I don't know if anyone around here is afraid of the virus, but I can tell you it is making a mess of our country. No one seems to know what to do. There are a multitude of experts with differing opinions. Should we wear a mask? Some say yes, others say no. Should we close the country? The free market folks say no. There are other experts that say we need to shut down and start over. I believe school needs to open with students in class, but I can see where a large school system, with many students per class, may consider that too dangerous. Quite frankly, I don’t know who to believe anymore. So, I remind myself that God is still in control, and He will work this out in His own good time. I guess I will just hang on and enjoy this crazy year.
The next food pantry day in Richland Springs will be August 3rd. If possible, let the church know that you would like a box of supplies. The back door will be open from 5:50 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. There are volunteers working to help get the food out. The church has made a form that has the items available in the pantry. If you pick one up this week, the food can be ready for you next Monday. Donations and supplies are thankfully accepted. Franky and Esmeralda are heading up this ministry of the church. All community members are welcome to come and share in the bounty of the pantry.
My garden is about done. The okra will probably produce a little while longer, but I only have one plant so that really is not worth watering. The squash has decided it is done, the cucumber has stopped producing and the tomato plants have four tiny little tomatoes. I expect the grasshoppers will eat them before I can get them off the vine. I opened the garden to the chickens, but all they do is eat my kale and lettuce. I still can’t get them to come out into the front yard where the other three thousand grasshoppers are eating every leaf on my rose bushes. Russ and I were so proud of the watering system that was keeping all our plants alive, but the armadillos are hitting the moist soil hard. Several of my rose bushes have been attacked. They also unhook the watering system which kills the flowers. Overall, gardening is not working well for us. We do have many beautiful birds that visit the fountain. That is consolation for my beautiful flowers being killed. One thing that does not die is the goldfish or koi. Mrs. Locker harvested three, but I still have about 17 healthy and growing fish.
I am going to make sure I work on our social studies classes this year. It seems too many of our students lack basic knowledge of what our Founding Fathers envisioned for us, and why this is an awesome country that people struggle to enter legally or illegally. I cannot imagine anyone wanting to immigrate to Iran, Cuba, North Korea, or South America. No, it is here, the land of the American Dream, the great experiment in government for the people by the people. I try to teach the facts, not the revised versions. I will just have to work harder to help my students understand the freedoms and responsibilities that make this country so great.
Amber Moreno needs our prayers as she continues her struggle with cancer. Beatrice Soto needs our prayers at the passing of her sister in Arlington. Mary Kate Adams has gone back to the rehab center and needs our prayers and support. Brother Mack is on reserve duty and will hopefully be back with us by Wednesday. Our President needs daily prayer. Please pray for our Congress as they make decisions during this pandemic. We need peace, order, wisdom, and civility to be restored in our country. These phones and Facebook have made rudeness a way of life. Please think before you post. My heart goes out to all the police officers and their families who are facing daily attack. We have lost so many this year. Thank you to every essential worker who is giving their time and efforts to help us. Most of all, pray for our precious troops and their families. See you soon, kids.