Out west and around the county

- Spring Creek tributary -

The four inches of rain that fell west and south of Hobbs during the beginning of November swelled up the dry creeks. The tank behind my house spilled over twice. That ought to tide us over for a little while. It can be quite a dry spell between fall and February.

Next Wednesday looks like we might get close to a freeze. Those last few tomatoes better grow fast before being pulled to ripen on the window sill.

The Rotan water line project is coming along. Right now, they're about to cut across Fisher County Road 347, north of FM 1614. They are replacing a part of the Snyder to Rotan aqueduct. 

I got lost in McCaulley today. First I went too far east towards Anson, and then I couldn't find the community center. Sometimes I'm a real airhead. Just go to the big bridge east of Roby on US 180, then go north on FM 57 about two miles. Find the old school and then look to the east. There's a huge metal building. There will be a lot of cars around it. 

They're having a big sale out there and have all kinds of good stuff to buy. I got some books and a quilt and a necklace. The sale will be continuing tomorrow (Saturday) at 9 a.m.

Also going on tomorrow, as well as Sunday, is the Pete Garcia Estate Sale in Rotan. It's taking place at 1011 North Tyler and starts at 8 a.m. both days.

It looks like the Dollar General store in Roby will be opening soon. There are people inside of it putting up inventory. I noticed today that the Rotan site is called DG Market. The outside of Ace Hardware in Rotan is up. I'm looking forward to getting in these stores.

I finished up my jaunt by getting a .25 cent gallon of water in Rotan and going to The Country Store. A person can never have too many books, right?

Construction underway

- Store sites -

The Rotan Dollar General site is abuzz with workers this morning, and if the swiftness in which the Roby DG store is going up is any indicator, we'll be buying socks and waterhoses and ballpoint pens and catfood in no time, from both locations.

The photos in order, from top to bottom, are Rotan DG site, Roby DG site, and Ace Hardware Rotan site.

According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration, the Rotan DG store is planned for 12,480 square feet and Roby DG for 9,100 square feet. The Double Mountain Chronicle reported that Ace is planned for 12,500 square feet.

A little news and a bunch of bugs

- Night flight bugs -

There was a pretty good rain around Hobbs yesterday, a little over an inch, but rain doesn't come without consequence around here. This time it was thousands and thousands of bugs. They looked like termites with wings and they all wanted in my house. I put in earplugs to keep them out of my ears, and got out the vacuum. The only good thing I can say about them is that they didn't bite or sting.

You can follow the progress of the new hardware store on facebook. Fisher Ace Hardware & Farm Supply in Rotan has a page with a lot of interesting photos and videos. They documented pouring the store foundation, reporting that it took 27 trucks to get the job done.

The land deal has gone through for the Dollar General store in Rotan. Expect to see groundwork being laid on the southern edge of town. Dollar General in Roby is in construction now.

Stoney LaRue will be playing at the Taylor County Coliseum Friday, September 5, during the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene. Table, floor and balcony seats are available. Performance begins at 9 p.m.

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone is coming back November 10, and Tulsa King will return September 15. I swore I would never watch another Sheridan production until he showed us the last episodes of season five of Yellowstone, but Tulsa King is coming on first, so I will be breaking my vow. The shows will air on Paramount Network and Paramount+.

Small town economy growth

- Hardware store site -

It looks like it's really going to happen. 

A "Coming Soon" sign has been placed on the combined lots of the former  Family Dollar Store and White's Hardware.

In a small town like Rotan, this is very exciting. It's been a very long time since the community has gotten to break in a brand spanking new store.

Most businesses make do with old buildings, like both the demolished stores were.

This could be the start of a new trend. Next the town needs a department store. A place to buy water hoses, socks, underwear, pens, paper, curtain rods, bathroom rugs and what have you would be mightily appreciated.