Mud bowl musings

A dark and stormy morning threatened to take all the fun out of Saturday's Iroquois Steeplechase, always a highlight of the Leathers' otherwise boring social life.
One of my husband's high school friends first snared the prime corner lot in the Topside tailgating area 10 years ago. We joined the group of mostly Florence, Ala. natives in 2001, our first Tennessee spring.
The Topside area's always been great, because it has tended to attract a bit older, more "refined" group of tailgaters. This year, however, there was a definite shift in the demographics, and the shift didn't lean our way. Because Topside was one of the only tailgating areas not completely overtaken with mud, a lot of the younger crowd from the midfield poured in. And some had been literally pouring it in since the wee hours from the looks of it.
Seeing so many Brentwood area high school students there this year added to the discomfort. While I saw a lot of underage college students just home from their respective universities, too, there is a big difference between a high school junior and a college one.
Hope and trust everyone made it home OK.

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Despite the mud, the day itself turned out to be far better than anyone predicted. After a little late morning drizzle, the weather cooperated and the majority in the crowd took home a little sunburn to show for it.

By far the most fun, besides watching the horses and the hounds, is watching the people. Hats took a back seat to cute boots this year, and those who got the memo to invest in rubber galoshes came away the day's real winners.

As always there were great and not-so-great sundresses to critique. I've come to the conclusion that it's time for Carole Jackson''s Color Me Beautiful book to make a comeback. I saw too many beautiful "winters' in dresses made for "springs." Or "autumns" on "summers."

I still have my color swatches from 25 years ago. Maybe I'll do some consulting before next May rolls around and make a little cash on the side. I must talk to my friend Cathi Aycock, the Shopping Diva about this. I'll let you know what she says.

And a final fashion tip for next year: If you even remotely consider wearing a brown gauze sundress with only a thong underneath, please don't.

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School board ready to act

The Williamson County School Board is expected to name a new superintendent of schools tonight. Two finalists remain in contention: Dr. Terri Breeden of Fairfax (Va.) County Public Schools and Dr. Phillip "Bret" Jimerson of Grand Prairie (Texas) Independent Schools.

I happened to meet Breeden Saturday night at a social gathering and after a long conversation came away very impressed. While she's currently serving in Fairfax, Va., she has Middle Tennessee roots, having earned her doctorate at Vanderbilt and serving most of her career with Metro Nashville schools. She even has a Nashville dog, a mutt adopted from the Nashville animal shelter.

I regret not being able to hear both of the candidates last week when a public reception was held at Franklin High School. If Breeden is tapped, I feel we'll be in good hands. If the job goes to Jimerson, I'm sure I'll feel the same way. Our school system is too good for the board to let any candidate make it this far that they don't feel is up to the job ... and ready for the many, many heavy expectations that will immediately be placed upon their shoulders.

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Heard today that at least one major administrative change is expected in Brentwood public schools next fall. Will share details as soon as they become available. Stay tuned.