Better Late Than Never

Good day everyone! What has been going on in Rector? Me, I don't know. I have been to Stillwater, MN all week. Yep, I left right after I turned in the column last week and I am not all the way back home yet. Flying is just not as much fun as it used to be. I was supposed to leave St. Louis at 5:45 pm, stop briefly in Chicago and be on Minnesota soil before 9:00. The trip to the airport was flawless. I was there early enough to grab a bite to eat and a couple of glasses of Chardonnay before flight time. Cool, relaxed, totally mellow, that was me.

Then we landed in Chicago. I felt a slight shutter, but otherwise the landing was good. They did announce that there was a mechanical problem and we would have a teensy delay. It took them about five minutes to change their minds about that. Let me tell you, when you hear the words, "This plane ain't leaving here tonight," you are pretty glad to get your feet off that plane.

We are fortunate, these days, that so many flights have been cut that there is always a spare airplane nearby when you need one. A little delay, an equipment change and we were on our way again. We were less than an hour late. No problem what-so-ever. Friends, Lana (from Arizona) was scheduled to arrive about 8:30 and Anne (from Washington) wasn't due until almost 10:00, so I would still be in just ahead of Anne.

But there were storms over the Minneapolis, St. Paul area, so we waited in a holding pattern for 30-45 minutes. Then we were diverted Milwaukee to refuel. When I could use my cell phone I found that Lana had landed on time, but Anne was diverted to Sioux Falls. As it turned out Anne and I arrived about 2 minutes apart somewhere around 2:00 am. Jane, our Minnesota hostess picked us up and we were off to the cabin on Lake Carnelian.

From then on, it was food, fun and friends. The four of us were once Army wives in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Jane's sister, Barb visited with us over there and even though we didn't all see each other often when we were back in the States, we were eventually able to be reconnected and now we get together at least once a year when we can. A bond none of us wants to break.

And while I was gone, I understand that the flamingos landed. Lane Wozniak was good enough to take a picture so I could see them before Paula Benton had them redirected. Now where have they gone? They are very special flamingos directed by the Methodist Youth and I look forward to them every year. Only really special people get them you know.

It has come to my attention that our Helping Hands fundraising concert was a tremendous success. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen. We are so very fortunate that Rector has the facilities for an event like this. We wouldn't have that wonderful gymnasium without the foresight and planning of the Rector School District, Superintendent, Rob Louder and his staff. He and his staff also spring into action each year as soon as school is out to begin preparation for the annual concert. Thank you RSD for all your hard work and planning.

A reminder that tickets to the Ultimate Oldies Show are now on sale at Now and Then on Front Street. The performances are for August 20, 21 and 22. It is really a great show! Don't miss it! It will be at the Collins Theater in Paragould.

I really have to go now. Let me know what you are doing. Write me at 514 W. 3rd St., Rector or call me. My phone number is 595-3173. Email address: porchswing@newwavecomm.net.

Bless our soldiers.