As if I didn’t have enough reasons to hate 2020, Tuesday, Oct. 6, brought news which genuinely shook me to my very core. My favorite guitarist of all-time — the legendary Eddie Van Halen — succumbed to cancer at the age of 65.

The emergence of the novel coronavirus early this year presented the world with an unprecedented challenge. Not since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 have we faced such a daunting public health crisis.

Board Member Robby Robertson recently reminded me of the theme song to the 1977 classic American road comedy, “Smokey and the Bandit.” The lyrics to “East Bound and Down” say, “We’re gonna do what they say can’t be done. We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there.” That is exactly what planning for the 2020-2021 school year has felt like.

Dogs are digging in the dirt deeper and deeper to reach cool layers. You find and read instructions for your plants.

The Chad Wessels Playground in Briggs Recent renovations to the playground that is adjacent to the Briggs Community Center are almost complete. The last bit of work necessary is power washing the equipment and that was planned for Monday evening, July 27.

Our beloved Children’s Librarian, Miss Bridget Hartje, is retiring. We are giving her a big sendoff July 31 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Road Signs On a pleasant Sunday afternoon drive in the northeastern part of Burnet County we used a road sign to guide us on our route. Suddenly I was reminded of a notice that I had seen from our Commissioner, Damon Beierle.

According to our esteemed TV weather “prophets” we might see some rain later this week. It doesn’t sound like a “gully washer”, but any little bit would be welcome.

Whew, it sure is hot. Of course, it’s always hot in July and August here in Central Texas but it’s especially hot this year.