I was sitting on my front porch enjoying the cool breeze, when I realized that I had not written the column! Needless to say, the serene porch scene has been replaced with the tapping of the keys.

What a strange week we have just passed. I know many of us are crying for rain, since all our prayers left with Hurricane Ike. The scenes of devastation tend to remind you that sometimes rain isn’t always the blessing we need! I cannot imagine the feelings that must be churning inside those families who are witnessing the destruction of their entire lives.

Thankfully, very few lives were lost, but in terms of all you have known and experienced the devastation of Galveston is the death of a community. Fortunately, Texans are tough, used to weather extremes and we will rebuild quickly.

Still, before all that rebuilding comes months of being lost. Please keep these families in your prayers and if you can help in any way, make that your Thanksgiving present to someone.

The Coyotes beat Lometa Friday night. It was a good win, and hopefully all the naysayers, trumpeting defeat at the end of last year, are now playing their horns a little more quietly.

No one can deny that the Ethridge, Williams, Daniels and Smith line up was brilliant, a dream team, so to speak, but we have good players, strong coaches and an incredible drive to win. Will we win them all? I don’t know. What I know for sure, is we will spill every ounce of spirit left in our team, to try to win! Congratulations Coyotes!

One of our alumni asked if I would give a little rundown on the teachers at the school. So for Earl Patrick and other alumni here is our list. The farthest building houses K-3. Mrs. Harris, formerly Mrs. Lane teaches Kindergarten, and high school Art. Mrs. Burkhart teaches 1st Grade and 6th Grade Reading. Mrs. Larrimore teaches 2nd Grade and 5th Grade Science. She is doing a great job with Science; I know that, because my 5th Graders are excited about Science.

Mrs. Wyatt teaches 3rd Grade. That is a difficult year due to the fact they must take their first TAKS test. The TAKS requires extensive teaching and preparation. The middle wing houses 4th Grade through 6th Grade and our reading corral. Mrs. Paula Miller teaches the RTI program and Mrs. Peggy Tompkins handles the dyslexia program under my supervision.

Mrs. Brockman, formerly of San Saba ISD, teaches 4th through 6th Math, 4th Science and Social Studies. She is also the Varsity Cheerleading Sponsor, and supervises the Elementary level UIL competition. I teach ELA to 4th through 7th Grade and 5th Grade Social Studies.

The wing closest to the main building houses the Junior High and the Library. Mrs. Gossett is our Librarian and her love of reading is an inspiration to our students. She does every thing she can to spark their interest in reading. Mr. Hogue is the Math teacher for this level. Students love his unique blend of discipline and humor. He is an asset to our school. Mr. Smith teaches Social Studies and coaches part time. I’m not sure what part time means, but it appears to be busy. Also on that wing is the Art room supervised by Mrs. Schultz.

Mrs. Schultz is from Columbia. She also teaches Spanish. Although her accent was difficult at first, students and teacher are making adaptations, and she is a treasure. I’ll talk about the High School teachers and coaches next week. These are obviously very tiny thumbnails, they cannot tell you what a diverse and talented staff we have this year. Discipline has improved, the learning environment has been enriched and we are expecting to have a wonderful year!

Don’t forget the benefit play day to be held this Saturday at the rodeo arena in Richland Springs. The events start at 2:00pm. Carol Bryant is rounding up volunteers, so if you want to help give her a call. She is looking for food donations, helpers and of course contestants of all ages! All proceeds are going to assist the Estrada family with their hospital expenses.

Many of us in this community know the horrific financial drain a serious illness imposes on family resources. Please make time to bless this family and let them know what a compassionate community we are. Have a grand day while you’re out there helping!

My daughter Tracy and her husband Mark rode out the hurricane in Houston. They are cleaning up the mess left behind. They didn’t sustain too much damage considering the size of this storm. They lost their fence, a tree limb fell on their truck, and they are without power but they fared much better than the folks in Galveston.

I hope everyone in town who has coastal family has the same good report. My son Scott was on standby duty in San Antonio, in case they were needed for rescue operations. Like I said, all in all it was a busy week!

There will be a Fifth Quarter this Friday after the game. The athletes from both teams will be treated to a Mexican dinner at the First Baptist Church. These events are absolutely entertaining. The boys are feted and honored, the fans get to glory in the night’s action and we all stuff ourselves with mouthwatering home cooking! You just can’t get entertainment that’s better than that!

The Bible Study and Quilting Club has resumed classes on Wednesday at the First Baptist Church. We meet at 5:30pm and this year we are studying the book 15 Minutes of Prayer. We are focusing on table runners this session. We will make a different runner for each season and some in between. We are a group of women from many different churches and communities. Why not come and join us Wednesday?

It’s late and morning comes way too soon. My son is going to give me more reasons to pray, so I better pay attention to our new book. It seems they will be sending him back to Iraq next year. I believe Linda Morris’ son is going back for his 3rd tour of duty. So, please remember to pray for our precious troops, our elections, our President and our government. I know God can find a way out of this; when we are listening closely enough to hear what He is saying. Our farmers and ranchers need rain for their crops and tanks. Bless you all; have a super week.