I left my lovely, breezy spot on the front porch to come in and send off this column. Russ and I sat there enjoying our tea and the breeze that came with a brief shower. What a refreshing feeling. It wasn’t much of a shower, but every little bit of God’s moisture is better than the stuff that comes out of the hose. My yard looks so nice with its newly mowed appearance. I am about ready for Tuesday.
Tuesday is the end of the year teacher’s meeting. We will be a little innovative this year due to the COVID-19 crisis. Instead of lunch indoors, we will have an outdoor brunch. I have enough trees around the house that we can spread out and keep our distance, and at the same time enjoy each other’s company. So, Brunch under the Branches is good to go. Once again, I have a lovely group of ladies and gentlemen who have volunteered to bring food for the teachers. We won’t all be here, but I hope those that come enjoy the food offerings from our wonderful community. I want to thank the folks from Shiloh, First Christian, and First Baptist Church for their generosity.
Our dewberries are ripe, but the blackberries need at least another week. Although the wild dewberries aren’t friendly, they’re much kinder that the blackberries. I have to get them in the morning or late evening because by the time you fight off those horrid scratchy things, you are worn out, as well as bloodied. I have to wear a long-sleeved, heavy shirt; jeans; a hat to protect my head; and at least one glove to hold off the attacking vines. If it were not for the fact blackberries are delicious, I would let them rot on the vine.
It does look as if we will have a good crop this year, as well as a good crop of grapes.
I was lucky enough to see the ring parade last Wednesday. I know that parents and athletes were proud and excited. I hope the community will take part in our graduation ceremony on the 29th. The ceremony itself will take place on the football field at 7 p.m. Each graduate has a set number of guests. After the ceremony is over, the graduates will motor downtown and receive the applause of friends and family. I’m not sure how they are going to do the scholarships and gifts. We have such moving and personal graduations because of our low numbers that it seems surreal to just watch them go by in cars. I expect that it will be special, even if it is not traditional.
I was excited to see the post on the community page that the 4th of July festivities will still take place. I can’t wait. I believe it will feel like life has returned to normal. I think it would be a great idea if many of us decorate a truck, car, trailer, or any moving vehicle, and take part in the parade. Let’s make it shine on the 4th. I think seeing that post just lifted my spirits after these months of isolation. Bring on the fun!
I’m glad we have a governor who sees the importance of getting our state back to normal. I realize, for the sake of our elderly, that we must be careful and keep our distance, but we must get on with life.
Not that it matters, but I picked the first squash from my garden today. It’s just one more thing to lift my spirits. I may not get to go visit my sisters this summer, so my garden will get more care.
I heard today that Mary Kate Adams went back to the hospital. Please keep this precious lady in your prayers. Please also pray for the Petty family during this time of bereavement. Obviously we need prayer for our country, President, essential workers, and our elderly as well. We just celebrated Memorial Day. We owe a giant debt to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. I want to repeat myself and say thank you to all the parents who struggled through this educational crisis and helped their students get all their work submitted. It is no mean task to get work in under those circumstances. You are troopers.
We have young men and women from our community in the armed forces and in danger’s way. Please pray for them and their families. Every one of them is precious. Have a great week.