Well, we had a few nice days last week, but along came winter again, and we sank to new lows! Naturally, it was cold on Friday since we had a tennis meet in Brady. Being out in the cold and wind is not the best thing for someone who is trying to get rid of all this crud that hangs around! I can tell I took a little step backward in this healing process. I’ve started the column on Saturday, because I have to do some grading on Sunday, since I was at a tennis meet on Friday. I am anxious for spring to get here and stay. I love spring! We should have a beautiful spring this year. Russ’ record for spring flowers is about 57 varieties. I’m positive he will be able to photograph more than that this year!

I had a nice note from Dell thanking me for putting her missing meat cutter out in the paper. Unfortunately, there is still no news about her missing heirloom. Now some of you may be grinning as you read, but when something is passed on from generation to generation, you hate to see it taken and devalued by some thief. If you know who took it, or have an idea where it may be hiding, please drop me a note or message. Better yet, leave a note on Dell’s doorstep, so that she can go and get her daddy’s meat cutter back. Sheriff Brown is looking into it, but we know he has a full plate. That doesn’t mean he will ignore this issue. It just means Dell may have to get some state help to locate her property.

We had the very grand news that Scott passed his Senior Master Sergeant’s exam this week. He will not get promoted right away, since he is the youngest of the men to be promoted at this level. He only has one more level to go before he reaches a career pinnacle for NCOs’. As a young boy, he enjoyed the boundaries that organizations drew. He was Royal Ranger of the Year for many years, representing his outpost proudly. He was a Gold Medal Achiever. For those of you in scouting, it is the equivalent of an Eagle Scout. As you can tell, his dad and I are very proud.

Our tennis meet turned out well in spite of the windy weather. We played Lohn and Cherokee on the Brady courts. Most of us had only partial teams to play. Small school students have to participate in many activities. Sometimes these activities run over one another. Our boys had a successful basketball season, so we couldn’t play tennis. I took 6 players to Brady. Emily Smith played a singles and a double match with Stephen Fowler. Stephen played another singles match. Taylor Jones played her first ever match. Thomas Fowler and Trevor Tinney played two doubles matches against Lohn and Cherokee. We played a total of seven matches and won five. We are still a long way from being ready for District Tournament, but at least we managed to get on the court for a real match! The team will be headed to Waco next week to play in the Iredell Tournament.

We won’t know for a few weeks how our kids did in the writing TAKS, but I think they did well. Most of them felt good about the test, so that helps. This will be the first year that I have taught Science for TAKS testing, so that is causing a little anxiety. Mind you, Mrs. Larremore did a great job of laying the groundwork last year. I hope the teachers who get my students feel the same way about my teaching efforts! I’m not sure I spelt Lisa’s last name right. I did get her great teaching abilities right!

I’m noticing more of my students talking about politics these days. It’s not hard to see what topic is occupying family dinner conversations. Some of my kids’ statements are a little radical, but we discuss the rights and wrongs of issues, so I’m glad they are taking an active interest in our country. Indifference is the killer, not passion.

We have a stomach virus running around the school again. I’m a firm believer in weather. As soon as this cold damp weather makes way for warm sunshine, we’ll start getting better. Next week is spring forward time on the clocks. I dislike extremely jumping forward or backward. I just wish they would leave the clocks alone. The older students are gearing up for UIL competitions in a few weeks. Mrs. Melanie Smith is running herself ragged trying to get all the paperwork done for the contest. Teachers put in extra time helping coach the various events and students have to practice on their own time. I guess that is one of the reasons people who make it to state receive college money. Good luck everyone.

Candi Lewis and Heather Slater will be starting an exercise class next week. I know it will be in the Baptist Church, but I’m not sure what time. I’ll put in more information next week. I’m happy with my Wii program, but they are working on being "buff" by summer. At my age buff means I scrub the furniture a little harder. No matter how good you look there’s a limit to what a granny should wear! I strongly applaud everyone’s desire to stay healthy, so good luck ladies!

The prayer list is still long. Many people in the community are battling sickness, loss of jobs and money problems. Please hold our little town up in your prayers. If you have a moment, please spend it praying for our government, our President, and our precious troops and their families. The people of Iraq need prayer for their continued democratic process. Have a wonderful week everyone. God bless America.