Rector News from the Porch Swing...

We seem to have dodged a bullet again Saturday evening when the tornado that did a great deal of damage in Jonesboro changed directions and veered toward the east before reaching us. It did, however, have an impact on Rector as several Rector residents were in Jonesboro and other towns in the path of the funnel. ...

Well, it’s spring and apparently a wet one. I didn’t know we had a monsoon season here. Apparently, we do, and it lasts for six or seven months. I guess that has been helpful in keeping us housebound in these days of self-isolating. I’m not complaining, mind you. I like the rainy days, but I know there are lots of people that would appreciate a few days of sunshine. Oh well, we take what we get I suppose...

It’s a gray and gloomy day as we await the dawn that will bring on St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow. The festivities this year will be a bit quieter than others I have celebrated. Staying home is the word of the day for me. But I do have a drop or two of Irish blood in me, being a bit of a mutt, I guess, so I do like to celebrate the Irish Saint. ...

After several days of sunshine and mild weather we will be looking at rain for the next few days. Flowers are beginning to be evident everywhere and the trees are budding out. I guess it is almost spring for sure. Still a little over a week before the official first day of spring, but I think we can count on it gracing us with its splendor. It should be a magnificent spring this year with all the rain we’ve had...

The sun is shining, and my daffodils are in bloom. Could spring be just around the corner? We certainly aren’t threatened with any winter cold fronts in the next few days. The spring equinox is a mere three weeks away. I think rain is going to be the primary weather event for the next week...

KAIT8 posted a scary looking weather map on Facebook this morning. Looks like we are in for some storms this afternoon. This is what we get for having warmer than usual temperatures. Stay alert today and stay safe. We are just weeks away from the first day of spring. We know this can be a turbulent time for weather in these parts...

Well, we just keep getting a hint of winter and then it warms up again. We had one of those hints last week as the temperature dropped into the teens. But it rebounded quickly. What we have experienced is rain. Lots of rain. We should have a glorious spring, filled with flowers and greenery and plenty of mosquitos. Oh well. We haven’t been frozen or flooded so I can’t complain...

The ground hog has spoken. Spring will come and I am so relieved. According to the expert springtime advisor, Punxsutawney Phil, winter will leave us soon to the glories of springtime. The flowers will bloom once more, and the air will become warmer. ...

Today is Martin Luther King Day. Many of you will be too young to remember him as he was killed in 1968, but you might remember reading about him in your history books. The 1960s were a turbulent time in our country as we waged a war against discrimination. ...

Creeping into the middle of January. In spite of some gloomy days and a lot of rain, we have, so far, been spared the worst of the winter weather that has zigzagged across the nation. We did have a pretty good thunderstorm the other night. I’m still waiting for that first good snowfall of the season...

Sunshine today. Temperatures in the low 50s and no rain for days to come. It is a beautiful day. So, what are you going to do to celebrate the first Monday in 2020? Now that the holidays are over, we can get on with making 2020 the best year ever. You probably have a New Year’s resolution or two and more than a few ideas about what you want to accomplish this year. ...

This week is a perfect storm of celebrations of faith. One could call it the most blessed week of the entire year. Wednesday Christians celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Winter Solstice was Saturday, Hanukkah began on Sunday and Kwanzaa begins on Thursday. All celebrate love and kindness. All claim to reach for peace on earth, a time for souls to rest. This is true of all religions. We are all reaching for a common goal...

I awoke this morning to a cold drizzle and before long I saw a flicker of lightning followed by the expected thunder. So, I, of course lit a candle and wrapped myself in a couple of afghans to sip my coffee and wait for daybreak. Sunrise comes late this time of year. ...

Already into December 2019. Christmas is indeed creeping up on us. Decorations are adding color and excitement to every street and every storefront. Carols are playing and in spite of the increased stress of the season, there is a kind word and a blessing from almost everyone we meet. The weather is typical, cool to cold and off-and-on-again rain and drizzle, keeps the days gray. To me, that is Christmas weather. I don’t expect snow, but it wouldn’t be too bad would it?...

Sunshine rules. We survived our first arctic blast of the winter and now it is sunny and not too cold out. The trees have about been denuded. Fall didn’t last very long. I suppose we need to hunker down now and wait for the next arctic blast. I have a feeling it will be on its way before long...

On November 11, 1918 Germany and the Allied nations ended the bloodiest war in human history with the signing of an Armistice Agreement. No one surrendered. Both sides agreed to lay down their weapons and stop the fight. It was a war with no winner and a war that took the lives of around 19 million people and left another 23 million wounded. ...

I think we have seen the last of summer finally. The temperatures have remained cool for several days. Even had a frost on Halloween night. Time to get ready for the winter chills. Now the beautiful sunny days really make the colors more vivid. Good days for being outside and taking afternoon walks...

Halloween is almost here. Just three more days and the ghosts and goblins will terrorize Rector once again. Zombies will rise from the graveyards and shuffle into town, probably right down my street. The fear will be palpable. We will all run and hide, but there will be no place to hide. ...

Now is a good time to take a ride into the hills. The leaves are beginning to turn, and Crowley’s Ridge is bursting with color. Fall is such a spectacular season. It is the “blaze of glory” time of the year. I have lived long enough and traveled enough to have been witness to a plethora of autumn displays in many different locations. ...