What happened to us?

I was just reading a children's novel written in 1920 about events happening to little girls in Charleston just before the start of the Civil War.  I was noticing how one little ten-year-old girl, on several occasions, went to the houses of men she didn't know, hung out with them, ate their food, told them all about stuff in her life, and then went home, safe and sound.  I thought about how different that world was from today.  The girl wasn't being foolish or naive, not really.  She knew the strange men wouldn't hurt her, because they wouldn't.  These days I can't look people in the eye or walk on the same side of the street.  I can't go anywhere alone or accept anything from anyone who isn't already a close family friend.

Then it struck me.  When did we stop trusting each other?

Granite State Qualifier 2014

I know, I know, (puts hands up defensively) this post is horribly late.  About three weeks late, actually.  But I have an excuse!  I took around 270 pictures at this tournament, and it takes ages to upload all those while also needing to banter with friends catch up on schoolwork.  So here they are, better late than never.

Before the "big kids" tournament started, we had an opportunity to judge for junior speakers.  (They were low on nametags, so Emma and our friend Naomi and I tore one and shared it.  ^_^)

The church hosting the event

The church/school had a lot of insightful and encouraging posters!  I loved them.

Club protect fail: These two teams from our club aren't supposed to have to debate against each other, but apparently it still happens sometimes.  Ketcham/Michaud and Caron/Florez (names are in order)

My little buddy Abby

 Grace Hopkins with her camera :)

The Collins area bunch of sneaks, so after moving away to another region they showed up at our tournament without telling anyone. :)  Bridget was thrilled by an indoor flying machine.

Abby again, the only person in the world I know of who LOVES the game 52 Pickup.

Yes... I broke for the first time!  I made it to Impromptu semifinals, and now am qualified to compete at Regionals in that event.

A big thank you to everyone who made this tournament awesome :)