I am thoroughly enjoying my Christmas vacation. I can feel myself slowly unwinding. I figure I’ll be good to go by Monday. Of course, teachers go back on Friday, so maybe I’ll be worn out by Monday. I’m just having fun with myself. I have no doubt the kids won’t be ready, but time and the STAAR will wait for no one.

I’m getting more exercise these days. Glen goes out for a long walk at least twice a day. I don’t mind on days when the weather is decent, but it sure stinks when it is cold and miserable outside. One thing has not changed since he was here. It makes me so mad I could spit, but short of walking right behind him, or keeping him on a leash; there is not a thing I can do. You see he likes to eat old manure. He’s not particular, cow, deer, rabbit, pig, you name it, and he is an equal opportunity eater. Naturally when you live on a farm, you can expect to find plenty of manure. I can not explain why it is so appealing to him, but I can assure you he is always chewing something. He likes to eat old dead carcasses as well. I think I shall train him as a cadaver dog. He could surely make himself useful there. Aside from that bad habit, he is a pretty good little fellow.

I lost a note I had from Bernice Adams a couple of weeks ago. She and her niece Sarah Price went to visit her Aunt Missy in Junction. Aunt Missy was the recipient of three birthday cakes on her 89th birthday. Bernice said her aunt goes to the adult center twice a week. Aunt Missy said by the time the day was done she was a little tired of cake. Congratulations on a very happy day.

Did you fill in your post office form? There were three options from which to choose. I’m not sure if they are actually going to listen to what we the people have to say, but I sent in my paper. There will be a public meeting on January 16th at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Richland. Why they picked a Wednesday, I just don’t know. That’s an awkward time for people to attend. Maybe that was the main idea, less people to complain. I hope as many of you as possible will attend.

We had a very quiet New Year’s celebration. My younger sister went out to dinner and dancing. My son in Germany had a block party complete with huge fireworks. It seems it is quite a big deal in Germany. The pictures on face book look great. Speaking of face book, I’m hearing rumors that they are going to start charging for communications. It seems they are not happy with peering thorough our personal lives and selling our information to advertisers, now they want to charge us. I’ve heard several people say that they are leaning towards gun control and censoring any pro gun communications. I’m going to check to see if that is true. Like all media, it comes with good and bad issues.

I spoke with Naomi Smith on Sunday. She says many people feel the same way about our local news stations. They don’t mention us very much. The weather rarely matches our area and they ignore our local schools. Abilene and San Angelo are much better matches for our area. Perhaps we can get a petition together and ask for our local station to be changed?

Carol and Bill Bryant celebrated their anniversary this week. I can tell you that the overwhelming prayer request this week was for rain. We are in desperate straits indeed. I was following Glen through the woods on our north end and counting the trees that were dead or dying. Our woods will be significantly impacted next spring. Which reminds me; I want to say thank you to the person in the black SUV, who braked for my dog. I did not notice that he had slipped under the fence and was standing by the road. He has no road sense so that was very dangerous. I looked up when I saw the lights and called him back to me.

Young Kutter Isham is doing better. Raymond Barrier, George Rogers, Paul Gibson Sonny Capps and several others need immediate and serious prayer. Vera Ralston is still having digestive issues as is Bonnie Evans. My kids tell me Jason Lenz is getting better as well. Please pray for our government, our President and our economy. Above all, pray for our precious troops and their families. Watch out for the kids as they travel to and from school. Have a great week everyone.