January 03, 2011
The New Year is always a special time here at the CowChows. It's a time of new beginnings, of fresh starts, of assessing the past and making plans for the future. The beauty of a place like the CowChows is that there is always plenty to do, and plenty more that needs doing. And so, I faced a decision this afternoon. I could either buckle down and do some things, or I could assess those things that need to be done. I chose the latter.
As I stepped off the back porch and headed down toward the workshop I could already feel the thrill of accomplishment building inside me. I came around the corner of the workshop and paused at my burgeoning collection of items of undetermined purpose. Though sometimes referred to as a junk pile, it is in truth a treasure trove of imagination inspiration. Unfortunately, it wasn't difficult to see that my collection has gotten out of control. And so, I made my first resolution of the New Year. I resolved not to add to my collection of items of undetermined purpose during the coming year.
From the workshop I made my way up the hill to the fruit orchard. There I resolved that sometime this winter I would prune the peach and apricot trees, and place a mound of fresh mulch around their trunks. I was lost in thought remembering the sweet, ripe peaches of last season when a small, timid voice from behind me said, "What ya doin?"
I turned to find Mason, the little brother of the little blond haired girl next door. "Hello Mason," I said, "what brings you out on this beautiful winter's day?"
He shrugged his tiny shoulders. "My sister's sick," he said, "and I got bored."
"Well, I hope she feels better. Did you have a happy New Year," I asked.
Again, he shrugged. "I guess. What you doin?"
"Well, I'm resolving," I told him.
His brow furrowed and he silently mouthed the word before asking, "What's re..zoving?"
"Well, it's like making a promise except that you make the promise to yourself."
"Why?"
"That's a very good question," I said. "It's something we do at the beginning of a new year. We think about the things we did last year, and about how we might do things better this year, and then we make promises to ourselves to do things better. Does that make sense?"
He frowned and thought about it for a few seconds and finally he nodded, "Yeah, that makes sense, I guess. What are you gonna promise yourself?"
"Well, I'm not sure," I said. "In my case there's lots of room for improvement. What do you think I could do better this year than I did last year?"
His face clouded and one hand came up to pinch his lower lip as he thought about the question. "Well," he said thoughtfully, "you could give better presents."
Fraternally yours,
Tim Couch
Now, on with the news........................
Monday, January 3, 2011: Willard Lodge No. 620 will receive two duly elected candidates for the degree of Entered Apprentice in conjunction with their Stated meeting. Dinner will be ready by 6:30 and Lodge will be duly Opened soon thereafter.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011: Billings Lodge No. 379 will receive one duly elected candidate for the degree of Entered Apprentice in conjunction with their Stated meeting. Dinner at 6:00 and Lodge will be duly Opened at 7:00 PM.
Saturday, January 15, 2011: RWB Randy Jones, Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, will conduct a school of ritual instruction hosted by Fellowship Lodge No. 345 in Joplin, MO. The school will take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 505 South Byers Avenue in Joplin, and will begin at 9:00 AM.
There's always 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 help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com
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