Another beautiful week in Richland Springs bites the dust. Unfortunately, it’s another week with very little rain. If you listen closely, you can hear the earth groan in pain.

Next week is spring break and the kids are chomping at the bit. Several will be out for the Houston stock show this week. So we wish them all the best of luck with their animals. We also have progress reports coming out this Friday. Mrs. Hall and I are anxiously waiting for the results of the writing TAKS tests. I heard that the School Board approved a stipend for the teachers if our campus becomes recognized, but the hard facts are we have little control over the results. Each of us, and by that I mean the teachers, works extremely hard to make sure our students pass the TAKS, but the passing is ultimately up to the students. I recall one year when a certain girl persuaded the students of her class that since it didn’t count for passing, there was no need to try to get a good grade. Mrs. Brockman and I tried our best to stem the tide, but to our dismay, kids who should have passed, simply bubbled in answers without even trying. We made sure that particular thing didn’t happen again, but that just shows you how flawed this system can be. At any rate, we are trying our best to be the best, with or without a stipend. After all, it is our teaching reputation that bears the brunt of this testing.

My son will complete his courses here in the States, and return home next Saturday. By home, I mean to Germany. His family is anxiously waiting for him. The recent events in Germany have left them all a little shaken. We have been discussing the advantages and drawbacks of the military life. There is no doubt my grandchildren have gained valuable insight into other cultures and countries. They have traveled to countries that most kids only read about in books. Yes, they have had to change schools and make new friends; that is always a little stressful, but only adds more to your life book.

We here in Richland, were glued to our radios listening to the girl’s basketball game last week. We were vicariously sharing in the glory of our neighbors. We’re very proud of the girls, and wish they could have brought home the trophy. They had it won for most of the game. Thanks for a great season.

Ruthie brought in a beautiful white floral arrangement today. Sadly it was for one of her kinfolk, Chauncy Mays. He was killed in Afghanistan when he was disarming an explosive device. He was a very young 24, and left behind a twenty-one year old wife and two small children.

T.E. Parsons is at the Songbird Nursing home undergoing some therapy. Gladys Powell is headed for Scott and White and some more knee surgery. Kay and Velita are handling the transfer of patients between them. I say patients, because Wayne is not quite recovered from that battle with the hay bale. Junior Evans fell, and they were worried about fluid on the brain, but the surgeons out of town felt an operation would not be in his best interests, so they sent him back to Brownwood. David Gilger is still in ICU, but Thurman says he is doing a little better. Charlotte Conley is not doing well at all. She was scheduled for chemo, but her health is too fragile to undergo the treatments. I also have Casey Clark on the prayer list and Gail Brand’s dad passed away I believe last week. All you prayer warriors out there please send up petitions for this list of folks and their families.On the positive side, George and Donna Hill are new grandparents. Kay McKee had her beautiful little red-headed sweetie visiting her this weekend.

Please pray for our country, our President and our lawmakers. Please pray for our service families, especially the families of these fallen heroes.