One would imagine that most of the folks around our fair part of the Country will be pretty pleased when we’ve gotten by the midway of the 8th month.

It’s easily realized that we don’t need to remind each other of the hot, dry weather but there are a couple of positive aspects of a dry season. If we don’t get very much rain, at least one doesn’t have to run the lawn mower or tractor & shredder quite as often.

Another aspect Shaw & I’ve noticed around the County is that the Mesquites have put on an abundance of beans this season. Mesquites are pretty much a Desert plant and thrive quite well during drought.

As far as the bumper crop of beans, domestic livestock like them very well, (cattle, sheep, & goats), deer & some other wildlife species enjoy their sweet savor, and some varmints & rodents do well with the starchy bean.

Mesquite bean jelly makes a pretty spread. The Prickly Pear tuna are ripening now & would make a very pretty Aggie jelly or Jam. I had a recipe for Mesquite bean jelly once, but you’d probably be better off calling the ladies at the County Agent’s office for that one.

Being a bit short of space last week, there were still some folks that I didn’t get to list as attending our Class of ’63 reunion. Apolonio Coronado, Larry Sims, and Chad Oliver got in a good bit of visiting and Joan Matthews and Bobbie McCarty looked about as well as back in our school days.

Margie Clark showed up with a bright hair-do, as well as bringing Ms. Clark and brother, James. Bobby Ringo and I re-played a few ol’ football games and Val Gene made it all the way in from the Bend.

Jan Huffstetler might have gained a pound since High School, and Sharon Langham, Patsy Smith, and Carolyn Spears all helped ID some of the pictures of long ago. Deborah Williams had a nice visit with ol’ chums as we don’t get to see her as often as some.

Bill Ferrell and his wife, Pauline, were back down at the Mill Pond this past weekend as he came in for his Family reunion.

Donald Parks should have won the travel prize as he had to cross Hwy. 190 to get to the Park. Sara Maude Maultsby, Elsie Millican, Dorothy Gage, and Margie McDowell were cheerful guests and Ms. McRorey represented our teachers.

While covering Reunions, I still have some unfinished business in regard to the Harkey Family Reunion held the last weekend of July.

The Reunion, at our American Legion Hall by the Mill Pond, got kicked off on Sat.evening with our traditional fish-fry.

Most Harkeys have a fish frying pot or two, with Jimmy Harkey, Gene Horn, & yrs. Truly usually bringing in our own pots.

Jimmy & I are getting to the point that it’s nice to turn over most of those chores such as seasoning, mealing, frying, dipping, etc. to some of the younger Harkey kids.

Anyhow, Gordon, Scott, Will, & John Scott (all Harkeys) did most of that. Daddy, James B., Jerry, & Horn sort of served as “quality control” testers on the side.

Eddie Ragsdale came by to check on our frying being as he’d caught the fish. Hushpuppies, taters, fried Jalapeno strips, Okra, Squash, & onions served as sides.

Sunday dinner is a covered dish affair with plenty of dishes as well as desserts filling the serving tables. The affair is concluded with a White Elephant auction with Susie’s Plum Jam being one of the perennial favorites.

Son, Will wound up with a scroll of all the Harkey brands ever registered in San Saba Co. that Cousin Diana Ingram fixed up & sent as she was not able to be present with us this year.

Lady Z & I had to miss the auction as we had to attend a friend’s wedding up at the A G Church out on the Llano Hwy. I think the Family voted to hold the ’09 Reunion at the same location the last weekend of July.

Hopefully, there will be some more Harkey Family members that can make it next year out around——Harkeyville!!!!!!