Columns

By Ashley Swanson

 

The sun was barely peeking above the corn stalks when my brother, Sean, and I sauntered into the living room for Saturday morning cartoons. Cereal bowls in one hand and a remote in the other, we would flip the TV on, making sure to keep the volume low so our sleeping parents didn’t wake. Cartoons started early, around 6 a.m., flashing shows such as Caillou, Reading Rainbow, Dragon Tails, the Winx Club, Kirby, Digimon, etc. We were hooked until infomercials began nonstop at noon.

 

As I grew up, and I think as most of you that are reading the Bull this week grew up, I’d like to think that most of us were brought up by our parents and family that we should always respect and honor our elders, our teachers, our military members and police officers. For that matter, at least I was reared to show respect to everyone that passes through my everyday. With the recent attacks on police throughout the country and world, not to mention the horrific scene in the Paris region last week, I’ve really come to realize that no longer in the world do some have respect for all of those mentioned above. How is it that those that are bringing harm to the world, to police across the country and the world, even have respect within themselves?

 

One of my favorite weeks of the year has finally arrived. It’s that time again for the Allegro Wolf Broadway Academy, and I think I’m just as excited for it as the kids, staff and directors. Sunday evening, I spent a couple of hours with a few of the staff/directors, printing off name tags and the like. Living in the country, you get used to the slow-going, quiet lifestyle that it offers, but with these guys, it’s delightfully different.

 

by Ashley Swanson 

ccnashdswan@gmail.com 

 

It’s evident that in Clay County’s 4-H program, no one is a stranger—everyone is welcome with open arms and no one is left out in the dust. The same kind of small community feeling was seen during the fair this past weekend; it makes me proud to call these small communities my home and those living in them, my neighbors.