Another month has zipped by without a whisper of rain. Well, perhaps a whisper, we did have a little ice on the trees. We are definitely on the crucial side of needing water. We need to get together a multi-church prayer meeting and beg God for rain. I’m hearing farmers and ranchers worry their way through water and grass issues everywhere I go. Our Texas weather is beautifully changeable, but our lack of rain has become a worn out story!

It’s Super Bowl Sunday and I am typing this column. My participation in this annual event is limited to providing event type food. So, we had pizza, coke, there’s chips and dip for snacking later, and I’m done with my part. I may go peek for a bit later, but there are no Texas teams, so who wants to watch!

I went by the Tabernacle on Saturday to attend the Mary Cummings benefit. There were some beautiful cakes ready for the auction. The family was serving and I have to say the food was delicious. I’m not too sure about the attendance. Since the event was outside, people came to get a plate, and then would take their plate home. I stayed for a while, but the wind was a little too chilly for me. I haven’t heard from anyone in the family to see how the benefit went. There were a number of Richland Springs’ faithful that drove in while I was eating. There was concern that the weather would drive people away from the auction. I sincerely hope all went well for Mary and her family. Our prayers are with her as she faces chemo treatments very shortly.

The ladies quilting group is meeting on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. We are making a series of runners instead of large quilts. Our Bible study is out of the book, 15 Minutes of Prayer. Our membership floats from week to week, but our love stays constant. We’ve been missing Patty Fowler lately, but she is probably out of town.

I can still call myself the worst quilter in the club. The newcomers who have joined all seem to be catching on quite well. Oh well, I guess someone has to be at the bottom of the heap! Come on and join us, the door is always open, and Kay is a wonderful teacher.

There are three grieving families this week. Many of you are providing food for one or all of the services. I’ll say it again, this is a wonderful community. We have issues from time to time, but people turn out when trouble comes.

Junior Evans is headed to the doctor this week. Melissa will be picking both Bonnie and Junior up for their trip. Hopefully we can get Junior back on his feet and feeling well again. We have several others bound for surgery and other doctor visits.

Jane Young should be delivering any day. That’s not exactly a sick thing, but it still involves stress and discomfort. The result is just more enjoyable!

Mrs. Gossett was excited to announce she was able to purchase over $100 worth of books thanks to our box tops. Please keep up the good work. If you can’t get by the school, you can mail them to 700 W. Coyote Trail, Richland Springs, TX 76871. Every last one is deeply appreciated. We may be a little school district, but we’re doing all we can to turn out some first rate citizens.

Which brings me to another issue, that of the bond election. I know we had problems with the last one, real or imagined, but we need to get some stuff done around the school. I doubt the interest payment on the cafetorium has been lowered just because the economy is bad. I still don’t see why we can’t put together a bond package that could be done piece by piece.

Our student population has declined, like many other small districts, and money is definitely a problem. More and more people are sending their kids to schools close to their work to save on gas. We all know there are not many jobs available in this area.

We could use that $17,000 interest payment to get things done around the school. I wish you would contact the school board members and let them know you would support a bond. I’m going to try and get some figures together, and see if this is a reasonable thing. None of us want our taxes to go up; times are already tough. Still, if it was only a small amount spread out and shared, then I think most of us would do it to help our kids. I don’t want to wake up and find our school closed.

I noticed someone is cleaning up the old adobe building on Main Street. Are we going to get a business? I’ll have to wait and see! I’d like to buy one of the downtown buildings, and make it into a “place”, but I don’t have the kind of money people want for their buildings.

We’re only a month away from TAKS test. Parents, please make sure your students are reading every night. As annoying as it may be, make them read out loud for at least ten minutes. It really makes a difference.

There is no reason any of our kids should fail the TAKS. We have some great teachers. It does take two to get the job done. Mom said,”You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” Our kids have to want to succeed in their studies. Please make them read at home. I’ll bet Mrs. Brockman wouldn’t mind if I said make them say the times tables to you either.

The police are still working on the burglary/vandalism case for the school. Coach Burkhart is trying to find film and other things he will need to help the seniors. We have some great athletes, but you usually have to send film to coaches to prove it.

I know from personal experience how badly this can hurt. Someone accidently taped over game footage, and my youngest son didn’t have anything to show to college coaches. Seems like a small thing, but it makes a big difference.

I don’t understand the anger and pettiness that drove the perpetrators to cause such havoc, but I do know the damage they have done to our program and our students. They should be ashamed of themselves, and someone should turn them in to the authorities.

By the way, if you’re missing keys from the Jerry Benton benefit, you can find them at the Larimers. There is no identification, but they have a double sided key, and some of those store loyalty cards. I may have to check my car, and see if that is my extra set! They were found outside the fire station after the event. Just call or go by, Paul or Jewel will be glad to hand them over if they are yours.

My son tells me he is up for Senior NCO Officer of the Year. He told me cautiously, since he has made it through the first 3 or 4 rounds, and there are several more to go. I told him no matter what; the fact that he was nominated, tells me all I need to know. The people he works with are really smart! There speaks a proud mom!

My younger son works for a small garage now, but when he was younger he worked for one of the big chains. He won several awards for performance. I like to think I trained my boys to do the best no matter what the situation. I know both of them have made their Dad and me very proud over the years. I’m sure most of you feel the same way about your kids!

Well, I pray you all have a blessed week. Help your neighbor if you can, love your kids because they grow up and go away before you turn around and pray for your country. Our prayers are with our precious troops, the Iraqi elections, our President and our elected leaders. May God direct them as they make serious decisions about our country’s economic direction.

Please God let it rain.