What Kind of World Is It Without Farside With Your Coffee?

How long has it been since Gary Larson stopped the daily cartoon?
I remember sitting in Rick's Cafe (This breakfast-lunch dive has been transformed several times since Eddie Burns ran it. Most recently into the De Fuinak Hotel an upscale Bed and Breakfast. This seems a little ironic to those of us who ate breakfast & lunch at Rick's.) Sitting in Rick's in De Funiak Springs every weekday morning before sales calls thumbing through the day's copy of the Playground Daily News (Now The Northwest Florida Daily News) and finding that special, if not twisted, take on the world I inhabited. Larson's "take" was always on the mark in a world that too often seemed to take everything a wee bit "too" seriously.

But there is hope for those who can't get through without an occasional dose of Farside The medicine is a two volume 1,272-page "Complete Farside" recently published. With over 4,300 single-panel comics Its hefty $125.00 (Only $91.00 at Amazon) price tag is really cheap for those who just can't get enough. Larson refers to the books as "an eighteen pound hernia giver." When your mother asks you what you want for your birthday chant 0740721135 the tome's ISBN number - the mark of the beast, momma?


If you need an immediate fix and can't afford click on the link below and remember.
The farside Collection

Every Teacher, Principal, Administrator, School Board Member, and Parent Should Watch This Film

In the time of budget cuts and school program reductions this film reminds us that a "balanced education" should be more than touchdowns and slam dunks. This is worth your precious time.

Slipcase Blurb
"Against all odds, the students at Dominguez High School set out to put on the school's first theatrical production in more than 20 years: Thornton Wilder's "Our Town." But what does Wilder's famous play about life in rural Grover's Corners have to do with Compton, California? This heartwarming documentary follows the students on their discovery of the power of art and the human spirit. Nominated for an IFP Independent Spirit Award."

Happy Birthday To Every One Born Today

It's my birthday. It's my friend's birthday. Both of us turn 52 today.
Happy Birthday, Anna! Happy Birthday, Don!



UPDATE:
My fellow teachers have been so very friendly in marking my birthday. Thank You Everyone!

Is Bailey White Really Sleeping in DeFuniak Springs?

There is a rumor floating around town that the author Bailey White is sleeping in De Funiak Springs. When I first heard this from one of my fellow English teachers at the high school, I wasn't really surprised. I'd listened to Bailey White's distinctive southern voice over NPR for several years and I knew she was from the Tallahassee area.
But what really made me a believer, was that I had recently listened to one of her commentaries in which a number of locations in the story sounded a lot like my hometown.
The Antique Mall, Mamie's Cafe, and "The Lakeyard" all struck "close to home". In fact, after a little digging on the internet, I found the story in question, "The Long Black Veil." It was obvious she had been here. My fellow English teacher knows someone, who knows someone who has met her.
If you expecting me to draw a map or give her address, forget it. I have a view that people in the limelight deserve their privacy. If you've read her books, you know she already reveals a good deal about herself and her life. No need to give the GPS location of her house. We will leave her be and let her come out when she is ready. But it would sure be nice if we could get her to come speak to our English classes, some of whom will be reading, " Mama Makes up Her Mind" this semester.

Click on the link below to
listen to Bailey White's Commentaries on NPR
Listen To Bailey White

Can You Believe This NO SCHOOL!

With Tropical Storm Bonnie churning its way toward the South Walton beaches, teachers and students of Walton County Schools are ordered to stay home. We've been in school for only 5 days and already a day off. Is this nice or what?
UPDATE: A much diminished Bonnie went a shore about 100 miles east of us and the day was sunshine and beautiful. In fact, we went to the beach and bookstore and just did nothing.

My Classes First Semester

My First Bulletin Board

School has been in session for five days now and I suppose it is safe to report my first impressions of my students. I'm teaching one section of 11th grade English and two sections of 9th grade English. So far my students are well behaved and ready to learn. Discipline problems are minimal. Most of them hate English class (I had them vote!) and they don't read, but maybe we can change that. I have high hopes for these kids.
My room is evolving. I'm adding things as time permits.
The lessons so far have been engaging (I've learned something everyday, hopefully my students have.) Our intention this year is to teach all English classes as if they were Honors and support lagging students within individual tutoring. I'm really enjoying this so far! MORE LATER!

BOOK REVIEW Max Perkins:Editor of Genius by Scott Berg

"I have known peoplewho were considered pillars of strength and loved to be leaned on, but Max (Perkins) poured strength into people and made them stand on their own feet"

These word at his death by Elizabeth Lemmon, a longtime friend, to his widow sums up Perkin's impact on those around him.


I found this book at The Ram's Horn Thrift Store in Boone, North Carolina less than 100 yards from the campus of Appilachian State University ASU.in a book section that rivaled some libraries. Perkins was known to me having read Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawling., so I started reading. What a feast. Upon coming to North Carolina, I had al ready picked up Thomas Wolfe "Look Homeward Angel" but had not really started it. I thought reading a little of the "back story" might help me tackle the "monumental North Carolian" my old friend Vincent and spoken of at length. I was not let down. Berg's portrait has all the twist and turns of a good read. Though it took me nearly a month to consume the 570 pages, I was not disappointed.