I’m not sure how it happened, but we’re down to the last two weeks of school. Of those two weeks, we’re out at least two days for field day and our USS Lexington field trip. The atmosphere in the school is at fever pitch! I’m disappointed in myself in that we did not complete the history book. We’ve hit most major topics in the first 150 years, but not much in the 1900 - 2000 timeline. I’m not done yet, so perhaps I can redeem myself. My son Scott would be disappointed with me since he is a serious World War historian. I spoke with him briefly Sunday. He has signed up to do the commemorative march to Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge. They will be doing it in WWII uniforms. He’s going to have to find a uniform that fits a 6’2" frame. At any rate, he is as excited about that as our kids are about finishing school.

I was going over my music for the baccalaureate service on Sunday the 23rd when I received the notice from the Masonic Lodge and Christian Church about the dinner on the 24th. I hope our kids understand the extent that this community gives to honor these graduates. I know of no other community that treats their students as well as this one. Members from at least 4 different churches will be singing in the baccalaureate choir. The same thing happened at the Christmas musical. It seems here in Richland Springs, everyone is more involved in doing the Christian thing as opposed to the denominational thing. What a lovely thought!

The 4-H held a rabies clinic at Centex Feeds on Saturday. I was told on Wednesday that there are now 5 reported cases of rabies in the area. Paula said the rabies folks called her and answered all her questions after their little scare with the bobcat. They claim that the rabies germ dies fairly quickly when the host dies. I guess I’m not too clued up, I thought other animals could catch it from eating a dead carcass. By the way, part of the funds from the clinic, were going to be used by the 4-H Club for their activities. Paula Miller and Valerie Gossett are doing a great job with our kids.

I saw Kathy Brockman and the 4th graders planting flowers infront of the cafetorium last week. They were the flowers from the Alumni Banquet. Alumni were asked to buy or donate the flowers from the dinner. It appears that quite a few were donated back to the school. They will add a bright touch of color to the front of the building. Mrs. Mask and Chad are being kept busy making sure the sod put down by the 4-H Club stays green and healthy. It looks as though it has taken hold. This summer will be the testing point! I don’t know if many of you realize how much yard work Mrs. Mask does around the school. She is one special lady!

We had a little dust up around school. The Coyote One Stop usually gets visited by the bus kids before they start their ride home. It seems a few young persons decided that free is better than pay and failed to pay for their goods. We think we have the problem solved, but it’s really going to take parents questioning their students. I told my students that if they were one of the guilty ones, they should go and apologize, and pay for what they had taken. The store needs the business, and we need the store. Please kids, don’t cause our only little general store to close because they are losing all their profit to careless kids. If you’re not brave enough to apologize, then leave an envelope on the desk with money to repay your theft. Don’t abuse our store or store owners. Do the right thing.

I’m looking ahead to September. My son Scott will be in Alabama for Senior NCO School. Russ and I will go attend his graduation ceremony then bring him home for a few days before he heads back to Germany. I know Heather and the children are going to be lost without him. He will be in the states eight weeks! The kids are enjoying Europe. Sarah, my youngest granddaughter will be going to Peru this summer on a mission’s trip. Her Clowers grandparents sponsor each grandchild on a trip of their choosing some time during their 10th year. Now if you want to talk about world travelers, Dan and Brenda Clowers are the consummate world travelers! They are presently living in Peru, although their home base is in Oklahoma. I know Sarah will have a great time. Danielle chose the Dominican Republic for her trip a few years ago. I am a firm believer in travel. Once you have seen the difference in the standard of living in the U.S. and Canada, as opposed to other countries, it makes you appreciate what we have here!

Field Day will be in Zephyr this year. The track at San Saba was refinished, and the contractors did not want any one on it until it set properly. I haven’t been to Zephyr, so I am looking forward to seeing their lovely track. I wish we could have events here, but people don’t want to come to an old dirt track. We train on it every year, and manage just fine, but the new tracks are much kinder to the legs and body! I have attended a few track meets in my lifetime. Some of the best ones were with our cousin

Ruth. Let me tell you Ruth was a true blue Coyote fan. She and Glenn infected us with Coyote fever!

I hope everyone has a blessed week. Please pray for our President, our government and our most wonderful troops, wherever they may be. Please hold their families up in prayer also. God bless America.