Breaking the Silence

By Al Horn

Has it been that long? Almost two months since my last posting. Granted, a lot has happened in that time period. Christmas, New Years, our grandson's birthday, final negotiation of a union contract, a trip to see my son in Tennessee, and Valentines Day. Actually, there is a story in each and every one of those events and I'm ashamed of the fact that I didn't break away long enough to write something down. The truth of the matter is it took a phone call from my mother and a sick day from work to get me to sit down at my computer and do something other than answer mail or do research.

If you don't mind, I will explain that last sentence in reverse order.

I have been doing research for my election campaign. I am running for the school board here in Wentzville. There are three openings and I am one of eight candidates. Two of the other candidates are incumbents. Another candidate is a former board member. I have my work cut out for me. I have been attending board meetings and special conferences for the candidates. I have scoured the Internet to obtain information in helping me to understand policies and how other districts have coped with the growth that ours is currently experiencing. If elected, I want to step into the job as prepared as possible and not need six months to come up to speed.

It seems that my e-mail box has become quite popular these days. Aside from all the ads for Rolex watches and Viaggra (if I had one, would I need the other?), traffic from my brother in Georgia and church notes have been coming at a brisk pace. Actually, my brother was just reminding me it was Girl Scout cookie time. I gladly buy cookies from my energetic niece every year. The increase in church related emails has more to do with being involved with our men's group and the concession stand we operate for a youth basketball program on Saturday mornings; that and the fact that I have become a Trustee this year. When it rains, it pours.

Old man winter has also conspired to keep me from the computer. In warmer weather the kids are content to play in the front yard while I peck on the keys. During the cold weather they tend to gather around the computer asking dozens of questions until I give up and go roughhouse with them on the living room floor.

Oh, the phone calls from my mother. I talked to her the other day and mentioned I was creating a website for my campaign. She asked me when I would be posting on this site again. I told her it hadn't been getting that much traffic and was mulling over what topic to write about. That was when she mentioned that I have three aunts who are always checking our website for something new. I was not aware of the fact that I actually had regular readers. To them, I apologize for being so late with this.

To my Aunt Lena who lives near Seattle, Washington. I hope the holidays were good to you and your family. We will be updating photos on the family page soon.

To my Aunt Mary in Southeast Missouri. I hope you had happy holidays and I hope most of your family will make the family reunion next summer.

To my Aunt Verda in Arkansas. I hear you have found a hobby to stave off the winter blues.

If I missed anybody, I apologize and will be posting on a regular basis again. I have stories to tell and there is always something going on in this world that gets me sounding off. Thanks to my 'regular' readers, I will be writing more often.