LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL

June will soon be here, and I found myself thinking about that most cherished of public school elements, summer vacation.

In Lorain in the 60's-'70's, we got out in June, generally on the Friday of the first full week, and were gone until the Monday after Labor Day. It never seemed long enough for us kids, even though we were anxious to see what our new class (and new teacher) would be like.

The anticipation was murderous- some of us would make countdown calendars in May, to tape to our desks, X-ing out each day at 3:30, up to that very last day, marked with a drawing of the sun....we always got out at 2:30 that day.

Schoolwork that very last week was generally light, as the grades were already in, and everyone was a-twitter, waiting on that final Report Card. Even though I knew I'd do well, I can't remember being so wound up over anything since.

Here's to Summer Vacation, and to all the students, everywhere.

(NOTE: A thank-you to Dan Brady, for providing me with an excellent copy of a Lorain, Ohio Report Card from BITD.)

MAKES YOU THINK

I've been away from this blog for a bit, for a good reason. My wife, Tracy, underwent quintuple bypass surgery about three weeks ago, and my mind has been on other things.

She's fine....in fact, better than she was; the bypasses fixed a number of minor blockages before they got the chance to get more serious.

The doctor told us that, had she not sought treatment when she did, in six months, perhaps a year, she could've dropped over dead.

I'd rather not dwell on "what if"....CYL.