Well, it’s closer than you think. Daylight savings time starts this Sunday. Again. Not sure if I like that, but I am hard to please. Unlike one of my old customers who sincerely thought DST was burning up his garden — I am just lazy enough to dislike changing my clocks. And I have several. Unlike the fancy timepieces now oozing into the market — ones that change themselves — I have my dad’s grandfather block built and set to run in 1971. It pays no attention to seasonal time changes and I have to change it manually. Same with some other timepieces I have, especially my old Rexall drug store clock in my den. It’s a real pain.

Speaking of real pains, I just read that some outfit in France has noted the world warmed up even more this past 12 months. This I noted just as I was thawing out from the sadistic cold spell we suffered through this winter. They said this was worldwide heating and they urged us to take more draconian measures to save ourselves. So far, all I have done is buy some more long handles. I have trouble adjusting sometimes. I’ll worry about that after July 4th.

It’s not big news to repeat that some of the towns across the Oklahoma plains still suffer from water problems. Problems ranging from just sorry tasting water to water shortages to just flat not having any water. Such as Tonkawa. It’s just another low in life when you can’t shower, your stools won’t flush and you have to go out and haul and buy drinking water. But it happens. I’ve lived in places where the water didn’t taste good or where you couldn’t have good pressure, or not being able to water your lawns and gardens.

I’ve lived in Ada where the water tasted good and is plentiful but is hard as a rock. But all this to say here in Allen we have very good soft, good tasting water.

Best of all, there seems to be plenty of it. I notice the “City Fathers” have added generators to power our wells if the power goes off. Two water towers give us the cushion of extra reserve in case of fires. I would say that we should feel lucky that our city water authorities take it on themselves to see that we have a good chance of not having any outages and I for one really appreciate the fact that their attention to duty has brought us to the point that we don’t have to give it a thought. Thanks.

I see that we have a few new houses in Allen. No, I’m not speaking of some 3rd hand trailer house like some people will drag up to help blight our town, I’m talking about some nice new homes here and there. A few have been around several months.

The old house known by many as the “Josie Chiles” home has set empty for a long spell but is now being completely overhauled and fixed up by Darren and Tina Gregory. This house sits on E Broadway at Baltimore St and is looking good.

Bruce and Robyn (Stewart) Foster are in the process of building a brand new two storied home on South Boston Street. When I first spotted this new project, I was startled at its beauty and size. Congratulations to that neighborhood on this big upgrade.

The old “Leonard Mansion” situated on the NE corner of Broadway and Baltimore seems to be just sitting and perhaps abandoned. The big 2 storied stone structure had a chance late last year and hit the auction block. This old neglected and empty house would make some family a great place to live. I’ve always admired the 2nd story front porch, an excellent place to loaf and watch Broadway traffic roll by. But still, there it sits.

And roll by the traffic goes — non-stop. This old, divided street was originally paved in 1909 and most of it is still in pretty good shape. Plans to repave and bring this old street up to modern standards (such as some sort of practical drainage system) is still in the works. Like our main park here in town, it has possibilities of being much better and more useful with some work and of course, money. I remain amazed at the volume of traffic that runs up and down this historic street and how much use our park gets on a daily basis. Back in 1909 this street was a “wonder.” Folks would drive their new Model T Fords to Allen to see what it was like to drive on a concrete street. Guess some still would if they could find a Model T Ford. But the road is still willing.

In closing I would like to thank the many people who joined together to help Pat and me celebrate our birthdays last Saturday. I turned the big 90 and Pat turned 86. Thanks guys. Have a good week and be sure and go to church on Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh cwaynebullard@gmail. com