Friday is tax day.

Next Monday thru Friday are TAKS days, when our Texas public school kids will take the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills series of tests. It is supposed to measure what students know or don't know, based on what the state thinks they should know. It determines graduation from high school and in some cases advancement to next grade or retainment in same grade. It is the source of all sorts of anxiety for students and teachers.

I think it is ironic that right after we tax the adults, we TAKS the kids.

It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, yesterday. I attended Heather Trietsch's bridal shower, who was joined by her fiance, Chris ......I mean Phillip.

Phillip is such a kidder! When I went up to say "hi" to Heather at church, and to meet her fiance, he introduced himself as Chris.

Phillip teaches 7th grade. I guess it is a good thing he has such a great sense of humor. It should be standard equipment for any junior high teacher! And those of us who work in junior highs or middle schools are a special breed. I am not always sure what we are breeding, BUT life is never dull.

To Heather and Phillip or Chris or whoever you are today: God bless your lives together!

Today is the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

Last night I was watching the History Channel as they reviewed 2000 years of the papacy. My strongest connection to any of the events they catalogued in the 20th century was that I was in the crowd in St Peter's Square when Pope John XXIII blessed the people. I was seven at the time. My family and I were vacationing in Italy. It was his last public appearance and he passed away six weeks later.

I really have nothing profound to say about popes or the Catholic Church. I am grateful that my family took the time to help my brother and me experience the world and even witness special moments in history.

Over-Dusters Anonymous:

I know this is one of those circulated internet pieces, but on a day like today in West Texas when the wind and dust are blowing, giving new definition to True Grit, I couldn't resist.

DUSTING

Remember...a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath it.

A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture. I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING!

I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect -- "in case someone came over." Then I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun! Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home. They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short.

Enjoy it!

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or plant a seed,
Ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
Music to hear and books to read,
Friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go -- and go you must --
You, yourself will make more dust!
Share this with all the wonderful people in your life! I JUST DID.
It's not what you gather,
But what you scatter
That tells what kind of life you have lived.

Jenna, 9 days old