Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

Our Lovely Mrs. Sherman

Posted Thursday, April 19, 2012, at 11:09 PM

Something pretty for a beautiful lady that I had the privilege of knowing.

School Bus Drivers are a special breed of people who have a great deal of patience and a genuine love for noisy kids.

Audrey Sherman epitomized all of these virtues. There are many of us "King Hill Kids" who share fond memories of those countless hours of riding the school bus with her at the wheel.

Until I was in high school, our bus time was more than an hour a day. It was time to put on shoes and gather up books as soon as we could see the bus making a stop at the Gregory House.

Mrs. Sherman started driving our bus when we were in Junior High or it may have been a year or two earlier. Her son Kevin and daughter Tami rode our bus too. She was a gracious lady who had a gentle way of making all of us kids to behave.

She encouraged us to sing, read and play games as long as we didn't move around while the bus was in motion. In a way, the school bus was like a 2nd home to those of us who spent so much time riding it.

Our school bus adventures didn't begin or end with her, but she was a very integral part of our growing up.

One school year, I think that her sister was very sick and we had "substitutes". It was the luck of the draw who wanted the King Hill Route. We had teachers like Mr. Dunn, the Superintendent, Mr. Powell.

There was also a slightly crazy Methodist Minister, Reverend Bodine (not his real name) who sped through the gravel back roads thinking that hairpin curves were a mere inconvenience. If you happen to be an adrenalin junkie, he was the driver for you!

Driving a school bus in the country is not for the Faint of Heart. Snow, Mud and Ice created many different challenges for a bus driver in those days before paved roads.

There were a few times that we shared a pot-luck breakfast for a birthday or some other special occasion.

Sadly, Mrs. Sherman passed away this week. She was 81 years old. I hadn't seen her for many years, but the fond memories will remain in my heart forever.

She was kind and spontaneous with her "kids". Everyday we were met with a smile and a cheerful greeting.

Being of a certain age, our generation has seen parts of our childhood slipping away each time we have had to say goodbye to a familiar face.

Audrey Sherman didn't just leave a legacy for her family, she left one for each of her "school bus kids" too .

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I didn't know her, however from what I read she was a very lovely lady.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Fri, Apr 20, 2012, at 9:05 AM
I didn't know her either.... and thank you for some of your memories of her. Our generation had many great men and women in our lives....I hope that WE will be that to many chldren.

And I hope coming generations have them too...

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Fri, Apr 20, 2012, at 9:53 AM
This made me smile.

As long as there are schools and children there will be those certain people (teachers, aids, bus drivers, etc) who stand out and make a difference.

When you work with children, you never know how you may affect their lives. So be kind, smile. Always SMILE. And be patient.

-- Posted by ktlm on Sun, Apr 22, 2012, at 9:08 AM
Yes, KTLM. You never know what is happening in their little hearts. Every cruel word is taking from those children. I belive it 'kills' the 'him/she' they were menat to be. I see parents me mean to kids, and I think "You can NEVER get that moment back"

Working with kids, as you do, you learn how special a child is.

You make me proud!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sun, Apr 22, 2012, at 8:56 PM

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