Well, I can guarantee a few prayers have been answered this week! We had three beautiful rains to bring a little relief to our parched land. Our total was a little less than two inches, but several folks received that in the Saturday night downpour. I was blessed to drive to San Angelo in the Thursday rain, and we were driving back from Houston on Saturday. It started raining in Lampasas and poured all the way to the house. We hit the rodeo exodus. Russ commented, “Where in the world is all this traffic coming from, there’s no ball game?” It turned out to be the rodeo folks giving up on competing with the lightening. They rescheduled for Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

I forgot to write about my sister Dee’s granddaughter. Ashley’s dad is Algonquin Indian. Ashley had been raised in both cultures and she and her brothers, Brandon and Cody often compete in the dances and games at local pow-wows.

Ashley is nine and hopes to hold the world hoop record for

someone her age. In her latest competition, she danced the hoop dance with 19 hoops. I fell on my face just watching! It was an open competition, ages 1-18 for all talents.

Ashley performed a traditional hoop dance and a contemporary dance to Butterfly. It was amazing to see this tiny little blond, blue-eyed fairy manage 19 hoops and give an absolutely breathtaking visual interpretation of this native dance. She took home first place and a $1000 check.

I have a new appreciation for this Native American dance. By the way, she looks just like her granddaddy Dave. She may also have his driving personality. Nothing but Ashley can hold this delightful little girl back from her goals.

VBS began Sunday and will end this Wednesday. By the time y’all get your papers the deed will be done. The theme for this year is Boomerang Express, an Australian Adventure. The first night attendance was a little light, but with the rodeo out of the way we should have more kids present. It is a fast paced program, packed with activities and fun music. All in all it should be a great week. Hopefully we’ll have a few pictures to put in the paper.

I received several messages this week, one from President Obama. He was espousing the advantages of his healthcare program and asked my opinion and support. I emailed back that I was unable to give the program my blessing.

It seems to me that the Boomer generation has paid for this program all their lives and now when it is time to use their money, President Obama and the Democrats want to take that money and share it out with everyone. The Government, Republicans and Democrats, have wasted our tax money. Medicare and Social Security are struggling to stay solvent, and they want to add another government run program! I don’t think so. I don’t want some government employee interviewing me to see whether I am fit to treat, or fit to stay alive. I doubt that he will pay much attention to my opinion, but he asked for it. I gave it to him, all two cents of it!

Did you hear they ran out of money for that clunker buy back

program? I guess that means if someone turned in their old car and put their $4500 into a Lexus, you and I helped them buy that car. They are going back to congress to get more money for the program. I wish I could go to the bank, and tell them to give me more money because I had things to buy. Can you hear the laughter? We really need to make some changes in Washington. I intend to write all my elected representatives and tell them to get sensible or I will vote for anybody but them in the next election.

We added Eloise Jacobs to the prayer list today. She is headed for the oncologist.

David Evans is going in for another round of chemo.

Elisa Draper is on hold for gall bladder surgery. That is only three of about 60 names.

Alan and Donna Taylor are on baby watch. Alan tells me the bag is packed, and they are ready to hit the road. All the ladies will recall those awful last few weeks. Comfort becomes a foreign word that other people use, but is banned to the soon to be mother!

I think my watermelons are getting ripe, and maybe my pears. For the life of me I cannot tell when those silly things get ripe. They are as hard as rocks. Mind you, the critters know when they are ripe. They go in and strip the trees. Gardening is a very frustrating occupation.

School is just a few weeks away. All my students need to be finding their summer packet and doing some work for me. The first grade back will be those work packets. I can hear the panic from here. I know at least three people left their work at school. There is not a lot of work to do, but if it is left to the last day it will be quite a load. Get busy young’uns.

This weekend is the Elm Grove Rodeo. I hope I see some of you there. Sorry kids, that’s the last big event before school starts.

Football practice started Monday. We’re all hoping for a great season. The booster club is renewing memberships for the year. They have several neat incentive gifts if you sign up right away. They are going to put up my backboard for me. This will help the tennis kids greatly. They can practice all year long.

As we all know, our country is at a crossroad. We need to pray for our government, our President and our precious troops. May God be with their families as they suffer through the worry of their absence. God can provide a way if we just take the time to turn to Him and pray.

Have a wonderful week. May God make your garden grow green, and your smiles bring sunshine to those you meet.