High points from El Camino Real

Most folks along El Camino Real celebrated President’s Day in the same way they usually do. They went to the Post Office or the bank and wondered why they were closed.
The holiday was for our first President George Washington’s birthday, but over the years I guess it is to commemorate all of our past presidents. The whole story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree and not telling a lie always impressed me.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a slice of cherry pie, and in honor of George Washington, I’ll try to keep this eight bits’ worth of news as close to the truth as a I can.

The other day I stopped by Lyons Butane and I thought about Robin and Kenny Callaway and the fact that I hadn’t seen either one of them in a while.

A day or two later, Shane Callaway pulled up next to me in his truck and told me that his dad was very ill and had been for a while.

I was sorry that I hadn’t heard about it sooner, so I could have let folks know.
Kenny is a cowboy and has been a cowboy as long as I’ve known him. Cowboys are tough and I guess they don’t let on when they are sick as much as regular folks do.

Please pray for Kenny and Robin during this difficult time of illness.
Jill Pegues, out in the Cold Springs community, has been having some health problems and is in need of our prayers. Hopefully she’ll be up and going again before long.

Wayne will take good care of her, I’m sure, but we need to say a prayer or two anyway. Get well soon, Jill!

Rain gauges were overflowing along El Camino Real last week after three days of downpours. Most folks knew we needed a good rain, so they trudge through it without too much complaining. The rain makes it a little more tricky if you’re trying to get your ground broke up to plant onions, but it’ll dry out soon enough.
I never was much on growing onions. You have to stay bent over too long to get them planted. My back would rather I just buy them at the store or produce stand.
The Stella Hill Memorial Library patron drive is coming up real soon, so if you are a regular patron be watching for your letter to come in the mail anytime now.
Our library is a showplace in our little town and it takes your donations to keep it up and running, so please put it on your to-do list to make a donation this year.
I’ll be giving you more information as I get it.

We were sorry to hear that we will be losing the Reverend Gary Pridmore and his wife Janet at the First Baptist Church. Brother Gary has been the preacher at the church for about 11 and a half years.
March 8 will be his last Sunday and then they will be moving closer to their children. They are two sweet people and we are sure going to hate to see them leave Alto. They were always so nice and kind to me, when I saw them.

In a small community, even if you don’t attend the same church, you still get attached to the pastors of other churches because they are such a big part of our lives.
We need to pray that the congregation finds the perfect fit for their church at they look for a new pastor.
Best wishes to the Pridmores as they take the next step in life’s journey.
My aunt, Joan Felder, is celebrating a birthday on Saturday, Feb. 22. She is the kind of aunt everybody wants to have. She is a great cook.
Happy birthday to a wonderful Aunt Joan!

I talked to Marjorie Warner last week and she is doing great in Durango, Colo. I was worried about her first winter in the snow up there, but she said she was making it fine and doing great. I wonder if she’ll worry about us down here in August when its 102 degrees in the shade.
Early voting for the primary election started on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and will go on until Feb. 28.

Don’t procrastinate! Get out and get your voting done. It won’t stop the politicians from coming by, but now you can just say, “I’ve already voted.” Good luck to everyone who had the courage to put their name on a ballot.

I think I’ll stop this column now in honor of George Washington. The best I can tell there isn’t a single lie or exaggeration in the whole thing.
Don’t worry though, I’m not giving up lying or exaggerating permanently. I’ve never even seen a cherry tree, but I’ll cut down a hackberry without giving it a second thought.
I’ll see ya next week!
And remember, Faith makes all things possible and love makes them easy.