Assorted Joys

This has simply been a super day.

1) My "Complete Works of William Shakespeare" arrived in the mail this morning. :-) It is a used, hardback copy in pretty decent shape. I ordered it for the literature class in which Jason and Kendra will be studying 6 of his plays. In addition, I am going to read his sonnets and pretend I understand what he is talking about.

2)Loren was able to fix the cruise control on the little Toyota, which will make for more pleasant driving when we visit Mayo later this week.

3)Received some completely unexpected, but delightful communications from two people I have never met. I anticipate vast opportunities to converse, annoy and tease these two in the future.

4) Got in an hour of mowing, which always kicks in those endorphins.

5)We had some lovely produce from the garden for lunch: cherry tomatoes that Carolyn, nine, grew from seed. Also, carrots that Ethan has been nagging me to pull for the last two months.

6) Got Trevor to nap with relatively little trouble, then proceeded to mow some more. (Endorphins really cruising along, by now) Finished just in time for a big show by the younger kids. Their advertising flyer follows:

Hoyt
Gymnastics!!
Live today!!
at 4:40 p.m.
On the swing set
___________________

ps. The gymnasts are some
undisclosed Hoyt kids.
Be on Time!

There were programs handed out at the door (going outside) and a viewing stand constructed from boards set on bricks. But it was when they prepared to start that I observed the crowning bit of authenticity; they had set up a little chalk stand. It was an inverted frisbee, set on stacked boards, and filled with leftover cement powder. I thought that was a nice touch.

Ethan, Carolyn and Melinda, (11) who also doubled as coach, proceeded through their routines with no broken bones, no contusions and no abrasions. Ma Hoyt's score? No deductions.

The start time was carefully chosen so as not to conflict with their daily dose of "The Lone Ranger, " at 4:00. Ten minutes time was allocated for warmups and last minute consultations with sport psychologists. Following the performance, there was a rousing game of multi-age volleyball, with swingset serving as the net.

I was reminded of another Olympic year, which inspired the children to set up their own athletic exhibition. It was ten or twelve years ago, and Ardith and Sharon were the only participants. We even had medal ceremonies with the winners standing at solemn attention. Coincidentally enough, the gold medal kept alternating between the USA and Canada, since those were the only national anthems in the hymnbook.

Enough reminiscing. Time for all hardworking Olympians to have supper.

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