We have lost another prominent resident here on the mountain. Michael Prater, age 63, of the Short Mountain community passed away Friday, April 18th.  We are offering our condolences to Michael's family at this sad time.  Please keep the Prater family in your prayers.

A peaceful week with several rounds of rain but nothing severe in the forecast for us.

Here we go again with the Post Office going up on postage stamps from seventy-three cents to a whopping seventy-eight cents each starting in July if they can get approval for this hike in the price of a stamp.  For the service we get from our mail delivery nowadays, I feel like this raise in the price of a postage stamp is ridiculous. Our mail, which I can speak from first-hand experience, has reached the point where it might get to its destination, but don't bet the farm on it.  If you've got bills to mail, it is far better to take them to the Post Office to mail instead of putting them in your mailbox.  Thieves (you know the criminal element in our society) getting braver about breaking into mailboxes across the country. Nothing today is better like some would tell you.  Those "better days" that we had long ago do not exist anymore, because they are long gone in my opinion.

Guarding your property, your finances, the places you travel to, are but only a few of the hazards we as Americans have to deal with on a daily basis.  Never, but never, let your guard down.  Being well-protected in your home is a must as God expects that of us at all times.  Pitiful that our society has come to this, but we must take "all precautions necessary" to ensure we take care of business if someone tries to invade our home.  The message to all of us couldn't be made any clearer.  Our home is our refuge.

Please keep the following people in your prayers:  Dusty Johnson, Mary Melton, Diane Evans, Rose Watts, Walter and Faye Ferrell, Joe Gunter, the people of Israel and Ukraine, the leaders of this great nation, and the families of Dorris Ferrell, Jack Parsley and Michael Prater.

If you love horse racing, get ready for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3rd.  I love to watch the race because I've always loved horses.  No way can a person miss all those "out of this world" hats that will adorn so many ladies that day.  Some of them, in my opinion, are so outlandish and I'm wondering if birds have ever made a nest in one of them?

Saturday morning birds were singing loudly as I was sitting at our patio table writing.  I also head a bobwhite off in the distance and even turkeys were gobbling near the base of the mountain.  Spring has definitely sprung.  My first hummingbird showed up a few days ago. Pleasantness like this only happens in the country so get out and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of nature that God has given you.

Steve Gauger or "Sam" and wife Stacy and daughter Emily came by on Saturday.

I have some May birthdays to let you know about:  John Womack 1st, Leah Johnson 7th (our granddaughter), Sherri Davenport 7th, Jimmy Womack 7th, Joe Gunter 9th, Peggy Young 20th, and Holly Gunter 22nd. Also, a wedding anniversary for Billy Joe and Barbara Vincion on the 30th.

Melvin Ferrell doing well on Wednesday of last week.  He has put out a small garden so that means he'll have some good eating before long when his garden comes in.  Ann Warren and Ruth Brown are doing well.

Have a great day!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.  1 Peter 1:3, 4