Another scorching week added to our already beleaguered land! There wasn’t much relief from old man Sun for anybody. I feel sorry for all our outdoor workers. That includes our football boys and their “red hot Coyote” workouts! It’s nice to see all that activity going on around the school. I’m working on the tennis courts, but only in the morning before it gets above 90! I’m not sure how I’m going to fix the cracks, but I can at least get the weeds out of the way. We have the material for the new backboards; that’s exciting in itself.

I went by Ruthie’s Flower and Gift Shop on Main Street last week. What a cute little shop! I browsed the gift items and found them very reasonably priced and absolutely charming! I hope everyone tries to buy their gifts at our very own little store. The girls at the store were cute as buttons. I’m speaking of Kelyn and Kinsey, as well as Mom, Lynn. I hope I’ve spelt everyone’s name right. The store is attractive, the merchandise well priced for all budgets and very artistically arranged. Lynn tells me they will have a grand opening once school starts. Take a moment if you can and go by Ruthie’s, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the time spent in this cute little store. Hurray for a new business in Richland Springs!

My grand boys arrived in time for the Elm Grove Rodeo.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to go. We were painting boards for the tennis backboard and for the tabernacle benches. Time slipped away from us. We did have fun, but they have never been to a rodeo before, so we should have gone! Church was down a few people so I’m guessing they didn’t finish up until late on Saturday. That also means I missed those delicious burgers and lip smacking BBQ. God willing I will have to wait until next year.

We’re happy to say little Sarah Kaylyn Taylor decided to come a little early and give mom some relief. She arrived by c-section at around 11:47 pm Saturday. She weighs a healthy 8 lbs. 10 oz., and was just short of 21 inches long. Mom, Dad and Sarah are all doing well. Allan and Donna are first time parents, so they are in for a lifetime of unique experiences. Not that having more than one doesn’t give you a lifetime of experiences; it’s just that first child is such a miracle, the second one less so, and the third is wonderful, but you’ve been there. Each child is unique and precious, the first is just so breathtaking for everyone involved. I wish them all the best for a healthy and prosperous future.

I hope everyone has been saving their box tops for Mrs. Gossett. Our students are doing such a great job of reading that we need to keep lots of new books in the library. I’ve spoken to some of my students that followed directions and kept reading over the summer, but a few just didn’t find the time! That means we play catch up at the beginning of the year. Use it or lose it, really applies to reading skills. See you soon kids.

Mrs. Harris has her art room under construction. Mr. Fowler had the 2nd Grade classroom cleared over the summer so that she could get started early on what is going to be a big job.I saw her Saturday. She was getting help from her son William. The room was beginning to take shape. She will be teaching art to Junior and Senior High this year. I know they will have a blast. Mrs. Harris is very talented. Her stained glass work is just beautiful.

Budget cuts at the state level have placed Mr. Fowler not in a bind, but having to make changes to his plans due to new mandates. Our student stipend comes from local and state taxes, but all the special programs that have been federally mandated, come from Washington. The whole issue is very confusing. The local school concept has become lost along the way. Is the Federal government going to take over the schools as well as the other businesses they seem to want to control? Are states rights losing to the centralist government? This is an issue that has plagued our country since its beginning. Obviously it has yet to be resolved. I just hope we vote for the increased tax rate in the fall. Most of the communities have approved the rate increase so that they can continue to offer quality education to their students. Bottom line we need more students and less mandates.

This government business is a mess. Both parties are not paying attention to the taxpayers. We don’t get to print money or demand we get more from Uncle Sam. Why should they just tax and print, borrow and spend? These town hall meetings are not mob scenes. They are concerned citizens wanting to put an end to the give away mentality of our legislators. Free health care is not free. When Russ and I were in Australia, healthcare was free, but it came with a 58% tax rate. Canada has free health care, but they added another tax rate to existing tax rates to pay for it. There are still certain things that have out of pocket payments. They treated my Dad horribly in Quebec. My sister had to kidnap him and take him to another province for treatment. I believe Mexico has free healthcare, at least that’s what a tour guide told me many years ago. If that is true, why are people coming to the States for treatment?

I told President Obama in my email, that Medicare had been paid for by the seniors of this country. That fund has been abused, misused, and squandered away. Now when it’s time to collect on years of hard work and savings, we are being told money will be taken out of that poor fund to pay for the new “free” healthcare. Small wonder angry senior citizens are demanding answers from arrogant legislators. I don’t like being treated as if I am senile and incapable of understanding issues. Apparently neither can our legislators understand the problem, since most of them have not bothered to read the bill. I don’t want a government employee telling me I have lived a long enough life, and I can end it by taking certain measures. It sounds innocent enough now, but like Hitler’s measures, when you have too many mouths to feed you get rid of the unproductive mouths. That is a bland term for genocide. I doubt that is foremost in legislators minds, but why was the bill worded in such a way? We, the people, want some answers to our questions. Forget the platitudes and give some honest answers.

I have one little boy singing “Lollipop, Lollipop” in the

shower, and the other looking for the dirty clothes basket. It’s been along day and granny needs to hit the shower and sheets!

The prayer list is long and painful. Traven asked for prayer for his sister who starts basic training shortly. David Evans is in for chemo and there are several more cancer needs. I know the Church of Christ Prayer list is long as well. Please pray for the sick in our community, our precious troops and their families, and our arrogant legislators. Please add a special prayer for our President and include one for yourself. Have a wonderful week. Pass your smile around as a peace offering. God bless you all.