I want to start this column off with a hearty "thank you" to the 30 people who showed up Saturday morning to clean up the town. Kathy Brockman represented the First Baptist Church and treated everyone to juice and delicious donuts. Paige Moats captained us all very ably.
Paige and the Beautification Committee have done a great job of making our town a little prettier. We can’t say enough to Mayor Reeves and the council for their superhuman efforts to clean up our delinquent properties. Franky Soto took one down this week. I know the property will look beautiful by the time he is finished. Several ladies brought their tools and went to work. Many thanks to coach Chandler and the basketball girls. They were a large part of our numbers. Mrs. Starr would be proud of them as well. The Lone Star Coyote award goes to Nick Nilson, the only football player to tackle the weed eaters. I think there must have been a communication glitch because typically Coach Burkhart participates with a bus load of boys. We had at least six men with their equipment mowing and cutting. I won’t name everyone, but we pitched in and the town was tidy by 11:00 a.m.
During the preparation phase, Dee Crump suggested that we have a community gathering to pray for the 4th of July festivities since we will have many people in town. It was decided that Tuesday at 7:00 a.m., we will meet at the Tabernacle and walk the town in prayer. So, come and join us and pray that everyone will be safe, and no COVID will be spread. Thank you, men, women and students, who gave up their Saturday to beautify our little town.
Speaking to the July 4th activities, Mayor Reeves verified with our county judge that we have the go ahead for this event. Obviously, we must be reasonable and responsible and keep our physical distance. I know we can all enjoy ourselves even if we are following the rules. If you are at risk, please wear a mask. There is so much contradictory media output about masks, I’m not sure which is safer: mask or no mask. Do what you feel is best for you and your family. Do what is good for the elderly and at-risk in your community. I am pumped for this big outing!
Once again, I am the proud owner of six little hens. They are small enough to get through my fencing, so I don’t see them much during the day. I can hear them clucking their way through the underbrush. I think they will be too big to get through the fence in another week. They are supposed to be here
They are supposed to be here eating the grasshoppers in the yard. I had forgotten how cute but how stupid chickens are. I expect that if anyone calls me chick in the future, I will consider myself to be insulted. Cute but dumb is not something I want to be called. If I were a certain singing group, I would totally change my name. My goal is to see how long I can keep them alive. So far, the hawk pair haven’t been around, and I haven’t heard the owl. He’s not important because he is a night hunter. Those hawks are a different issue. I’m also hoping that the presence of chickens will encourage the two snakes that are hanging around to move. The hens work on a pretty accurate clock. I can count on them being in and around the coup around 7 p.m. By 8 p.m., they are climbing the ramp to the upper coup. I have put them in God’s hands. He either keeps them alive, or they are fodder for some animal.
I spoke with Mrs. Bea Soto about her COVID test. It seems you have to have one of the awful tests before every hospital procedure. It is not inspiring to the soul when the staff tell you it is bad... But it will be over in a hurry. That does not make me feel very well. If they are going to scratch my brain with a little stick, I may lose brain cells.
Which reminds me, one of my sweet students has put up with me for years. She has a 50% chance of being called the right name by me. She is always patient and respectful even though it must annoy her to no end.
So, I am giving a special shout out to Lanie Norris for being such a sweet lady. Maybe when they scratch my brain, I will stop confusing her name with her sister’s name.
I did a little research on the four-day school week. It saves money for the school district although not a great deal of money. Depending on the day you choose, it helps with attendance. The off day can be used to tutor students who have fallen behind or for teachers to catch up on the mounds of required paperwork. The down side appears to be child care for working parents and the longer working day. It was interesting to see that the majority of schools have chosen to take Mon day off, although a lower number have chosen to take Friday off. The results will be seen by the end of the year. I am suggesting that my elementary parents send a healthy mid-afternoon snack for their children. School is going to be a challenge for schools and teachers across this nation. We can do it.
We are still keeping the Hardmon and Carter families in our prayers.
Jean McKee’s granddaughter, Elizabeth, will be going in for surgery and needs our prayers. Floyd and Susan Gossett’s granddaughter, Nicole, will delay her operation for a while as she regains her strength. I know we have many more requiring either prayer or assistance. Please reach out and see if you can help a neighbor or acquaintance. Don’t stay home from church; your presence is needed more than ever. Please do your homework before November, and make your vote count. Our President and Congress need our prayers and God’s guidance. Some in our area received a good rain, but most of us need rain for our yellowing fields and shrinking tanks. Our officers need extra prayer protection against the mindless violence that is killing them and destroying our history. As we celebrate the birth of this country, take a minute to read the history of the men and women who came to this unknown land and set up a Christian government. Yes, I said Christian. Our laws and governmental system are based on the Bible. Let’s get back to believing in the greatness of this country. May God bless America and
May God bless America and protect our precious troops and their families. See you on the 4th!