May 31, 2011 in Idaho

Idaho ranks low, falling for school spending

Betsy Z. Russell The Spokesman-Review

Tags:censusidahoschool spendingWashington

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BOISE - It’s not just that Idaho ranks 50th in the nation for per-pupil spending on schools, an area where the state long has ranked low.

It’s that Idaho’s ranking for school spending per $1,000 in personal income in the state has dropped dramatically, from 15th in the nation in 2001 to 41st in the latest U.S. Census report, released last week.

“I think we are in a race to the bottom here, it seems like,” said Sherri Wood, president of the Idaho Education Association, the state’s teachers union. “Unfortunately it certainly is not going to be good for the state, and not for our students either.”

The state school system’s reaction to its low rankings - its per-pupil ranking of 50th is a drop from 48th in 2001 - is markedly different from Washington’s reaction to its fair-to-middling rankings in the same report. Washington ranked 32nd in the nation for per-pupil spending in the new census report, up from 33rd in 2001.

“We don’t believe that the state is providing enough money for students,” said Nathan Olson, communications manager for Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. He noted that a state Supreme Court case is pending over inadequate school funding, and said, “The state isn’t meeting its obligation to adequately and amply fund education.”

In Idaho, Melissa McGrath, spokeswoman for state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna, said, “We do not believe that per-pupil spending or the amount of money you put into education is the most important factor in determining a great public education system.”

In per-pupil spending, Idaho beat only Utah, which ranked 51st (the list includes the District of Columbia as well as all 50 states). But McGrath said when it comes to student achievement, “Idaho and Utah tend to outperform most states that outspend them in education.”

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Idaho 8th graders scored well above the national average in 2009 in math, reading and science; so did Utah’s and Washington’s.

“We at the state level are focused on results in education, and how do we get those results,” McGrath said. “I think Supt. Luna has made it clear that we want more money for education. … If there’s more money available, we do believe that it’s important to put it into education in Idaho and make an investment there. However, if that money’s not available because of the economy we’re currently in, we have to look at what we’re currently spending and what results we’ve gotten from it.”

Both states have seen additional cuts to schools since the census report data was gathered; it’s from the 2008-2009 school year.

Washington’s ranking for education spending per $1,000 of personal income is low, at 46th, the same level it hit in 2001, but that’s partly because of the state’s relatively high personal income, which was well above the national average in 2008-09.

Utah has consistently ranked low in per-pupil spending in part because nearly a third of its population is under age 18, compared to a national average of less than a quarter. For school spending per $1,000 in personal income, Utah ranked 38th.

Both Washington and Idaho changed little in rankings from 2001 to the new report, with the exception of Idaho’s dramatic drop in spending vs. personal income.

Olson in Washington said another study conducted last year by Education Week magazine that factored in regional cost differences ranked Washington 44th in the nation for per-pupil spending, with Idaho ranked 45th and Utah 51st.

“We feel that it’s not good enough,” he said. “We don’t want to be 32nd, neither do we want to be 44th.”

