Still Cheering for the Cougars

Last week I was cheering ad nauseum about that fantastic homecoming game the Cougars played. I am still cheering this week even though "that other team" stole our win this past week. I don't care. The score was close and I know this week anything is possible. I am proud of those boys and I am sure you are too. Keep it up, Cougars!

I am really getting spoiled with this mild weather too. I do so love this time of year. The sky is so blue it looks unreal. Perfect temperatures, a little breeze and rain occasionally. What more could we ask for? Soon the leaves will turn and autumn will be official. I love autumn, I really do!

I had a call from Gayla Bishop the other day. She called to tell me that the gin at Hargrave's Corner has started up. That is always a momentous occasion, the beginning of harvest. It is such a seasonal checkpoint in a farming community. I hope to get out to the gin to see it in operation this year.

Of course when the gin starts up, Chappy goes to work. You remember Chappy, the Akita that lives with Gayla. He came home for lunch Friday to take care of his entertainment responsibilities and played ball with Gayla for a while and then went back to the gin. Gayla tells me that eventually he will not come home for lunch. Seems he likes the burritos the workers feed him. Guess no one brought lunch Friday.

Thank you for your response to the plight of the puppies from Oklahoma. I have referred all responders to the Small Paws Rescue group. In case you are interested in helping, you can contact them directly via email at pup3@aol.com. Small Paws is just one of many rescue organizations across the country who come to the aid of needy dogs and cats. They all need our support.

Politics is getting smarmy now, isn't it? I am getting all kinds of smeary email lately. I am sure you are too. I try to check out every single thing. Just because it is on the web doesn't necessarily make it true. One resource is www.snopes.com. Another good source is www.about.com. They check out rumors and urban myths and rate them as true, false or undetermined and give the supporting information. The all news channels are also running checks into what is being said by and about each candidate. They even rate the statements as true, false, and misleading. That is a pretty important category. Even truth can be stretched to imply something that is not so. KAIT8.com is also checking the facts.

The other thing we have to do as voters is to keep our eye on the facts and not be distracted by flak that has nothing to do with a candidate's ability to lead and the direction we want to go. Right now the direction is most important! Who can take us out of this economical mess? Who can put us back on a firm footing? Who can put ethics back into mainstream business? Who has YOUR best interest at heart?

I also had an email from Sarah Burdin. The Family Readiness Group has Welcome Home signs for sale. They sell for $10.00 each and serve multiple purposes. The donation goes to help the families and soldiers who are overseas and the signs will blanket the town with words of welcome for those who have been fighting for our freedom. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they all get to spend Christmas at home this year. If you want a sign contact Sarah at stburdin@yahoo.com or call 870 595-4716 or Kristie Hayes at klhayes95@yahoo.com , phone 870 215-1499.

The Rector Lions Club sold mums last week as a fund raiser. What a lot of fun we had! We ran out way too soon so next year we promise to order more. They are all beautiful. You can see them around town and judge for yourself. Besides, I loved getting hugs from some of my favorite people when they came to purchase the mums.

Well, it's time to go. Don't forget to tell me what goes on with you. 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.

Go Cougars Go!!!!!