I can’t say that I have actually enjoyed the last few days of weather, but it sure beats last week’s weather! The trees outside my window are not swaying in the wind, and my wind chimes are silent for the first time in several days. It has been brisk to say the least, but not freezing. The school kids have enjoyed recess because it was cool enough to run and play, but not cold enough to force us inside. We are one week away from the TAKS writing test, so I’m not sure what next week will be like as far as recess is concerned. I guess we are either ready or we’re not. Teaching is a linked worked environment. If I don‘t get students prepared by Mrs. Slater, then I play catch up for my grades. If I send ill prepared students to Mrs. Hall, she has difficulty getting them ready for t he TAKS exit exams. At this very moment, I believe my students are ready. The lower elementary teachers are doing a great job. Mrs.Lane already has her kinder kids writing little stories. Mrs. Burkhart is building on those skills, and Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Slater are preparing their students for their first TAKS tests. My chief issue with TAKS is the fact the jump from 3

rd to 4th is tremendous. Mind you, it continues to be that jump, as they work through their school career. I know it has to be that way, but it sure is hard on these kids.

The chief difference you will see between teachers here in a non-union state, and teachers in a union state is focus. Teachers here pay their own medical, contribute to their own retirement, inadequate as it is, and apparently make much lower salaries. Whatever the differences, we would not close down schools for our own personal gain. Obviously their unions don’t care too much about the kids either. That may be unfair, but the examples that are being shown to those students are horrific. How can we train young people to be responsible citizens, if the teachers are incapable of being responsible? Perhaps the governor bit off more than he could chew, or even should have bitten off, but that’s what negotiations are for. This busing in unions from other areas and acting like an unruly mob, doesn’t entice me to join a union whatsoever. A friend of mine obtained a job with a company that had unions, but you don’t have to join unions in Texas. When he was approached by the union to join, he politely refused. He was told politely in return, join or you’ll lose your job before the month is done. That’s the picture I have of unions, white collar thugs. Sorry, but that’s how I feel. I know they came about because employers were not treating their employees fairly. It seems to be a human shortfall, this self-serving attitude that doesn’t care if everyone else is hurt, just so long as we are fine. I’ve lived in a union run socialist country and stupid things happen in the name of union solidarity.

It will be interesting to see which way Egypt will head. There was no peaceful change of power and bad things happen in a power vacuum. The last thing we need is another violent Muslim Sharia Law country. Ask the Russian people how solidarity worked out for them. The Chinese haven’t done any better by their citizens. Our very form of government, with its inherent freedoms, puts us at risk with dissidents. Everyone is entitled to their say, but people opposed to our way of life can use that to deprive us of those very same freedoms. As I said, it will be interesting to see which way the country of Egypt goes.

The second evening of Coyotes for Christ kicked off at 5:00pm Sunday evening. I estimate between 25 and 40 students came to share food, fun and an inspiring evening. Michael and Amanda are to be commended for their service to the young people of our community.

The hometown crowd will be out in force on Tuesday to attend the district playoff game in Goldthwaite. The boys have worked hard and are more than ready to win. By the time this column comes out we will know whether or not they were truly prepared for this battle. We wish Coach Rogers and the Coyote basketball team the best of luck.

Tennis is way behind. Our first match is next week and returning players have not even been on the court. There is no possible way we can be ready for a match next week. That means I will have to call and cancel our tennis meet in Fredericksburg. We just don’t have enough players to fill all of our spring sports. For that matter, we don’t have enough coaches to work with more sports. We also have to compete with One Act Play for participants. There just aren’t enough bodies to go around! Someone asked me why we didn’t have volleyball for girls. I gave them the same answer that I give to people who ask me about junior high teams, or baseball, or cross country, or golf. We just don’t have enough bodies. The numbers just aren’t there. Our kids are stretched thin as it is. I have to remind everyone that we also have to educate them in the midst of all this extra curricular activity. I almost forgot stock shows. We have a number of students out this week showing animals. I think it’s great that our students have so many opportunities to compete, but there must be a balance somewhere!

The fund raiser for the football boys is this coming Saturday. I hope everyone finds time to attend the meal in the evening. If you have any jobs to be done in or around the house, please call Barry Fikes. This event has always been successful. The support our young men get from this community is phenomenal. I think that is part of what makes them so successful on the football field. Congratulations once again to coaches and players.

Our USS Lexington trip date is set for April 15

th. I’ll put our deposit down next week. We are going to have a good group of students and parents attending. It will be my wedding anniversary, but I guess we’ll celebrate a day late. The years have made our relationship sweeter, and one day won’t mess that up. My flight confirmation for Germany should arrive by Tuesday, and I have already received my confirmation for the Rhine River Castle tour. I think I can feel a little shiver of excitement growing!

After telling you that the Stars and Stripes would have their scheduled event, I read that it was postponed until March. The news from Dallas regarding Paul Gibson is still serious, but better than it was last week. Please continue to keep the family in your prayers. Charlotte Conley is staying with Ginger. She has been sent to our quiet little town to regain some strength and prepare for her battle with cancer. She has a good attitude, and that is a good part of the cancer battle.

Alfred is still with his sister, but at least he’s out of the hospital. They have moved Junior to the nursing home for now while he recovers from his hospital stay. Please keep both of these families in your prayers. Annie Granados needs our prayers as does her family. Elisa Draper was down for a week or so, but she is doing better now. Our prayer list is long, but our God is gigantic and well able to meet all prayer needs.

Please pray for our government, for the folks in Wisconsin, for our President, and for our precious troops and their families. We need God to bless us with a good soaking rain to set our early spring crops. God is good. We are a blessed nation, and I sincerely hope we all remember that our founding fathers wanted to make sure we put God first in all we did. God bless America and may America bless God.