Sixth annual Diabetes walk...

Today our county walked for diabetes...and what a beautiful day for a five mile stroll (or the few that were running!) The high school was filled with vendors promoting the local newspaper, various booths giving out free information and pencils...and, of course, diabetes testing along with blood pressure.

By 10:15 we gathered out back of the high school, a prayer was said, the ribbon cut and we were on our way. The day was stunning...we walked five miles in the most scenic of areas..farm fields, ponds, small lakes...the sky was an amazing blue. It was so warm that no one even thought of taking jackets.

We were rewarded with the Lion's Club famous chicken and potato salad when we were finished.

Best of all, we raised a good bit of cash and brought diabetes awareness one step closer to our small town.

In case you are wondering, I finished in the top ten percent!!

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

All in a week....

Last night was one of those great neighborhood evenings in Angola. It was such a beautiful day and everyone was out milling around...biking...walking. Aaron and Jonah came over, and we all just sat out on the stoop for the longest time. Everyone stopped by to chat as we sat there...puppies, babies, old folks, young'uns (as Philip would say!). Jonah loved them all!

As we sat the full moon began to rise in the East..shrouded with bare treetops and wispy clouds, it was a stunning moment.

As darkness fell, the streets became quiet as we all attended our own households...supper on the table...homework to be done...stories to be read.

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Steuben County Artists

Tonight the artists of Steuben County join forces to establish a long-awaited and long-needed artist guild. Several of us have been struggling with the Second Sunday Artists but have decided to put our ideas together.

Hopefully there will be a great turn out tonight at the library as we begin to see our purpose and place in Steuben County and set as our mission statement to be more visible.

In other news, Jonah and his parents have arrived home (but it was late last night!) so I haven't seen them yet. I understand from emails that Jonah has had a wonderful time the past couple of weeks of Florida...swimming, running on the beach, learning to march (from my Uncle Dean)...has been charming and full of his usual charisma. I'll stop by tonight on my way to the guild meeting to get an overdue "Nannie" hug.

Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com

Daffodils and paint choices...

Arriving home from school by 5:30, I was greeted with splendid sunshine and waving daffodils...neighbors were out walking dogs..riding bikes...painting basketball backboards.

I spent the last hour looking at paint samples for this old house of mine. There are so many choices...my house is white...just white...so I am thinking maybe I should jazz it up a bit...purple...brown..rose...anyone have any ideas for an old house?

I also got the bike out of the garage, wiped down the winter's dirt, and tonight I take it for a spin...

Ahhhh...spring.

Signing off for a few days...

Just a note for my faithful blog readers...I will be traveling to Portland, Oregon to spend time with Abe and Kristin. Philip also will be joining us on Monday evening...so I'll close out the blog for a bit. Lots new stories when I return!

The Week in Review

I vow to write everyday...I vow to work out every day...and here it is Thursday.

The night after do-si-do..it was donning the grass skirt and fake flowers in my hair for the Student Council Hawaiian Luau. This is our first year for a student council. It has, needless to say, been interesting. We go day by day figuring it out...the kids are excited about projects and ideas and my good friend and colleague, Erin, and I just raise our eyebrows. But the luau was a great idea..we earned lots of money, gave the kids a great social experience. The gym was transformed into seashells and beach balls and music by the Beach Boys (they wanted Destiny's Child, but who is THAT?)

The fact is, I love teaching and spending time with the kids...yes I get home late every day, check messages, plan for the next day and slip under the covers for eight hours (yea, right) and start all over.

Today's schedule? Auditions for Romeo and Juliet (they are fifth graders, no kissing please, they asked!)...a full day of classes, an after school Cinema Film Festival and then on the road for stories of another kind to another audience tomorrow.

So, I'll grab my overnight bag, turn off the heat, smile knowing I have the best job in the world.

Lou Ann

Cowboy hats and a do-si-do!

It seems as if I wear a number of hats (it is a good thing this is a metaphoric term as my house would not hold them all)...

Tonight is no exception as I have become the square dance and line dance caller for our mother/son hoe down...OK, I have taught a few dances, so I guess I was a natural to ask...or is it because I always stay late anyway...or because I never say no. I would like to hope that I have been asked because who else calls all of these dances in these here parts!!

So, with jeans and flannel shirt...bandanna in hair...I have the beginnings of a new career..or maybe just an entertaining way to spend a Monday night.

Whatever the case...grab your favorite honey and promenade her all the way home!!


Lou Ann Homan is a writer, teacher, and storyteller who lives in Angola, Indiana. She is available for writing seminars, storytelling, and speaking engagements. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. You can read more at www.louannhoman.com