I’m home, but I’m definitely not back in the swing of things. I found out at the Fish Fry that this article was supposed to be in early due to the holiday. I haven’t quite recovered from jet lag. My sleep routines are strange and wrong. It’s 9:00pm in Germany and 2:00pm here. As of a few days a go, I was getting ready for bed, and now it’s the middle of the day. I get these strange desires to sleep at the oddest times! I wish I could have brought back some of the cold and rainy weather I left behind in Germany! My yard looks like last years old hay. Russ has been struggling to keep everything watered, but there comes a point when it just doesn’t make sense anymore. There have been a few sprinkles in the last day or so, but not enough to amount to even a touch of green! I guess we need to get very serious about praying for rain!

I came out of hibernation to go to the 4

Carol Bryant was asking about getting pictures and a list of names for play day competitions into the paper. I guess we will do that next week. I don’t know if the parade pictures will get in either. I hope to be up to scratch by next week. I saw many of my students at the fish fry. They wanted me to know they had passed their TAKS test on the second attempt. I was extremely proud of their accomplishments! There is such a tremendous amount of pressure on these students to pass this test.

We have at least two upcoming weddings, that of Cason Fikes and that of Daniel Fowler. Many of last year’s graduates are either on campus or finding rooms for their first year in college. We are very proud of our seniors. Richland Springs should also be seeing our new teachers shortly as they get ready to start a new school year.

Maxine Robbins has a new car to sit beside her old Geo. She says her new Kia gets 38mpg. That’s as good as the Geo, but it has an added attraction; it has air conditioning! It certainly is going to be tested this summer. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the June temperatures and the equally hot July projection temperatures!

Kathy Brockman greeted me with a big hug. She is looking refreshed and relaxed. She and Rob have all kinds of projects on the honey do list. I can tell you that this next year is going to be a huge adjustment for me. Kathy has been my mainstay for the last five years! My days are going to be significantly different! Those of you who know Kathy will understand how I feel about not having her around. I wish her all the best and many happy completed projects!

Apparently Junior Moreno fell off the roof of a project. His injuries are fairly extensive. He is at Scott & White receiving treatment. His fall broke several ribs, punctured his lung and did some facial damage. He is expected to recover without surgery at this point. They have yet to evaluate his back; so we will wait to hear, and keep him in our prayers. Cap Seay is in the hospital, as is James Brady Adams. Paul Gibson will be going to MD Anderson around the middle of the month for some work on his health. I’m sorry to report that Lula Pearl, daughter of Pearl Cantrell passed away last week. Tami Lewis is recovering from back surgery. Russ had told me it was Candi, and I was shocked, but Ginger Skelton set me straight. The Hills asked for prayer for their friend Sherry. It seems her bones are disintegrating! Floyd said he enjoyed his cruise, but he is glad to end his idling days and get back to the joy of ranching and farming. That was my idea of humor!

Vacation Bible School starts on Sunday evening the 10

We have a unique feature in our July calendar this year. I have to check the time span, but supposedly we will not have another July like this for hundreds of years. We will have five Fridays, five Saturdays and five Sundays. I’m sure we are all hoping those days will not be marked by heat and lack of rain.

Please pray for our precious troops that continue to keep us free, just as those soldiers of 1776 freed us from a reign of tyranny. Pray for our President, our government and our local leaders. May God please bless us with a good rain. Have a great week everyone, stay cool!

th of July Fish Fry. They had a great crowd in spite of the heat, and although I’m sure we were all disappointed that the fireworks had to be cancelled, we certainly all enjoyed the fun and fellowship. I was surprised at how many people have enjoyed my tales from Europe. This week’s column will be a little short since I haven’t plugged into all that is going on in town.th of July. If you need a ride please let Bro. Barry know. The church will be running a bus around the community. The theme this year is "Kickin’ it Old School." I hope we have a super strong group of kids this year. Senior camp will be the week of July 18-22. The cost is $190.00. Bro. Barry has organized sponsorships and work days to help with the fee. Please call him and sign up for the camp and work days. I hope we can get a good group of teens going this year. You need to sign up for camp by Sunday the 10th.