John Thompson, author

John had to read a book, called Speak, in his English class. It was a sad book. It was very disturbing for him to have to read how the main character in this book suffered so. Stupid book! The main character of the book had a safe place that she would go to. So, one of John's assignments related to the book was to write about his sanctuary. So, if you know John, his first response was....."I don't have a sanctuary". Men don't have sanctuaries. Period. The end. Couldn't talk him into anything. And, honestly, if he was associating a sanctuary with the main character of the book, he was never going to be able to equate sanctuary with a good thing. So, he had to make something up. And he did such a good job, I wanted to share it with you. He remembered a tree that we saw in Florida. I will have to go look for a picture in a minute. And he wrote this story about that tree. Hardly had any help at all, just grammatical.

My Sanctuary

BY: John Thompson

My sanctuary is in an unlikely place. It is at my hunt club underneath a mammoth tree. The tree is so big that it makes an island in the swamp surrounding it. It has limbs growing into the ground from other limbs like a child too tall for the monkey bars. And I rest in a hammock just thinking, and relaxing from school. I am a withered flower; being forced to read a sad, depressing book called SPEAK.

It takes a good minute to get to the tree. I am a boat plowing through four feet of marsh and swamp. As I walk to the island I can feel the splotches of sun warming my back. When you finally get there you have to climb through limbs and small spaces. One last tight squeeze and there’s my hammock and I’m home. It’s not much but it works for me.

I like going there when it rains. The sound of rain droplets on the leaves above soothes me. The tree has large leaves that protect me from getting wet. The tree is my personal butler that holds up my umbrella for me while I rest. It is very peaceful. It is like white noise except you see it and hear it rather than just hearing it.

As soon as I get to the area where my hammock is it takes all my concerns and worries away from me. I feel empty in a good way, like a cloudless sky. I feel like there are no problems happening at that time. I have no troubles. The tree speaks peace to me.

This is my sanctuary. It takes a while to get there. It sounds and looks peaceful. Everything seems to disappear when I’m there. This is my sanctuary.

One......two......three.........

if bad things come in groups of threes, I should be able to jump out of a plane today without a parachute on. Enter bad thing number one--ran over something in the road on Friday the 13th and now my car needs new tire rims. Winner number two--slipped on a plastic bag on Ethan's floor and fell over his weight bench. I cried like a baby. It hurt so bad. Like Satan stabbed his fiery pitchfork right into my leg. John got to be my favorite child for the afternoon because he came and checked on me. Hugged me and told me it was going to be ok. What a kid! I love moments like that. When I feel like I can see into their future for just a split second and see what a good spouse/parent they are going to be. Enter contestant number 3........the rental car.....yes, the rental car. The DAY I picked it up, which would be yesterday....driving to Richmond. A strip of tire from a big truck was in the next lane over to my right. (I would just like to point out that I am very aware of items in lanes now.) OK, so it was not in my way, it was not really in the way of the van in the right lane, but I guess it spooked him. SO, he swerved towards it....why? Totally took over my lane like I wasn't even there, ran over the piece of tire anyway, and sent it flying in the air towards......my rental.....yes. It struck the car on the right side and left black marks all the way down the side. So, there, now I get to jump out of a plane without a parachute.

So, now let me rave about the Magic Eraser for a moment. There is just nothing those little things won't clean. Got all those marks off the rental car. Couldn't believe it. I use 'em everywhere. Clean the nasty soap scum from the shower, the oily stains from the stove, and the black tire marks from the car. Amazing! So, stock up folks, they're magical.

Emily is having a BUSY week. She is taking SOL tests this week. That would be Standards of Learning. She is having dance recital practice every night this week. Dance recital Friday and Saturday night, and final showing of Oliver on Sunday. Whew!! She will not know what to do with herself next week. She will probably take naps every day after school.

It was Friday the 13th after all.......

So, I was on my way home from the spa, you see, and I want to point out right now that I was N.O.T. texting OR talking on my phone. So, something long and black was in my lane, got no idea what it was, except that I hate it. Stupid thing!! I tried to swerve to miss it, but no luck. It flattend BOTH of the passenger side tires. And John noticed that something was leaking from the car when they put it on the tow truck. Maybe antifreeze. And, of course, it was Friday afternoon, so the best information that we got was that it was ok to have to car towed to a repair shop. Can't wait to find out how much we get to shell out for that little experience.

Great way to recover from a day at the spa. Maybe I was just too relaxed. It was not a pleasant experience. But John brought me a Diet Coke. Who's a lucky girl? Came and made me feel better, admired my pedicure, and gave me a Diet Coke.

The better to hear you with......

A present from dad and Ann.    Such a thoughtful gift and a wonderful surprise.   I will think of you guys every time I pick it up.   Thank you!  Thank you!
I finished my review course today.   Tomorrow I get a day of pampering and then Monday I get to start cleaning out all the clutter that crept in over the last couple of years.   No kidding..... I'm kinda looking forward to it.   And so is John.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Oliver!

And also Oliver! Opening night is tonight.   Break a leg,  Emily.   Can't wait to get some pictures.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

D. O. N. E.

I can't believe it.   I'm all done.   Finished.   I keep checking my email to make sure someone is not telling me I'm not really done.   Going to an interview on Monday.   Review for licensing exam Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.   Red Door Spa on Friday.  

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

A little pampering.....

have had my appointment booked for a few weeks now and I am SOOOOOO looking forward to it. It is going to be fabulous. I only wish they could come to my house so I wouldn't have to drive myself home. I need a chauffeur. I do...really. At any rate.....back to studying....I'm almost done kids. Test tomorrow. Presentation (my least favorite) on Friday. Test on Sunday. Then D.O.N.E. Done.