"If The Sock Fits....."

Mr. Mucus stuck his leg far enough out that I knew I was supposed to notice something. He said, "My dad gave me old, fat man, knee socks to wear today". My planned witty reply of their appropriateness was interrupted by the realization that I was wearing the same old, fat man, knee socks.

"Child, Child"

Seeming to come in on the middle of a conversation the first grader said, "Well, she was trying to put their hair in a Mohawk and their little drawers were sagging so I told them to pull their pants up and turn that hat around right, child what do you think you're doing?" So I was nosey and asked, "Who are you talking about?" She replied, "I'm talking about Chief, Logan, Juicy and Big Juicy, I don't know what they were thinking". No that's not the nick names of brothers or cousins, it's her puppies.

"Scouting"

All excited about the homework that he had finished the second grader was showing off his "All About Me" poster to the other kids. He was pointing out the pictures and talking about how hard he had worked on it, when a fourth grader pointed out a problem. The fourth grader said, "I think you used the wrong letter on that word, it should have been a B and not a D". Well the argument went back and forth for a while and the fourth grader had reason on his side when he said, "I'm pretty sure you did not mean to say that you are in the Doy Scouts". The second grader was understandably upset he said if he got a low grade then his Dad might not take him on vacation to Hoowhyyee. Between Doy Scouts and the great state of Hoowhyyee I think you know I won't drop off anyone today at the Academy for Advanced Placement.

"Tis The Season"

I know we're in the heat of August and that is why as I'm taking home the last student, on a rather long route, I hear her humming and singing Christmas songs. I said, "Wow, are you trying to get Christmas to hurry up and get here?" "No, Mr. Brandon" she said, "it's just I've got to go to the bathroom real bad and I've got to do something to take my mind off it". Well, I tried to help by singing along but she didn't appreciate it when I changed the words to "Ooooooh I haaaave got to peeeeee". She made it home and was humming a tune as she jumped from the bus. I laughed about it a little as I headed back but by the time I got to school I was doing a little "Jingle Bell Rock" step myself.

"A Rock Unmoved"

One of the attributes that seems to be missing in our ever changing society is perseverance. You know staying with it when the odds seem against you, the road is rocky and life wants to reach in and snatch away your joy. Well, Mr. Mucus boarded and said, "Mr. Brandon, look what I've got". Well, it was an old beat up camera. He explained that the neighbor had been cleaning out some junk found it and gave it to him. He asked if I had a photo battery and I told him no. Not to be deterred he begins taking pictures. As a first grade girl steps on the bus he throws up his camera and says, "Smile". She promptly stops, smiles and does that girl thing, where they throw out a hip and put a hand on it (I guess it's in their DNA because they all do it). She walks on and he comments, "She's such a great smiler". He continues to take pictures till he informs us that he has taken 193 pictures. He then stated that he was going to stop taking pictures because he didn't want the batteries to run down. Then came these words from Mr. Bubble Burster, "You don't even have any batteries in that camera". Where others may have faltered and failed Mr. Mucus stood his ground when he replied, "Yes, but I don't want the imaginary batteries to run down either". So remember stay true to what brings you joy and be great at something even if it's being a great smiler.

"Painting and Puppies"

The Twins that aren't twins set in the seat behind me and give me a rundown of things, one in each ear like little stereo buds. To help, let me signify right ear (R) left ear (L). So it started, (L) You know our mom has has been taking care of our Grandpa (R) he's dying (L) he smokes a lot (R) he's painting this picture (L) of Jesus and when he works on it (R) he passes out (L) and he won't sign his name (R) what's up with that (L) and he won't let his girlfriend have a puppy (R) I think if she ever moves out I"m going to give her all the puppies she wants (L) that's right. There are a number of follow up questions I would like to have asked but they do not breathe or pause.

"Let's Get Things Rolling"

Well, we're on the road again. The summer has slipped away, students board the bus excited about the new year. The air is filled with the chatter of voices talking about new clothes and who their new teacher will be. Mr. Mucus, knowing that I was probably nervous since it was my first day back also, reassured me that I was still his best bud. On the ride home they were even more excited, sharing the experiences of the day. Each in turn telling me fantastic things about their classes. In all the commotion a second grader leans forward and in a soft subdued voice says, "Mr. Brandon, how many more days till school is out?" He did not seem very encouraged when I replied, "179 to go". As we rumbled down the road I heard a little voice repeating 179.....179.......179. I'm sure thing will pick up tomorrow or it's going to be a long year.