58 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

Kivaari on May 31 at 4:24 p.m.
Drop all non academic activities. No sports, only PE. No band. No road trips, Consolidate districts or administrators. Give up lettermans jackets and spend money for math and science classes.
A sports scholarship should be eliminated and make them related to academics only. We do not need to waste money on sports teams.
DonJulio on May 31 at 4:44 p.m.
Kivaari,
Pretty sure the article is talking about K-12 education spending. Letterman’s jackets? Since when does the district pay for these? Sports scholarships?…in high school? How could you get a scholarship to a free public school?…(you can pay less than free?)
jddavis on May 31 at 5:07 p.m.
DonJ,
I am pretty certain Kivaari is saying to change the focus from HS sports and place it on academics, both money-wise and statement of purpose. The letterman’s jacket reference refers to emphasis on sports…
I support HS athletic activities because so many lessons are learned that have nothing to do with the sport, rather life.
ManleyPointer on May 31 at 5:20 p.m.
To my (admittedly suspect) way of thinking, the thrust of this story SHOULD be that “according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Idaho 8th graders scored well above the national average in 2009 in math, reading and science; so did Utah’s and Washington’s,” in spite of ranking at the bottom in per-student spending. There’s your story, folks.
And imagine how much higher we could rank if we busted the teachers’ unions and slashed administrative positions, and used the money saved for paying and retaining good teachers.
jball on May 31 at 5:21 p.m.
Idaho should celebrate this! Great efficiency!
Conversely, teachers unions are after more of our dollars. Never mind the fact that Idaho and Utah test scores are above the national average. They make it sound like a bad thing that Idaho and Utah can accomplish more with less.
As demonstrated around the country, if you oppose these powerful unions you’ll be demonized as someone who “hates” children and refuses to “invest” in education. Give me a break. We spend much more per capita on students than many developed nations yet our national scores are frankly embarrassing.
The education from one room school houses 100 years ago was better and much cheaper than this modern public education black hole for dollars and academic potential.
The public education system is a racket. Anytime serious reforms (e.g. school vouchers) are mentioned the teachers unions start foaming at the mouth. Why? Scared of a little competition? Scared of losing power? Wake up America!
MrBloggy on May 31 at 5:34 p.m.
The logical conclusion, according to some of the newspaper internet forum education specialists, is if Idaho spends nothing on students they will really kick butt on academic testing.
Idahologic (example: If I is smart n fun, then my sis is too cuz we is bro and sis, we is *related* then so if we makes babies they be smarter n funner! cuz we is there mom and daddy)
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 5:35 p.m.
Seems that Idaho is heading right where it wants to go…. straight to the bottom. Ignorant citizens are always easier to drag around by the nose….so this is a real win-win situation for the neanderthal policitans and citizenry in Idaho…..who needs one of those liberal edacayshuns (ID phonetic spelling) anyway! All ya really need are the curriculum materials supplied by constitutionalist creationist teapartiers…think of the money you’ll save!
hawken on May 31 at 6:07 p.m.
ManylyPointer got it right.
One thing that we haven’t yet learned, is that throwing more and and more money at education necessarily insures an “effective education.”
If we disbanded the US Department of Education tomorrow, we would save some $80 billion a year.
Students at the local level would never know they were gone. Nor would the quality of their “local education” be any less effective.
ManleyPointer on May 31 at 6:13 p.m.
MrBloggy attempts to charm with his sarcasm, but inadvertently gets it right. Get the government OUT of education, allow private education to take over the job, and Idaho WILL go right to the top. This is a tough concept for the educational elitists to accept, so instead of considering it seriously, they lapse into defensive mode, and mock.
Mock on, Mr. B.
ManleyPointer on May 31 at 6:15 p.m.
I’m a product of the Idaho education system, Spokane Citizen, as ill-funded as it is. Care to do a little intellectual arm-wrestling?
hawken on May 31 at 6:19 p.m.
Followup questions:
Why is it that every school is not on “year round” school?
Why is it that we spend millions, billions nationwide, in bond elections and other tax increases, for expanded facilities, while we let those same facilities sit vacant 3 months of the year.
I understand that most teachers and all teacher unions oppose “year round” school. Which of course, could be overruled by the electorate.
Beyond that, I would very much like to hear the reasons from those on posting on this string, whom are opposed to “year round schools.”
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 6:21 p.m.
Manly…it’s as plain as the nose on your face!
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 6:31 p.m.
