Inflation

Hey, I was interviewed last week because the cost of school lunch is going up by ten cents. Sadly, I end up sounding rather pompous. Here's the full story.

I can handle this minor increase of ten cents. It's just one of the many costs of having children. You are obliged to buy or make their lunch.

I think about the women who work to prepare these meals. To me, they are heroic. I could not cope with 600 children every day. I do hope that these workers are given an increase so that they can feed their children. On July 1, the minimum wage in North Carolina increased to $6.55 per hour. Let's hope that these working women earn more than the minimum wage.

When I grew up, one of six children, our family was eligible for reduced-fee school lunch. They were horrible lunches. We were served mystery meat, hot dogs and beans, sloppy joes and canned corn, and fish sticks with tater tots on Fridays. Remember Regan's draconian cuts in food stamps and school lunch programs? Remember, catsup as a vegetable?

Today, we know better. Now, kids are given options, with fresh vegtables and fruits. They don't always select the healthy stuff, but at least it's a choice.

Now, don't get me started on the price of gas.

My mosaic

Tonight I decided to do a meme. It looked like fun, so here we go.

The Instructions:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:

What is your first name? Susan
What is your favorite food? Thai food
What high school did you go to? Boston Latin Academy
What is your favorite color? Teal
Who is your celebrity crush? Thomas Jefferson
Favorite drink? Lemonade
Dream vacation? Hawaii
Favorite dessert? Mocha Mousse Cake
What do you want to be when you grow up? Knitter
What do you love most in life? Family
One word to describe you? Yarn
Your flickr name? knitfix

Here's my results:


1. Black-Eyed Susans, 2. Hot &Tasty Thai food, 3. BLA, 4. so swollen, 5. Moon over Jefferson, 6. If life throws you a lemon - make lemonade., 7. Turtle Numba Two, 8. coffee and chocolate mousse cake, 9. Knitter, 10. Family Portrait, 11. The Colour Wheel according to Wollmeise, 12. Tooth Pillow

I want to do that again! -- Hillsborough Hog Day

Yesterday, we went to Hog Day in Hillsborough. We went two years ago and this year was much better. Now, Owen can enjoy rides. Alas, Zoe has grown so tall, that some of the rides are too small for her. Bob & I just pay for everything and try not to loose the kids. Owen emerged from every ride shouting, "I want to do that again!"

There's an annual BBQ contest that is taken very seriously. We sampled bbq pork sandwiches with cool coleslaw and lively vinegary sauce. We needed cold drinks after that. We gladly paid $5 for a large home made lemonade. The hog was very yummy, even for us yankees.

We tried a few more rides, and talked to the local political groups and candidates.

We even managed to vote early before we left Hillsborough.

Owen sliding down the big ship slide!

Riding the mechanical bull was scary.

Grandpa and Grandma come to visit

Flying solo at the library

Last night, my kind husband brought the kids to their swimming lesson. They take swimming on Monday and Wednesday night at our neighborhood pool. I went on Monday, dragged my visiting mother along, and we sweated for over an hour. During swim lessons, nobody else is allowed in the pool.

With this nice bit of freedom, I went to the Chapel Hill library BY MYSELF for only the second time since we moved here four years ago. Going to the library solo is such a gift. I was able to browse, look up several books that I've been meaning to read, and actually read at the library. I returned all but three books, extended the three that are outstanding, paid off our overdue fees, and replaced my card with the nifty key-chain version. It's amazing what simple pleasures there are to be had.

Father's Day Brunch at Crook's Corner

In honor of Father's Day, and my visiting parents, we all went out for brunch at Crook's Corner. Crook's serves authentic southern food. Naturally, I had to take my yankee parents there.

After shrimp and grits, pancakes, bacon, and strawberries, we all had to take it easy for the afternoon.

Ice skating in the heat wave

Early June has been very hot. We've had four days over 100 degrees Celsius, and more over 90 degrees. Our tempers are flaring along with the temps outside. So, on Sunday, we were very happy when the Brownies field trip was scheduled for the local ice rink.

Owen had his first time on skates. He had lots of help and was very brave. Ms. Katie was a trouper and helped Owen around the rink twice.

Soccer warm up

Owen is learning to love soccer. His coach is a such nice guy. I have to try hard not to laugh at the kids. Coaching four year olds is like hearding cats.