Greensburg in the News Again

As the one-year anniversary of the tornado approaches, Greensburg, KS, is once again in the news. The CBS Early Show is broadcasting from there all week long. The focus is mostly on how the town is rebuilding "green" (read: environmentally friendly). In fact, some of the guidelines that have been set down for their funding include requirements for just that.

But in between all the "how to build green" stories are stories of people who are rebuilding their lives. People who are strong and tenacious. Some of those people I've known all my life. If you see the "beautiful people" photos they cycle through, you'll see the face of one woman with dark hair and glasses. I know her as Sister Helwig. She was my Sunday school teacher when I was very young. You see, I grew up on a farm about 15-20 miles from Greensburg.

I shopped at the grocery store that is now a shell. I took piano lessons from two women whose homes were destroyed. (In one photo, I could see through the roof--which no longer existed--to the upstairs bedroom where I took guitar lessons from my piano teacher's daughter. This mother and daughter also happen to be the aunt and cousin of one of my brothers-in-law.) I went to 4-H fairs at the community building that is gone. I frequently walked on Main Street, and I sat through several bake sales and sat on several parade floats on that same street. (Anyone who is familiar with the Memorial Day weekend parade, art festival, etc. can relate!) I attended services and was married in a church building that is now marked only by an empty basement. (The new church building that was built in recent years was also destroyed, but they are rebuilding.)

As I watch the Early Show, I see the faces of school students who are the children and grandchildren of people I've known, well, since I can remember. I see the residents, and recognize familiar faces among them. I attended school in nearby Mullinville, but Greensburg is the hub of the community. It is so strange to see empy lots and rubble in the place of what "once was".

If you'd like to see photos, updates, or find out how you can help, the Early Show website has all that information. Also, my other blog, Thoughts Along the Journey, has links in the sidebar.

Thank you, Early Show, for keeping Greensburg in the news. They are rebuilding, but there's still a lot of work to do...


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The Banana Test

A friend sent this test to me. I thought some of my readers might enjoy the challenge.

There is a very, very tall coconut tree and there are 4 animals,
a Lion, a Chimpanzee, a Giraffe, and a Squirrel, who pass by.

They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to get a banana off the tree. Who do you guess will win?

Your answer will reflect your personality.

So think carefully . . .

Try and answer within 30 seconds

Got your answer?

Now scroll down to see the analysis.

If your answer is:

Lion = you're dull.

Chimpanzee = you're slow.

Giraffe = you're not all there.

Squirrel = you're just hopeless.

A COCONUT TREE DOESN'T HAVE BANANAS!!

Obviously you're stressed and overworked.

You should take some time off and relax!

For All My Home Schooling Friends

A home school mom forwarded this to me. If you click on the title, it's a link to the original blog post. Very cute! Good job, Zak!





The Home School Kids Who Can't Do Anything (To the tune of "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything)
by Zak G.


We are the homeschool kids who can’t do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We’ll just tell you
We can’t do anything.

Well, I can’t pass notes in math class
and I’ve never bought my school lunch
and I’ve never had my homework eaten by the family dog
and I’ve never had a hall pass
and I’ve never owned a locker
and I’ve never had detention after school.


We are the homeschool kids who can’t do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We’ll just tell you
We can’t do anything.

Well, I’ve never been suspended
and I’ve never missed the school bus
and I’ve never got a fat lip from the bully in the hall
and I’ve never seen the school nurse
and I’ve never slapped erasers
and I’ve never had detention after school.


We are the homeschool kids who can’t do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We’ll just tell you
We can’t do anything.

Well, I’ve never changed for P.E.
and I’ve never had a swirlie
and I’ve never had a teacher that I didn’t like at all
and I’ve never had supply lists
and I’ve never answered roll call
and I’ve never had detention after school.


We are the homeschool kids who can’t do anything
We just stay at home and do our work
And if you ask us to do anything
We’ll just tell you
We can’t do anything.

But we’ve often taken field trips
and we go to school in pjs
and we often do our work while sitting on our favorite couch
and we finish school by lunchtime
and we find our books on ebay
and we don’t have any homework after school!

President Bush to Visit Greensburg Again

President Bush will be giving the commencement address at the graduation ceremony in Greensburg, KS, this year. The last time he visited the town was the week following the tornado. To read more about it, see the Hutch News article.

At Last, a New Picture!

Just got this new pic of my favorite great nephew today. (There's another one on my other blog.)

Spring Break

Did you know that Cancun is now considered passe'???

The spring break hot spot is now Greensburg, Kansas!

Check it out here.

AFLAC Scam :o)

Watch out for this scam. Police say that the gang usually is comprised of four members, one adult and three younger ones. While the three younger ones, all appearing sweet and innocent, divert their 'mark' (or intended target) with a show of friendliness , the fourth -- the eldest -- sneaks in from behind the person's back to expertly rifle through his or her pockets and purses or bags for any valuables being carried.

The picture below captured on a surveillance camera shows the gang in operation.

Good Friday

"...He said, 'It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

John 19:30b

Winter Bugs

Sorry I haven't been about much the past few days. Some "bug" has had me down for the count. I'll be back when I get the best of it!

The Time Has Arrived!!!

Laura Spradlin, who began "Rebuilding Greensburg--Block by Block" all those months ago, has set the official delivery date of the afghans. To refresh your memory, she contacted me soon after the Greensburg, KS, tornado to let me know of her project to collect afghan squares and make afghans to give to the victims of the tornado. She ended up getting way more than she had ever dreamed or imagined, and from all over the world!

For the official information on the "where" and "when" of it all, see her "Sugar Bunny Boulevard" blog.