Is it going to be ‘cipherin’ or biblical knowledge? ‘Cause I gotta tell ya….my Washington graduate school training was sadly deficient in teachin’ the good book!
greyhound2 on May 31 at 6:32 p.m.
There is no correlation between the amount of money spent and results produced in the public school system.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 6:35 p.m.
Hawken….couldn’t agree with you more about year round schooling….3 months of losing knowledge gained. Of course, for Idaho, we’d let them have the ‘road killl’ harvesting season off! Got to set in those venison preserves.
oneanddone on May 31 at 6:36 p.m.
It’s ironic that McGrath quickly points out that Idaho’s success in the classroom belies its standing in spending per pupil. Why is that? It’s all because of the teachers. The same teachers who Otter, Luna, Goedde, and Nonini are throwing under the bus. It’s in spite of the state government’s attack on public education but it won’t last. As the state amps up its disrespect for the teaching profession, more qualified professionals will leave. Very soon Idaho will be getting the education it’s willing to pay for.
hawken on May 31 at 6:37 p.m.
Spokane Citizen:
Manly challenges you to an intellectual debate on the issue and you come back with insults?
So, is it now fair to assume that intellectual debate is beyond your capacity? Or, could it be that you are too lazy for intellectual debate on the issue? Or, could it be that “drive by shooting” is your preferred choice of dialog?
I’m really disappointed in you. In the past you have had some insightful comments. Could it be that you’re an employee of a school district is some capacity? I’m really trying to figure out your insulting response.
I for one would have liked to see you and Manly have an intellectual debate on the issue.
What are your thoughts on my “year round” school post above? Are you open for an “intellectual discussion” on that topic?
hawken on May 31 at 6:40 p.m.
Spokane Citizen:
We were drafting out posts at the same time. Thank you for your response on “year round” school.
Apart from that, I remain disappointed in your response to Manly.
Kivaari on May 31 at 6:41 p.m.
DonJulio, That was my point. We have “adults” that place so much emphasis on their kids getting onto a football team and getting a letterman’s jacket that they don’t care about what is important. I have nothing against sports withing the district. I hate the waste of money on competitive sports across the state. To me “going to state” is a waste of money. I think a kid hoping his high school sports career will get him/her into college is a serious problem. A kid that gets good grades, with an education as good or better then anywhere else in the world would pay off. Have an
in-school or in-county sports program. None of the sports titles mean anything if you can’t add 2 + 2. We need more classes made for real world jobs. Machinists, language arts, business and sciences.
My daughter is a “fellow” at a pretty nice college. She laughs at it because college was just like high school. An emphasis on a paper trail (chase) that means nearly nothing. All a degree really shows for most young people is their parents had enough money to keep the kid in school. Now they get their MBA, and move back in with Mom and Dad.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 6:44 p.m.
Hawken, your counter-insults are no better. I’m here for entertainment, as well as enlightenment from the many Idahoans that frequent these forums.
hawken on May 31 at 6:47 p.m.
Spokane Citizen:
You are absolutely correct. Students learn much better without a 3 month recesses from intellectual challenge. There is ample research to prove the same. I didn’t raise that point only because we were on the topic of dollars spent. Thank you for pointing that out.
hawken on May 31 at 6:54 p.m.
Spokane Citizen:
No,,, my insults are in fact better. At least, they have an immediate, reasonable, demonstrated, measurable corroborated foundation.
I’m not totally against insults. As long as the insults have a demonstrable basis.
Apart from that, I also believer in compliments on critical thinking as I have demonstrated above with you.
I am neither pro insult nor pro compliment.
I am pro-critical thinking. Which I will admit, than on occasion, I have failed. When I do, I accept the insults.
ManleyPointer on May 31 at 6:58 p.m.
Why is it that so many people think that their educational attainments (in SC’s case, his ‘graduate school training’) make them somehow qualified to dismiss others’ arguments with childish insults? In my experience, educational attainments are entirely separate from common sense and wit. But maybe that isn’t the world SC lives in.
hawken on May 31 at 7:07 p.m.
Spokane Citizen:
If you’re here for “entertainment,” shame on you.
If I want “entertainment” I’ll watch “Patton” for the umpteenth time.
Most people who post on this blog express their sincere, world views.
If you’re here only for entrainment and to trash Idaho, then my previous compliments for your critical thinking were a huge mistake. You fooled me.
hawken on May 31 at 7:17 p.m.
Just for the record, I don’t live in Idaho. I have never lived in Idaho. I am not from Idaho.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 7:39 p.m.
