DECEMBER IS HERE!

I finally finished reading Elmer Kelton's last novel. A good finish to his set of stories about the early days of the Texas Rangers. Unlike so many authors he doesn't have his Rangers pursue some of the famous outlaws of the day. He has them tackle the many problems related to feuds between land owners that lingered from the Civil War. He brought in a new Ranger that was from the old school of shoot first and ask questions later. He has a little romance but that was always hard for Elmer to write about.

Nancy and I are involved in getting ready for December events. This Friday is the Kiwanis Christmas event held every year for Cross Plains. We serve a stew supper to raise a little money to pay for the gifts that are given to the community. Each child gets a free photo of their visit with Santa. We give away 12 frozen turkeys and four cash gifts. We have a program of Christmas music to start the season.

Then Tuesday night Nancy and I are hosting my Sunday School class. Nancy is preparing all the food except for desserts that others are bringing. We decorated the artificial Christmas tree I bought at the Lord's Acre and Nancy has brought out all the other Christmas decorations and tables. The piano has a creche on it with figures from her collection. We moved the painting of the cowboy riding the fence line from the bedroom to over the fireplace. It now matches the painting over the piano of the young woman out in the field in a western scene. And Mary Barton's painting looks good over the bed. We are looking forward to having a large crowd for the party.

Nancy has also asked her children and mine along with Ike and Sue, Al and Jeannine to come for a meal December 18. Her son John and his wife Carol is coming but Vicky says she can't make it and haven't heard from her other son, Ernie. Don't know what the weather will be by then. So far it has been great.