Many of us who still go to Sunday School are studying a part of the Old Testament called Ecclesiastes. Not only can we not spell it, we in the “Cemetery” Class have a hard time trying to comprehend the teachings of the old teacher (Solomon). But we try. This morning I got out of bed and walked toward my kitchen where my wife was fixing our breakfast. She had our TV tuned to channel 25 and it was saying something about the “heartbreak of erectile disfunction.” That was the same commercial that had played the morning before. Yep. Just like in Ecclesiastes, it too had already been. And my breakfast was on the stove.

Perhaps more noteworthy this past Sunday morning was that church camp was over. The kids were back. But the talk wasn’t so much about religious progress as it was about the new Covid that seems to be sweeping Oklahoma and surrounding states. It’s back. Reports were that some church camps had taken their kids home early after experiencing covid cases. A few churches in Oklahoma either dismissed their Sunday Services or cut back on them. However, here in Allen we charged ahead. On a positive note, the percentage of people getting shots last week in Oklahoma was up dramatically. On a negative note, those opposed to the shots are stepping up their efforts to block and urge people not to get the shot. One fact remains: The shots are effective, and they are safe.

I urge all who read this to get this inoculation for their own sakes and the sake of the ones they love. The return of this Covid scourge is a direct result of people paying attention to the people who have fought these shots from the beginning. You could say, “many deaths are on their hands.” Reminds me, again of what the Ecclesiastes says: “Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is.”

Our city council is attempting to get our town cleaned up. At least a little. Reactions have been very favorable and hopeful. Many lots and yards have been mowed and cleaned up. A lot of these lots and yards are vacant properties and I have been happy to see neighbors’ chip in and get to work helping to clean up these mosquito breeding sites. There are some abandoned properties that I don’t know how on earth will ever be cleaned up. But it’s worth it to keep trying. Neighbors have been chipping in trying to help people out who are old or disabled.

I really appreciate these folks who serve on our council. It’s a thankless task that often brings vocal criticism to just about anything they try to do. But I am thankful they are trying to clean our little town up. I appreciate their efforts at keeping Allen served with good water—and lots of it. Keeping our utilities such as the sewer in good shape as it is never ending job. Streets and alleys? Last winter’s freakish cold weather did a number on them, but I have confidence our city government will keep trying to get them back to a semblance of what we all hope will be some nice smooth roads. We don’t give those things much thought unless we lose them.

I hope your week is good. Try to enjoy the rest of this great summertime we are having. And be sure and go to church Sunday. Remember, I enjoy your letters.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com