­­ Well, those mild sunny days I had grown used to lately are not here today. I heard them running away last night while the wind threatened to blow my windows in and re-arranged my porch. We may not have the blizzard conditions here, I am seeing around the country (thank goodness) but it is cold. And the wind must have rearranged the outdoor Christmas decorations that were already put out.

But Thanksgiving Day was sweet. Sunshine and cool air was pretty okay. I celebrated this year with Carol Ann Stone and some of her offspring. Mary and Lendell Small and their family were there. Michael and Lynnea Small with their sons, Jacob and Drake, Jake Small, Tyler Small, Patty and her son Nick all spent Friday Afternoon eating, watching football and being entertained by the youngsters.

Jessie Malin was hostess to her clan. Cathy and Rob Louder were the master preparers of food. Keit and Heidi Cohn, Mason, Hayden and Cooper came from Jonesboro, David Cohn and Regina and Seth Cohn from Paragould. Steve and Mary Malin came from St. Louis, MO. The feast was on Friday, but the festivities continued through the weekend.

I know Thanksgiving is one of those times when families converge on one another from all over the country. They no longer come over the river and through the woods on a trusty sleigh. Instead they arrive by automobiles of all sorts, sometimes trains and often by planes. And as usual many Thanksgiving travelers completely lost the holiday spirit in the attempt to get home. Trapped in airports watching bad weather through the glass walls along the gate areas loses its glow after a few hours. I hope all of you made it home without too many trials. And don’t worry about those extra calories. That one meal will not leave a lasting impression.

Now we are on to the next holiday. Christmas decorations are going up all over and Christmas shopping has begun in earnest. Don’t forget that shopping your local stores keeps the money in your own neighborhood.

Ronda Haney is getting her Christmas wish early this year. She has been waiting for a kidney for two years and she is now scheduled for surgery before Christmas. Alex Green from Piggott is making this happen for Ronda. Alex is going to be off work for several weeks after the procedure and we can all pitch in and help her and Ronda out. An account has been set up at the Centennial Bank at 809 East 9^th Street, in Rector to help with expenses. You can make deposits there to the Ronda Haney/Alex Green account. You can also donate through Paypal. https//www.paypal.me/rondaandalex . This is a marvelous gift for a person to give. God’s blessing on both of them.

Get your calendar out and get ready for December in Rector. The Rector Community Museum, now officially opened at 310 Main Street is planning a “Night at the Museum” affair on Saturday, December 8, 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Santa and Mrs. Clause will be available for photos and wish lists. There will be cookies, coloring pages, and ornaments to make. There will also be a silent auction for some decorated Christmas trees on which you can place bids and you can purchase the first in a series of Rector themed Christmas ornaments. You can place additional bids on the Christmas trees when the museum is open before the parade on Thursday, and on December 15 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Sounds like this could be an annual event, so come on out and enjoy the museum.

Thursday, December 13 is the Christmas Parade. Do you have an idea for a float? There will be refreshments at the Community Center afterwards and of course, Santa is invited. The museum will be open before the parade from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

What else is going on that you would like to see in this column. Give me a heads up and I will share it with everyone else. Email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net . Phone number (870) 595-4997. Check out your Rector, Arkansas website: www.rectorarkansas.com from time to time. I love to be told I need to update it and I take all suggestions to heart. Take a look.

Goodbye for now.