The dog days of summer are here! I try to get outside work done first thing in the morning. The thought of extreme heat, work and an abundance of grasshoppers just isn’t appealing. I don’t have to mess with the garden anymore; the grasshoppers have stripped it bare. I’m not sure if the tomatoes will come back once these pesky critters die off. I read that in everything we are to give thanks, but I sure do hate to thank God for the bugs that ate my garden! They did save me from having to go out and weed in the heat, so maybe I can give thanks for that.

I attended a wheat seminar given by our county extension agent, Neil and a guest speaker from Canada. I have to admit I stayed to hear some familiar strange sounding words. Teachers never miss an opportunity to pick up some information. I learned quite a bit in my one hour on the couch. I stayed out of the way so that no one would expect me to say anything intelligent. Did you know a good many growers planted Coronado wheat, but it has developed a resistance to rust? A new and resistant variety is Fannin; it appears to be hardy and does not need spraying for rust and fungus. I learned that over use of a particular variety will cause it to develop immunity to sprays. All the men who attended that conference are probably saying what in the world is this woman babbling about! I did enjoy my session, and can tell you it was very clearly put so that even an idiot like me could understand what was going on. When it was over, I bought a bunch of books for my students to read in the fall. All in all it was a good day.

I visited my in-laws from Montgomery last week. My nephew was back from Japan. He and his wife have a translating business there. She is Japanese and he speaks about 7 different languages including Japanese. As usual, these days, talk came around to the economy. Japan is experiencing extreme economic difficulties, just as we are.

Our first week of VBS was a good beginning. We had 18 young people show up at 9:00 am for day one of our High Seas Expedition. Everyone was a little stiff abut our sing and motion time, but the arrival of Brennan and Brooklyn McGinty, and Haustin Burkhart loosened them up a little. We had a great closing song time. Parents and teenagers attended church upstairs, while we did our thing downstairs. I think it went very well for that early in the morning. The Bates brought several of their kids over. I appreciate the positive influence these two community members have on their foster kids. I hope we get a bunch more next week. The service starts at 9:00 am every Sunday for the next 4 weeks.

I’m going to let the Scott & White people drain my blood vessels on Tuesday. I really don’t like to give blood, but I do it because it does save lives. It’s not all that bad, but I have roll-over veins. They see the needle and run for cover. I have to say they were really good last time. One stick and away I went! They had really neat shirts too! I hope many of you went to give blood on Tuesday.

I dropped by my classroom on Saturday. Vicky Overstreet and Esmeralda had done a beautiful job of setting it up. I’ll have to make a few seating changes, but I am good to go. Chad and his helpers have been working hard over the summer also. The summer work program is a good way for some of our young men to earn a few dollars. Mrs. Mask ordered my supplies for my classroom, so I really am beginning to think it’s time to go back to work. I find it hard to believe summer has gone so quickly. I need to remind my students, if you have lost your work packet; you will need to go to Mrs. Mask’s office to get a copy. Don’t forget Mrs. Brockman’s math memorization as well. Time to get to work! Carol Bryant tells me the season’s last play day will be next Sunday. I know they’ve had a great summer. Thank you rodeo committee, for the great work you do with our kids.

It’s been a busy week on the highway this week. I believe there were two accidents. One of them involved Alison Supak. Alison lost control of her Jeep and rolled it several times. Fortunately a soldier from Fort Hood came to her rescue. She was banged up, but not seriously hurt. Levita Faye Lewis was taken to the hospital, but is home now. Bobby Soto is in Forth Worth. Doctors are very pleased with his kidney functions, so hopefully, he will be home soon. Please keep the families of Ben Ray Hopkins and Loretta Taylor in your prayers. Family members of young Gore are praising God for the miracle he is bringing about in that young man’s life. Cindy McHorse needs our prayers also.

Please pray for our country, our President, and our precious troops. May God bless them and their families. They are paying a horrendous price for us. Please being them home safely. Please pray for me as I speak to the Women’s Luncheon group on Thursday. Have a great week everyone.