Signs of spring are everywhere. We have the cutest little purple flowers growing all over the pasture. I’m trying to identify them, but I’ve come up with very little so far. They might be related to the Bluet, but they are very tiny. The kids are all out this week, and I’m glad they are getting good weather! My 5th grade kids are doing a science project over spring break. I have an ugly feeling we may have more dead plants than live ones! I think I may have gotten a little sun tan while working outside near the garden. I just love spring! The peach and plum trees are blooming. I was working on the Wii Saturday morning and watching the trees down the hill. I can’t explain the feeling, but it just puts a contented smile on my face.

The school calendar is totally full. I think there are multiple activities going on until school is finished. The most important event is the State UIL debate competition. Under the guidance and direction of Nelson Smith, Alec Dodson and Pam Starr, our debaters, are headed for the State Meet for the second year in a row. Brennen McGinty and Stephen Fowler won the district meet, earning the right to go to state. Two other Coyote teams, Thomas Fowler and Patrick Phillips, 3rd place and Tra Williams and Denim Reeves, 5th place, and will be wishing them all the best as they compete during the spring break. One Act Play and our high school UIL students will compete at district after spring break. While we’re passing out kudos, how about a good hats off to the great team of Melanie and Nelson Smith. Both have put in many extra hours arranging schedules, meets and mounds of paperwork. Good luck to all of our students at Panther Creek. Bring home the GOLD!

One Act Play will be performing for our community on Monday, March the 22nd.The dinner theatre will start with a meal at 6:00pm and the performance will be at 7:00pm. Cost for the evening will be $5.00. The public is invited to attend and support our aspiring young actors.

Mrs. Lane is gearing up for the annual Kindergarten Roundup. All parents with children who will be five years old before September are encouraged to attend this informational meeting to be held on April 21st. This is a daytime meeting from 8:30am until 10:00am. Please bring your child’s birth certificate, Social Security card and immunization record. The school nurse will be available if you have any questions on immunizations. This will be a great time to introduce your littlesweetie to Mrs. Lane and her kindergarten world. Please come to the meeting with all the state required items.

The 8th Grade is still selling chocolate bars. They are earning money for their graduation event. I hope they sell out soon. The only reason I’m staying ahead of the game is the fact I’m exercising, otherwise I would have gained 5 pounds by now. The 5th grade has met their goal. Now we just have to pick the date for our trip to the USS Lexington. I may actually enjoy the trip this year. Last year I was fresh out of the hospital and sick as a dog. Bralei Lewis summed up our breakfast meal, "There were egg-shells in my eggs!" This year we may stick to cereal and fruit.

Speaking of Bralei, the combined Lusty families competed in the Houston Stock Show. Chandler, Hutton, and Bralei told me in varying tones, that their animals had been, "sent to the truck". Hutton was a little sad but resigned. It was a great sharing time for our town kids who don’t understand the terminology associated with animal showing. We were all glad to have them back with us. They have one more show, and they will be done for the year.

Scott, Heather and the grandkids went sledding in the Alps. It seems Dusty decided to get a little too adventurous, and bumped into a wall on the way down. They will be taking him in for x-rays on Monday. Hey! It’s not everyone who can say they were sledding in the Alps and hit a wall! I remember the first time I went down a good sized hill on a sled. We were four on the long sled when it hit a bump. Everyone, including the sled, became airborne. I hit something, I’m still not sure what, and thought I’d lost all my teeth! I can’t say I’ve been sledding since. Once every ten years, in the tiny town of Garmiche, the entire town performs the Passion Play. It seems this is lucky year number ten. Scott and the family will definitely go, and I’m hoping I can be there during one of their performances! What an incredible opportunity. You should see this town. The houses and buildings are all painted with scenes from the play. It’s a treat even when the play is not being performed!

The exercise class planned by Candi Lewis and Heather Slater will begin after spring break. I think they are preparing a flyer but I’m not really positive about that. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge.

Our prayers go out to the Mode Mask family. Graveside services were held for Mode on Tuesday. Wayne Powell’s brother was taken back to Brownwood on Sunday. Members from our church met with the Baptist Association on Sunday afternoon. Members from various county churches met to receive materials for distribution. It is planned to visit homes in the county for the next three weeks. Volunteers will be handing out a tract prepared by Billy Graham Ministries, and a CD with the 3rd chapter of the Book of John. It is also a time to share a moment of prayer. This is not a membership drive; this is simply taking the time to answer prayer needs that are out there in our community.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their week off. So far the weather has been delightful. Please pray for our country, our President and our legislators. Hold up our precious soldiers and their families as you enjoy yours this week. I almost forgot, AutoZone has just earned my business. It seems they don’t charge for shipping parts to servicemen and women overseas. I call that patriotic, and they have my support. Bless you all, and have a great week.