Memorial Day

It is Memorial Day. This is the day we have set aside to say "Thank you" to all the veterans of all the wars who have given their lives to protect our way of life, our rights. It is also a time to thank all those veterans who have come home from the wars and all the veterans who never saw combat but stood and still stand ready. Thank you all.

Of course it is also a time to break out the grill and celebrate the beginning of summer! It is officially here!

I had an email from Reta Lynn this week. You probably remember her as Reta Mae Kirkpatrick. She was born in Rector in 1942 and went to Rector Schools until 1957 when she moved to California. She graduated from Thomas Downey High in Modesto, CA, but still thinks about the class of children she started school with. This year is the 50 year anniversary of that graduating class and she would like to reconnect with some of her old Rector High School chums. If the reunion coordinator will get in touch with me I will give you Reta's address so she can be included in the reunion. I also have her email address.

I have been talking to Frankie Lyles lately. Her daughter Vickie Jo (Lyles) Rollings is currently in the Hospice House in Jonesboro. She could use our prayers. Friends and family are welcome to come and visit. Vickie's son's Billy and Jimmy Gatewood are staying close and spending some quality time with their mother.

We have to say good-by to Perry Arrant. God speed, Perry. God bless you, Brenda.

Tyler Small left Monday to begin his service in the National Guard. I look forward to seeing him after he has completed his training.

Billy Stone was in town for the weekend. Checking on his mother, Carol and spending some time with his nieces and nephews. Let's see if I can get everyone's name right this time. Michael, Jake and Tyler belong to Mary and Lendell Small. Elizabeth, Miranda and Micah belong to Hope and Jerry Ermert.

Listen I was in Jonesboro the other day and decided to drive through Taco bell to get something to drink. I noticed they were serving margaritas. This peaked my interest a bit so I decided to try one. The sign advertised in big colorful letters, "Magaritas made with real fruit juice" Just below that in smaller white lettering it proclaimed, "Absolutely no fruit juice or alcohol in these drinks." I wasn't all that surprised to see that they did not contain alcohol, but fruit juice? It just said ... Oh, well, it was really quite tasty anyway, in a high fructose corn syrup frozen slushy sort of way.

On that note, perhaps it is time to close. Let me hear from you. I always enjoy your news and your stories and I want to know what's going on. So please, stay in touch. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.