September 3: School Days... Dear Old School Days

A challenge has been given; I have accepted.

Daughter, Sherilee, has set down a blogging challenge for the month of September to enter a post every day of the month. Hmm... I already missed Day 1 and Day 2 but here I am, running to catch up.  To see Sherilee's blog and read her challenge, click here

Day 3 Challenge: What did you love about 'back to school' and how do you translate that to your adult life?

My school days were long ago and far away but I do remember ...


Probably the one thing I most enjoyed about school was the fact that school meant books.  In my day, on the first day of school the text books would be distributed and you could look into those books that would carry you through the year. I would arrange my books ever so carefully in my desk, and I would bet that my eyes were larger than usual as I peeked inside each one. Even if the books were used and beat up I would love the feel, examine the binding, look at the words that were there for me to devour.

Books and reading were an important ingredient in my childhood. I remember specific books that I believe helped shape who I am today but that is for another blog post...

Ask anyone today who has spent time with me in the used book stores and they will tell you that it is an important stop. The musty old ones bring back the smells of old school books.  I love it when someone hands me a book and says, "I loved it.  I think you will too."

I have to say that holding a prospective read in my hand is about as thrilling for me as being in any situation where there is a lot of colour swatches/fabrics/samples laying about.  A real high!!

Last week my sister Bobbi and I were going through part of my library so I could lend her some books. As we walked along the wall where some of the books are shelved I touched the books carefully and said things like, "Oh you will love this one!", or "Oh you will love this author" or "I cannot really remember the story in this one but I know I loved it at the time".  

So if I were to tell you what one thing I remember most about returning to school, it would have to be that I was very excited about all the books, even those musty old, used text books. 

"What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us.  The greatest university of all is a collection of books."
-Thomas Carlyle



Where in the world (in this photo) is Shirley Ann?  Hint: I was in 2nd grade here.

Can you see Mother (she also taught me 1st and 2nd grades). And my sisters, Sheila May and Bobbi?

"Learning is a treasure 
that will follow its owner everywhere."
- Chinese Proverb

So, go read a good book... if you need some suggestions just come on by for a visit.

And above all, be well.









Comments

  1. Lovely. You remember books (significant and meaningful) and I remember clothes. That is hilarious. And somehow just as it should be. :)

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    1. Sherilee, you have been a wonderful influence in my life. You have given me some balance! When I first read your comment yesterday I thought I wished that we had kept a tradition of shopping in August every year, just to keep up our old-time 'getting ready for school' thing.

      I love it that you remember clothes and shopping. Take a look in your wardrobe... it is fun, colourful, exciting with style... mine is black and white and grey! What does that tell you?

      Yes, just as it should be...

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    2. Our back-to-school traditions are some of my fondest memories. I would be more than happy to resurrect a shopping trip with you! :)

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  2. I, too, remembered clothes. My mother always made us a new "outfit" to wear the first day. The books were good too--did you make covers for them from paper bags?
    I like Sherilee's challenge. I haven't blogged since we returned from Montenegro--time to start again. We will be on the road toward Arizona soon.

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes, Linda, do join in. It is fun. I am glad you remembered clothes. Makes me feel better that someone from our generation remembered the clothes!

      Yes, I did cover my books with brown paper sometimes, if I had to. And then I would write on the paper and doodle on the paper, some. I can see I was WAY too serious as a kid. An old lady before my time!

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  3. Great pictures! I always loved that first picture, just a hint of troublemaker there.

    Amazing how obvious it seems to pick out the Kandt girls.. ha! And I always forget that you were the youngest child.. for a while.. sweet!

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    1. Hey, I was the youngest for 9 years! Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. I love the pictures. Great photos. Great memories. It was fun looking for all of you.

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