Was It A Typo?

Here is a recent article I enjoyed from Typo Magazine based upon an intersection near Cosby, MO. Those of us transplanted to Missouri have often wondered about the alphabetical listing of state highways... which gets more confusing with OO and MM and GG. Below is a just another legend about the imaginative book written by Baum in 1900.

This photo may seem like a trifling literary coincidence until you know the rest of the story.... E.Y. Harburg, the writer of the song "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," had a great aunt who lived in Cosby during his childhood. He visited her every summer and many adventures in the field surrounding her farmhouse. Still, you might not be blamed for thinking that it was just happenstance for Cosby to sit at the intersection of OZ. If you look at the original version of the song, Harburg mentions the town by name several times. Hollywood producers and later historians were baffled by the lyrics, until you are pointed to where the changes in the song were made and then you can detect the mentioning of the author's beloved home-away-from-home.
"If ever, oh ever, a wiz there was, the Wizard of Oz is one, be Cosby Cosby Cosby Cosby Cosby 'cause... because of the wonderful things he does."

40 Days for Life

We see in the Bible many references to waiting 40 days: Noah in the ark, Israelites going to the Promised Land, and Jesus fasting in the desert. This is the model used by the organization "40 Days for Life" to prayerfully witness at abortion clinics. It has been miraculously successful during the past six years. Right now, in 306 cities,

people are praying (from Sept. 25-Nov. 3), and we decided to join the Nashville effort at the Planned Parenthood clinic this Monday morning. We teamed up with Jimmy M. and the Morel boys at 8:00 a.m. for an hour of group prayer. There is not a rush of protestors at that early hour - early in the week - so we were glad the seven of us had planned to meet then. The quiet morning air and the strength of trusting in the Lord made for an energizing start to our own week.

Family Day in Phi Kap Way

Captain is with the twins in Chicago for hockey, so Meggar and I drove over to visit Dorito at K-State. It was Family Day for the Phi Kappa Theta house, and they showed us a very good time. We met the housemom and cook at lunch, then toured the study rooms, dressing rooms, and sleeping dorm. Everything was tidy and in good shape. Several families went bowling at Little Apple Lanes, and afterward watched the K-State football game on the new flat screen TV (which the dads installed as our parent's club gift). Later we attended mass at the Newman Center and ate dinner at Kite's Bar & Grill. Dorito knows about their con queso dip! He also introduced us to his pledge dad Eric (and we saw his collection of hockey jerseys).

Overall, it was a really great visit!

Another Francis

I wanted to write more about Pope Francis and poverty on this Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. But we heard the good news that Jodi had a baby boy this morning (6 lb. 14 oz. at 6 a.m.) He is their 5th son and 7th child, and they named him Francis! ...gotta love traditional Catholic families! Here's a Prayer for Peace for Dorito and Captain!

When Your Teacher Dies

We had a sad phone call from our violin teacher, Nick. He said his mother was moving into Hospice House on Tuesday. She was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of the summer (we had no idea), and it spread more quickly than they imagined. His mom was Meggar's piano teacher in high school and had a significant impact on the course of Meggar's ife. Margie was young, only 60 years old. She had not smoked since 1982, and was in fine health until August. The twins and I went to KC at noon today to visit, but she had died this morning! Captain was already heading back with Meggar from college, too (it was too stormy for him to pick her up in his plane). We are all greatly saddened for the family she left behind (Nick and Lindsay are expecting a baby in March), and the students who will miss her joyful personality. Meggar talked about the summer we took Margie and her husband Gary out to the French Restaurant for Bastille Day... And how Margie made her record a song 30 times before submitting it for the Truman State piano auditions! Meggar and I will attend the visitation and funeral service on Sunday afternoon.

Another Mystery on PBS

Captain and I watched the three episodes of "Foyle's War" this week. They are free throughout October on the PBS Masterpiece website. What a brain-bender, complete with political intrigue from the start of the Cold War and a British detective who's admired for his moral certitude. How fun to watch Michael Kitchens, whom I loved in "Out of Africa" and "Enchanted April."

Old Friends

The twins went to Homeschool Choir both Tuesdays that we were home, just to see their friends. They also hung out with Andrea's running group (Polar Bear got a blister), and with Justin at Central High's Homecoming game. They also visited the Scout troop. Tomorrow they are having lunch with Jarret (hockey friend), and taking Eli out for Happy Hour at Sonic. Staying connected is a good thing.