Each morning on my regular running route I go by Parmer Lane Elementary School. My daughter, who is now in college, attended 4th and 5th grade there. As I run by the school there is a sign at the entry to the parking lot. The sign says: “Parmer Lane Teachers are A+, We appreciate you, PTO”. Somehow I’ve always liked that happy sign, but over the years it’s gotten a bit shabby; the background paint has gotten lighter and chalky – the brutal Texas sun has a way of doing that. So last Friday as I ran by I thought I should do something about it, maybe wax would help.
So today after finishing my house painting chores, I got my tub of S.C. Johnson Paste Wax, and drove over to the school. It was midday, the sun was hot, and I was quietly working when a woman pulled up in a SUV and yelled “Thank you” from her car. I replied “Sure”, turned around and continued to apply the wax. She drove into the lot and parked on the far side. A few minutes later she appeared again, and while walking toward me she said “I’ve got to send you a thank you note. What’s your name?” I told her, and she also asked for my address, which I gave her. I really didn’t need this publicity. I don’t know who she is or why she was there. Remember today is Sunday, this is August and no one is supposedly at the school. Next she returned and took my picture and said she’d tell the principal and president of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)! She asked me why I was doing it and I explained that I see the sign while running each morning, that I felt it needed fixing-up, and that my daughter attended the school years ago. She was surprised that I was doing this even though I didn’t have anyone attending the school. She left once more and I again continued my waxing. Then about five minutes later she appeared carrying something, and said “I’ve got water or Diet Dr. Pepper, which do you want?” I said that water would be fine. Shortly afterwards I finished and left. Morale: Maybe I should do my community service very early in the morning as part of my run so no one will know.
Note: I was unable to fix the light blotch on the middle left.
Got this letter today.
