Joplin Journal Volume 11-8, Issue 2

From the Editor's Desk:

Life does not slow down. What happened to those lazy days of summer? I haven't seen any around for years. Just when I think that things are heading toward a few slow days something comes up and the mirage of a slow day ahead vanishes once again. Have you found any slow days? If so, I want to know where you found them.

Weather Report:

We had some wonderful days this week! Two nights got into the upper 50s! And we had the windows open all day and all night and almost all the next day! So lovely. But now we are in for heat warnings! Today it's supposed to be 100º with a heat index of 109º. Tomorrow is supposed to be 102º with heat index of 112º! Ugh! This heat wave is supposed to last for several days. I'm going to be staying inside as much as possible.

"Genius Burns":

I'm trying to write. Until this week I had managed to be pretty consistent in getting at least a little written each day. But I haven't written since Tuesday. I am hoping to change that today and get something written, but it is Little League season, so that means games in the evenings that I often want to watch.

Project Prognosis:

How am I doing?

• Work on Blog Posts for 2023 – I have almost all of September's posts done. (I'm doing the Five Fall Favorites this year and it's the last week of Sept. and I don't have all those posts done quite yet.
• Update Website – Yeah, yeah. Sometime.
• Write Christmas Play – I have the idea, and I started writing it. I just haven't gotten very far.

New Job:

I've started working for Jimmy now and then. I worked Thursday and Friday this week, and plan to work at least Tuesday next week. I needed something that I could do here and there to bring in some income, but was flexible and still allowed me time to write and blog and do all those things that I need to do. So, since Jimmy lost one of his employees to college, and his kids are back doing school, I asked about working. It's been rather fun. I pulled orders, taped boxes to be filled and shipped, unpacked boxes to restock shelves, and pulled more orders. The kids like it that I have been over. Kins has sat beside me each day at lunch.

The Net:

Volleyball has started! So many teams. Jimmy and Krista are both coaching teams. (And Krista is playing on two teams, I think.) Krista's team is little girls (including Kailyn). The boys are all playing (except Grant), and today is the first pre-season tournament games. Lucas and Drew's team starts things off at 10, and then James and Joel's team plays at 11, I think. And if they win I think they play later. Not sure when the girls will play. I think all the older ones are also on co-ed teams.

Babysitting:

There's a chance that the younger kids might come over here today during some of the games.

Without Sarah:

Last week Sarah was gone from home. One of Megan's sisters just had Baby #7 and wanted Sarah to come spend a week after the baby was born to help out. So Dad took her up Sunday afternoon, and she didn't come home until Saturday night. It was a rather strange week here with our cook gone. She did leave us enough things in the freezer or leftover that we could just heat up. But Sarah had a good time.

Little League:

Last week, while Sarah as gone, Mom and I watched quite a bit of Little League regional games. This week the Little League World Series started. I haven't gotten to watch much yet since I was gone Thursday and Friday. But there are more games today and next week. I'm sure I'll get some watched.

The Music Stand:

Nothing right now.

KDWC:

Closed until October.

Sewing Room:

Not sure what Sarah is working on right now.

Read Another Page:

We are still looking for people to help promote and/or review Another Homewood Christmas. You can sign up HERE.

The audio for By Paths Unknown is coming along.

Teacher's Lounge:

Closed for now.

Book Nook:

I have more books this time since it's been two weeks. Sometimes it feels like I can just read and read, and other times I hardly read at all. Here's my list. Springtime in Surrey (some stories I really liked), The Penderwicks (I liked the characters), Proud Quail of the San Joaquin (not one I'd read again), When Stone Wings Fly (interesting National Park story), Molly's Surprise (nostalgic), The Penderwicks on Gardam Street (too much lying), Out in the World (loved this reread).

Farewell:

I wonder if I forgot to tell you anything or if I actually remembered it all. I don't know. Oh, I applied for a passport on Thursday. I had one years ago but it expired and I can't got visit my best friend in Canada without it, so . . . Who knows when it will arrive. But at least I did my part.

Well, I have all sorts of things that need taken care of and put away and caught up on. I guess I'd better get started. Dad is out running errands, Mom and Sarah are getting ready to go to a volleyball game. Not sure if any kids will be over or not, but I am going to pretend that they are and see what I can get done. Just in case.

Have a great weekend!