Smoke Signals and other news
Another week of hot August weather. We had a couple of light showers in my area, but it was soaked up so quickly by the scorched earth. When the rain was falling frequently, my grass had to be mowed once a week, but it has been nearly two weeks since the last official cut and it is not high enough to warrant cutting. This year most of our land is planted in crops and the lack of moisture is beginning to show.
Just a reminder to check on your elderly neighbors during this excessive heat. There may be things that seem small to you that you could do but are a major task for them. Do they have a means to stay reasonably cool? Is a trip to the store too much for them? Would taking their garbage can to the street for pickup be a blessing for them? Does their dog need to be walked?
I had to cancel my physical therapy sessions this week due to other health issues. My knee exercise machine was also returned to the supplier. My knee, although enjoying the rest, has once again become stiff, painful, and a bit swollen. I am learning to live with it as it seems it is determined to be this way. A few people told me before I had this surgery that some of their friends took more than a year to regain complete painless use of their knee. Others said they breezed right through it with only a short period of pain. Looks like I may be a member of the one-year recovery group.
On Monday afternoon, I was sitting on my porch rocking as part of my physical therapy. I was startled by a loud, close gunshot from what sounded to be a powerful weapon. Now, where I live gunfire is rather common but usually consist of more of a target practice type of shooting along with the gunfire from the nearby “western town” the fourth weekend each month. This was close enough that I jumped and looked around for a minute or so. I have often stated that in our area, a single gunshot is more significant than several in a row. When there were no further shots, I really did not think much more about it until a large bullet hole was discovered in a window of my master bedroom. The window is shattered, the blinds were shot through, and glass was inside on the window ledge. Thorough searching has yet to locate whatever is left of the bullet. How someone shot into that window is rather a mystery as the road is blocked by a bank on that side. I did file a police report so that the incident is on record. Thankful to not be in the bedroom at that time. None of my cameras face the road as I never thought of needing them to. A couple of neighbors have cameras facing the road and are looking back through footage to see if a vehicle passed at that time.
We still are looking for Byhalia High School alumni who attended BHS up through 1969. If you fit in that category and wish to attend our upcoming reunion, please contact me by any of the methods listed below. I have attempted to contact at least 200 folks, but have not reached all that I want to.
I would love to report your news, activities, etc. Please share your news with me either at jchwagg@gmail.com or text or call 901 246-8843. You can message me on Facebook as Clair Wagg.