TheTurkey is in!

Which is nothing like the doctor being in. I had Mr. Tom in the oven by 6 this morning. I really meant to do 5 a.m., but it took an hour of rolling around to get awake.

It seems like the animals sense that I am easily annoyed this morning because several of them have been unusually naughty. I must be getting old, because I used to say the same thing about my kids.

Speaking of getting older, I think I've come up with some sure signs of aging:

• When you can't find something in the store, you say they don't make it anymore
• Everyone looks 12
• You know when people (kids, which is anyone under 40) are stretching the truth, but it's so obvious, you don't even comment (it makes me cringe to think of my own truth-stretching)
  
• People keep asking you where your glasses are (What? I can read it if I hold it just a little farther away...)
• You're smarter than everyone (Wait, wasn't that my teen years?)

I've got a lot of headlines to give you, the most notable being the death of Sammy Baugh this week. There was a big to-do in Rotan and I wish I had thought to go to the funeral to get photos. I saw a clip on the news and it looked like they drew his casket on a buckboard wagon. The people on TV didn't even look cold, but the high was about 20 degrees that day. The Advance wrote a huge piece, with Kim Pease as guest writer.

George Maule used to talk about Sammy and seemed to think a lot of him. Those ol' time cowboys were really somethin'.

Let's get to it, now. Here's the skinny on the Dec. 25, 2008 issue of the Roby Star Record / Rotan Advance:

• Fisher County bids farewell to the legendary Sammy Baugh (photo)
  
• Obituaries for Sam Baugh and Eugene Edward Spivey
• News Briefs: Youth Headquarters
• Pastors Column: Pastor Jack Dominguez, Rotan First United Methodist
• Fall graduates announced for Angelo State University
• Rep. Heflin congratulates 17 District 85 high schools among America's Best
  
• Marriage announcement for Adalia Johnson & Eric Gardner
• Rotan FFA new leaders (photo)
• Tumbleweed Smith: Why Did Things Have to Get So Complicated?
• Invitation to Melvin Clements 90th birthday party
• Fisher County Jr. Livestock Show Jan. 8-10
• Weather to the extreme
• Fisher County Roundup by Joy Walker
• Randy's Roundup: Using TARP funds to aid the U.S. automotive industry; Reimbursement for oxygen equipment; Time with family and friends
• 1/2 price After Christmas Sale at The Yellow Rose, in The Newspaper Office, Dec. 29
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Fisher County gin report
• Birth announcements for Kayme Lynn Elrod, Madison & Mackenzie Solsbery, and Aubrey Frances Jackson (lovely color photos)
• Letters to Santa section (photos)

Dec. 18 issue:

• Newspaper subscription renewals due Jan. 1
• Rotan water rates increase
• Two arrested for possession of marijuana (photos)
• All State football honors (photo)
• Rotan Elementary Joy of Giving (photo)
• Obituaries for Ethel Edwards Ammons (photo), Glenn Bailey Baker (photo), and Juan C. Reyes, Sr.
• Pastors Column: Bro. Jerry Vincent
• Retirement reception for D.A. Mark Edwards (photo)
• Engagement announcement for Shaun Ann Shauna & Tyler Glen Murphree (photo)
  
• Fisher County Roundup by Joy Walker
• Sheriff's report
• Recipe Corner: Chicken with Rice & Gravy
• Album release party (photo)
• Tumbleweed Smith: Some Bad Advice, Some Good Advice
• Fisher County RV Club news
• Open letter to Nolan & Fisher County residents re: Tenaska Coal-Fired Plant
• Fisher County basketball (photos)
• Randy's Roundup: Curbing spending & debt; Progress in Iraq & Afghanistan
• Fire ant ag report

Dec. 11 issue:

• Commissioners Court approves election for adopting optional county road system
• Plaque of appreciation presented (photo)
• Christmas Parade winners (photos)
• Letter to the editor from Mayor Jerry Marshall
• Pastors Column: Corkey Wells, First Baptist Church, Rotan
• Fisher County Roundup by Joy Walker
• Roby School Board conducts regular meeting
• Recipe Corner: Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese
• City of Roby approves new resolution on Roby Community Center
• College & Career Day at Rotan ISD (photos)
• Tumbleweed Smith: Life Near Blanco
• New facilities open at Roby CISD (photos)
• Thanksgiving meal at Rotan Church of Christ (photo)
• District Food & Nutrition Quiz Bowl (photo)
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Sheriff's report
• FCAA meets (photo)
• 4-H Happenings
• County Finances Treasurer's Report

Dec. 4 issue:

• 4-H Food Show participants (photo)
• Gin Report
• A very well written Letter to the Editor from Kenny Martin, former Executive Director of Rotan Housing Authority - apparently there was not a scandal, just some concerns as the Mayor is responsible for appointing the Rotan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; Martin points out that "only the Rotan Housing Authority Board of Directors (not the Mayor, city council, or any other local board) has the jurisdiction to address Housing Authority issues"
• Fisher County Hospital Board holds regular meeting
• Pastors Column: Minister Wes Eastman, Rotan Church of Christ
• Recipe Corner: Maple Walnut Pumpkin Pie
• Engagement announcement for Sunny Riggan & Lance Moore (photo)
• Randy's Roundup: Bombing in Mumbai; New Capitol Visitor Center; Change of address
  
• Tumbleweed Smith: You'd Have to Call Bill Herridge a Gearhead
• Sheriff's Report
• Fisher County Roundup by Joy Walker
• Fisher County Basketball (photos)
• Fisher County All-District football selections (photos)

Well, that's the gist of it, as you all know, and if you want the whole gonzo, you need to get your own subscription (see link on right).

Merry Christmas to everyone, and also Happy New Year, since you know how I am and might not get back here for a month. Thanks to all for reading the Hobbs Holler!