Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” --Matthew 5: 44

Last week, we had several days of snow in southeastern Colorado, but not nearly as much as in Manhattan, Kansas, where some of my relatives live. They had 14 inches Monday evening and more fell later. We wish for more snow around these plains because we need it for our farms and ranch lands.

Mark and Julie Kelley, who live at Arapahoe, also own land up at the top of Nebraska a few miles from the South Dakota line, and are there often visiting. Julie showed me photos of some of their cattle where the normal green grass grows up to the bellies of the cows and their baby calves can get lost in the grass. Wow, I had never seen such tall grass!

We were excited in Colorado Sunday when the Denver Bronco football team won over Kansas City and get to be in the pro play-offs. I was feeling let down for my relatives who are avid Kansas Chief fans, but some of the ladies here who watch lots of sports told me that some of the better players for Kansas sat out, saving their energy and bodies for the next big playoff game in a week.

Monty, Tracey, and Jordyn Weeks flew to southern California to visit their son and brother at Christmas. This week, I am concerned about Jared’s welfare because of the terrible wildfires in that area.

Which reminds me that, all December, we in Weisbrod have enjoyed June Weeks’ quilted Christmas tree skirt as a wall hanging in the large dining room. We remember fondly June, and now her sons, D.L. and Judy Weeks and Tim and Sylvia Weeks, in our community.

Mike and Tammy Ulman’s photo letter came from New Braunfels, Texas, reveling that all three children who began school in Eads are now college educated and married. We all enjoy Tammy’s poetic style of writing, and memories of being our fellow educator. Mike owned a gun shop on Highway 287.

Celena and Eli Clark of Pueblo West visited us. Their daughter, Eve, spent time with her aunt, Carole Spady, using her fine quilting machine and learning quilting skills. Eve quilted fabric, cut out a jacket pattern, bound the seams with bias tape, and plans to sew a reversible jacket that she will model in 4-H fashion shows. She has been working on her leather crafting and home preservation projects so that they will be finished before she travels to Italy and France with other 4-H members next summer.

We like to watch the birds come to Shirley Watt’s window feeder. Her grandson, Wesley Richardson, gave it to her. I remember what a hit it made when Johnny Uhland’s sons put up a large bird feeder outside the south windows many years ago. We need a tall volunteer to fill those two remaining feeders on the south side of Weisbrod. Jaton knows where the birdseed is stored, but I will not tell or ask our wonderful groundskeeper-room mechanic-fixer of everything, Carl Blodgett. He is such a wonderful, kind, patient man! He works absolutely every day, seven days per week, yet he is always so patient and kind to the residents, nurses, and staff. He always smiles and does not complain. He is our hero!

The Haswell community pulled together again last week for the funeral service and lunch to honor Mary Shafer, who was so dear to the community along with her husband, Guy, who died several years ago. Her children are grateful to Mary’s friends for their meal and kindness to their parents through the years.

Our family appreciates the verbal and written expressions caring sympathy for our family after the death of Virgil Allen Lessenden, or any death. It was such a shock to lose our brother that this week it dawned on me that there are friends and relatives that I forgot to tell our brother had died. Another pleasant happening at Virgil’s funeral was that many of Wanda’s Ball family members came from the Hanover area and other places where they live now. They had a good time visiting and taking photos too.

Over near Sheridan Lake, I have heard of some of the family gatherings in the homes of the Shalberg family, at the Harris Farm, and the Woelk’s homes. We are fortunate in Kiowa County to safely meet in our homes to enjoy bountiful meals if we choose to buy and prepare the foods. We are blessed Americans here. Yes, I know some people may have complaints, but what are they trying to do to make situations better? Let’s think about those problems and pray for guidance. The answer will come. There is always hope.

We extend our sympathy to Jeremy Gaynor and family of Kit Carson, and Gloria Trosper and family of Eads, and their mother, Nadine Gaynor, after the loss of their father, Calvin. He had battled cancer for a long time. The Eads community had appreciated his skills in the medical lab for a number of years. Calvin was another one of our valued military veterans.

Remember that whichever community that you live in, please do support your local elementary, middle, or high schools with your presence, prayers, or money - or all three.

Happy days. Please do practice positive thoughts!