Memorial Day

Well, I wasn't feeling particularly patriotic today and I hadn't really given much thought to what Memorial Day was about at all. Then I decided to go to the Hobbs Cemetery and do some grave charting, which it's about time, it's been about a year and I've only done one section. Of course, I had seen the flags that the groundskeepers put on the graves, they do a nice job of it every year, but it made me stop and think when I actually started reading the gravestones. "Missing in Action at Paris, France, 1944", "Died 1936, Water Tender U.S. Navy", "S2 USN RF WWI", "PVT U.S. Army" were just a few of the words I read.

When I'm standing alone in the cemetery with just the sound of the wind, I start weaving stories in my head about these people and their journeys. The civilians as well as the military members, but the MIA grave made me have a pang in my chest. My husband, father, step-father, grandfather and uncle all served time to this country. They all came back safely. It hurt to think what I would feel if one had been left behind.

The photo above is of my uncle Haskell and some of his buddies when he was in the Navy. In our cemetery plot, we have two military headstones, Haskell's from WWII and my grandfather's from WWI. My grandfather's headstone is off by a year because he changed his birth date in order to join up.

So, I hope you didn't forget like I did, or if you did, I hope you remembered like I did. The military is a part of our family legacies, whether you or for against wars. Please honor these people with your thoughts.

Rotan Centennial Murals

Ricky Niell sent me a link that shows photos of work being done on the Rotan Centennial Murals. Looks like this is going to be a big shindig! Check out the Centennial specifics at the Fisher County Chamber of Commerce web site, and also peruse the info at the Fisher County Forum. Both of these links are listed in the right column of this page, for easy future access, or just click on the highlighted words to take you there straight-away.

School's Out for Summer

School is officially out and most of the graduations are done with. It's hard to believe my oldest was graduating at this time one year ago. Time sure does fly, I can still remember when he had blonde ringlets and was wearing a little sailor suit. I'm sure he would be pleased to know that I mentioned that. Maybe I'll post the photo and really make him happy.

I know you'll be surprised that I'm actually going to do a paper update. I've dropped the ball, I know, but maybe I can make good from here.

Rotan Advance / Roby Star Record, May 17, 2007 issue:

• Voting Results from May 12 Elections, Jerry Marshall still Holding Title of Mayor in Rotan; Eli Sepeda new Mayor of Roby (photos)
• Commissioners Court Minutes - This one is a good read, a bit of turmoil over Bank Bid Award
• Big Country Electric Gives Weather Radio to Hobbs Alternative School (photo of Linda Posey and Ernest Munoz)
• Rotan Economic Development Meeting Minutes, John's Hamburgers is Purchased by Bidder
• 2007 Western Swing Festival starting June 5th in Snyder (ad grant by Texas Yes!)
• Fisher County 4-H District Round-Up (photos)
• Rotan City Council Meeting Minutes, TxDot to rework downtown light; Pat Boone hired as Pool Manager
• Roby CISD Special Board Meeting Minutes, Level III Complaint heard in Closed Session
• Rotan Centennial Meeting Minutes
• Haley Dunn signs with Cameron Aggies
• Sheriff's Sale June 5
• Obituaries for Norma Cummins (photo), Felix Galan and Izax Boren
• Fisher County Round-Up by Joy Walker
• Recipe Corner: Honey Mustard Chicken
• Spring Sports Articles and Photos of Local School Athletes
• Dr. Dale Rollins Conducts Tour of Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch (photos)

Have a good Memorial Day Weekend and drive safely!

Jessie Jane's at Justiceburg, Texas

- Jess & Les Morgan -

We went to watch Lawless Flatz play at Jessie Jane's last night, and let me tell you, this is a real jewel of a place to be. First we ate (quesadillas, muchos nachos and a burger - and the price wasn't too bad, either), then we pulled out the lawn chairs and sat back for some great music. Well, we didn't just sit back, because sometimes you have to sing happy birthday or pitch in on a song. This hang-out has great ambiance, fantastic people and there were folks of all ages there. Owners Jessie and Frank mix right in with the crowd and really know how to have a good time.

Be sure to check out some of the photos from last night on the Lawless Flatz page. Oh, and if you don't know where Justiceburg is, you just get on US 84 out of Snyder and drive about 30 miles. It's right there on the highway, you can't miss it.

RPQRR Plant Appreciation Day Tuesday May 15

Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Fisher County will be holding a Plant Appreciation Day program tomorrow at the headquarters on US 180. Topics include range health & grazing management, crop analysis & seed id, nutritional value of seeds, and plant identification on the web. The first part of the program will be held at the ranch, then the group will move to Roby for lunch. Following an afternoon presentation, the group will be dismissed. There's a $10 registration fee at the door, and for those of you who need it, you will earn 3 CEUs. To register, contact the Fisher County Extension Office 325-776-3259, the Nolan County Extension Office 325-236-6912, or the Jones County Extension Office 325-823-2432. I'll be there and hope to see you there, too!

Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch Open House

Some people know how to put on a show, then there's Dr. Dale Rollins and the RPQRR Crew. You couldn't have asked for a better stage or backdrop. This has to have been the most gorgeous day that I can remember in a long time. Perfect temperature, a light breeze and big, fluffy clouds made for a very pleasing time.

There was a very large turnout and Billy Joe McCombs, Rosemary Donham and Morris Hinshaw were just a few of the notable locals who attended. The tour of the ranch and the oratory speaking that was intermittently sprinkled with poetic prose kept everyone on their toes as well as informed and entertained.

I will have a more in-depth report later this week, hopefully, and maybe by then I will have the correct names for the folks in the photos. Just click here to go to the album.

RPQRR Open House this Friday! RSVP!

The Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch will be holding an open house this Friday, May 11, 2007. To RSVP and get more info about the event, email Dale Rollins or Rachel Vega . The ranch is about 15 miles west of Roby on US 180.

The headquarters is on the north side of the highway, just before the blinking yellow light at the FM 611 intersection, and it has been painted with a fresh coat of green and white paint.

The Trans-TX Quail Count, which started May 5, will be going on through May 19. Among other goals, this exercise will evaluate breeding capital after the worst quail season in 25 years, and spark an interest in rekindling struggling quail populations. The count is a field event, and living, breathing bodies will monitor listening posts to record physical evidence of quail by hearing them whistling.

More information about Texas quail can be obtained at TeamQuail.

Once Upon a Time there was a Spooky Old Building...

I have a fascination with this building in Rotan, and I frequently stop and get another camera-ful of photos. I'm not a ghost-fanatic, but it is sort of eerie that it looks like a figure is standing in the archway. I know it's just a sunspot, but I thought it looked sort of ghastly.

Carrol McCoy Hodges dies at age 87

Carrol Hodges died on Monday in Abilene after a lengthy illness. The funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Trinity Baptist Church and burial will be in Sweetwater Cemetery. Friends and family may pay their respects Thursday evening, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Cate-Spencer Funeral Home. The obituary is on the Abilene Reporter News website. You may leave a memorial message on the obituary page.