I’m betting everyone is as disappointed as I am that all that beautiful rain went around us again! We had a little mist kiss, but nothing to help this parched land. I suspect that it does not bode well for summer grasses. We need God to give us a good frog strangling rain! Mind you, if we have one of those, what’s left of my road will wash away!

I took the 5th Grade to the Lexington. What a great trip. The kids enjoyed touring the aircraft carrier. I’m not too sure how much they absorbed. We went through that ship at a pretty good clip!

The beds were reasonably comfortable. I believe we would have slept better if some chaperones had done their job and kept their kids in bed. Some of them were running around screaming at 3 in the morning. The food was pretty good. When you consider all that you do, the $49 cost is pretty reasonable.

The ship is magnificent and the museums they have created in different parts of the ship are truly inspiring. My history buff son wanted to stay longer since some of the rooms we toured had lots of information, and we really did go through quickly. We also visited the Texas State Aquarium. The kids were given the chance to touch stingrays and pick up Hermit Crabs. Some were a little hesitant, but with a little encouragement they at least tried. After we mustered out, we spent a few hours on the beach picking up seashells for crafts. The weather turned a little cold and rainy, so we headed home a little early.

The trip was a fun activity but apparently a little too much for my recovering body. I have been in bed since we arrived back at 4:00 p.m. yesterday. I am working to be able to go to work tomorrow. I suspect the activity would not have been doctor approved! So I will avoid telling him if I can, and just say that I have relapsed for some reason.

The girls won their basketball game on Friday so they will continue to advance in the playoffs. Their next opponent is Rochelle. We all know how the last Rochelle game went! I suspect I’d better not show my face at that game.

The TAKS tests are just a few weeks away. Parents, please have your children calling out their math facts and reading to you out loud. These tests are important to the school and to the State. They measure whether your child is ready to advance. They try to measure whether the teacher is doing her job. I hear some kids saying they don’t care if they pass or fail, and that is a bad attitude.

We had a send off for Isaac Holt on Sunday. Many of us have spent time praying for that young man. A family member is adopting him and he is headed for California. The main criteria for the party was make it chocolate. Isaac loves chocolate. He regularly visits my classroom and asks, “Do you have any chocolate for me?” I rarely turn him down. Isaac, may you have a long and happy life. God bless you.

Sorry everyone, this is going to be a short column. I have just run out of strength. Sips of soup and water don’t do much for stamina.

Please pray for our President, for the troops he has ordered out, and for the economic package that seems to be a huge mess. Pray for our precious troops already deployed, and for their families. Have a blessed week and pray for rain.