OSU Football

(PHOTO 2005: Lori & Christi during brighter days)

I figured out the reason why the Buckeyes lost last night. We weren’t there. OK, maybe that had nothing to do with it, but…. In the morning I took our OSU student IDs and some doughnuts and things over to my friend Lori’s house so that her husband – a big OSU football fan, could get a much needed break and go to the game. My sweet OSU / Heidelberg friend, Lori, has been very ill for years, with complex health issues and is now in a Toledo Hospital. I sat with her for a few hours in Tiffin on Wednesday night. She looked so frail and horrible; it was just as though I was sitting beside Christi days before she died. When I got home and Shayne immediately asked how she was. I told him I didn’t know if the next time I saw her it would be in a bigger hospital or at a funeral home, but I expected her to be life-flighted out soon. (A doctor in Tiffin punctured her lung trying to put a port in on Wednesday.) When Lori graduated with her Ph.D. from Ohio State in June she said her husband was crying and she didn’t know if it was because, after six years, she graduated or if it was because he knew he just lost his season football tickets, hee hee. Regardless, Lori should have been at that game too, but instead I decided I would bring an OSU party to her.


On my way to Toledo, I stopped and bought many scarlet and gray items. While Lori had never been on a pediatric oncology floor before, I had received tremendous, hands-on training there. That, combined with being a teacher, gave me all of the creativity I needed. I walked in with my OSU pom poms and rally towel. By the time I was finished, Lori’s IV pole had little red lights with Brutus hanging from the top. Posters, balloons and streamers of scarlet and gray were on the walls. A weak, but beautiful smile was on her face, and she let me paint her toe nails with red polish. With her little hospital TV screen, we watched the first two quarters – without sound, together before I headed for home. I don’t know about Lori, but I felt better! My prayers continue for my sweet friend, Lori, and her family. May all be blessed with much needed strength and wisdom!!

CLASSROOM FUNNIES: Early last week, while our students were changing classes, a teacher down the hall was asking me for suggestions about incorporating assessment rubrics for a project. I was a minute or two late for my class. I walked in and they said, "You weren't by the door. We thought you weren't here." I joked and said, "Sorry about your luck, you're still stuck with me." They laughed and one said, "Sorry about your luck, but you owe us ten push ups." I said, "What?" A student told me, "Last year, when we were late we had to do ten push ups." I knew I couldn't do ten push ups. I glanced down to be certain I was wearing slacks and flat shoes and I asked, "How about five?" They laughed and said, "YES!" My arms were shaking and I could not quit giggling, but I DID IT!! I stood up, they claped and I had to wonder what Dr. Madeline Hunter and her lesson design and anticapatory set theory would have to say about that for getting my students' attention - what a hoot!

On Friday afternoon, I was still really excited and so happy about my National Board news. One student asked, "Mrs. Thomas, did you just drink a cup of coffee?" I knew what he meant! I laughed and said, "I don't drink coffee and I don't drink alcohol (always have to try to be a teacher and get a lesson across). Besides, can you imagine what coffee would do to someone like me?" There was much laughter and comments were shared such as I'd be hanging from the lights, or jumping out the window. Finally, I pretended to be deep in thought before I responded, "I think I'd just start assigning triple homework or something."