I’m temporarily down for the count. I don‘t know where that cold front came from, but my nose took a dislike to it. It was one of those almost instantaneous events. I started sniffing late afternoon and then realized that the back of my throat was all raw. By nightfall I was miserable. I’m huddling under my blankets today so that I can be well tomorrow. I can hear some of you laughing, and I must say I agree. I am ever the optimist. I’m one of the half full people as opposed to the half empty people. That may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it works for me. I don’t borrow from tomorrow’s trouble. Today has enough of its own. I would make an excellent recovering alcoholic. That stepped prayer or creed they recite works just fine for me. That’s not to say I don’t have crash moments. When you teach children, or adults for that matter, there are moments when you feel as if everything you do is for nothing. It’s like those tests they give us at the end of the year. We work hard all year and absorb huge amounts of material, but some kids don‘t retain and others just don’t get it no matter what. Still that one group of tests determines whether they and I are successful. Sometimes I do a crash dive when results come back from the state. All you can do is try your very best and pray hard.

We’re getting ready for the stock show and youth fair this Friday. I have several refurbishing social studies dioramas, we made tissue after three dimensional crafts, and we will be remaking our science projects to enter. I feel sorry for those students who have my artistic skills. That means little to none. I do colors; just ask the quilting ladies. My quilts are wild and bright. They’re not good, just colorful. The kids will be off school on Friday so that we can all attend the show. I never had a day off for stock shows in Dallas, but neither did I have so many students who were entered in a show. I wish all my students the very best of luck. It really isn’t about luck with the show animals. It’s about hard work and dedication. This is their big payoff day. I guess luck comes in a little since your animal could be having an off day and mess up months of work. Anyway, see you at the fair!

I was walking back to the house on Saturday planning what I would say to Cubby and the DOD folks in San Antonio. Glen chased this huge jack rabbit across the pasture up to the fence. I called him back, but just as I thought he was going to obey he did a quick turn and dashed under the fence. He lost the rabbit, but was so fascinated by this whole new playground that he wouldn’t come back. I was mad enough to spit fire, but I turned and told him good luck. I didn’t care if Cubby shot him, or he couldn’t find his way back or even if he was hit by a car. I was going home. I marched in frustrated rage back to my place and up to the house. Just before I hit the home stretch, I gave one more call. I couldn’t believe it when that little turkey trotted out of the woods and up to me. He kept his distance because he knew he was in trouble. That night when I took him for a walk he made sure he didn’t stray. He also came every time I called him. He’s not used to being by himself and I think when he finally looked up and found himself alone; he was a little afraid. Whatever the reason, he is staying close to me. Whether that lesson will stick, the next time that rabbit or doe encourages him to run remains to be seen. I still can’t get him in the car. The minute you open the car door he runs out of reach. I guess he is afraid I will take him away again. The possibility occurred to me when I was calling him to no avail!

Mrs. Ashworth and I are planning a February trip to Houston with the 4th and 5th grades. We are going to visit the Children’s Science Museum, and several other places to make the trip worthwhile. This is a distance early warning to all parents involved. I’m planning February 22 and we will return on the 23rd. My daughter is looking up hotels for me. We want a nice, safe, clean hotel for our kids. I’m not excited about the bus trip, but I am looking for ward to the museum. They do hands on activities with the students. We may have time to see the Holocaust Museum and the zoo. I think we have most of the money raised, but we will most likely need spending money to eat out Friday night and lunch on Saturday. As always, parents are welcome to come with us. We have a limit of 25 for the museum. Right now we are at 18.

I’ve been hearing quite a few shots in the morning. I guess people are either tagging out or culling some of the does. I thought we had cleaned out quite a few does, but walking through the woods with Glen has disproved that thought. We scared up at least 8 a few days ago. We have some good sized does in the area traveling from farm to farm along this back ridge. This is almost the last time to stock your freezer so get to work all you hunters.

The quilting ladies had a very refreshing time at the Quilt Haus in Fredericksburg last week. I know they all ignored their diets because I have tasted our hostess’s cooking. One of the ladies sent a text out to say they were still quilting at 3:00 a.m. I can assure you that did not happen when I went. I am an early to bed person, so things come to a halt long before midnight! I can’t wait to see their pictures on our blog page. Debbie Phelan does a great job of posting for us. I’m glad you had a great time ladies.

We were saddened to hear of the loss of C.W. Cox last week. We extend our condolences to Kathy. We had a visitor in church last Sunday. I didn‘t get his first name, but his last name is Brown. He asked for prayer for his sister Jenny Brown Peppy. I’m not sure if that is a correct spelling. It could be spelt Pepe. Jenny is facing serious health issues. We still have several on our cancer prayer list. It makes me feel even worse when I see all the heavy prayer needs, and I’m complaining about sinus infections. Billie Behrens had cataract surgery in Brownwood on Monday. We wish her a speedy recovery. Floyd Gossett is having a series of tests to fix “what ails him.” Loveta Faye Lewis needs our prayers as well. I know we have many more. I heard a positive report on Jason Lenz.

We have a new sheriff in town. He has been by the schools to introduce himself to us. I hope he does some of the programs that Sheriff Brown did with the school kids. I’m sure they’re standard community relations programs. Please pray for our government, our President and our congressional leaders. Please lift up our men and women in the service.