A Champion son refers us to a quote by Marcus Aurelius: “Don’t be overheard complaining…not even to yourself.” The reign of this Roman emperor from 161 AD to 180 AD continued an age of relative peace, calm and stability that had started in 27 BC. He had lots of things to say like, “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” We have lots to think about these days.

A “Mayday” alert is used for life-threatening situations which may well apply this Sunday night as the weather forecast seems more exciting than we might like. Otherwise, May Day observances are more pleasant to contemplate. May first is celebrated as International Workers’ Day stemming from the 1886 campaign for an 8-hour workday. May Day also marks the return of spring and the beginning of summer when there may well be folks dancing around a Maypole somewhere. Skyline fifth grader Holden Johnson, first grader Claire Wangsgard and Skyline art teacher Danielle Campbell all celebrate their birthdays on May 1st. Dovie Dooms has her party on May 2nd, as does our friend Lee Mastin who has moved to North Carolina. Linda Heffern will celebrate on May 6th. She lives up in Springfield but has real Champion connections. Kenneth Anderson is well acquainted with Champion and will most likely be sung to at the Vanzant Jam on the 7th, though his birthday is on the 8th. On the 9th we remember Bonnie Brixey Mullens and that is the big day for Skyline first grader Mikel Kolterman-Young. Second grader Wesley Boyd will celebrate on the 11th. Your friends and families all wish for you to have beautiful birthdays and good memories.

For manicured lawns in cities and towns, Bermuda grass may be a lovely thing. For vegetable gardeners out in the country, it is a pain in a variety of places. It must be wrestled with and pulled carefully because the least little part of it left in the ground will sprout anew. We are reminded of another quote by farmer who worked behind mules as a girl and was known for her ability to throw up terraces in dry land farming out in west Texas. Exer Hector would say of anything awkward, unnecessarily complicated and difficult, “It’s like trying to put a side-saddle on a hog.” Calvin Chambers and a bunch of his buddies saddled up their four wheeling mules and made a sashay through Champion on Saturday. Hopes are he and other equestrians will join Bud Hutchison’s Memorial trail ride heading up on the Bright Side on May 6th. We are full of gratitude and optimism in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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