It’s been an exciting week for my household. I made an unplanned trip to Temple Thursday night. You know, the night of the big storms. The clinic in San Saba sent me off to have my eye checked. Many hours later a nice young resident told me I had an incomplete PVD, not to worry, it was tearing away nicely and all would be fine. Eventually, he tells me, the little spider web across my eye will go away, or my brain will make it go away by pretending it isn’t there! What an incredible creation we are! Mind you, I’m not too sure about the whole tearing away process. I believe if it started out attached it should stay attached. I guess I’ll be hitting the old homeopathic books to see if there is a better way to go.

I am headed to Canada on Thursday to attend my niece Susan’s wedding. I will try to get someone to write the column, or maybe I will write it from Canada. I only hope it is not too cold up there in the Northern part of the continent. There may not be snow on the ground, but it can still be quite chilly at this time of the year. Either way, I intend to enjoy myself, even if it is just for a few days. I’ll get back in time for the TAKS test. I hear they are planning to change the process; I certainly hope so. I’m not sure if the decision has been made or when it will happen but they are going to measure progress instead of insisting everyone pass the test. I think that will be much fairer to all concerned. Make sure your students are well rested and come with healthy snacks. I don’t have a room mother, but if someone wants to bring fresh fruit, I’ll be more than glad to pass it on to the kids! They will bring us graham crackers and juice, but that just leaves a little to be desired. Mind you, it is better than nothing!

I wish every parent were in my shoes right now. I have been able to talk with my soldier son almost every day. My heart just leaps with joy when he answers the phone. I kept his last message on my phone for eight months. It was like losing a good friend when I deleted it this weekend.

“Hello the Ransoms, this is your son, I love you; I’m doing fine.” I can’t tell you how many times I played that message while he was away in Iraq.

Some of you will think I’m loony toon’s material, but those of you with family away in Iraq, will know the comfort that fills you when you hear your loved one’s voice.

I am really disappointed to say we had no rain out of that big storm. We drove through heavy downpour in Temple but nothing here.

Everything needs watering; I can see the leaves drooping. My tree out back is drooping, but I have a bad feeling that it is not dry, but actually Oak Wilt. We will have to get that taken care of or we will not have any lovely trees around the house!

Teacher’s had a work day on Monday. We explored some learning sites for school and worked on the schedule for next year. Small schools face difficulties when it comes to scheduling. The issue is always a problem but when you have to spread your teachers around, it gets even trickier! I guess I would need to tell Senator Obama that this small town loves its religion, and most of us have guns. We also are short on teachers and funds.

I don’t feel very bitter about that. On the contrary, it offers a challenge that my God can meet, and an opportunity to feed or clear the land of predators. Nope, I’m not feeling too bitter about that. I am bitter about the fact my government seems to be constantly voting themselves pay raises and fat retirement plans while I pay for that. The majority of those folks seem to lose touch once the tax dollars start running through their fingers.

In the meantime, I will work hard like the rest of America and hope to have money with which to live when I retire.

As always, pray for our country, our leaders, our elections and for our beautiful young men and women who are far from home. May the Lord make a way when there seems to be no way. Have a blessed week everyone!