It was a pleasure to see Bea Soto in church again today. I had it in my mind she had been gone a few weeks. When she said it had been a month, I realized that the entire month of June was over, and I only have one month left of summer vacation. I don’t believe I am quite ready for school to be in session yet. I doubt if the kids are ready to call summer quits either.
Next week is our big 4th of July celebration. Here in Richland Springs, we believe in BIG celebrations. For a tiny town, we really know how to make this holiday pop. I suspect there are a few larger cities in the state who would laugh at that statement, but don’t mock until you come test our day. Our parade is tiny, the route a smidge above a mile, our crowds meager compared to large cities, but the pride and participation puts a smile on everyone’s faces.
Hometown and visitor booths will be set up down main street, in the Tabernacle, and along the roadside leading to the firehouse. We have several food vendors coming from area towns. Local groups will be handing out water and participating in the games. We always have something wet to keep the kiddos entertained and cool. This year there will be a little craft to make in the First Baptist Church fellowship hall. It will also get the kids out of the heat for a while.
The baking contest will be held in the fellowship hall as well. Contestants have been asked not to bring anything that needs refrigeration. The hall is air-conditioned, so at least things won’t melt in the heat as they did a few years ago.
If you are a 42 fan, come and compete. If that’s not your style, there are washers to throw and perhaps a mud pit for ATVs. The highlight for many is the hog sacking contest. There are pigs of all sizes to challenge contestants of all sizes. Some of the larger hogs scare the meanness out of me. Nevertheless, there are plenty of crazy men, boys, and girls to tackle the screaming, squealing piggies. I’m not sure if there are any ladies’ teams. I’d like to think we ladies know better than to tackle something that could hurt us, but I’m not making any guarantees.
Later in the evening, it’s time for our fish fry and auction. You can listen to a little music while you consume your delicious fish. Bring your wallet and prepare to spend a little on homemade goodies, artwork, quilts, and whatever else comes up for auction. The proceeds pay for the following year’s festivities.
Once the sun sets, and the skies darken a little, sit back and watch the fireworks. Literally, sit back and watch the best fireworks around. Here in Richland Springs, you get a front row seat at the spectacle in the sky. Life in this little town makes waking up a whole bunch easier. Guess what else… no masks required. Do what you feel is best for you and yours.
We are supposed to get a little rain this week. I’m not sure that will happen. The ground is retaining some of the wonderful rains we have received, but high temperatures and winds will soon suck the life out of the greenest pastures. Driving around, I see a beautiful hay crop for all the area farmers and ranchers. Even small acreage farms have an abundance of bales. I just smile and say praise God. Next year might not be the same, but for this year we are blessed.
I’m feeling the pinch of staying home. My kids are in the Virgin Islands right now, one of my fellow teachers is headed to Branson, and another friend is off to Hawaii. I intend to get to Costa Rica as soon as my youngest son, Shane and his wife, Earnie, have wrapped up their business dealings.
Going to Canada is out. They are still locking down their borders. Even with a shot, I am not allowed past the gates. I wonder if perhaps we could do that with our southern border. If we keep letting folks in, then Canada will never open the borders. They seem to be much more paranoid about the virus. I would like to visit my brother as he is not in good health. Mr. Trudeau doesn’t care about me and my brother. I wonder if they would let me in to visit for a funeral. Not a nice thought, but it’s one facing many people these days.
I wrote last week that Russ and I had visited his 92-year-old sister in Corpus. I just finished up a phone call from her. She is lonely, shut off from family, and depressed. I imagine that scenario is being replayed all over this country. I believe shutting people away is harmful and leads to more suffering than is necessary. I pray this pandemic will stop completely, and life can return to normal.
I will send out another "Reminder" message this week. My fifth-grade students have four small booklets to read this summer. They are to turn in a brief summary via email, google classroom, or phone message. They should have read two of the four books by now. I have received a few summaries, but the majority are behind. So, students, get those turned in to me this week.
We have several folks fighting cancer. We continue to pray for them as they fight this horrible disease. Gerald McKee keeps us posted via Facebook. Danny Phillips Sr. is having complications from his treatments, and doctors are working to fix his problems. Tiny Shannon had a setback and is having to undergo more treatments. All these needs are urgent and need to be covered in a layer of prayer.
Our prayers are also needed in Florida for all those missing people and their families. I agree with the announcer who said, "This is something that we would expect to see in a Third World Country, not here in America." We need prayers for the civil and uncivil unrest that is happening in the United States. It’s time we settle down, live in peace, and have respect for one another. It’s also time to respect and protect our police officers. Most of all pray for our precious troops and their families. See you at the firehouse Saturday.