Summer Sun and Some Showers

We all need to give a cheer for our farmers. They just keep on trying. This has been a hard planting season for them, but finally I can see almost all the fields are planted and the landscape is painted in various shades of green and gold. I love driving this time of year. Every few days the scenery changes. Every day the crops are taller, greener, different flowering plants along the roadsides bloom and wane at different times. It's a kaleidoscope, changing with every trip.

I hope you stopped by to celebrate with Tom and Frannie Wagster and their family this past weekend. Tom received a heart transplant 25 years ago and he is still going strong. What a miracle. Isn't it comforting to know that some part of us can live on after we have crossed over?

I had an email from Carol Stafford Kalagian. I have to send it on to you in her own words. She said, "I would like to thank everyone who called and wrote and enquired about me while I was in the hospital. It was a difficult time for us. My husband's sister-in-law died on the day I had surgery so he was pulled in opposite directions but thanks to the support of friends we did fine. I would just love to hug everyone!!! These relationships are so rare in today's society, so we are lucky to have this kind of communication and support." Carol, I am glad to know you are home and doing well.

I also have a report on Mary Jane Fennell. She's BORED! Yes, she says she is ready for a short vacation, okay at least a day trip. And visitors too! Go check on her she is in the nursing home in Campbell and still improving.

The Louders have returned from their annual trip to the shore. Yes, Rob and Meagan Louder and David Cohn were the first to arrive at their rented beach house on Orange Beach in Alabama. They had water boiling and ready for the shrimp when the rest of the gang arrived. The rest included: Cathy Louder, Laura Lynn, Jessie Malin, Seth and Misty Cohn with Hailey and Dawson Henderson and Keit and Heidi Cohn with children Mason, Hayden and Cooper. Drop-ins were Karen Horton from Fayetteville and Lane Wozniak. It was sun, swimming and sumptuous eating for a week. You will be able to recognize any of them if you see them on the street. They are all very, very brown, beautifully tanned. Welcome back, everyone!

Lane came home to find that her cats had managed to separate the screen from the frame on her porch and had also been on a mini vacation of their own. Meeka had apparently been entertaining in, as well as playing in the great out of doors. Max, on the other hand had evacuated the premises. It didn't take all that long to lure Max home with kitty treats and took even less time to evict the "new cat on the porch". Status quo has been restored and the screen repaired.

Speaking of cats, I have had no more birds brought in this past week. I did find a mole in the laundry room, but it was much easier with which to deal. Believe me I am thankful for that.

I ran into Sheila McMillin at the Dollar Store the other day. It was good to see her. She and her children Bradley and Donnetta had been on a picnic at the park. Hi, Sheila, Brad and Donnetta.

Georgia Sallee has been a little under the weather, but is fully recovered now.

I have heard the 875th may be deploying once again soon. There are no orders as yet, but the word is circulating. Let's all continue to lend them our support.

Did we all survive the Big Switch? At least we won't be watching those annoying alerts anymore. If you haven't re-scanned your channels, you might need to do that. Otherwise everything seemed to go smoothly.

Jessica Earles has chastised me because she didn't find her name in last week's column. Well, Jessica, I am looking for an email from you telling me what is going on with you. So put that baby down and send me a note.

That's it for now. Thank you to everyone who shares their stories with me. I really enjoy hearing from you all. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net. Just a few weeks until the Gaither Event. I hope you have your tickets. I think there may be some left. Hurry!