I poked my head outside for the first time in about two weeks. I do not like the cold. I left Canada for Australia because I wanted yearround temperate weather. I met this wonderful Texan and moved to a hot country. Cold is not on my agenda. I will admit the twoday snow event was pretty. I even managed to throw a few snowballs for the fun of it. Snowball number three reminded me why snowball throwing is not so much fun. It took several arm pit moments to get those pinkies warm again. Still, I’m glad that our kids experienced this event. My 30-year-old grandson had never made a snowman. It’s hard to imagine for a snowbird like me.
School is finally settling down to a form of normalcy. That means students are realizing they have work to do, and teachers are preparing for the long haul to testing. TEA says students are behind about six months, but boots on the ground says more like a year. Real time may be spring and summer of 2020, but when you think that usually the first month is spent catching students up on the year before, then repeat that same time frame when we returned in August you are looking at almost a full year. That year looks even more realistic when you look at the quality and quantity of work that was turned in during that time. We all have our work cut out for us. I can’t even begin to think about how far behind all those districts are going to be that opted to stay in virtual schooling. Our kids need face to face teaching.
The quilting ladies are headed to Stonewall this Thursday. I wish I were going with them, but between medical appointments and school, I will be left at home.
Monday Church will be going strong from now until March break. I think we will miss one Monday. That will be the Monday when teachers have training sessions. Right now, we are running from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., but we are looking at reducing this to either 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. or 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The goal is to keep the kids learning and enjoying their time at Monday Church. If you have any input you would like to give, please send a note with your student. They will get it to me at school.
The school will be doing picture retakes this week, and I believe parents will be getting a note about health screening coming up shortly.
Community news rests on the COVID vaccine. If you wish to be put on the list, please call Everett’s Pharmacy and give them your name, date of birth, and phone number. I don’t believe the vaccine will be in until February, but your name needs to be on the list. They are delivering it per the guidelines. So, those of you over 65, in poor health or working with patients will go to the head of the line.
If you are at all in danger, please sign up for the vaccine.
I didn’t make resolutions this year mostly because I knew I wouldn’t keep them. I have talked to myself rudely to make changes needed to improve my overall health. The good thing about talking to yourself is you can change your mind and it’s not arguing.
I am putting more time to studying my Bible. Not only because it feels as if we are going to be raptured any minute, but because I need the peace during our storms. I hope we settle down to some degree of normal, but I am not holding my breath. So, to remain sane, I trust more in the Word of the Lord, and that allows me to be available to those who may need more help making it through the day.
My twenty plus year-old grandson has COVID. He has health problems, so he is not doing as well as some. My son-in-law, Mark, has cancer, so he will be taking treatments over the next few months. Nelson Smith, Danny Shane Phillips, Charley Clayton, Mario Soto, Vicki Overstreet, Grant Hall, Raymond Soto, Gerald McKee, and Kayden Richardson of New Mexico all need prayers for healing. Carley Clayton is doing better and has moved to Songbird Nursing Home for recovery. We offer our prayers and condolences to the Pierce family on the loss of their loved one. All those folks need our prayers.
We need prayers for our nation, prayers for the inauguration of the 46th president, and the retiring President Donald Trump. My prayer is that we learn to work together and stop the grand standing. Let’s get help for the American workers. Let’s agree to give this vaccine a chance, and perhaps we can do away with all these masks and restrictions. Pray for all the folks in nursing homes and hospitals that cannot see their loved ones. Lord, please keep our medical, emergency and police safe, but most of all protect our precious troops and their families. Have a great week!