I've been on a picture binge lately, and one of my favorites, (maybe it's back in there someplace else around here, I can't remember,) is my dear departed Elvis, my '84 Lincoln Continental. He was truly the coolest in my book, memorable most perhaps, for the two little girls who started their lives with their car seats in his back seat. (and, more to the point, not going up in smoke like his big brother T.C., my '89 Town Car. Elvis just died quietly one day, the victim of an electrical system that just refused to take it anymore.) I hope the soul of Elvis is living somewhere the way my imagination pictures him, his Light and Medium Wheat two-tone paint shining in the sun, dent-free and purring like an 80s kitten. I remember his best party trick, having to do with that infamous air-ride suspension; after everyone had exited the vehicle, you could just sit there for a second, watching him re-adjust, corner by corner, spitting air and blowing himself up, whatever was necessary to keep himself level. As a car, he was probably most like me, smart where he needed, and was meant to be, by virtue of engineering, and plain-vanilla enough in places to just get the job done, which he did, for years on end, and a grand total of 60,000 miles-plus, at least in MY ownership. A long life, serving as a man (or a manly car,) should; I should be so blessed myself someday.

THE FOLLOWING IS EXCERPTED FROM MSN.COM, AND CONSTITUTES THE KIND OF THOUGHTS WE ALL SHOULD HAVE.

5 Ways to Thank a Teacher
As the school year winds down, take time out to celebrate the work of your local educators. Below are some ideas for helping your child (and you) express gratitude for his teacher. You can use them all year long, too.
Share memorable moments. With your child, make a scrapbook for his teacher filled with his favorite things about school. Include stories, artwork, and photographs. Invite your child to decorate the book and be sure to include a note from you, as well.
Give a gift a day. Leave a small treat in your child's teacher's mailbox each day of the week. Simple but meaningful gifts, like a handmade card or a much-loved snack, will thrill your child's teacher.
Use your words. Write a letter to your child's teacher expressing your gratitude. Help your child write a letter, too, and then invite him to decorate both. Place them in a double-hinged picture frame and invite your child to present the gift to his teacher.
Lend a helping hand. Volunteer to chaperone a class trip, assist with large art projects, provide snacks once a month, or take care of the class pet for a weekend. It's a great way to help out while learning more about your young one's school activities.
Throw a "thank you" party. Organize a potluck party for your child's teacher. Ask each set of parents to bring in a different dish, and invite children to decorate the classroom. At the end, make sure everyone works together to clean up- except the teacher!