The 3 month ‘summer off’ is, as we all know, a remnant of our long gone agrarian past. We’ll pay hell changing that paradigm…but it needs to be done. I suspect Idaho will be as resistant to such changes as any other backward state in the nation. A distribution of 1 week vacations throughout the school year would mitigate parental concerns, along with the installation of school air-conditioning, and the public expectation that teachers work throughout the year (like everyone else) would take care of the rest.
And no, I am not an employee of any school district (nor have I ever been employed in such a capacity).
MrBloggy on May 31 at 7:41 p.m.
Just for the record, and MrB will stipulate that he often visits his Swedish Flight Attendants triplet squeezes in Greater Blanchard, Idaho for hugs and long walks in the moonlight, a homeskooled education involving the only Idaho state required textbooks - The Holy Bible, Atlas Shrugged, 1978 Subaru Brat Service Manual, isn’t going to exactly raise Idaho up by its logger boots.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 7:52 p.m.
Hawken, we’re all here to for entertainment, as well as jousting. I have many friends and relatives from Idaho (I am a life-long Spokane resident, outside of my military service years….and my great grandfather came here in the 1870’s)…. I write nothing here that I would not say among friends and relatives. Perhaps my comments require little emoticons to soften the barbs!
As I’ve related previously…in some areas I am quite liberal, and in others….. very conservative. My training is scientific, but the subtle foibles of human thought and behavior (of which I possess at least my fair share) are, for me, a source of constant pleasure and amusement.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 7:55 p.m.
Mr Bloggy…I like your style. Pithy, and containing sufficient truthful notes that will be found irritating.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 7:57 p.m.
Hawken…it would be quite boring to simply discuss things about which we all agree upon…that’s called (as you no doubt know) ‘group think’. You’re much brighter than desiring such a state of existence.
hawken on May 31 at 7:58 p.m.
Spokane Citizen:
Please list all of the “backward” states other than Idaho…. that don’t have “year round school,’ since you have a handle on which state is and is not “backward,” since they have no year round school and since you seem to be the leading antagonist of Idaho.
Is this simply another “drive by shooting.”
My only wife of 40 yrs taught year round school in Tucson, Arizona in the mid seventies. Would they be included in your list of “backward states?”
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 7:59 p.m.
Hawken……..Hawken……..Hawken……….anybody?
And if I have to explain that reference to anybody…I’m out of here.
deltaelk on May 31 at 8:01 p.m.
who neads skuuls anyways, I dont neads no teechers telling me nuthing. I is gonna gets me a basketball skolarship to a kollege ware I can plays fo a year or two, then I can plays in the NBA, wits my hero LeBron. You dont needs skuulin fo dat kinda life. Then I can gets me some womerns and haves a good time.
hawken on May 31 at 8:05 p.m.
Spokane Citizen:
Surely, Spokane and the state of WA must be included in “backward states” since the vast, vast majority of schools in the state are not “year round.”
East Valley schools has a year round program. Do you know of any others in Spokane? How many more do we have in WA?
Is your most recent post just more entertainment,,, or more trashing of Idaho? Who exactly are the “backward states?” Besides Idaho, whom you single out.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 8:05 p.m.
And which major school district in Arizona has ever had ‘year round’ schooling? I breathlessly await your answer.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 8:13 p.m.
Hawken, I would never argue that Washington’s school districts are avoiding the ‘black hole’ of educational ‘backward state’ lack of financial support….especially the poverty stricken Idaho-like eastern side of Washington.
Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana should actually form a single state (of like interests, and philosophies)….I suggest they become the ‘State of Poverty’. They can spend all their time blaming the rest of the world for their sufferings (pretty much what they’re doing most of the time anyway).
hawken on May 31 at 8:14 p.m.
Poor Spokane Citizen:
I guess that being pressed on his intellectual cowardice was just more than he can handle.
Citizen; If you’re looking for entertainment, you really should buy the CD on “Patton.”
Not only will it give you hours of “entertainment,” it will give you hours of American History and the unique greatness of America.
The CD on “Patton” is both historical enlightenment and historical entertainment! Try it, I think you’ll like it.
hawken on May 31 at 8:22 p.m.
Spokane Citizen….
As I said,,, Tucson,,,, Sunnyside is the one in particular that I am citing.
The point is that year round schooling has been understood by some as much more productive for decades, which I think you have agreed.
Let me ask you this…. do you know that all schools in Idaho reject “year round school.” Hey the burden of proof is on you as the “broad brush,” accuser of backward states.
