We’re getting lots of gusty spring winds these days, but the rains are not forthcoming! My garden is growing up a storm, but I’m having to water to keep the growth steady. The tomatoes are up about two feet tall. I did what Candi told me to do and snipped off the flowers. Boy, it really hurt to do that. The next lot that comes on will have to grow tomatoes. The broccoli is tall, but no florets. I’ve never grown broccoli before, so I’m not really sure what to look for or when. The peas, squash, beets, and hot peppers are looking good too. Like all other farming type stuff, the destroyers are out there waiting to kill! Strangest of all, for us this year, is the fact we have no pears. Last year we had hundreds of pears; this year, none? Must be another one of those things I don’t know about. Mind you, this is the first year that I can remember without pears. Even when we were only visiting once a month, those trees made pears. So I don’t know what happened this year.

The Shannon’s on CR256 had an unexpected visitor. Paula told me a bobcat came right up on the porch. Since he was acting more than a little strange; they sent his carcass to the vet. He was confirmed rabid. The vet told them that is the 4th confirmed case of rabies this spring. Since it is a little early in the season for that many cases, I guess everyone better keep an eye out for animals acting out of character.

Last Friday night was the sports banquet. K through 6 was at Lake Brownwood for the day. We arrived back at school around three; then I ran home to bake a cake for the banquet. Coach Burkhart ran a tight ship, and we were out of there by 8:30pm. It was a great evening. Our kids are great kids and it was good to see them all spiffed up in their best duds. We just have some neat kids in Richland. We rarely have people talking badly about our kids on field trips.

Mothers of my class, please excuse the rush job on the flower pots. They didn’t arrive until late Thursday, and we were on a field trip Friday. We furiously painted until the bell rang. Mrs. Brockman has been organizing the Alumni banquet all week, and still managed to get beautiful cards out for her moms. Then there’s me. All I can say is I have great intentions; the delivery is just lacking! The pots were cute, and they did look nice with the flowers. I just hope the flowers made it home! I hope all you moms had a great Mother’s Day.

Saturday night was the Alumni Banquet. Russ and I went by Thurman Saxon’s house and visited with some of his classmates. He has the loveliest view from his back porch! Then we attended our first banquet. I can truthfully say I was delighted. The food was great; I’ve had Mac’s Barbeque before and it is delicious. There were around 180 graduates present. Mrs. Tidwell, class of ’39, won the corsage for being the oldest of the alumni and the one who travelled the furthest. She came from Washington State! Now that is school spirit! Each honor class charged the new graduates with a good will message and left them with just a hint of what an honor it is to be a Coyote. Kelyn Green responded very graciously for the graduates. She is a wonderful example of our Coyote graduates. The classes honored went back as far as 1940. There were a few guests of family members. Most notable of these was Granny Pearl Cantrell. Miss Pearl had her 102nd birthday last March. She was feeling better for this birthday than last, so she kicked up her heels and took to the dance floor! I wish we all had her spunk! At any rate, Richland’s grand lady did us proud by attending with her son. Mrs. Roberds came with her daughter. She was greeted with affectionate hugs from many of her former students. After all, doesn’t being alumni staff count? Some day I shall be an alumnus. If May 28th doesn’t come soon, I may not make it to summer vacation or alumnus status!

Monday was a snow day, so Russ and I ran over to Montgomery and visited his brother and sisters. On the way home we stopped by the rose place to pick up another rose or two. I have nine bushes right now, but if they’ll grow; I hope to have more. In Duncanville, Russ had over 30 rose bushes with no two bushes the same. I love roses, but freely admit they can be a booger to grow. I should probably stay home and rest, but I haven’t seen my in-laws for some time. I stopped by the San Saba News and left a photo of Velita Smith Powell and the kids from First Baptist’s Kid’s Church. They surprised her with a birthday party a couple of weeks ago. Since then she has given a dinner for the 8th grade graduates, and is preparing for the

senior graduates. Velita is generous with her time, her talents, and her resources. We love her dearly for all the love she pours into this community.

Edith Gossett suffered a stroke last Thursday, but she appears to be doing a little better. They tell me Arlene Stratton is still having health problems and needs our prayers. I hope everyone voted in the school board election on Saturday. Please pray for our country, our President, and our legislators.

Please hold up our soldiers and their families. Our prayers are with our community members who have recently lost loved ones. Have a blessed week everyone.