Monday, Feb. 25

Up at 6:30 to get ready for water aerobics. Beautiful morning, but windy-chilly for the walk to the gym. The water in the pool was a bit cooler this morning, but still nice. A dozen of us showed up, but not the regular leader, who is still recuperating.

The talk this morning was about an awful tragedy of a high school teen who committed suicide yesterday. As I understand it, he'd gone to a party, where he'd indulged in alcohol. On his way home, he was involved in a one-vehicle accident that included taking out fence posts on the property of one of the water aerobics members. Because he was intoxicated, there were drugs in his car, and he'd had previous run-ins with the law, he fled the scene on foot before the police could arrive.

For a while the police were unable to find him, and when his parents were informed, they joined in the search.
In the meantime, the teen went to his parents' house, grabbed a loaded rifle from a truck, and shot himself. The parents stated they had no clue he was suicidal, though they knew he was upset over a recent emotional break-up with his girlfriend.

The tragedy was front page news in our local newspaper tonight, though details related to us at the pool were not included in the story, of course.

The incident naturally led aerobics members to discussions of teen suicide, and the pros and cons of gun control. But we abandoned discussions when it was time for aerobics to begin. Got a good workout with the water noodles, as usual.

Back home, while I warmed up with coffee, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. I found another jigsaw puzzle, which she worked on while I got ready for the day, and Hubbie ran errands.

It was nearly noon by the time I was dressed, so I heated Ramen noodle soup for Mother, homemade soup and blueberry muffins for me, and leftover baked beans and sweet potatoes for Hubbie (who returned just as lunch was ready).

Afterward, I reviewed Level 4 materials for my ESL student. I met her at the usual 2:30 hour, and we spent the two hours reading from a Level 3 correlated reader. There are only two more stories left to read next week, and then we can begin Level 4 instruction.

A couple of stories reminded the student of her youth in Venezuela. One story was about a father and son building and flying kites. The student said that for kite competitions in Venezuela, a razor blade is attached to the tail of kites, with which fliers attempt to cut the strings of competitors' kites.

Another story was about what is required to become a police officer. One of those things is skill at using a gun, of course. The student's father was a hunter, and so the student grew up with guns. She was allowed only to clean the guns, but not shoot them.

One day, she accompanied her father to a gun range, where a line of men was practicing. She begged her father to let her try shooting at the target. She amused all the men when she hit the bull's eye the first time she tried. They laughed it off, though, as beginner's luck. But when she hit the bull's eye repeatedly after that, they were astounded. Apparently, she has natural ability to sight a target.

Back home, Hubbie had heated leftover spaghetti and sauce for our supper, which I served with cottage cheese topped with grape tomatoes, and French bread.

A thunderstorm cropped up right after supper, and since the rain had not begun yet, Mother decided she should go home, and Hubbie accompanied her.

Hubbie and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV, including a PBS Masterpiece Theater 2011 spy thriller called, "Page Eight."