OFF THE CUFF

A few post-vacation observations

Well, the wanderers have returned. It was good to get away for several days, see some country, ignore the phone and hope the grass, growing from recent rains, didn’t get too tall.

This, by the way, is not going to be an account of the vacation. Rather it will be some observations, the most important being: it’s always good to get home.

Although when we returned, we found it had remained dry here and the temp had moderated, the grass really did grow and the late corn is tassling. But there is little chance it will mature.

Driving around town about 7 every morning, I notice the sun has moved. Imagine that. Something the government can’t control. Before we left, while driving east on Detroit Street, the sun we faced was blindingly bright. Now it’s several degrees south. Afternoon alignment is also more bearable.

I noticed the Gravette Day stage was still in place, waiting to be used by some promised musical groups which apparently never materialized. It is to be removed this week, I’m told. Progress on thenew columns in Kindley Memorial Park continues and when completed will complement our special park which honors Gravette World War I Air Ace, Capt. Field E. Kindley.

I notice the new home for KBVA is making real progress. If I remember correctly, the radio station is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. I’ll have to confess I only get to hear the station’s good music while driving. The music complements Gravette’s reputation as a caring, low-key, clean and friendly community.

Back to the highway experiences - we encountered quite a bit of rain and what impressed me was that motorists in the southeastern states almost universally drive in such conditions with their lights on.

In fact, I saw signs in a couple of states warning drivers to “turn on lights when raining” or words to that effect. Further, in one state a line was added that the requirement is a state law.

As long-time readers of the “Cuff” know, I’ve been on a rant for several years about the importance ofobeying Arkansas’ state law which requires “lights on when wipers are required.”

Would it help if the AHD (that’s the Arkansas Highway Department) would post such signs to remind motorists of the law? Maybe a “lights on all the time” law would cure the effectiveness of the way our current law is written.

I missed Gravette’s homecoming. It must have been a great evening. Our editor, Randy, and Heather Brody provided great pictures. This brings me to the fact that again I must apologize for transposing the senior and sophomore attendants pictures the previous week.

And last week I pulled another one when I identified Bella Vista Assembly of God pastor Jonathan Watson as being minister of the wrong church. That was written before we left town and I’d like to think that my hurrying caused the lapse. However, I’ve noticed, I’m pulling more than my share of snafus lately. Do you suppose that’s trying to tell me something?

P.S. One final observation, gasoline cost only $3.09 in Georgia and the cost remained as low as $3.19 until we hit the Arkansas border. Do you suppose that’s trying to tell us something?

Dodie Evans is the editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer and may be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 6 on 10/05/2011