Thank you, Kevin

This post is a tribute to my great and good friend, Uncle KeKe. My faithful readers--and even those who only check this thing once in a blue moon (particularly since I'm only posting about that often any more, although I have taken steps that should correct that issue)--have probably noticed a Kevin that has posted a comment to virtually every entry. This is my most faithful reader, and it was he who encouraged me to think about doing this thing because he wanted to follow along with The Big Trip. This one's for you, big guy.

Uncle KeKe is one of those people you don't meet very often. Not only is he a Christian man in a heathen world, but he's also a genuinely good teacher. In my experience as a Highly Qualified Teacher, I came to believe good people who are also good teachers are a rarity. Oh, there are lots of teachers who say they are good, and there are a few more who probably think they are good, but we're suffering from a shortage of truly good teachers: those faithful few who teach something worth learning, know what they are talking about, and have a real (as opposed to pretending--just saying it, all the while knowing it isn't true) interest in seeing kids succeed, both in their class and in the larger classroom of experience. The technology department at The Valley is chock full of guys who meet those qualifications, but none of them have the connection with kids that Uncle KeKe does. Thank you, Unc! Keep fighting the good fight, and don't forget that it's okay to throw your weight around when change is needed. You're the Golden Child, and they need you there!

Three fotos today (dropped a little Spanish on you there). The first two are the new counter we have in our office here at good old Timm Services/Fulmer Seed and Service. Those pictures find themselves in this post for two reasons: first, because I thought everyone might enjoy seeing where Hot Wife and I work (note the distinct lack of students, administrators, and passing periods); and second, because we bought it from Uncle KeKe and he wants to see what it looks like in the office. It really only sort of works in the office because it's so fancy! But we like it, the guys like it, and it serves its purpose. We needed something that would give a guy a place to stand and write his check (that's important around here...), a place to have some candy in a glass jar, and something that would at the same time allow us to have our stuff handy but not be in the way of the other two things. Thanks, Unc, it works well and the price was right.

The third picture is The Octopus. I heard a little squeal from him today and, upon walking into the meeting room of our office, found him sitting in the Longaberger basket, playing with the kitty, and enjoying a bottle. He wasn't stuggling to get out...he just enjoyed relaxing for a few minutes then want along his merry way! He's a funny little guy.

FYI--Hot Wife and I will be gone tomorrow, so don't expect us to show up at your bar mitzvah. While The Big Trip occurred during our anniversary, there were too many urchins around to really consider it an anniversary trip. So we're going to The Home of The Greatest Team Ever in the morning to spend a night at the Palmer House Hilton (Tower level...oolala), catch a ballgame (Halfway to St. Pattie's Day game!--green uniforms), and tear up the shops. Victoria's Secret, here I come! That gal ain't got many secrets left, ya know what I mean?