The Winds of Ike

Well, hello, everyone! Didn't we have and exciting weekend? Hurricane Ike just passing through! I hate to be inhospitable, but I am glad he didn't stick around any longer and I am glad he didn't bring us a bunch of rain. Me, I slept through the greatest part of his bluster as I had been up most of the night before watching him batter the coastline.

I have a lot of family down there right in his path. Some I heard from Saturday afternoon, but most of them were out of touch until late on Sunday. I am glad to say that they are all okay with a lot of clean up ahead of them.

Anyway, I hope you are all okay. I know we lost a lot of trees and a few awnings, but at least we were spared the flooding. Once again we were very fortunate compared to many of our neighbors.

I don't suppose you could miss the great big moving van at the corner of Fordyce and West 3rd, last week. Wayne and

Sandra Roussel have left our community for Indiana. I can't imagine Halloween without all their decorations! I am also gonna miss those stimulating political debates Sandra and I sometimes have. I wish them well on their new home. It must be the right move for them as they left just a few hours before Ike came blowing through. Sounds like a good omen to me.

Lane Wozniak and I went to the Clay County Fair in Piggott Thursday evening and of course we ran into a few Rector folks. Debbie Robinson and her cute little granddaughter, Sarah were the first two we saw. Then we ran into Pauline Oliver and Bill Driscoll in the food line. Then in walked Linda and Sonny Robinson and their daughter, Kelly Wilson. Of course Jamie and Logan Wilson were there too. Glad to see them all. They were definitely having a good time.

I want to apologize to Ms. Cleta Simmons. I failed to list her Labor Day company in the column last week. Of course she had a passel of kin folk and friends around over the holiday. Daughter, Rosie Hayes and her husband, Tommy were on hand as were Jeremy and Leanne Hayes and Bradley, Sarah, and Annabelle Hayes. Ashley, Gracen andWhitt Birch and John Simmons also came by. Ms Cleta was delighted to see old friends, Molly and Parker Redyke and Jimmy and Mary Crews and Virginia Cavin as well. Sounds like there was a lot of fun there.

I want to add to the news about Lavon and Betty Milburn's company over Labor Day. In addition to all the Labor Day activities Lavon and their company attended, I forgot to mention that they all enjoyed a fish fry and Johnny and Susan McDaniel's on Sunday. Now that is definitely not something to forget!

Carole Stafford Kalagian has been in Rector a couple of times recently. First she came for Don Wagster's funeral. Carol has been like family to Dolly and Don. I know Dolly was comforted by her presence. Then Carol was back for several days over Labor Day, a much happier time. I understand there was much sharing of hugs and kisses between Carol and family and many long time friends. I just love the way everyone here gives hugs like that.

I understand Frankie Lyles was in town over Labor Day. She says she had a good time hanging out with her aunt Dolly and seeing all her old friends and family. Good to know you are doing well, Frankie.

I want to take a moment to comment on the upcoming election. It may well be most important election in our lifetimes. Be sure you don't get hung up on the unimportant things. Our economic future is perched perilously close to disaster. Unfortunately it is sometimes hard to get the important facts by listening to the media. I suggest you listen to all the networks as each of them is biased in one way or another and you will get varying views. Visit the websites of the candidates and ask specific questions. Look at your own life today and weigh all the information before you make your decision. We have to look both backward and forward to decide what we need to do for today.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to this column. I love hearing from all of you and I always want to hear more. And no, it is not too late to share Labor Day goings on. If you haven't been able to get around to telling me about your visitors, just give me a call or send me an email. 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.