I am delighting in our weather. Delight is the verb I have to use, because it is as close to heaven as it gets! I watched the sun come up Saturday morning from the chair on my front porch. There was only a wisp of a breeze as I sat snuggled under my blanket. Once the sun decided to light up my front porch, I ditched the blanket, and just enjoyed the warmth. Mrs. Phoebe was hiding from her husband again. I think she must get tired of having her name called so incessantly. "Phoebe, Phoebe, where are you? Phoebe." I’ll bet she wants to change her name! The hummers are gone, I haven’t seen any in the last few days. They say the monarch migration is in full swing, but I haven’t seen any passing my way. The outdoors keeps whispering to me to come out and play. I think I will go back out and sit as soon as I get through here.

We’re about eight days away from Open House at the school. Our kids will have lots of work to display to their parents. I hope that some of the parents, who come through, will stop and look carefully at our buildings, and understand why we are trying to build a new elementary school. Our Indian villages look good. The students have done a great job of building their tribal habitats. Mrs. Gossett will be holding her annual book fair, and there will be an early voting station open for parents and community members who want to do some early voting. My roses are in full bloom, my crepe myrtle is still blooming, but the deer must be running out of food; they are nibbling on the buds. Speaking of serpents; my stars have not been returned to my gate. I can’t imagine why someone would take the stars off a gate. I understand the monetary value that stealing Dell’s meat cutter would have. I don’t like it; after all it is still stealing. My stars, on the other hand, have little or no dollar value, but they do have an emotional price tag that beats any dollar amount.

It’s been quiet around town this week. Mind you, I was gone for two days to a workshop in San Angelo. I like San Angelo, and Peggy Tompkins and I had a great time. Our featured speaker was Henry Winkler, better known as the Fonz. He spoke on the troubles he faced as a child due to his dyslexia. You could still hear the pain and anger in his voice as he recalled his childhood nickname, "Dumma hount" I don’t think I have spelt it right, but it means dumb dog in German. I sincerely hope none of our parents are calling their kids names that kill the spirit. I’m sure I’ve said things to my kids or even my students that I didn’t think about. I pray that the Lord keeps my words kind. You can be strict without being cruel. Some of our students face a tough enough home life, without adding to the torture at school as well. Many parents face tough situations at work, especially with our current job situation. I’m sure we’re all trying to do our best by our future generation.

Speaking of that conference that Peggy and I went to; there are some teachers that need to learn a little self control. I wonder what their classrooms are like. I finally had to turn around to one group that were chatting away, and ask them to keep quiet so that I could listen to the speaker. Their administrator was guilty of bad manners as well. They were quiet for a while, but resumed their talking in spite of my dirty looks and disgusted sighs. I guess I just expect teachers to set an example that others can look up to and follow. Some of you are out there wondering if I live up to my own expectations. I wish I could give you an unequivocal yes, but I fall flat on my face sometimes. I hate it when it happens, and pray it does not occur very often.

Monday Kids is going well. Mike and Debbie Phalen are teaching the kids since Velita has a scheduling issue. I worry about the long hours she keeps. One of the little girls told her friends she was going to the church food place. It must seem like that to the kids. There is always a meal there for the kids. Louise, Beverly and Panzie are ever faithful to provide a nourishing snack for our students. I popped in to see if there was anything I could do to help. I try not to go too often, since they’ve been stuck with me all day long. We really do have some great little children here in town.

Please remember our families that have lost loved ones recently. Junior Evans is doing better now that they have given him a pacemaker. We were quite worried for a while. There are many others in our community. It’s good to see Sandra Patino around town. Losing an arm has not kept her locked up feeling sorry for herself. Her spirit and resilience is impressive. Please pray for our troops and their families. Remember our government, our President and our upcoming elections. We need a little rain, but we know that God will supply. Thank you God for blessing America.