My poor grass is brown except for the large patch that was watered by the leak. It really proves how much importance should be given to careful monitoring of water. Farmers need to carefully use their water. On the flip side, the farmers need more water than the city folks and rich Hollywood types with their fancy gardens. Farmers supply the world with food, hence the priority need for water. Mass production ranches that supply meat need water for their stock. I need water for my dead grass, but my neighbor needs it more because of the beef. We must not waste this precious resource. I just pray that God sends us a frog strangler rain.
Speaking of waste, the Farm to Family program is not a waste. This is a program that takes all the surplus food that can’t be shipped around the world and delivers it for free to local food banks. The First Baptist food bank was privileged to deliver over 70 boxes of fruit and veggies this past Saturday. The program is slated to go through October. If you have a need for fruits and veggies, please contact the church. If they know you are coming, they will keep a box for you. Church volunteers delivered to families in the area this past Saturday. This wonderful program helps the farmers and our local folks. If you are in need because of the virus, please let the church know. They also have a food pantry on the first and third Mondays 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. So next Wednesday the 19th, the pantry will be open.
The Elm Grove rodeo is in the books. It was jam packed with excitement. Jeremy Leon took the working end of a horse hoof to the head. He is doing fine, but wild horse events may not be in his future. The team of Keston Lusty, Jayden Bryant and TJ Grant has been racking up the wins this rodeo season. As I watched them on video, I can see why. They have it down. I don’t know that the rodeo life would be one I would like for my child, but it is certainly exciting. I guess if that is the heart desire of your child, then you must let them follow their dream. At any rate, we watched some exciting events once again. Many thanks to all the participants and the organizers. Kudos to all the volunteers and the emergency personnel who took care of the wounded. School is truly in now; the Elm Grove Rodeo is over. Tuesday is the first for real day of back to work school. Remember your safety precautions for school. Monday church for the kids will be starting back soon; a note will be coming home next week.
I am in quarantine until my eye surgery on Monday. This second covid test I took was a bit more painful. The results are the same, no signs of the disease. I guess I will be wearing a patch at school. If I add my mask, I should look like a regular cartoon character. Someone pointed out on Facebook that you couldn’t identify a criminal robber or child abductor because everyone has masks. So, the bottom line is be careful and watch your children and teens. The last figure I saw was over 200,000 children taken. That number is horrifying. I am so thankful that I live in a community that looks after the children, has next to no covid cases, and life goes on at a reasonable level. Life in the country is good.
My chickens continue to be a source of irritation to me. No matter how gently I talk to them or how often I give them goodies, they squawk and run away any time I get within eight feet of them. I don’t really want to get close to them, but I do want them to come into the front yard where the dozens of grasshoppers are stripping my roses to the bark. My brandnew rose probably won’t come back next spring. Russ will do his best to help it, but all that new growth, even with seven dust, is all gone. Nothing but bare brown branches remain. My koi/goldfish, on the other hand, are thriving. If you need a few koi/goldfish to keep in your tank, please come with a net and remove some. They are getting quite big, and there are too many of them.
The second check is due from the IRS. The release said check, but some folks received a credit card that looked like fraud. I hope they don’t do that again. Some folks apparently threw theirs away. They are extending the unemployment checks for a few more months. Sooner or later they are going to run out of our money. We all need to get back to work; we are all essential workers. Those folks who keep to their budget know that you can’t spend more than you make. Sooner or later the bills must be paid. I’m proud to say we have many parents in this area that insist their kids earn or work their way. One young lady worked diligently to earn the money for her own trailer to haul her animals. I have many more stories of our kids working to pay their way. My grandson has been working since he was 16. He is about to start college, and his bank account has a healthy balance. That’s the other half of earning your own way: using the money wisely. Last year, one little guy said, “I have 20 dollars and I can’t wait to spend it.” I fear for his future if he doesn’t grasp the saving concept.
Although I am anticipating a few hitches in our school year, I am excited to have kids in class again. I applaud all the parents who worked hard to get work in last year. Most of us, teachers included, had no idea how to virtual school. We have overcome the obstacles, and now back to school everyone. I guess it is arrogance, but I feel I am the one who should be teaching them, not a screen. Mrs. Perry is ecstatic about her babies returning. Only a few have chosen to virtual school due to health reasons. The rest of us are business as usual, almost. Many thanks to Mr. Fowler and Mrs. Wyatt for their leadership during this covid mess. I am one of many to say thank you to Mrs. Starr for her help with the technology needed these past six months.
So, thank you, Lord, for covering our little county. Will Robertson is fighting cancer again and needs our prayers, as do Micki and Ricky Allen, Mike Phelan, Amber Moreno, Kathy Brockman and her elbow, and Walter Stratton who is home after his surgery. Please pray for our President, our Congress, our police officers and security officers, the many grieving families needing comfort, the recent storm and earthquake areas, our students, schools, but most of all our precious troops and their families. Please pray a special prayer for the families of the Marine training exercise accident. I can’t imagine their pain. Please, God, send us some rain.