School's Out

Summer has arrived. The temperatures are rising, the rain has lessened, somewhat, we can even see some crops coming up as we drive past the fields. And school is out. It is summer vacation time. The taste of freedom is sweet on the tongue as newly released school children try to plan their days. Will it be sprinklers and plastic pools for the youngsters, or endlessly riding their bikes or scooters? Will the beach call out to the older kids or will they yearn for quiet unconstructed time for the first few days? The sky is the limit and the summer looks long right now. My wish for you all that it be whatever you desire the most. Don’t forget you can change your mind a hundred times before school starts again. Have fun.

We are, however still slugging through the effects of all the rain that has been ours this spring. I think the farmers are chomping at the bits to get into the fields and stay for a while. They could use a little help from Mother Nature.

Jessie Malin, Cathy Louder and a few cousins took a cruise to the Bahamas last week. Got their summer started off right with fun in the sun. It turned out to be a great way for the family to get together and enjoy each other without the hassle of having to cook and clean up.

Carol Stone is also back home after a short family trip to Texas to attend the graduation of her granddaughters Gwen and Kirra Stone, daughters of Doug Stone and Lena. Carol’s daughters, Mary Small and Hope Ermert and Hope’s daughter Micah went too. Micah graduated last month from Piggott so she was ahead of the game. They all had a good visit with the other graduates and their brother Billy and the family. They stopped on the way home to visit with Mary’s granddaughter, Rachel. Another short stop by the Arkansas Crater of Diamonds and a good night’s rest and they were Rector bound once again. No diamonds were found.

We all need to keep those in our prayers who are battling flood waters in Arkansas and other states around us. Again, “epic proportions” describes the devastation that will be left behind. The summer has only just begun so take care and stay alert. There will be more weather to battle before long.

Once again, the country was rocked by a shooter at Virginia Beach, Virginia who left a dozen people dead and four more in the hospital Friday afternoon. We are a country at war with ourselves. We lose more children in school shootings than we lose soldiers in combat. It seems there is no place where we can be guaranteed we will be safe from a shooter. This is now the reality of the United States of America. We must do better. My heart aches for those who are now grieving for their loved ones.

If you want, you can still help Ronda Haney with on-going expenses. The account at Centennial Bank, 809 East 9^th St., Rector is still open. The account is in the name of Ronda Haney and Alex Green. You can also contribute through Paypal: https//www.paypal.me/rondaandalex . And if you would like a snazzy bracelet, go to the Facebook page of Sarah Pruett Boyd. She has hand made bracelets for sale with all the proceeds going to Ronda and Alex.

I will close for now. Have a good week, enjoy the summertime fun. Give me a call if you have news 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.