Here we are again, in do or die season. Once again our Coyote

players did what they had to do and brought home the win. We thought the score would be 45’d to 0 at the half, but we let our guard down. With little time on the clock, we let them sneak one in for a touchdown. Since I’m one of those softies that hate to see the losers go home with no points, I was okay with that. I doubt that the coaches will feel quite the same way. As plays get tougher, we cannot allow any mind lapses or lost opportunities which may cause us to go home for the season. The Coyote noses are in the air, and they’re smelling state trophy. Go Coyotes!

UIL is almost upon us. It has been quite a struggle this year to

get our kids prepared. When you have nine kids in a class and there are 6 events, kids and teachers get stretched. I’m proud to say we have great kids who are willing to work even harder to keep our school in the front running.

Our side of the stand was packed Friday night. The Coyote fans just keep coming! The future of all small schools is uncertain at the moment. I know in my home

area, they made my local school into a regional school to save money many years ago. The result was chaos and unhappiness for the kids and teachers. It is the local school that keeps the spirit and values of the community alive.

Box tops, box tops, we need box tops. Valerie Gossett went home sick Friday, but she wanted everyone to know she needs box tops. So, I’m putting out the call for box tops. I was talking to some of the 8th graders Friday, and it seems that they have decided to get busy and read. At the pace they’re going; we will run out of books for them. That is a wonderful dilemma, isn’t it?

By the way, the 4-H group was collecting canned goods to give to the food basket people. I know the kids are done collecting, but if you want to send a can of food by Tuesday, I know that will help Valerie and the kids.

Russ and I attended the Play Day Association Awards event on Saturday at the Senior Center in San Saba. I was surprised to see over a hundred people seated at the tables. I believe what I liked above all else is the family participation. The association has put together a program that fits the entire family. What a wonderful opportunity to spend the day withyour family and build lifelong memories! I think it also keeps the entire community involved in making a future for our young people, while remembering the days of our early pioneers. Too many of our kids, even in Richland have little or no knowledge of their community history.

Congratulations to all winners of the year. Top honors went to Elizabeth Bryant and a pint sized cowboy called Stran Schilling. They took home beautiful saddles. I can’t praise the Rodeo and Play Day Associations enough for their outstanding work this year.

If you haven’t been to a football game lately you have been

missing some great entertainment. No, not the boys on the field, but the band in the stand! A wonderful man, who, along with his wife, hates to have his name written in the paper, has restored the glory and honor of the Coyote Band. Let me tell you those kids have listened to their ex-Marine leader and buckled into shape! I get a thrill every time I listen to them play. It brings back the old days when Glen, Ruth, Russell, and I would listen to the Coyote Marching Band! It doesn’t stop there.

The cheerleaders have found some great new routines that will rock your socks. We’ve always

had great leaders and girls on our squad. They just seem to have great attitudes, and they sure work hard to keep our side on their feet yelling. Way to go everyone. Coyotes - players and fans! We’re the best!

Kathy Brockman is on the mend from her bout of pneumonia. Just to let you know how special our kids are, some of them came to me and asked if I could get her to go home and get better. I’m sure the thought was enough to help her on the road to recovery. I’m not sure how they know, but it seems we have a confirmed case of flu, and the parents were told it was Swine Flu. We are all taking precautions to keep the kids healthy. Notes also went home for head lice. I may be a cuckoo, but aside from the bother of them, I don’t see them as anything but part of growing up.

Everyone is back the next day, clean and sparkly. The older kids hate it when little brother or sister brings it home, but it can’t be helped, for the most part. Not sharing combs, hats, and other hair stuff helps some. Report cards went home this week. I think most of the teachers are pleased with the results. Our main problem is not turning in work. The students get so busy with other things they forget deadlines and assignments. I nag at my students continually and remind them that their first job is class work. That’s what they get paid to do. The rest of the stuff is overtime work, even if it is more fun. We have to teach our kids to have a good work ethic. It is one of those lasting life lessons. It doesn’t matter how smart you are, if you don’t turn in any work!

I hesitate to put this in the column, it seems to have happened so often lately, but we have two more extended community members going home to be with the Lord. Services for Elaine Perry were held in Stephenville last week. Visitation for Travis Reynolds was at Howell Doran in San Saba on Sunday. We were also shocked to hear of the death of Christie Goode’s daughter. Our prayers for comfort go to these families, at this time of loss.

Elisa Draper is still recovering from her trip to the hospital.

There are dozens on the prayer list and multiple families grieving for loved ones during this holiday season. Please spend a little time lifting them up in prayer if you can.

The ladies Bible study is stopping at 7:00am and 9:00pm to pray for our community, if you want to take a minute of your day at those times.

The Christmas Cantata is in full swing, but you can still come

and be a part. The performance will be on December the 13th in the evening. Flyers will go out in the near future. This is going to be a spectacularly moving rendition of our Savior’s birth. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

The Women’s Quilting and Bible study is almost through the book,What Happens When Women Pray. I can personally attest to the change it has

made in my life. The book has been both inspiring and challenging. I can’t wait for each meeting. If you happen to not like sewing, then just come for the Bible study. No one will mind, we don’t work to a schedule or standard. We just get together and share the wonder of life with God.

Please pray for our sick, our bereaved, our community, our President and law-makers. Most of all we lift up our precious troops and their families during the upcoming holidays.