If You grew up in Ridgefield

When I opened my e mail yesterday my inbox registered 147 messages.  What the?????????  Bob Horal asked if people grew  up in Ridgefield that they replied with what they remembered.  I have poor eyesight, but I started reading the replies.  Some very interesting.  However, after about 50 of these I just ended up deleting them.  Too hard to read.  I hope Bob can put them all together in one article and share with us.

I did not grow up in Ridgefield, but, I taught a lot of kids who did.  "These are just a few of my memories.

My husband and I came to Ridgefield in 1964, me English, and my hubby in Chemistry and Biology.  At the time there were on openings for an English teacher, but I was promised the next opening.  In the meantime, there was no Kindergarten in the district and they wanted me to start one at Union Ridge and Lorna Montigue at South Ridge.  I had a blast and almost wished I had majored in elementary education. 

Some of my kindergarten memories are, making mud pies and decorating them with colored chips used in fish boles.  We learned mud pie poems and had a mud pie display in our hall display window.

When we read The Three Billy Goats Gruff, we went over to the park behind Union Ridge and did an action play of the story.  There was a little wooden bridge and the kids could get under it, which made the story more real to them.

Then I went to the old Ridgefield High School on Main Street.  My last three years there ended when the school was torn down. (cried over that).

I remember a young blond first year math teacher (forgot her name).  The boys loved to tease her and when she was out of the room, they took all their desks and put them out the window.  She came to my room and cried.  Shame on you guys.

In my husbands class, a lot of kids were always saying they had to go to the rest room, so instead of giving them a hall pass, they had to carry a beaker full of yellow water down the hall to the rest room.  It certainly made a difference.  Ha.The gum thing on my desk.  Need I say more?

John Rose never handed in book reports and I decided I was going to end that.  We had a football game that night and I told him if I didn't receive a book report, he would not be able to play that evening.  At the game, he came running up handed me his book report and went on to play the game.  When I returned home I looked at the report.  The little stinker had pulled a fast one on me.  He had copied his entire report of the book flap. 

And the kids could never figure out why I always cried at their graduations.  They didn't realize that over nine months I had learned to love them as if their were my own kids (even the ones who skipped class etc.)_

I went to every baseball game the kids plated and one of the nicest gifts I ever received is sitting on display in my library.  It is the winning baseball signed by Jim Davenport, 2nd base, Dennis Nieman, short stop, Nick Anderson, catcher, Tom Kane, right field, Dave Berry, first base, John Rose, center field, Pat Gonzales, ?, .  What a special treasure.

So, even though I didn't grow up in Ridgefield,  I bet I have as many great memories of that little town and any one else. 

What Do They Have In Common?

A few days ago someone said on Face Book, "It's Tuesday and there's nothing to do."  I can't imagine never having nothing to do, but if you are one of them, here is a little article for you to solve.  What do these things have in common?

Toasting marshmallows over a camp fire.  Hot Fudge Sundays on a hot summer day.  Cuddling a child or a loved one.  Wearing a comfortable pair of old shoes.  Singing your favorite songs.  Dogs.  Country Quilts made by hand.  Taking classes in something you are really interested in.  Tinkling wind chimes.  Finding the first blossom in early Spring.

Well, by now you probably already know what they have in common, but here are a few more things if you are not sure. Kindergarten drawings framed and hung where all can see them.  Bacon and eggs.  Steel cut oatmeal topped with lots of brown sugar and a little half and half.  A glass of good wine (or diet Pepsi if you prefer.)  Fresh air.  Watching a red and gold sunset with someone you care about and staying until it turns into deep purple.  Fresh peaches, so juicy that the juice runs down your chin. 

You probably all know what they have in common now.  Here are just a few more reminders (there are millions.)  New peas. Being silly just for the heck of it.  Gardenias, fragrant and beautiful.Wearing grungy clothes. Bird songs at dawn.  Fresh Baked bread with strawberry butter. Hunting for antiques.(really old things that you can make beautiful>)  Lilac bushes in bloom. A kind word or note from a friend.  A great book to snuggle up with (popcorn on the side.)  The dove gray morning just as a flash of golden sun appears and you drink your first cup of coffee.

Enough.  By now you must know that these are Blessings that can make us happy.  You should make your own list of things that make you happy and post it where you can read it every day.  Reminds me of the old Hymn, Count your many Blessings, see what God has done.

Until next time
Be kind to one another