Summer vacation is about over, where in the world did summer go?

The “dog days” are definitely here. My outdoor thermometer probably can’t find the number 80 anymore! It sure can search out that century mark in a hurry! My air conditioner is not acting friendly, and that is more than worrisome!

Much to my surprise, I met Pearl Cantrell in San Saba at the Dollar General. Yes, she drove herself there, just in case you wanted to know. Meeting Pearl puts life in a whole different perspective. Apparently Pearl went to visit her son in Gilmer. They were celebrating his birthday; not an unusual thing, but it was his 80th birthday! So Robert Allen, keep up the good work, you have a ways to go before you catch up with Mom!

Vicki Overstreet and her staff are working hard to get everyone’s room shipshape. I love seeing those bright shiny floors.

Mr. Bostick and his crew are still matching up rooms and computers. If anyone wants to know, I need two more chairs for my computer area.

Mr. Fowler and Mrs. Hill are still working on the schedule for the upcoming year. Small schools always pose scheduling problems! I’m looking forward to this year no matter what I end up teaching.

I had a call from Gene Woods last week. He read about Virginia Glaze and her husband Don Coquat’s visit. Apparently he was school buds with Ruth Glaze. We were able to get a number for him and I guess they’ll be exchanging “you remembers” one day soon. Sometimes those times are good, sometimes not.

Don’t forget the UIL Workshop that is being hosted by Richland Springs. This event is open to all area schools but we would like to see a good representation from Richland. The proposed date is August 18th; the $10 fee covers lunch and workshop materials. Limited sponsorships are available. Please contact the school to register. You may also call Brenda Roberds at 623-5443, or Melanie Smith at 452-3274.

I’ve spent the last week or so looking through the Locker presentation for the sesquicentennial program. What a unique piece of Americana. Russell’s great Granddaddy features prominently in the book since he was a Locker. Mr. Tom Alston allowed me to take his book home for a little quiet time study. Thanks for this unique opportunity.

The Preservation Society met on Monday. The meeting was a little later than usual because Ruth was cleaning out underneath her carport. Todd was here helping her and she didn’t want to waste his time. Fortunately, there was little business to conduct. Minutes were read, approved and tentative plans for a new fundraiser were discussed. I heard some neat ideas, so it will be interesting to see which plan they pick. We’ll know if the roof seal is tight if we ever get a good soaking rain!

The Cemetery Association will meet on the 12th. Everyone is welcome to attend. The cemetery looks great. I left some flowers on Sid and Mary Lewis’ grave. Their daughter Rachel bought them, she asked that I place them for her, since it would be a while before she came this way. I can sincerely say they looked just beautiful.

I’m headed out to San Antonio this Saturday so this column will be a little short. I have my Dallas granddaughters , Danielle and Sarah here, and we will be back with the rest of them next week.

We want to remember the Gibson family in this time of sorrow. The write up of the accident brought back painful memories. The lady who ran over my son was also sited for failure to yield. Praise God our result was painful but more positive. Shane is broken and battered, but I can still see his sunshiny face! Like the papers say, watch for motorcyclists!

I’m looking for a little green in my yard, but I’m coming up with shades of brown. I hope everyone is praying for rain! It seems to be a feast or famine situation this year.

Mind you, we have plenty of grasshoppers! Not that I want plenty of grasshoppers. The deer are walking over my electric fence to get to the water trough. That's fine with me, I do resent the loss of all my flowers in the front yard to their foraging ways!

Thanks for all the calls supporting this column. I know I get a few negative ones, but I need those to keep me on task! I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Please pray for our elections, our government, our President and our awesome soldiers. God bless America.