Teaching in these days

Political pundits concern themselves with the realm of qualified voters, as a result they're missing out on a lot of excitement.

This unique political year has elementary school rooms buzzing. Its really exciting to see little kids ranking certain presidential candidates as nearly as important as pets, video games, and professional wrestlers.

Perhaps the future has finally arrived.

Mannie

Henry Kyd Douglas, call your office*

After three days of rain Antietam Creek is really "up". It'll take more than the storied "hop, skip, and a jump" of the above named local Confederate luminary, leading citizen, and notable wiseacre, to get across today, or for the next few days for that matter.

Up, muddy, and moving fast!


I'm not the only one that this three day soaking caused to get out and about (zero in on the very center of the image).



This big old black ratsnake took a break from the long wet spell to come out and catch some rays.


Me, the snake, and let's hope the sun, are in no hurry to move on.

Just north of Sharpsburg,

Ranger Mannie


* Hat tip to a Richard G. Williams gag.

Happy Mother's Day!

My mother went to her celestial reward over 20 years ago. I often wish she could see me now. She prompted my first interest in the Civil War, helping me draft an early letter to Bruce Catton, no less.

She was irreverent, funny, often profane, and very handy.

I try to continue the tradition.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there, and way out there as well.

Ranger Mannie (Helen's middle child, all growed up)

Your kids are trying to kill Mr. G

As the substitute teacher days tick off toward the end of the school year, I once again find myself knocked out with a virulent kid cold.

Is someone neglecting to remind one's child to cover one's mouth when one is sneezing or coughing?

Perhaps someone out there is not instructing one's child in the correct manner, and frequency, of washing one's hands.

Mr. G is now sick and a little delirious from fever, caught from your child.

Let us hope that, while in this state of impaired judgement, Mr. G doesn't accidently reveal to said child all the funny ways one can make mommy and daddy laugh by mixing up the salt with the sugar ("watch daddy's funny coffee bogey man face!")

Have I made myself clear?

Must go lie down, and I was so very close to the last day of school.

Sick (again) just north of Sharpsburg.

Mannie