This afternoon brought quite a birthday surprise for Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle. The UPS driver delivered The Wreckers debut album "Stand Still-Look Pretty" right to the Ponderosa. It arrived a few days late, but as the saying goes it's the thought that counts. Jerry is amazed that there are people in the world who think enough of him to spend 39 cents to mail a card to him. But this was not a 39 cents delivery. So who was it that thought this much of our courageous, dynamic Publisher. It was his St. Paul Minnesota cousins, The Hansen Family. It featured Kevin, Jaimie, Ethan, and the Hansen he hasn't met yet, Addison. We're quite sure they didn't gift make the gift to get publicity, but that kind of generosity must be rewarded.

Of course, we can't neglect their WB label mates, The Ditty Bops. As you know, they are still crossing Kansas. It has been unbearably hot there, as it is in other places across the country. Ms. Abby was even brought down with a case of heat stroke. They have resorted to starting their bike treks at 4am to avoid the heat of the day, with varying degrees of success. Ms. Amanda has several bug bites among the freckles on her legs. The affected area has been photographed, but all of us here at the Holabird Advocate thought it best to spare our Readers such a gory display. It's literally not a pretty picture.

The Highmore Herald Carries an engagement notice for Jordan Day and a young lady from Minnesota. While all of us here at the Holabird Advocate are happy for the couple, some of us still remember Jordan as the nice quite polite little boy that Andy Lennick would spend so much of his childhood with.

Before our Publisher took up the ministry, he played a minister on stage. A minister who presided over a wedding in which Jordan played the groom. A few short years later, life is imitating art for both of them. Except this time it's no laughing matter.

We don't envy the future Mrs. Day. After all, it will be hard to follow in the footsteps of Nadine and Vikki Day. Still if Jordan learns from the example of Corky and Roger Day, they'll do just fine. If they make God the third partner in the marriage, the odds will increase in their favor.

Since E.E Hinkle's birthday is tomorrow, we'll give Jordan the same advice he gave to all who wanted to know how to make their marriage last 60 years. "Listen to each other. Never go to bed angry. And just do the best you can, and leave the rest up to God" We can't guarantee that this advice will work, but it did for him.

The Holabird Advocate home office will be closed on Monday. The reason will be made clearer on Tuesday. Tomorrow, being what would have been Grandad's 104th birthday, we will have a special photo tribute to him and his life. So come to the computer on Emorymas with a glass of milk, coffee, orange soda, or even water and raise your glass (or cup) in a toast to the memory of a life well lived.

All of us on the Ponderosa, meaning me, will be having an egg, sausage, toast, and corn flakes for breakfast in the morning. You know, a Cowboy Breakfast. I'll also chase that down with some milk and a reading from The Upper Room. If you can, I hope you'll so the same. The Upper Room part is easy, just go here: http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/