Can you say winner? The Stars and Stripes Celebration can be considered a win for everyone. It was a win against fear, a win for the kids, a win for the domino players, a super win for the pig sackers, a win for the silent auction and Howlers committee, and most of all a win for Independence Day. I don’t know if I can adequately describe the atmosphere of joy and relief as friends met and enjoyed speaking and socializing with one another. The vendors did not do a super great business, but they had plenty of traffic and visitors. The entire day was a marvelous day of celebration. The food was delicious; the auction items were well worth buying. I love the judging of home-baked goods for two reasons. The first was that it gave our local great cooks a chance to show off their baking and canning skills. The second was it put some delicious desserts on the table for all to sample. Grant and Jason told me that the fireworks were going to knock off my socks. They were 1000% right. The man in the truck beside us said he had never been to a fireworks show that lasted as long as this one. He was right. We were treated to a tremendous pyrotechnic display. The entire Stars and Stripes Committee is to be congratulated on a superior job. The morning parade, with Mrs. Bea Soto, began the festivities, and the fireworks capped the day. Way to go to all who worked so diligently to make this happen.
I put my name down on several silent auction pieces. However, I didn’t keep up with the bidding, so I lost out on most of my items. I was pleased to see all the items had at least one bid. I had my sights set on the Back the Blue wreath, but quite a few people outbid me there. I didn’t bid on Debbie Phelan’s beautifully decorated shirt because I have one. Mike Phelan’s handturned wood and turquoise vases went beyond my reach quickly. Those same vases would have brought several hundred dollars, so someone has a bargain. There were so many unique items. The Coyote fire pit brought in big dollars. Nick Taylor’s metal work was a heavy favorite. I wish I could name them all, but it would take up most of the column. I would like to say thank you to all contributors for donating their items for the enrichment of our youth programs. I feel confident that the Stars and Stripes Committee brought in enough money to put towards a successful 2021 celebration. Thank you to all who came and spent money. I want to give a shout out to
I want to give a shout out to several new folks that I met: the Andrews family, the Hickman family that were neighbors and co-workers with my daughter, Christine’s ex-husband in Wylie, and the very nice gentleman and his daughter from Coleman. People persons like me had a delightful day just interacting with people. I also enjoyed riding in my daughter, Tracy’s Volkswagen Thing. It’s one of those ugly cute cars. I hope she doesn’t sell it.
Friday evening, I went to the trouble, with Christine’s help, to put up fencing for the chickens. I just can’t keep them in the yard. It was hot, but I was confident I could finally keep those silly birds in the yard eating the thousands of grasshoppers that are destroying my flowers. I popped in Saturday around noon to see how they were doing. Imagine my surprise when there was only one chicken hiding in the pen. Obviously, my plan did not work. So, in 103-degree heat, I took down the new wire so the silly things could get back in the yard. I have officially put them in God’s hands. He will either keep the silly things safe, or they can be dinner for something. I refuse to spend my time worrying over chickens that can't stay home.
I can hear the distant rumble of thunder; I hope and pray we get some rain here soon. It is still green, but it won’t be green for long with the heat we are experiencing. I have wondered about the weather prediction. Our weathercasters all talk about “feels like” temperatures, but they never mention that if it is 100 degrees outside and you have a shady spot with a good wind, the “feels like” temperature is much lower. If we are going to do it for humidity; we should do it for wind factors as well.
Our prayer requests this week center on our nation and the disruption that COVID-19 and protests have caused. I was thinking of Russ’ sister Bobbi. She has been shut up in a nursing facility since the outbreak. Because she went there as a temporary patient, she has no TV, no computer, no company. She is angry and frustrated, and at 91 years of age, she shouldn’t have to be alone and depressed. That story is repeated all over this country. My brother has been shut up with no company since this outbreak. I hate to think of the loneliness he is facing. How many funerals have happened with no services since this outbreak? This whole grim scenario is frustrating and sad. When you add the division that is happening across this country, you know we need to get down to some serious prayer. So please, pray for our President, the Congress, our wonderful police, EMT personnel, medical staff, and all essential personnel. We need peace and prosperity returned to our country. George Hill is going in for a medical procedure. Amber Moreno is going to MD Anderson for a serious surgery. Bea Soto and I are headed for cataract surgery this week. Debbie Phelan is having neck and headache issues and needs healing. Prayers are needed for Holly who is ill as well. Most of all pray, for our precious troops and their families. God, bless America, please.