Life at the CowChows is moving kind of slow these days. I'm blaming it on the heat and so far it's working. Of course, there are some things that still have to be done and mowing the grass is one of them.

Sure, mowing the lawn in the midst of a summer heat wave is a lot of fun. But, discovering your mower blade has picked up a rock and flung it through yet another window of your house takes things to a whole new level of enjoyment. The funny thing is, the guy on the mower generally doesn't even know it's happening but anyone inside the house is ducking for cover.

And so it was, that finally having finished the mowing and stowing away the tools I staggered through the back door of the CowChows feeling fire-roasted from the heat, and found the Lady BG in the kitchen humming a cheerful tune and wearing her vintage WW-II combat helmet.

"What's going on," I asked.

"Not much," she chimed. "Would you like something to drink? I made some fresh lemonade."

"Yes, thank you," I croaked.

I gratefully accepted the cold, wet glass from her hand and gulped down the icy lemonade. She went back to her work, again humming her cheerful tune.

I emptied the glass and set it on the counter next to the sink. I watched her bustling about the kitchen for a while, humming that cheery tune. Finally I said, "You're going to make me ask, aren't you?"

"Ask what, dear?"

"What's with the helmet?"

She said nothing; just smiled and pointed to the window next to the back door. And then, she went back to humming.

I stepped back out into the mid-day heat, because at this point I preferred it to that infernal tune, to inspect the damage. I was standing beneath the window, staring at the pebble sized hole and wondering about the R-Value of duct tape, when a small timid voice came from behind me, "Whatch ya doin?"

I turned and there stood Mason, little brother of the little blond haired girl next door. I turned back to the window, scratched my chin, and drawled, "Well, I guess I'm going for the record for most broken windows in a house. What are you up to today, Mason?"

"Nothin' much. Just playin'," he said.

"Kind of hot to be outside playing, isn't it?"

"Nah," he shrugged.

I invited him into the shade of the porch. The Lady BG brought us both a glass of lemonade, and we sat and chatted for a while. When he'd finished his lemonade he said he had to go and as his blond curls bobbed down the porch steps he called, "Good luck with the record."

Some time later I was dozing in my La-Z-Boy when, "Tha-waack!" Something hit the window near my head. I dove to the floor, belly-crawled behind the sofa, and peered over its edge. Mason was in the back yard, jumping up and down and pumping his little arms in the air.

I ran out onto the porch and hollered, "Mason! What's going on?"

"You were tied with the guy down the road, but you're winning again now!"

Fraternally yours,

Tim Couch

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

Tuesday, July 26, 2011: Ava Lodge No. 26 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Three candidates will be presented for passage to the degree of Fellow Craft. Dinner at 5:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011: Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 1st Degree of Freemasonry. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM and there will be nourishment following the work.

Thursday, July 28, 2011: Bolivar Lodge No. 195 will meet in Special Communication for work in the 2nd Degree of Freemasonry. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:30 PM.

Monday, August 1, 2011: Willard Lodge No. 620 will have work in the 3rd Degree of Freemasonry in conjunction with their Stated Communication. Two candidates will be presented for advancement to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Lodge will be duly Opened at 6:00 PM.

The Tri-County Scottish Rite Club cordially invites all Scottish Rite Masons and their family and friends to enjoy fun and fellowship at their regular meetings held on the third Thursday of each month. Tri-County meets at the Elks Lodge in Bolivar , MO. Social time at 6:30 PM; Dinner and meeting at 7:00. Yearly dues are just $5.
For directions and inquiries please call John Bennett at 417-328-8188 or Jackie Slagle at 417-376-2943.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011: Clintonville Lodge No. 482 will host a Regional School of Ritual Instruction to be conducted by RWB Tim Couch, Region 'F' Grand Lecturer. Refreshments will be ready at 6:30 PM and instruction will begin at 7:30 PM. All Master Masons are invited and encouraged to attend.

Saturday, August 27, 2011: Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422 will host a Chance-to-Advance one day class at the Gate of the Temple Lodge building located at 1700 North Boonville in Springfield, MO. Breakfast at 6:30, Registration at 7:00 AM, Lodge will be duly Opened at 8:00 AM, and the day will wrap around 3:30 PM. All Master Masons are encouraged to attend.

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. Click here to open and print a registration form for this event. 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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