Smoke Signals and other news

This week has been a busy one. End of season Marshall County Sports Tournaments for T-Ball, Baseball, and Softball were played this week in Potts Camp (finishing on Monday due to rainouts) with the kids having a great time. They all received awards or will be receiving them this week at a cookout. We only had a couple of unsportsmanlike behavior situations – from parents. The kids are awesome, but sometimes the adults forget how to set the best examples.

I have missed attending the games with making a few pictures for the paper and preparing for the startup of Byhalia's Summer League. All I can say is wow for the amazing turnout. We have more than doubled the number of kids from last summer. I am trying to sort it all out and get these teams going. Even though it will be hot, we will learn and have fun.

Granddaughter is finally home from the Med and recuperating. She is still weak but so grateful to be home. No more surgeries or IV's.

Vacation Bible Schools are in full swing. Sign your kids up where you can. I remember how much my kids always enjoyed them, and so did I when I had the pleasure of teaching.

The little dog is still limping. We went to the vet a week ago and she believed he sprang his ankle. He has been on anti-inflammatory meds ever since, but I don't see much improvement. He is not a fan of taking pills and I've probably tried all the tricks. I usually find it easiest with him to just stick it down his throat, but if I don't get it far enough down, he is going to spit it out and then we get to do it all over again.

I went to eat with my son and daughter-in-law on Saturday afternoon at The Red Barn in Independence. I had been sticking to a pretty strict diet all week but just may have somewhat forgotten it during that yummy meal although I did basically choose lower calorie options. They serve a variety of food, and we all finished our plates with two of us adding a dessert. I have a hard time turning down cheesecake. If you go that way or just feel like making the drive, you won't be disappointed. My parents grew up in Tate County and we drove around a bit to some of the places we knew they lived and where one set of my grandparents and some aunts and uncles are buried.

I am preparing for a trip to my daughter's in Georgia. I won't be taking my traveling companion Charlie this time as we are embarking on a cruise to the Bahama's while I'm there. This will be a first for all of us. I was planning to get there to watch Olivia play in some tournaments with her all-star team that she worked so hard to earn a spot on. My girl broke the growth plate in her thumb on her right hand and although she got to play in one tournament, she is out for the rest of the games. She never cried or even let her coach know she was hurt but finished practice before telling mom. She is attending games and cheering on her teammates. She has tryouts today for a traveling team that has invited her to play. They said bring her on to tryouts so maybe she can pull it off.

I would love to report your news. Call or text me at 901-246-8843, message me on Facebook at Clair Wagg, or email me at jchwagg@gmail.com.