So I typically wake up first in our house, and one of the things I typically do in the interim before my daughter and wife stir is go out and retrieve the local newspaper, The Messenger, from the end of the driveway or mailbox. It's one or the other, and I honestly haven't been able to pick up the pattern of why one some days and why the other others. It doesn't seem to have to do with the weather or size of the edition on a given day, for example.
For this little morning trip outside, I usually just throw on whatever clothes are handy, sufficient and quiet to put on. Today, this outfit of convenience included some too-large-but-I-didn't-get-them-returned-soon-enough-after-Christmas sweat pants that I have to pull up to halfway between by navel and nipples so they don't trip me up when I walk. The panty line this creates under a white T-shirt makes it look as though I'm wearing a girdle, which, frankly, is probably not too far away.
My daughter's almost 2. As I was walking toward my paper and the Hopkins County Schools bus wheezed by the house this morning, I wondered how many years (months?) I have before Cool concern sets in for her and I have to start looking a little more presentable before walking outside the house.
Anyway, this also reminded me of a letter to the editor that The Messenger published a couple of weeks ago:
"Rhode Island student seeks information about Kentucky
"This is also addressed to the citizens of Kentucky. I'm writing from Pawtucket, R.I., one of the smallest states in the U.S.A. I'm doing a geography project that will take a semester long to do.
"The complete project involves an oral report and a poster on the state of Kentucky.
"If you could, please publish this in your paper so your readers could help me with my project.
"My teacher explained that firsthand info from citizens of Kentucky would be much better. If your readers could send me info, pictures and tourist info, it would help me so much with my project. Your readers could send me any info right to me at school. Thank you for your help with my report and project."
This appeared on Page A9 Oct. 29. I'm going to be sending some material to the Rhode Island boy at some point before Thanksgiving. Please comment if you have any suggestions for the parcel.
Elsewhere from around the Commonwealth:
-- Lexington's Herald-Leader has weighed in on the possible closing of a Pike County mine.
-- Chuck Stinnett reported in Henderson's Gleaner this summer that Massey Energy had looked to open a mine out our way.
-- In that story, Gleaner Chuck noted that the wouldbe Massey mine "would produce from the Kentucky No. 9 seam, the most commonly mined coal reserve in western Kentucky." A terrific steakhouse, "9," opened in Madisonville in the last year or so, and it's decorated with a bunch of mining photographs and other paraphernalia.
-- I'm all about mining news these days.
-- The Kentucky Historical Society has been bringing the noise in Louisville of late ... Cabbage Patch Settlement, Fort-On-Shore and Douglas Park Racetrack.
-- It's a challenging time for a former Lexington Bryan Station Defender, UK Wildcat and Pittsburgh Steeler.
I would send the following items:
ReplyDelete1. A copy of Patty Loveless singing "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive"
2. A copy of Hunter Thompson's 1970 article, "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved"
3. A link to the Rupp's Rafters Message Board, along with a clip of Cawood Ledford calling a UK game
4. Information on the Paducah Quilt Museum
5. A copy of Rand Paul's victory speech from last week
6. Some of the anti-Rand Paul editorials from the Courier-Journal
7. A copy of the bulletin from a really large church in Hopkinsville or Owensboro
8. A copy of the menu from a good country restaurant
9. Information on the history of Louisville Central High School
10. Information on the rivalry between Louisville St. X and Louisville Trinity
And, of course, a link to the Heath Post.
And I wouldn't worry about the whole "cool" factor. I don't think any girl thinks her dad is cool, and I'm not even sure that any girl wants her dad to be cool. That's not really the point of being a dad.
ReplyDeleteLet's see.
ReplyDeleteI would send him a geological map of KY so that he can see why Eastern and Western KY both have coal mining and why Central KY is excellent for making bourbon and whiskey. I find that most people outside of KY have no idea that there is coal mining in Western KY and many believe the entire state is mountainous.
I would send him literature about Berea College since I think it is one of the most interesting colleges in the country.
Send him the collected writings of Thomas Merton along with a fruit cake from the Monks at Gethsemane.
Of course you have to send him a post card about Kentucky Lake.
Also something about the 1937 flood.
And you have to include something about great KY politicians like Henry Clay, Jefferson Davis, Alben Barkley, etc.
There is so much more, but I'll stop there.
These are good suggestions. All I had on the list before you guys responded was Xeroxes of my Kentucky Student Press Association award certificates, 1984-90.
ReplyDelete