Oh, time flies by so quickly. I had really intended to post at least once a week, but the world made me tired. Kids are busy making adults squirm. Well, not all kids. But enough kids to tire out a school-full of adults. It's important to keep things in perspective, but it's also important to realize that some things that kids do often are unfortunate predictors of their futures.

Happy Visitor
There have been some unusual visitors at school, but this is first time I can remember that someone like "Pele" walked the halls.

"Pele" was a happy wanderer until classes changed. The crowded halls were a bit intimidating for this friendly little border collie mix, but he was clearly in good hands when a couple of soft-hearted seniors attempted to guide him to my office. Traveling through the courtyard, they released Pele when they saw me. The "saviors" went on to class, and I trotted Pele off to the main office.

Pele and I quickly became good friends. He needed security, and I needed a diversion. About all I could read on Pele's collar was the name of his vet. One call, and Pele's name was confirmed and his owner was identified.

When I called Bill, he didn't know that Pele was attending school. Within minutes, Bill arrived and Pele was quite satisfied that his owner had returned to him.

In the brief conversation that Bill and I had, I learned that Pele was a rescue dog who lived with a Golden Retriever. It was comforting to know that Pele had a good life, that he wasn't abandoned, and that he shared a home with a gentle friend.

The diversion from kids who didn't care, and who made lives miserable, that I so badly needed
was found in Pele. Everyone should experience a "Pele."

Tomorrow is the last day before returning to school from the winter break. I wonder what we'll find when we get back. The neighborhoods were busy over the New Year's weekend. Several shootings. That means conflict (obviously). Were there gangs involved? Probably. Will the "kid" gangs circle the wagons? They generally do.