Write This Down

I have another teacher story. I was the new kid in 11th grade. I was also a new kid in K, 3rd, 5th, and 9th grade. It wasn't like I didn't know folks. I just didn't quite know where I fit. Anyway Mr. Blankespoor was our homeroom teacher. He also taught English. And would have us write correct grammar like nouns and verbs, commas and apostrophes. So I would write stories.

I noticed my corrected grammar assignments weren't being returned like many of my classmates. One day Mr. Blankespoor showed me the corrections to my papers, my grade, and asked if he could keep them. He told me I had a gift for writing. I kind of shrugged my shoulders and said something like I wasn't sure it was a "guy thing" to write. He encouraged me otherwise. And we were friends until he passed away in late 2020.

With the crops going in fast Mike is limited to where he can push dirt. His father is postponing planting a field or two so he can build terraces. BJ has also postponed planting a field so he can pattern tile it.

Kurt and Karl had their 34th birthday Wednesday and helper Jim had his as well. They worked together in the morning and put in a second Becks test plot.

Karl has been spraying beans with the Rogator. And I sprayed planted corn with this John Deere. However since I'm staying close to home to man the seed shed, Alex spent a couple of days spraying corn on farms further away.

Jan attended Grandparents Day Friday at Oskaloosa Christian Grade school. These are five of the seven grandkids' classes she visited. Thanks for the pictures Jan.

We attended the Joshua Christian Academy banquet Friday evening with friend and landlady, Jean. JCA, which is a Christian School for kids in inner city Des Moines now has three campuses.

When folks write down or speak truth, and shed light in a dark world, evil hates it and often retaliates. Both Steve, who wrote the Nefarious story, and Tucker, who was the nightly voice of honesty and principle in a dishonest and unprincipled culture, were the recipients of that hate in the past week.

Kudos to Mark and Stacy's, Elijah and his class, who are graduating from 8th grade at Oskaloosa Christian. Thanks for the picture Stacy.

Last evening we had a cold light rain. So after a Ranger ride to see and enjoy the emerged corn and soybeans all in a neat row, Jan and I went out for burgers at a small town eating joint in Eddyville. Since the place was full we enjoyed sitting by Jeff and Virginia. And catching up with Brian and Tacy, and Brent and Anne. If these old walls could have written down all the stories they've heard over their 100 plus years, it would be quite interesting.

I put Mr. Blankespoor's writing advice on the shelf for 25 years. Then when I was in my mid 40s I wrote 12 chapters to a story called Minor Details. And once again put that unfinished project on the shelf where it still sits today. 10 years later I started writing down a weekly story for my grandkids' kids. Kind of like those walls in that bar and cafe in Eddyville. And for the last 14 years I have taken 5 or 6 hours on a Saturday night and Sunday morning to share my thoughts with them. And you all.

In Exodus 17 there is a story where Moses goes and finds a young man named Joshua. It's shortly after the Israelites left captivity in Egypt. Moses tells Joshua to go form an army because the Amalekites are coming. During the battle when Moses held his arms to heaven Joshua's men were winning. However when Moses arms got tired the enemy wins. So good men helped him keep his arms up until sunset. After the win the Lord says to Moses, "Write this victory down", and give it to Joshua as a permanent reminder. 

I don't write today for Mr. Blankespoor although I think he'd be pleased. I don't write to document wins and victories. I write so hopefully my great-grandkids and you all can see God through these stories. Blessings.