be at a slow walk on the running.  His age group had to run a mile.  Clayton is a smart boy.  He likes the sidelines!