28. attend a Chautauqua

The first of three daytime sessions today was at the Middle School. We had the usual handful of adults along with about 50 summer school students ('tweens). Fortunately, the topic was "Theodore Roosevelt Adventurer" so our presenter, Doug Mishler, told exciting stories about hunting, exploring, a bar fight, and gross injuries to keep the students entertained and interested.

Theodore Roosevelt's wife, when asked which of her six children were the most troublesome would say that her husband was like a seventh child, and he caused the most trouble. It was Theodore who recognized that the new carpeting on the back stairway in the White House was slick and that the sterling silver tea tray, a gift from the Queen of England, could be put into service as a toboggan.

Roosevelt loved to hunt, but believed it was only sporting if one waited to shoot when within 50 yards of the beast. The best sport was when the hunted had a good chance to kill the hunter. Theodore Roosevelt was very nearly killed by a lion in Africa--his son shot it within 10 feet of Roosevelt.

When Roosevelt was in his 50s he joined a team to explore an uncharted river in the Amazon rain forest--knowing this was likely his last great adventure. He experienced the attack of vicious bugs, a life-threatening injury to his leg, and piranhas. The students were most interested in the piranhas, fish that Roosevelt described as ugly and evil but pointed out that they tasted pretty good if you cook them right.