You should thank Pebbles for giving you another view because there may be some parents you haven't heard from as yet who don't feel the way you do. It's important to understand that if you are to be effective in changing this situation. It may flatter your ego that you've been ask to "take it to the streets" as you say. I wouldn't go about it that way. I'd take a quiet, methodical approach and attempt to build a consensus with a specific alternative plan of how this *should* work -- a plan which is reasonable, will not sound like you are trying to take over the school and dictate how they should be running things (not your responsibility after all though you can certainly take your kids out of the band), and a plan that has a prayer of being adopted. You can make this into a diva vs diva situation, polarize the community, get everybody screaming, upset a lot of the kids even more and end up in a fight that goes on and on with everyone dug in. Because that's how these things usually go. Or you could quietly call someone who knows municipal and public law, an accountant, a travel agent, a child psychologist, a couple of other parents (maybe one a teacher) who know how to keep their mouths more shut than not, and produce something concrete. Figure out how to get your plan out there to be legally and logically considered, a plan that will benefit everyone and be reasonable. But I will bet that if you are emotional about this and go on about it and turn it into a crusade it will be less effective than it might be. We have a lot of that where I live. Somebody's always screaming about something and even when it's worthy you just tune them out. The bottom line for me -- and I say this as someone who has no children in the school system so I don't know what this sort of thing should/would cost -- it sounds very much like the school board members in our city who were having "meetings" in fancy hotels around the country and traveling there to meet with various educators on other issues and it was a complete reprehensible boondoggle -- free vacations. Or the school superindentant who ordered a $3000 leather couch for her office. In our community the tabloids get hold of the $3000 couches or the $125 catered lunches and people don't stay in those jobs very long because after 1 or 2 front pages and public humiliation and photos that make them look like they're taking the perp walk, there's pressure on the mayor and the school board to act. Public education in this country is a disgrace in many states. And while band is certainly an excellent and creative activity and a great experience I'm sure, I'd rather see that kind of money go into books, facilities, enrichment programs, special education. I'm sure many parents feel the same way (and of course some won't). But if it's not done in the right way the principal and band director are going to marshall their forces and roll right over you and the other parents without even looking back. Then it's your kids who will suffer.

Thanks for all your hard work Karen! Can't wait to read it in its entirety. Jodi-

Good job Karen! I tried to search for the very first segment, but it must be bumped off the site now. So this is only the story of Gomer and Margie, which have had quite the adventures of their own.

Flamey, that isn't my hand. A gal that was on the hike with me did the bending. We were in a fairly large group so no one felt too threatened. I hear stories from docents and rangers saying they have been working in mountain lion territory 25+ years and have never seen one. They said you have a better chance getting hit by lightening. If that's true, it means I've been hit twice. I grew up in Northern California in an area near woodsy foothills. When I was a teen I worked as a horse wrangler and trail guide. One evening just before dusk I took a ride up the trail when all of a sudden my horse's ears went flat. I saw nothing at all threatening until I heard a low rumble and looked up and there above me on a large branch was a mountain lion. I assure you, I did not stare him down. I gave my horse a swift kick and hightailed it out of there. My second encounter with a mountain lion was during driver's ed, my sophomore year of high school. The driver ed teacher piled three students into a car and off we went. In order to pass the final exam we had to drive up into the foothills and back down successfully navigation a winding road. I was doing great as I came down and then as I rounded a corner there, in the middle of the road, was a mountain lion! I slammed on the brakes without losing control, let the lion cross and continued on without killing any one or any thing. I passed the final with flying colors and had a cool story to tell. :-) Jodi-