Did we not have a lovely rain last week? And can you believe in August we had such wonderful comfy temperatures? I didn't whine all week. Some of us slept with our windows open and enjoyed the cool dry air.

I am writing this column a little early as I will be out of town on Monday. I will share those details with you next week. But if I don't get your news in this column, I will catch up next week. Just send it to me.

And as I promised last week, I have the report on Jessie Malin's birthday celebration. There was quite a bunch of us. Georgia Sallee, Marybell Meredith, Cheryl Schwager, Paula Benton, Lane Wozniak and I took Jessie to see "Mama Mia" at the cinema in Paragould. Such a fun movie! We were all but dancing in the aisles. Couldn't keep from singing and clapping along with the music. And we made new friends with some ladies sitting behind us from Paragould. Barbara Wheatley met us at Chilli's for an early dinner and we continued to entertain ourselves and everyone else until they threw us out. No not really. We left on our own. With a smattering of applause.

Jessie left town a few days later. So did the Louders and all their offspring. No it had nothing to do with Jessie's riotous birthday celebration. They all headed to Steve and Mary Malin's lake house in Kentucky. One last big family weekend before school starts. I have a feeling most of them are going to be pretty busy pretty soon. I think I can get some more information about this gathering for next week too.

Wayne and Sandra Roussel have been getting some help with their decorations lately. You know theirs is the house on 3rd street that is so DONE on Halloween. Well, it seems that Sandra woke up one morning last week to find inflatable flamingos strung across the porch. She accused me. Can you imagine? Saturday it was chimpanzees! I do so wish I could take the credit for this, but alas, I am innocent. Rector does apparently have a phantom of some kind. I am still trying to find out who put the birthday sign on my fence. Come on, whoever you are. Let me in on the secret. And well, perhaps the rest of us should try and outdo the current decorators. Hmmmmm!

Labor Day is just around the corner and the excitement is beginning to build. Are you going to be in the parade? Think about it. Surely there is something you want to show off. I am looking forward to seeing all you-out-of-towners back for the day or the weekend. Don't forget to drop by or give me a call while you are here.

Oh, did you see Josh White's picture on KAIT8. Honoring another of our soldiers overseas! God bless them all.

Well, I've got to end this now. Please share your goings on with me so I can share with everyone else. My phone number is 595-3173 or you can drop me a note at 514 West 3rd St. My email address is: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.