Hi everyone.  By now you've watched the scene from the National Spelling Bee as a 13 year old Kansas girl won the top prize.  Her winning word?   Laodicean.  It means indifferent or lukewarm to religion.  Who knew?  

Just like most of America, I love the annual spelling bee stories.  Perhaps it comes from my one time dream of winning it all!

I think I was in 6th or 7th grade when I won the Hardin County, Ohio Spelling Bee.  It was held upstairs in the beautiful old courthouse in downtown Kenton.   I'd studied a bunch and I was ready.  Having lost the year before on the word "fatigue", I was well prepared and ready to go the distance.   It was finally down to me and one other boy from another school.   He was smart and a year older than me.  This was going to be tough.  But then, he made a mistake.  An unbelievably elementary error for elite spellers.  He was given a homophone.  (You know, a word that sounds just like another, but has a different spelling and meaning. )   The word was "barren"...but he spelled "baron."   He quickly spelled it without asking for a definition.  Once he got the buzzer...I knew it, he knew it.  The prize was mine! 

Next was state.   My parents drove me to Ohio State for the competition.   Kids from all over Ohio were there.  A huge crowd.  I was very nervous. There was a written spelling test first--a weed-out session.  Let's just say I didn't make it to the next round.  I remember laughing out loud when hearing the words "novemdicillian" and "abecedarian".   They're really words!   Look 'em up!   It was still a good time and a chance to visit the big city.

I will always look forward to the national spelling bee stories.  I think spelling has suffered lately with the invention of texting and email.  Everyone is looking for a shortcut.   There are already text message contests with big awards for the fastest texters.  I won't be competing in that...as I'm just an abecedarian at some of this stuff.

Have a great day and weekend.  Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.  #44!

Tricia