Life is good here at the CowChows. A friend recently asked me about that name, the CowChows, and so I thought perhaps a little clarification might be in order. It's simple, really; one day while writing a story I referred to life at the Couch house. However, as I was slightly inebriated at the time it came out CowChows, and somehow it just stuck. Funny how little things happen, things that go almost without notice, and yet alter the course of your life or your perception of it. You never know when it will happen, or what it might be. More likely than not it will be only in hindsight that you discover: that was the moment, or word, or trivial decision that changed everything.

I was out back of the CowChows this evening hunting Japanese Beetles. I'm not generally much of a hunter, but I make an exception when it comes to the Japanese Beetle. They indiscriminately eat all plants beginning with the most tender and succulent leaves, and their only goal is to create more offspring so they can do even more damage next year. They're not especially hard to catch but they are difficult to see, and so hunting them sometimes requires moving very slowly or being completely still for several minutes at a time.

It was during one of these completely still moments that I watched in amazement as a large buck rabbit made his way slowly across the yard and came to rest almost at my feet. I remained motionless and watched as he carelessly nibbled away on blades of grass. After a while my muscles began to ache and I shifted ever so slightly. He looked up, twitched his nose, flicked his ears, and resumed his meal. In that moment I knew the joy of being in harmony with the Universe. Eventually though, I needed to move and not wanting to frighten him I softly said, "Well, hello mister rabbit. How are you today?"

To my surprise he looked up and sighed and said, "Hello mister man. I'm exhausted; my ear is killing me, and this is the first thing I've had to eat all day. How are you?"

"I'm okay," I said. I'm sorry to hear you are unwell."

"Ahhh, I'm okay," he said. "It's like this every year. I shouldn't complain but it is awfully tiring."

"What is," I asked him.

He stopped eating and looked up at me. He studied me for a long moment and then said, "Father's Day, what'd ya think?"

"Oh," I said because nothing else came to mind.

"I've been on the phone non-stop since yesterday," he said heavily as his ears drooped. "Have you any idea what it's like to get four hundred and thirty seven Happy Father's Day phone calls? And, I've got enough cards and neck ties and bunny slippers to fill the Grand Warren several times over."

He raised his rear foot and scratched at his ear in frustration. Then, he looked up at me and said, "I ask you, who thinks bunny slippers is a good present for a rabbit? Kits," he said shaking his head.

"That...does..sound like a lot," I finally managed. "What are you going to do with all that stuff?"

"What, my Father's Day presents? I'm going to keep them, of course. They're gifts from my kits. I keep 'em all. Why would you even ask that?" He studied me for another moment and then added, "You humans are kinda weird." And then, he turned and disappeared into the brush.

I guess all Dads are the same when it comes to their kits. Happy Father's Day.

Fraternally yours,

Tim Couch

Now, on with the news........................

Monday, June 20, 2011: Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Four duly elected candidates will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM and there will be nourishment following the work.

Monday, June 20, 2011: Mt. Olive Lodge No. 439 will have work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry in conjunction with their stated communication. Two candidates will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry. Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:30 PM.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011: Ava Lodge No. 26 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Two candidates will be presented for advancement to the degree of Fellow Craft beginning at 6:00 PM.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011: Friend Lodge No. 352 will meet in Special Communication for the purpose of Initiating Thomas McInnish into the mysteries of Freemasonry. Meal at 6:15 PM and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM. All Freemasons are invited in.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011: O'Sullivan Lodge No. 7 in Walnut Grove, MO will meet in Special Communication for work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:30 PM. All assistance will be appreciated.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011: Solomon Lodge No. 271 and Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422 will join forces for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. The work will be done at the Masonic York Rite Temple building located at 1930 West Catalpa Stree in Springfield, MO. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM.

Thursday, June 23, 2011: Forsyth Lodge No. 453 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry. Dinner at 6:15 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, June 25, 2011: Friend Lodge No. 352 will celebrate St. John the Baptist Day at our annual picnic at Finley River Park in Ozark under the red pavilion. The lodge will provide the main course and beverages, and we ask that everyone bring a side-dish or dessert. We plan to start eating at 5:30 PM.

Monday, June 27, 2011: Willard Lodge No. 620 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Two duly elected candidates will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry beginning at 6:00 PM.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011: Ava Lodge No. 26 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Two, and possibly three, duly elected candidates will be presented for initiation into the mysteries of Freemasonry. Dinner at 5:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM.

Saturday, September 10, 2011: Charity Shoot for Kids sponsored by Solomon Lodge No. 271. Proceeds from this Sporting Clays Shoot will support McGregor and Bowerman Elementary Schools in Springfield, MO. The event will be held at Ozark Shooters Sports Complex in Branson, MO. For more information contact Brother J.W. Gibbs at (417) 350-2700.

The Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin needs your help in preserving our beautiful Scottish Rite Cathedral. And, in helping preserve this piece of American history you could win a brand new Chevy Camaro. Tickets are just $50 each and only two thousand tickets will be offered. There will be cash prizes awarded, as well. For all the details on how you can help us preserve this beautiful building please go to WWW.WIN-CAMARO.COM. or visit and "LIKE" the page at Facebook.com/Win-a-new-Camaro. While you're at it be sure and tell your friends. Thank you very much.

As you can see there's lots of Masonry going on in Missouri. See the links below to keep up with the latest or to submit information for your upcoming meeting.

For more news of upcoming events and special communications visit the Upcoming Masonic Events page on Masonsmart.com

For a calendar of Stated meetings for many of the Lodges and Masonic bodies visit the Masonic Calendar page on Masonsmart.com

For help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com

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