Last Day of Freedom

Today, my parents return from California. Rachel, Em, and I have had the house practically free to ourselves all week, which has had its ups and downs to be sure. We've been able to hang out in our parents' bedroom, but we've had to keep the house clean at the same time. We've eaten out every day. I've had four battles with the coffee pot, three of which I won. Our dog had an "accident" on the floor of our laundry room this morning, leaving Rachel and I to clean it up. So, it is safe to say that I'm glad the parents are coming back. It will be wonderful to see them, first of all, but it will be nice to know that I won't have to try to remember to keep the sink light on in the mornings so that the violets won't die.

In other news, I'm becoming a camera-woman at my newspaper. The executive editor decided that I am a budding artist when it comes to camera work, so starting this upcoming week I'll be filming various points of interest in the Alton-River Bend area. I'm going to Robert Wadlow's statue on Tuesday, and the Piasa Bird by Wednesday. I'll have to call up the directors of the various museums and make sure that they'll be available for me to film them. Dan said that it shouldn't do more than two or three a week, and that it won't conflict with my articles in the paper. I'm actually a little excited about this project, even though initially I was a bit frustrated because I really enjoy reporting and writing articles for the paper.

This week's set of articles were some of my best so far, in my own humble opinion. I went to West Alton and reported on the sandbagging that was happening there. Water levels in the levees had gotten so high that water was beginning to spill over into farm fields and yards of West Alton residents. I had to interview the local fire chief, as well as a lieutenant from the Missouri National Guard (I'm getting to know military men pretty well these days!). I also spoke with one local woman, who tearfully told me that her house would be the first one to flood if the levees broke at Dresser Island and at Machens. Another woman told me that "we've survived the 93 flood and we'll survive this one again. We can't abandon our community." I wanted to toss aside my notebook and start sandbagging alongside of them.

I also spoke with Janet Neustadt, the mother of Matt Neustadt, who happens to be from "Farmer Wants a Wife." I wanted to ask if Matt and Brooke have stuck it out or if he's looking for a new wife, but I didn't. I was happy enough knowing that I'd spoken with her. I am trying to convince my newspaper to do an article about Matt and his new life, since he lives about forty minutes away from Alton. We'll see how all this flood news pans out, and then maybe they actually will.

I also am off for the fourth of July, which is fabulous! I'll get to go to Kansas with my family and spend time with my grandparents. Rachel, Em, and I will go to the carnival again and get to see the fireworks. Should be a very exciting time.

I'll be glad to get away from here for a while. For some reason, I've been antsy and somewhat depressed lately. Not really sure why, but I think a good dose of Kansas air, some new faces, and no cell phone service will be just the trick to cure my mood.