Well, imagine my surprise on Thursday, to find there was no column in the paper for Richland Springs! I was having computer problems again, so I sent it to school and forwarded it on to the paper on Monday. Or so I thought! I had several people ask me what went wrong on Wednesday, and again on Thursday. The only response I have is that lost in space thing. I wrote it, the computer said it left, but if it went somewhere it was not to the San Saba Star and News. Someone out in cyberspace is reading last week’s article. I hope this one gets to the right place.

Can you believe it’s October already? The wind has changed and you can feel autumn in the air even if our temperatures aren’t showing it yet. There’s just that subtle little difference in the feel of the breeze on your skin. I sat on my porch yesterday enjoying the cool morning air. The sun was just coming up and I could see shadows moving here and there. There wasn’t enough sun to see what the moving objects were. The sun would catch a silver wing or slight movement and just for a second pin point it on a shaft of a beam. Flicker, flicker, here and there amongst the trees and grasses, your guess would be as good as mine. You just can’t get life any better than that. I feel as if God is passing by, waking everyone up to face a new day. We missed the rain, but the cool was wonderful. Russ said he looked out the window and the tree was alive with multi-colored birds. We’re both watching the yard carefully. According to the watch page, the monarchs are on their way, the humming birds are headed south, and the other migratory animals are all headed to warmer climates. It seems a little early to me, but what do I know. My kids in Germany are already experiencing 40 degree weather. Both my sisters in Canada are feeling cool. My sister Dee had to put the woodstove to work last week. Thank you God for Texas!

It’s homecoming week and I’m not sure what I’m going to wear. We have decade day, camo day, wacko hair day and blue and white day. Blue and white is covered, but I’m not sure about the rest. Kathy Brockman does a great job of camouflage day. Our teachers are lots of fun! Most of them get totally involved in homecoming week. We will announce the homecoming winners right before the game. I think that will make it easier on the girls and their long dresses. The First Baptist Church will hold a souped up pot luck dinner for the community. We are also anticipating the arrival of baby Brand any day now. We may have another reason to celebrate on Friday. We are hoping to win against Gustine on Friday. That win will make Coach Burkhart’s 100th win as Coyote coach. I thought he had won many more than that, but this is the big 100. Way to go coach. I know there is always a big battle between academics and athletics, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In Dallas the AD there was always trying to get the English teacher fired because she wouldn’t pass his players. I’ve never had that problem with Coach Burkhart. If, and when, I complain about a player, he takes care of the problem immediately. With a son of his own in college, he knows the value of a good education. I’ve said it before, my youngest son would never have studied, but he couldn’t play if he didn’t pass. I was glad for sports in his case. I detested school. I would have left high school, but my father threatened me with diner detail. Fortunately, I discovered drama club and found an incentive to keep on going to that horrible place called school. Obviously, somewhere along the way I grew up and changed my ways!

The Shannon Sutherland benefit roping went very well. The kids and adult competitors all donated their winnings to the Sutherland family. I didn’t attend the auction, but I hear both it and the dinner were an overwhelming success. Once again our extended neighborhood comes to the rescue of a friend in need. The Joey Tharp Scholarship dinner will be on the 9th here at the Richland Springs fire station. Proceeds from the fish fry will go to provide a scholarship for a deserving 2011 Coyote Senior.

I don’t think Karen will give me twice as much space because I didn’t get an article in last week, so I guess I better call it a day. I love this country. I love my birth country. We are blessed beyond all other nations. Part of the blessing is because we have chosen God as leader of this government. Part is because we have had generations before us who gave their all to maintain our freedom. Please God, heal our sick, heal our land, and bless our precious troops and their families.