Hello Atoka! Just a reminder that this Saturday, May 17 will be our monthly Veteran's Breakfast, and I think you will also notice flags, unless it is raining, posted around town in remembrance of Armed Forces Day.
The holiday seasons are coming upon us, and it is that time of the year when we will be having the American flag flying proudly on the streets of Atoka. I want to thank all the businesses/individuals who chose to participate in our flag program and have our flag proudly displayed in front of the affected business.
I had placed a letter on the doors of downtown businesses explaining that I would be by each business on the date of Friday, May 2 to make the determination if they wish to participate and if so, give a receipt for their $35 donation for tax purposes.
I awoke early on the eventful Friday and decided that I would go ahead and go on my early morning walk as I was certain that most businesses would not start their day until 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. The morning started after the recent rainfall, and I was greeted with the freshness of a morning washed clean due to this.
I walked by Renee's roses that I planted for her las year and was astonished by the sweet fragrance of her ketchup and mustard roses and then bent down to takin the fragrance of a deep maroon rose that I had planted. Her peach-colored roses and the yellow climbing rose competed with each other in trying to convince me that, respectively, they smelled better than the other.
There was no way I was going to make a judgement call on which was the more fragrant than the other. I laughed quietly to myself as I thought how I had tried for years to get Renee' to let me plant some roses for her and how much she would enjoy their beauty and sweet fragrance but, for some reason, she resisted my coaxing. She now comments on how beautiful her roses are and marvels at how they add beauty to our yard.
I made my way up the driveway and made my way down the road wistfully thinking about the roses and their greeting as I began my morning walk. I was lost in thought when I was greeted by a musky, sweet, honeyed fragrance which was almost intoxicating.
My senses reeled as my brain attempted to categorize what wonderful smell I was experiencing, and I began looking around to see if I could identify the source. It suddenly dawned on me that I was walking by massive clumps of wild honeysuckle vines growing just off the road and in the bushes and trees lining the road.
I remember thinking if only a person could reach out and grab the heavy fragrance from the air, they would be rich beyond the dreams of avarice.
Walking down the road and reaching my return point I made my way back home greeting people on their way to work and waving to them and thinking sadly to myself to what they were missing by not being able to be out among nature and experiencing the sights, smells, and noises I had already seen this most wonderful of days.
A field lark flew across my path giving its whistling cry to me in greeting as it began its daily search for life. My friends, the crows, flew past me alighting in overlooking treetops and gave their raucous calls of recognition as they escorted me on my trip back home.
Once home, Ranger greeted me with his welcome bark and began his joyous wiggle and dance that he was glad I was back home and let me know that he was indeed ready for his breakfast.
We ate and once everything was in order I informed him that I would be walking around town to visit the good people of Atoka to collect money for the flags and that I would be home soon. He understood that I would be gone for a brief time and when I returned, we would do something together.
I left, met with many of the businesses and individuals, and made the promise to get back with others due to varied reasons. All-in-all, a productive day.
The flags will be placed around town on the date of Saturday, May 17th in honor of Armed Forced Day and the Veterans will also be serving their monthly breakfast.
Come join us for breakfast and have the opportunity to simply sit and enjoy the company of your fellow citizens, friends, and neighbors.
We begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. The food is good, and the company is excellent. It is a good opportunity to enjoy good company and good food with us, hoping that we will see you there.
