Hope you're feeling up-to-snuff today.  I'm on our patio this
morning having my cup of coffee with the hazelnut creamer.  I have to
get my day off to a good start with some coffee like so many people
do.  Glad to be alive on this beautiful day.  There's always something
I need to get done.  May not get everything on my to do list done
today, but hopefully, even a project or two will get completed.  Rome
wasn't built in a day, and we all hope we'll be given another day to
get our work done.
      I was saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Mai Daniel.
She was "81" years old and had been in bad health for quite some time.
 She passed away Sunday, August 4th at her residence in Smithville.  I
can almost still hear that laugh of hers when we would be talking
before church services.  Charlie Mai you are now at peace with your
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are in the best health now.  You are
missed and will be missed by so many because you were loved by so many
including me.  I count my blessings from God for putting you in my
life.
      Stamps have gone up "again" from 68 cents to 73 cents.  This is
like sticker shock.  Seems like we're being taken to the cleaners,
doesn't it?  May just have to call my loved ones and friends instead
of sending them a Christmas card.  Now if my ship comes in, a card
will be sent, but since I think my ship sank at sea, I am not holding
my breath on the odds of a windfall of money in my future.
      Gracie Bratcher and Mai Nell Melton are hanging in there like
the rest of us and keeping cool.  Great they are both doing well.
      Thursday evening Brenda Neal delivered mail to me that was put
in her mailbox by mistake.  It seems these substitute mail carriers
are just not up on their job as this is happening to others in the
neighborhood.  Our regular mail carrier, Mr. Johnson, does a fine job.
 I have watched when a substitute is on our route, and the flag is not
put all the way down (only halfway) the mail looks like it was just
thrown in the back of the box, and on one occasion the flap to the
mailbox was half open.  It so happened I got home from town only a
short while before it came a downpour of rain.  I had some important
mail in the box that could have gotten soaked.
      Talked with Ann Warren, Ruth Brown, and Betty Sue Hullett
lately.  They are doing well, also.
      On our prayer list this week for us to remember to pray for is:
the family of Charlie Mai Daniel, Diane Evans, Mary Melton, Tracy
Neal, Leander Taylor, Jeff Young, Rose Watts, Walter and Faye Ferrell,
the leaders of our great nation, and the people of Israel and Ukraine.
      Have a great day!
      I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk
in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  John 8:12