hawken on May 31 at 8:27 p.m.
Give it up Citizen,,, your personal animosity for the people of Idaho is obvious. That’s a major discredit to you as far as I’m concerned.
In all of your future posts, I will have to make an effort to decide whether you are just entertaining yourself, or whether you actually believe what you are posting. Anything you post about Idaho is self-revealing on it’s face….. Personal animosity.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 8:31 p.m.
Hawken….frankly, you’re very much over-selling the significance of Patton. I trust your opinion regarding the “unique greatness of America” isn’t based on a Hollywood portrayal of an archetypical egomaniac. America’s greatness has very much more to do with the day-to-day bravery of young men (and nowadays, young women) sent to war…doing a necessary job, without your misplaced ‘hero worship’ showered on Patton, MacArthur, Westmoreland, and other such life wasting, self promoting, windbags of American military history.
hawken on May 31 at 8:34 p.m.
Citizen: That would be “Sunnyside School District,” Tucson, AZ where my only wife of 40 years began her teaching career. Just to be clear in my response to your question. Yes, Sunnyside was on Year Round School back then. I am an eye witness.
detroitdude on May 31 at 8:43 p.m.
“Hawken……..Hawken……..Hawken……….anybody?
And if I have to explain that reference to anybody…I’m out of here.”
Orwell, 1984…if you haven’t read it do yourself a favor. Should be required reading for ALL high school students.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four
mrd on May 31 at 8:54 p.m.
Melissa, you are a puppet. Idaho students are getting a good education because of the dedicated teachers, not because of luna who has done nothing except attack the loyal employees. You keep attacking the ones doing the work and at some point they will quit volunteering so much time and will put more effort into their second jobs in the evenings.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 9:09 p.m.
Hawken…silly boy…I read Orwell (and other equally sophomoric literary fare) before you were even out of pre-school…so much for your pretentions of intellectual sophistication. Unlike you, with your previous intimations of ‘precious metals’ investment prowess (of which we hear so little, lately)….I am in this game of living for the long run in the US….and not running off to a compound of supposed future ease in Mexico. Next you’ll be quoting the selfish gospel of the atheist Ayn Rand.
MrBloggy on May 31 at 9:32 p.m.
MrBloggy has enjoyed the dizzying literary sleigh ride in here tonight, and particularly appreciates Spokane_Citizen’s appreciation of MrB’s pretentious and overweening style, but MrB is not feeling the buzzing tingle of a strong lit match yet to the specialness of our drive over state to the east as it destroys its own fairly poor educational system, MrB would suggest one could not do much better than to crack open a copy of Golding’s Lord of the Flies to get a compelling glimpse into the future of a state that insists on dumbing itself down a deep echoing mining shaft into a vast dark cave full of stupiderite and ignOREance.
force_vector on May 31 at 9:37 p.m.
Spokane_Citizen says: “Mr Bloggy…I like your style. Pithy, and containing sufficient truthful notes that will be found irritating.”
Funny, because I found the idiocy of this persons posts both nauseating and unintellectual. In fact, I feel dumber for having read them. Mr Bloggy, I’m not sure if the rock you crawled out from under under was igneous or sedimentary, but it would be great if you slithered back. And if you choose not to do so, I have decided that you are going to be my number one target in the sense that everything stupid that you say from here on out I will call you on it. You are neither funny, nor are you witty. Furthermore, regarding your “Idahologic”; I could own your stupid a$$ any day of the week, and I’m from Idaho, so what say you about “Idahologic” now, oh ye of the assistant manager position of the toy department at walmart club? Come on smart guy, say something smart. I can’t wait to show you how stupid you are to your “friends”.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 9:58 p.m.
Run in fear, Mr Bloggy…you’ve been threatened with violence by the likes of ‘Force-Vector’! I suppose that should invoke some sort of vague concern…..of the same degree that Power Rangers might have once generated…in the minds of 7 year old children. Force-Vector…it would be a bit more imposing if you had a handle like “Farce Vactor”.
hawken on May 31 at 10:09 p.m.
Citizen; One last post before I go to ded. Orwell was not my cite. Your issue is with Detroit. You seem to be a bit dizzy. Review above.
force_vector on May 31 at 10:12 p.m.
“Force-Vector…it would be a bit more imposing if you had a handle like “Farce Vactor”.”
