I have to say that so far our summer weather has been fairly decent. According to the weather forecast, it’s going to be warm until Tuesday, and then it will cool back down into the 80’s. Does anyone remember how miserably hot last summer was by this time? I hate to be a complainer, but it’s time to start praying for some rain in this area. I have a gauge for my stock tank and according to it my tank has shrunk by some3 feet. I was asking Floyd what to do abut the plant junk that is infesting my water. He has some pricey stuff for small tanks, but suggested I see the county agent for a product that would clean out a tank. I don’t want anything that will cause more damage to the area if I can help it.The countdown has begun for several things. The Starr/Locker wedding is on the 22nd of this month, the quilting retreat is on the 28th and puppy Glen is going into service on the 11th. We have been working on our leash habits, and I will put in a final picture next week to show everyone what a big boy he has become. I will most definitely miss him, but my yard will not. It will take some time to restore the front area. Last year’s drought killed all the grass and left the weeds. This year whatever was left has been either cut down or dug up. It’s a small price to pay for several months of precious memories. Whoever gets to keep this dog will be blessed with a loving and intelligent companion. I’m sure if there was a camera around somewhere they would wonder what I am doing with this dog. In order to keep him close to me while we leash train, I keep a piece of cheese in my free hand. He nuzzles my hand all the way down the road until I stop. He’s has the sit and get a piece of cheese part down very well. The part where you follow the cheese and stay close to the person is not quite there. He loves to chase grasshoppers so our present crop of millions of the pests is quite distracting for him. They will insist in popping up in his face and daring him to chase them. Needless to say our "walks" are not very orderly, but they are getting better.I went by the school Friday to check on some things. Susan and Delores were holding down the fort. Esmeralda was doing her summer thing which is to thoroughly clean each room. Susan is getting all the nursing records up to date before she leaves for good. She is scheduled for surgery in Fredericksburg on the 11th. Since that is the day I’m taking Glen back I will stop by and see her after her surgery. We can console each other. I have faced up to the truth, and am openly admitting that although I’m glad Glen is ready to move on and do the job he was bred for, I will be a much sadder person for a while. I am going to miss Susan very much as well. She has been a sweet and super friend over the last few years. She’s headed back to cool country later on in the year. Every last one of us is going to miss her sweet face and spirit.We’re sharing the pride of accomplishment with one of our peers this week. Congratulations to Amanda Brand on the publication of her first novel. I can’t wait to get a copy of her book and read it. I missed the book signing at Pepperbelly’s Sunday, but I’ll get one shortly. She is certainly deserving of praise. Can you believe she wrote this novel while teaching part time, preparing for a new child and taking care of her little girl? Don’t forget taking care of her husband as well. I almost forgot the excellent job she and Michael have done with the youth program in our community. Can you say wow!?Wayne Powell had surgery last week and is at home recuperating. One of the plusses in that is we get to see more of Velita Smith Powell. She tells me Kenneth is doing well with his chemo. I guess I’m a little selfish because the absolute joy I felt as I led the singing and listened to Kay on the piano and Velita on the organ was absolutely blissful. The swell of the organ brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat as I tried to sing songs of praise to our Lord. We need to get our young people signed up for music lessons. Mary Kate tells me no one wants to put in the time to learn and practice. That is a shame. Surely we have some aspiring musicians out there.I shortened the supply list for next year’s 4th and 5th grade students. I know it is a little early yet, but if you know you are going to need help with supplies why not let the local churches know in the next few weeks before the sales start. That way the congregation will be prepared when the supplies hit the sales racks. I kept the polo shirt on the list as well. We need at least one of them to attend UIL meets and other “nice” events. Last year they were only five dollars. That was cheaper than some of the designer tee shirts. Please don’t forget incoming fourth and fifth graders have summer assignments to complete. They are not huge assignments, but they are mandatory. I hope our attendance will be much higher next year than they were this year.Summer is the time of year when all grandparents get the joy of spending time with their grandkids. We all know the cycle of life