Guess who's been home for a visit

Alright, I am not talking about the weather in this column! It's just too hot to even talk about. Really! And was it only two weeks ago we were complaining about the rain? No more complaining. Whatever is awful today will swing the other way before long. No siree! From now on I am going to find something to enjoy about whatever the weather is and stop taunting the weather gods. What I am enjoying about this weather (about which I am not talking) is the air conditioning. I am so glad I live in an era where it exists.

Like I said last week, Lane Wozniak has been to Florida to be with her sister and family. She returned last Tuesday, giving Jessie Malin, Paula Benton and me an opportunity to visit with Steve and Mary Malin in St. Louis while we waited for Lane's plane to come in. We were having such a good time we just let Lane take a cab from the airport to Steve and Mary's. What can I say? They were feeding us. Couldn't very well eat and run. It would have been rude. Right? Anyway Lane is home and none of her cats had escaped so all is well.

Bo Gamblin and his family have been in town. Did you see them? They came from Charlotte to spend Father's Day with Russ Gamblin. And Sharon and the rest of the family. Jessie Malin was thrilled when he dropped by her house. Grandma and Grandpa were pretty thrilled to get some hugs from Trey and Parker and they enjoyed playing with their cousins Cash and Coulton.

Also home for a few days was Brantley Terry. He has headed back to Fort Polk, LA. Mom was pretty glad to spend some time with him, though. Barbie also says BK is doing well. He has been in a sandstorm for two weeks and would really rather be home. Sounds like a good idea to me. Let's all click our heels together and wish all our soldiers home.

Sharon Gamblin, Barbie Terry and April Lindsey went to market in Dallas this past weekend. I wonder what kinds of wonderful stuff they got for the Now and Then gift shop. We will all have to go have a look. I guess Dallas was a step up in the "It's HOT" department.

I am so thrilled! It is time for tomatoes to be coming in.

We just have such good tomatoes here. I love 'em. But now listen, it is just rude to swipe your neighbor's tomatoes without asking. They really don't appreciate it. Another yummy crop that has come in is cucumbers. My neighbor, Pauline Oliver brought me some from her and Bill's garden and they are delicious. Thanks, Pauline.

Paul and Cheryl Schwager made a surprise trip to California. Their grandson, Austin Schwager graduated from High school two weeks ago and they drove out to help him celebrate. Of course they visited with all their kids: Beth and Rob Lawrence and their daughters, Jessica and Samantha from San Francisco, Phil and Cindy LaJeunesse and sons, Christopher and Michael, and Michael and Jody Schwager and their children, Shane, Savannah and Austin (the graduate). We are glad they are back and they had a good time.

Yes kids, did you notice that I said. "graduated two weeks ago"? Not 4 weeks ago. And they aren't the only ones. My friends and relatives in Texas were still in school the first week of June. And none of these folks had snow days and ice days to make up. Aren't you glad to live here where the last day of school was May 28? Maybe you should run out and hug a school board member or a school superintendent or someone.

I got some more information on that Doo Wop band I mentioned last week. They will be doing another show at the Collins Theater in Paragould on Nov. 13 & 14. Joe Wessell, President of Bancorp South in Paragould is the producer and he hand-picked the band so the talent is no accident. The songs are from the 50's and 60's and they are great! I will tell you more about them next week. Check out this clip if want to see what they do and do well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF9NxrO07... . (Joey Pruett is one of the guitar players.)

By the way, if you are on the internet or get email be alert for phishing emails. There have even been reports of emails threatening to do you harm if you don't send them money. These should go directly to the police department. Immediately! Don't send the money either. I have also gotten several emails that look official from places like banks, PayPal, ebay and others that want you to provide additional confidential information. DON'T! I had one the other day from PayPal that informed me of a large payment made from my account. It looked just like the real ones, but it was for something I had not purchased. I logged on to my PayPal account and it was a fraud. DO NOT FOLLOW (CLICK ON) THE LINK PROVIDED IN THESE EMAILS. DO check it out with your real institution in the normal fashion from your own search engine.

Well, that's it for this week. Thanks to you folks who share your fun with us. If you have done anything interesting, gone anywhere fun or have just been enjoying something around home, let me know.

My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.

Keep our soldiers in your prayers. By Now!!