I’d like to thank the academy and my aunt and uncle for their patience and guidance in my short-lived career as a taxidermist
As the rain pours and pours in the middle of the thickest part of the rainy season in the Central Valley, I thought I’d dust off all my awards and trophies. There’s the “Most Improved Softball Player Award” from 1977. I’ve got the first place ribbon from stuffing a chucker partridge in sixth grade (never did capture the sparkle in the little foul’s eye).
On of my favorite awards will always be the plaque that a girl’s team I coached a few years ago gave me. They never had time to get the engraving, so they handed me on a slip of paper what they would have put on it: To the best coach ever. We love you! I still have the slip of paper.
And today I add to my collection an honor I am more than proud to put on my shelf. Tamara gave me this award. Thanks Tamara. Thanks mom. Thanks dad. Thanks to all you readers who click on motherjungle. Thanks to my bus driver and the bag boy. Without every one, I’d be someone else, and I’d like to that’s a shame.
I can only hope to live up to this honor and offer up more than the average bear. Thanks again Tamara. And everyone who gives a damn.
(In case you have trouble loading the award, click over to Tamara’s site. You’ll also find out some other great blog sites you might like too.)
Aunt Nancy on 16 Oct 2008 at 8:43 am #
Hi Susan,
I read your story and you mentioned the chukar partridge Martin helped you mount for that science project. I remember that so well, you sitting at the kitchen table out at the farm during the winter cold days in Wisconsin, he remember that too. You did such a great job, and Martin was so impressed at how well it turned out. When we went to the school for the science fair, Martin felt that the people didn’t think you did that by yourself and he felt bad. He mounted one for himself as you sat beside him and did yours. I don’t remember how many Saturdays you came down with to do that but you said you had fun doing it. I printed this story to read to Martin the next time he calls. Its so sad that he can’t see well enough anymore to read or to watch the birds, two of the things he loves most to do.
I know he will want to thank you also for your remarks on it.
Love, Aunt Nancy