Monday with Lisa

D.E.A.R. Season

That's: "Drop Everything And Read.

The Unexpected Carnival: Keeping It Interesting

The Pontotoc County Fair is held in Ada every fall on the grounds of the Agriplex, and we usually ride the rides, but this parking lot carnival was unexpected. We decided to give it a whirl, though.
A year and a half ago, Emilio and Nina enjoyed the Shock Wave and the Pandemonium at Six Flags, but something about this Ferris Wheel made Nina squeamish, so she parked it with Aunt Carolyn and the rest of us waved to them from above.
Pablo elected to accept the Pirate attraction challenge.

He later emerged alive.

Nina elected to ride this dragon, and Pablo lobbied his way into the seat in front of her.
It didn't take long for those smiles to start melting. Remember: Nina handled the Shock Wave and Pandemonium with no problem whatsover.

They lived to tell the tale.

Storytime

Pablo loves to read to Nina.

Diary of Wimpy Kid is a favorite.

Dr. Benton's March to the Convocation

The Honors Convocation always takes place on the first Thursday of the fall semester. This is the 10th annual Honors Convocation. Dr. Mark Hollingsworth has played the bagpipes at every one.

This the 30th anniversary of ECU's Honors Program. I am the third Director of the Program, and this is my fourth year in that position. This year, Dr. Hollingsworth, now Dean of the College of Health and Sciences, wrote an original composition for bagpipes titled "Dr. Benton's Convocation March." It is "dedicated to Dr. Benton and the students in ECU's Honors Program." Before this year's March began to presented a musical transcription of it to me on a scroll tied in tartan ribbon. He later told me that the pattern on the tartan was of the Gordons,, his anecestral clan on his mother's side. He told everyone to "step lively" as we headed out. That's Dr. Carl GIlbert, the new Dean of the College of Health and Sciences, and this year's Convocation keynote speaker, on my right. President Hargrave is on my left.

During the Convocation ceremony, Dr. Hollingsworth was introduced, and he played the full tune. On my right is Brittany Jolly, the President of the Honors Student Association. On my left is Linzi Thompson, the HSA Vice President. At the end of the front row to my left, sitting next to Dr. Gilbert, is Dr. Ken Andrews, the 2015 Honors Teacher of the Year.

Me: "That may be the catchiest tune I've ever heard."

I brought the scroll home unopened.

Now I need to get a recording of it.

It's staying here for now with some other friends on top of our piano. I pay have to get another copy and get it framed to put in the Honors Office.

Exploring new paths

We have second graders

Pablo may look too cool for school in this photo, but he and Nina were both very excited/nervous about the year ahead.

Nina's First Concert: A Tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll

After visiting Elvis's birthplace in Tupelo in May and listening to the "Essential Elvis" CD we gave el abuelo, Nina jumped at the opportunity to see Travis LeDoyt's tribute to young Elvis at Ada's very own McSwain Theater, which was once managed by Mae Boren Axton, co-author of Elvis's first number one hit, "Heartbreak Hotel." When the show started, Nina couldn't stop dancing. Fortunately, we had aisle seats, so I encouraged her to take advantage of that. She did. We didn't know then that she would soon find herself locking eyes with the Man of the Evening.