January 10, 2024
I was focusing so deeply on the day that I entered the wrong year. That’s the second time so far, this new year. At least it was easily corrected. I don’t usually stay up to celebrate the new year, but I am rethinking that habit. I decided this week that unless I make a big deal of the celebration, it runs into the next year, and I don’t recalibrate my thinking along new lines. So, next year, if I’m around, I will make a point of bringing in the new year. If it gets too difficult, I will pretend I’m in London or somewhere that hits the new year around 10 or 11.
Before I forget, the men’s breakfast will be in the followship hall of the First Baptist Church this coming Saturday the 13th at 7:00 a.m. It was moved from the Tabernacle because of the very cold temperature forecasted for the day. Every man or boy in the community is invited.
The quilting ladies met Monday for an all-day sewing event. Cathy Ledbetter taught them how to make a neat multicompartment wallet. Lynda DeGroot made a camo one for her husband. I have a new machine, so I will try it out. It’s a heavy-duty machine, and it has already proved itself by hemming a pair of Carstairs pants. I’m hoping it will be friendlier when it comes to sewing binding on quilts.
Tuesday was the first day back at school for the Richland Springs kids. I’m sure there was plenty of grumbling and griping. It doesn’t really matter; teachers must be there to do their job. It’s hard to believe I am still teaching. These past two weeks have reminded me why I retired. I do love those kids, but sleeping in past seven really suits me. Parents, please keep your students in school. There will be a big push to complete course materials before the STAAR tests. Also, please encourage your older students to compete in the Academic UIL competitions. We have excellent students, but we keep them so busy they don’t want to take the time to work on UIL. These competitions look particularly good on college resumes.
The basketball athletes are still on fire. Tuesday, the boys will be in Lampasas, and the girls will play Lohn. Junior high boys will play on Thursday against Lohn, and Friday high school boys will play at Lometa on Friday. The following Tuesday, the boys will play Rochelle. Hopefully, they will have the same outstanding results that the varsity girls had an outstanding 101-16. Way to go, ladies.
After the bank clean-up, Chrissy and I put down black plastic upstairs. It seems to have helped as far as downstairs was concerned. There was a wet patch by the door, but the two other spots stayed dry. We didn’t get time to go upstairs and see how much water was collected. There is more rain expected next week as well as some very chilly days. We will continue to work for a dry space. Thank you to the folks who have donated money to the RSPS fund. We would like donations to be made directly to RSPS rather than to the website set up. There is nothing wrong with the website, but it is easier to keep track of donations that come directly to RSPS. Thank you, Dusty, for promoting the cause, and many thanks to the people who are responding.
We are in for a very cold week after Friday. If you have outdoor pipes, it would be wise to make sure they, and your plants and pets, are prepared. For those of you with outdoor pets, hay is a great tool to keep cats and dogs warm.
Lots of prayer is needed again. Brother Mack has been deployed to our southern border to work with our non-border crisis. We need him home with us and his family. He is a dedicated soldier as well as pastor and husband. Peggy Powell was care flown after experiencing a stroke last Friday. Johnny Reeves is still fighting cancer and cancer treatments. Teresa Casares is not doing well and needs prayer. Wanda Gibson is recovering from her recent fall. Jeremy Young needs prayer, as well as Micki and Ricky Allen, Farrell Martin, and many others. If you have been missing Thurman Thaxton lately, he has been moved closer to his children. We will miss his presence at sporting events.
Please pray for our open borders and the millions of people illegally entering our country. Pray for our congress, our president, and the upcoming elections. There seems to be unrest in our country and around the world. America must stand out as the strength that keeps evil doers at bay. Button up your coats and stay warm, and please pray diligently for our country. God, bless our country, our peacekeepers, and most of all our precious troops and their families.