Just Musing: A new school year will soon be upon us
It is hard to believe parents are already school shopping. I hope they have read or checked to see if their child’s school may have changed the dress code in the past year. Last school year, I knew/know a family who had made all their purchases only to learn only solid-colored T-shirts/blouses could be worn.
I questioned the writing of the words thinking that eliminated checks, plaids and stripes. The parents inquired and learned they were acceptable. I understand the school then rewrote the dress code to be more specific. Their original intent was no derogatory pictures or sexually implicit scenes/images or sayings on T-shirts.
I recently shopped for a birthday gift, which at the suggestion of the parents, was for cute summer outfits that could also be worn early in the school year. Following the information I had remembered from the year before, I searched for plain-colored shirts — T-shirts, that is. They are few and far between but there are sure some cute t-shirts with pictures on them. I finally settled on a couple of polo shirts and khaki shorts.
Which brings me to this: I have long been an advocate for uniforms for several reasons mostly because they are neat and are non-competitive to keep up with the Joneses.
Some freaky weather going on these days
Speaking of summer, this weather has bounced around like a rubber ball with low temperatures as low as the upper 40s to highs in the 90s and downpours when it rains — at least in my area. My poor hanging baskets are either drowned with rain knocking off the flowers or hungrily looking for water. They have gone from looking beautiful to droopy back to normal after receiving TLC by me, and I don’t have a green thumb.
On my street, we all have upward-sloping backyards. A neighbor two houses away has developed a beautiful perennial garden up their slope through the years. This summer, between the torrential rains and the deer feeding from them, it too looks sparse. I’ve seen them routinely fertilizing, watering and tenderly caring for them. I’m hoping it pays off for them as I enjoy looking at their beautiful flowers as I have my early morning coffee on the patio.
Those who attended the recent summer musical “Beauty and the Beast” at the Marion Palace Theatre had a real treat. If you have never seen a show on Broadway in New York, you saw a close one in Marion. The sets, the costumes, the actors, musicians and stage crew were top-notch. I don’t see how Clare Cooke and crew could top this one. Although they were all excellent, I most enjoyed the antics of Cogsworth (clock) and Lumiere (chandelier). They were hilarious. Great job, cast and crew!
Conditioning and practice for fall high sports begins shortly or some have already started conditioning. There have been recent reports of cardiac arrest of high school athletes while participating in sports. My prayer is that all coaches and their staff are CPR qualified and schools have provided AEDs both inside and outside their buildings for emergencies when needed.
Most of all keep them hydrated. Drinking lots of water may call for more bathroom stops but is the better choice, in my opinion. Good luck to all athletes in their chosen sport — and this includes marching bands — for a successful and fun season.
Let me leave you with this quotation by Andrew Carnegie: “If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”
Until next week. Be safe and be kind.
Brenda Donegan is a former Marion Star staffer. She may be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Time to get ready for a new school year