Odds & Ends Going On

My guys left the house at 4:30 a.m. this morning to go pheasant hunting today and tomorrow. Last night the family went to Belle Fourche for our son’s first middle school wrestling tourney of the season. Belle’s about a two hour drive, so it was 9:30 before we got home. Even though I’ve been looking forward to getting some things done while they’re gone, I’m a little jealous. Pheasant hunts are a lot of fun and I haven’t gone in fifteen years. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to go this year.  

Pheasant hunting is part of what makes South Dakota unique. It’s a huge part of our state’s identity. My son is thirteen and hasn’t had a chance to experience a pheasant hunt so when friends suggested a dads and sons’ trip, the guys got excited. I grew up going bird hunting around Presho and Kennebec, SD area because my dad’s from there. Bob Studt is my dad, for any of you Lyman County readers out there. He and I would drive out (about a four hour trip) to the farm to pheasant hunt with my uncle and grandpa. Some of my best memories of spending time with my grandpa were walking fields kicking up birds. 

Earlier this week the family attended the Rapid City council meeting. My daughter entered and won an essay contest to help raise awareness about the homeless in South Dakota. 

Her school’s councilor also asked her if she would visit 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th grade classes to let them view the video of her reading her essay, and ask her questions afterwards. Next on her “tour” is to read at the next school board meeting. Here is the essay she wrote: 

My big brother is a very caring person. He respects me and my space. He is always a really big help. I like his attitude and I want to do the same. I want to be a helper. I want to be creative, and a leader. 

If I could help kids across South Dakota, I would start a fund raiser and build a shelter that serves hot meals for the needy, and they could stay there if they needed a place to stay. I could also build a drop off center where people could drop off clothes that they don’t wear any more. Then we could pass them on to those in need of clothing. I could organize putting together a lemonade stand with kids in my neighborhood so we could raise money and then we could vote for a place to donate the money. I also think it would be fun to set up a free outdoor kids’ movie night in the summertime and I could make up bags of popcorn for kids to eat during the movie, or I could host a neighborhood block party. 

What would help my family is to continue having family dinners together and spending more time together. I also think we should support each other. My family is special to me; I need a lot of time with them. 

The way I look at things is scary in the future, with technology. I mean, close your eyes and imagine if someone from the past like Laura Ingalls or our first President, George Washington, were to come back and see cell phones, laptops, iPods, and television. What would they say? I would think they would be a little surprised, or even worried. That is how I feel, a little worried. That is kind of why I wrote this. I did this paper because my community involvement ideas build friendships with neighbors, kids in other places and with kids in our community 

 Besides receiving a $100.00 savings bond, she was asked to read her essay aloud at the Rapid City council meeting. Her teacher was there and video taped it. I guess all those 4-H demonstrations paid off because she read it like a trooper.