Between seven and eight tenths

...or exactly 20 millimeters, but if someone told me that, I wouldn't have any idea what they were talking about. I just read it off the rain gauge. That's what the conversation across the county is going to be about today, because after 22 years of drought, it finally rained last night. I could be exaggerating, but it doesn't feel like it. Throw in a dash of hail and you got yourself a spring storm.

Also, a scissortail was spotted last week, so the season is now official.

The photo today is to give you an idea of my view during a storm. I have a bit of a phobia and people across the nation say, "I bet Leslie's in the cellar" whenever they see a storm is crossing west Texas way. I'm also scared of airplanes and bears, but that's neither here nor there. It's pretty easy to avoid flying to the Rockies to go camping, but in this part of the world, it takes a lot of work to stay ahead of a storm. Far enough ahead to make it to my cellar from wherever I'm at, anyway.

On the Texas Press Association website, there's a tab for Texas Newspapers, and all the newspapers in Texas that are members of the TPA are listed, as well as links to their websites, if available. You'll never have to buy a book again, there's so much to read.

American Livestock and Pet Supply in Wisconsin has some good deals and check-out is easy.

Here are the headlines for the April 9, 2009 issue of the Roby Star Record / Rotan Advance newspaper:

• Rotan ISD cheerleaders announced (photo)
• Chamber of Commerce to sponsor annual Rotan farm auction sale, Apr. 18, rodeo grounds
• Rotan ISD Headstart, pre-k & kindergarten registration Apr. 14
• 2009 Enrichment Festival to be held in Rotan June19 ( good auction items!)
• Fisher County Extension Agency: time to buy validation tags for show animals
• Rotan School Library to host Book Fair Apr. 13-17
• Obituaries for Blenda Leatece Schooley and Jesse Warnell Crow
• News Briefs: AARP Driver Safety training program; 18th Annual Spring Swing May2; Early voting for Roby City Council to begin Apr. 27; Rotan Athletic Booster Club meeting; Rotan ISD lunch accounts
• Region 14 Education Service Center Retirement seminar
• Randy Neugebauer: Borrows too much, spends too much, taxes too much; Celebrating military children in April; Service Academy forums; District events
• Pick a pleasing gift from the bridal registry at The Yellow Rose, inside the Newspaper Office in Rotan for brides-to-be: Casey Jenkins, Opal Tribble, Holli Griggs, Serena Gates
• Sheriff's report: eight in jail
• Stonewall Memorial Hospital Alternatives Program Open House celebration (photo)
• Spring Sports (photos)
• Easter Blessings merchants page
• Fisher County Roundup by Joy Walker: the Copeland's visit family

It looks like it's going to be a bright and shiny Easter morning. Nothing like a good rain to wash the sky clean. Salud!