So says “Spokane_Citizen”,who clearly needs to take a look around himself and realize who he’s claiming association with. “7 year old children” are the working class of the dump you call home, moron. Were it not for for tax handouts given to your fellow “Spokane citizens” by your western Washington comrades, you wouldn’t even be here to post. You Spokane retards think you’re pretty great, with your EWU educations and WIC + unemployment benefits. In fact, you believe that based on your superior, tax payer funded incomes, you are somehow better than those those who live in Idaho. I find that comical, as I graduated from college in Washington and guess where I moved? Yeah, that’s right. I couldn’t stand to be surrounded with your ilk for another second. You talk trash, think you’re all that, but at the end of the day you’re nothing. You are blisters on the heels of equity, neither recognizing nor realizing your true lack of self-worth in the grand scheme of things.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 10:14 p.m.
Hawken, your link was clearly oriented to Orwell, which had nothing to do with my reference…you obviously missed the point.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 10:20 p.m.
Farce Vactor….there could be a coherent message amongst your inane ramblings…but maybe not. Take a tums, reduce your anger (and alcohol intake), and get a grip on reality. Keep trying, one day you’ll become employed, and a contributing member of society. Or you could just stay in Idaho!
force_vector on May 31 at 10:26 p.m.
That’s pretty funny, Spokane Citizen, because I am employed (have been so since 15), and likely make far more per year than you do. Regarding “contributing” to society, I hold and make active use of a degree in physical science. What do you do to “contribute”, besides post your stupidity here? I’ve also spent 8 years in the military. What about you, oh great contributor to society? That’s what I thought. Walmart expects you there at 7 am, better get some sleep.
AK_3_7_77 on May 31 at 10:43 p.m.
Spokane Citizen and Mrbloggy, although I appreciate the “wit” with which you both approach your posts your reason is severely lacking. Over here in silly little Idaho we’ve had higher SAT scores than Washington for years now and I see little evidence in northern Idaho and western Montana of people “blaming the rest of the world for their sufferings”, on the contrary, I see involved and concerned parents. More so than I’ve witnessed I eastern Washington with it’s dropout rate that’s rapidly approaching 40%. The next time you wish to wax poetic with generalities you may want to check your facts and ensure you’ve got them straight. Not all of us here in Idaho believe the world was created in six days nor do we look to the crop cycle to dictate our educational schedule, rather we take it upon ourselves to ensure our children receive a well rounded education that is reinforced throughout the year whether they are in school or not.
Spokane_Citizen on May 31 at 10:55 p.m.
Farce Vactor….your vacuous anger (a pun, my little friend), and frustration, is palpable, and quite precious. It comes across as (shall I translate into Idahoese?):
Me mad…me maka lots more money than u…..me mad…call you bad names…..(this part is difficult to translate, so bear with me)….ugh…chest beating, throwing bananas around, and finally, poop flinging, and stomping off to double wide trailer.
Did I nail it, or what?
MrBloggy on May 31 at 11:18 p.m.
Did MrBloggy hear the sadly ubiquitous mating call of the Internet Tough Guy™ whose plaintive yowlp manages to squeak and crack in a horrifyingly unpredictable sound, much akin to that of a 13 year old boy feeling the very first tiny dribbles of testosterone lapping at his laryngeal region?
The Internet Tough Guy™ du jour is going to, in a manly internet tough way, poodle every one of my posts like a hyperthyroidal lapdog with lavendar ribbons in his hair, and his little pretty poodle legs all skittering across a kitchen vinyl floor and his bloodshot lil eyes all a-buggin’ and his little well you know, and his poodle-vector straight on for MrBloggy’s sexy yet rigid shins followed by a shin collision with an instantaneously repellent force levered from MrB’s surgically cyborg’d knee and powered by his massive quadriceps and launching our little yappy yowlpy poodle into a trajectory so rainbow-like it would cause the most bitter and cynical Leprechaun to detonate in green cheek soaking tears?
Yes, please. This will be fun. Bring your chewtoy. Oh wait. You are the chewtoy.
You’re up next, poodle. Show me your stuff.
MrBloggy on May 31 at 11:30 p.m.
While we wait here for our poodle to get his dander up … let’s take just a brief moment to notice the rather stunning synergy between the tumbleweeds and the crickets. MrB has spent much too much time riding the basalt scabland shrub-steppe hell-transition zone and is rather familiar with both of these iconic semiotics of desert and loneliness and anticipation for something, anything, an anvil thundercloud exploding in a cataclysmic gully washer or a dirt bike howling by, ridden by a young lad with adrenaline in his throat and cold steel blood in his veins.
MrBloggy on June 01 at 7:22 p.m.
and still the crickets chirp with a reverb-ish echo like a neopsychedelic shoegazer from Manchester bending a lead on his Vox guitar … and still the tumbleweeds tumble, occasionally copping a thermal vertical spinning like dervishes scaring the field mice … and no Internet Tough Guy™ to make good on his threat.
I don’t blame you. I’d eat you to pieces.
slamdunk on June 02 at 1:55 p.m.
Idaho: Last in education, first in food stamps. Rock on Otter!!!!! The man is completely shameless…….