In Like a Lion...

When I first left the house yesterday, it reminded me of the marathon scene in Larry McMurtry's "Texasville", where a wall of tumbleweeds takes over the town. Then, when I was at L & L Antiques in Snyder and the wind actually broke the plate glass window while I was shopping there, I began to think the situation was getting serious. Fire trucks were going through town every 15 minutes or so. I've seen some dust storms, but this one was a doozy. It's amazing that today is a crystal clear, beautiful and sunny day.

No newspaper update today, just had to comment on that duster yesterday.

Building Character

That's the optimistic way of saying "I'm miserable and it's too cold!" Another way to say it, "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!" I am really enjoying this cold weather, though. I like it when the air is crisp and clean, and cooler weather is more motivating than hot weather. But if you have joint pain, I'm sure the cold is just something to endure.

Here are the updates on the Rotan Advance / Roby Star issues for Feb. 8 & 1.

February 8, 2007:

• Filing for Local Offices Opens Feb. 12
• Rotan Elementary Awarded as Title 1 Distinguished School
• Local Seniors Participate in All-Star Classic (photo)
• Roby Lady Lions Win District (photo)
• DPS Does NOT Solicit Donations
• Fisher County Students Participate in Fort Worth Stock Show
• Georgia Ashton Celebrates 93rd Birthday
• Lone Star Land Bank Changes Name to Lone Star Agricultural Credit Association
• Obituaries for Nora Gruben, Nealy Don "Rusty" Browning, Guadalupe Moreno, and Linda Mae Almanza Villagran
• Sheriff's Sale March 6, 10 am
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Monthly Climatological Summary for January 2007

February 1, 2007:

• School Purchases Rotan Centennial Commemorative Plaque (photo)
• House Fire in Rotan (photos)
• Will Martin Makes All-State Football Selection, 5 Others Receive Honors
• Wind Turbines in Fisher County, 776-3259 for More Info
• Kendall Prall & Russell Riggan Announce Engagement
• Lindsey Cave Makes TSU Dean's List
• David Stevens Elected President of TETA (photos)
• Obituaries for Martha Frances Branch Bullock, Martha Jane Green, Betty Jo Park White, and Mary Earline Elrod
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Dorothy LaVrne Starnes Rotan Memories Article (photos)

I noticed in the paper that the museum out at Western Texas College had a chocolate fest last weekend. I'm sorry to have missed that. Go to the Scurry County Museum website to see what will be on display next. They have hosted Fisher County artists, such as Robin Roberts.

When Will Spring Be Here?

In it's own sweet time, I'm sure! George Maule, God rest his soul, told me last year that the best time to cut fence posts is in February, before the sap rises. He said to chop off the bark with a hatchet and they'll last a long time. He had some posts that had been up for 50 years and still looked good.

I was sorry to read of the death of Leila Vera Morrow. Virgil Weems, her son-in-law, is a distant cousin of the Templetons, and we wish his family comfort.

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Highlights for January 25, 2007:

• Rotan Celebrates Centennial (Photos)
• Rotan School Board Meeting, Early's Contract Extended
• Big Country Electric Sponsors 2007 Youth Tour
• Sunny Helms Makes South Plains College Honors List
• Hope Matthies & Garrett Dowell Make All-Region Band
• All-Region Band to Perform in Lubbock
• Obituary Announcements for Michael Glenn Gruben, Dorothy Louise
  Plemmons, Cranston Wayne Terry
• Fisher County Basketball
• DAR Guest of Delta Kappa Gamma
• Rotan Jr. High Honor Roll

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record for January 18, 2007:

• Fisher County Livestock Show Results (Photos in Back Section)
• Rotan to Celebrate Centennial (special articles throughout)
• Post Office Offers Cancellation Commemorative Centennial Stamp
• Old Photo of Rotan Trades Day
• Old Photo of VFW BBQ, Circa 1940
• Lacy Family Reunion Roster
• Roby City Council Meeting, Baseball Field Clean-Up Nears Completion
• Shana Feagan and Jack Brown Shower Announcement
• Rides to the Doctor Available through Faith in Action: 735-2929
• Annual Rotan Farm Equipment Consignment Auction March 10
• Rotan City Council Meeting, Approves Strickland Request to Close
  Streets and Alleys, Loose Dogs a Big Problem, Next Meeting Feb. 13
• Rotan Honor Rolls
• Obituaries for Ricardo G. Velez, Thelma Valentine Sorrells, Dr.
  Wellborn Kiefer Willingham, Earl Junior Kiker, Lelia Vera Morrow
• Fisher County Basketball
• Fisher County Hospital Board Meeting, Investment Report

Ya'll keep warm out there. We're really having winter this year!