Jun. 9, 2008 - I got a really big book!
I got a really big book from the library! Yipee! It is 1,300 pages long and is called *drum roll* "The Merick/Merial Manual for Pet Health." And I, Jan, am going to read the ENTIRE THING. The library had a beautiful collection of butterflies on display. Since I am collecting butterflies (I have a few very nice specimens, including a huge luna moth) I found the collection enrapturing. They even had specimens from Asia and Japan. They were beautifully kept, and I think I will try to save up some money to buy cases like the ones they had the butterflies in. After looking at that, a man asked us if we wanted to sign up for the summer reading program. I politely said that I thought I had "aged out," which was basically saying "no," but in a nicer way. The man behind the table promptly announced that it was for children up to seventeen. Mother said that Patch and I read so much that it might be tedious to mark down all the hours. The man asked me what grade I was in, and, after being told by me that I was in seventh, asked if I had participated in "Battle of the Books," which is a public school program. I said "Oh, I'm home-schooled," and he just said "Hmph," in a way that seemed like I had offended him by our family's choice of education. I was rather displeased at this, but I didn't say a word, because mother and daddy have taught me better than to back-talk to my elders, whether I like it or not. Mother looked at the books in the "Battle of the Books" rack, and she said Dad had lunch with our pastor today. He had ribs. After he got home, he took us out to get ice cream. I had a chocolate milkshake. While we were there, some kids came in and took all of the free cake samples for one cake flavor. I was angry at that, but I wasn't too worked up since there had only been four. I did notice that the other cake samples were gone or low, but thought nothing of it. Then, when we sat down, we saw a pyramid of empty sample cups that was five or six cups high and probably seven across at the bottom. Then we knew why all the cake samples were low; those mean kids had taken them all and left the trash On Friday I get to go on a trip with our church's youth group Tomorrow we are having the pastor and his family over for dinner. We are having pork and rice with peas. I love pork and rice with peas
that most of the books in it were junk. I'm just gonna stick to my good ol'(or should I say new, because it was published in January) veterinary manual. I even made a note-book to take notes on the book. 
. One of the young ladies working there went over to clean the table, and she saw the pyramid. She called for the other young lady to come see what those kids had done. Apparently the other young lady had cut up all the samples, and she was mad. You could tell by the look on her face. She said that the next time those kids came in, they wouldn't be getting any ice cream. I think I would have said the same thing. 
. We are going to clean up a local middle school, then go eat lunch and go swimming at the lake. I am very excited about it, because this will be my first outing with the youth. 
! Anyways, I hope you all have a great day.
• Type a tidbit for the tuper!!
Comments
Jun. 9, 2008 - Belmont, books, butterflies, and Friday
Posted by AuntSharon
Hi, Tuper!
I couldn't think of anything for Friday that started with "B".
I'm sorry about Big Brown's loss and disappointing run. Maybe next year we'll have a Triple Crown winner.
I'm pleased and surprised at your enthusiasm over a 1300 page book. I don't know how you carried it to the car. I think taking notes is a great idea for getting the most out of your reading about pet health.
I'm glad they had a butterfly display at the library since it interested you so much. I know from an earlier blog that you are collecting insects. It wouldn't be my first (or hundredth) choice for a hobby, but I'm glad you enjoy it.
Friday sounds like fun. Why are you all cleaning up a middle school? Even though it's work, being together will make the job easier, and lunch and swimming will be a great way to finish the day. I hope you have a good time!
Much love, Aunt Sharon
Jun. 10, 2008 - Reading
Posted by Aunt Karen
Jan,
Have you ever read the books by James Herriot? He was a country vet in England. They are a really good read. Have your Mom or Dad look at them though. They aren't really written for kids. However, I think they would be appropriate, and really interesting for you. The first book is called All Creatures Great and Small.
I hope you have fun with your youth group. Uncle John and I are captains of our church Relay for Life team. Our event is on Friday. Hopefully, it will go smoothly and not rain. Love, Aunt Karen
Jun. 10, 2008 - Swale
Posted by Daddy
Swale was the last horse to win the Belmont after leading "wire to wire" in 1984. I remembered the name, but couldn't remember much else about him, so i looked him up on Wikipedia. He was the son of Seattle Slew and he won the Florida Derby, the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont. He died of a massive heart attack 8 days after winning the Belmont. I guess that's why we don't hear too much about him. He's buried at Claiborne.
