$3.51 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

$3.54 - All others along Navarro and North Main Streets.

If you have seen cheaper gas prices, please let us know.

$3.51 -  Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

Have you seen cheaper gas anywhere? If so let us know.

As of noon today:

$3.60 - H-E-B Plus, 6106 N. Navarro St.

$3.61 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

Two weeks ago today we adopted two puppies - they are 3 months old and are brother and sister border collie mixes.

 They are precious puppies - friendly, fast, smart and very curious.

They have brought a whole new dimension of life to our home.

We named them Timex and Rolex - after all they are watch dogs!! The girl is Rolex and the boy is Timex. Since getting them home we have also added nicknames including No and Don’t  - those are the most commonly used names and are interchangeable.

Last week, my sister and I took them to back to Adopt-a-Pet so they could get their last round of vaccinations. Getting to and from was an adventure. But the trip home was surprising.

After putting them back in the cargo area of my Trailblazer, we headed for home. But before we got to our turn off at the loop, Timex had crawled over the back seat and was standing in the seat. His nose hit my elbow, which caught my attention. Soon he was laying on the seat in front of the back air conditioning vent.

Shortly thereafter, Rolex was standing on her hind paws whining because she too wanted on the seat. She tried to scale the back seat, but was having trouble. I told her to be patient and I would stop at the mall and put her up with her brother.

Silly me for thinking a puppy would actually listen to me.

She had to keep trying and whining. At one point she was balanced on the back of the seat, but slid back down.

By the time we had made it to Salem Road, she too was on the back seat. She explored that area some trying to get the cool spot that her brother had already claimed. He wouldn’t budge.

Rolex ended up laying on the floor just below the vent.

This was the first time either one had climbed something that tall without taking a running jump.

Soon the activity in the back seat stopped as both were sleeping.- resting up so they could hit the ground running and playing when we got home and figuring out another new adventure.

I like the rain.

I don’t like that it and the wind of Hurricane Dolly have damaged so many homes and businesses and displaced people.

But still I like the rain.

It slows down the daily commute, but that is OK. It helps me to pay closer attention to what is around me as I drive.

It helps me to appreciate the good roads and highways that we have in the area as well.

I like seeing the dark billowing clouds looming overhead. They are so heavy with rain that I want to stretch my long arm into the sky and poke the clouds to see if water would come gushing out.

I like the refreshing feeling rain produces. Sure it leaves puddles and mud, but it also washes off the dust and dirt long accumulated because of the lack of rain. It gives the roads, pastures and yards a cleaner look. Hopefully it will help green up some yards and pastures.

And the air has a cleaner feel to it.

I like it when the sun tries to make its way out from behind the clouds, but then is hidden by another cloud.

I like the rainbows that form as the sun tries to shine through the rain or mist.

I like the rain.

$3.66 - H-E-B on Rio Grande St.

$3.67 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

        & nbsp;   - Speedy Stop, 8701 N. Navarro St.

Have you seen cheaper prices anywhere? If so, please let us know.

Becky

$3.69 at most stations along North Navarro and North Main streets.

If you have seen cheaper gas prices anywhere, please let us know.

Becky

$3.95 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

        & nbsp;     Speedy Stop,  8701 N. Navarro St.

If you have seen cheaper gas prices anywhere else please let us know.

Becky

$3.95 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

        & nbsp;     Speedy Stop, 8701 N. Navarro St.

If you have seen cheaper gas prices, let us know.

Becky

$3.89 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

$3.91 - Cimarron Junction, 7104 N. Navarro St.

        & nbsp;      H-E-B Plus, 6106 N. Navarro St.

Have you seen cheaper gas prices anywhere? If so let us know.

Becky

As of noon:

$3.92 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

        & nbsp;      Speedy Stop, 8701 N. Navarro St.

If you have seen cheaper gas prices anywhere please let us know.

Becky

$3.92 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

$3.95 - Other stations along Navarro and North Main streets.

If you have seen cheaper gas anywhere else please let us know.

Becky

Yesterday afternoon I saw my first example of unleaded gas being priced over the $4 mark. It was $4.01 at the  Handy Stop store near my house.

Across town, it was still $.3.99.

What a difference 2 cents makes.

Traditionally gas prices are about  5 to 10 cents higher in the smaller area towns than in Victoria.

When I left Victoria Thursday night for the long holiday weekend, gas was at $3.95 at most stations. The Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St., was at $3.92 and JC's Food Mart on John Stockbauer was at $3.91.

 I know this is the direction gas prices are going - unfortunately-  but why couldn't they wait until after the holiday to raise the price over the $4 mark? I'm guessing their gas sales are down some right now.

Last night we went to the Cuero fireworks show. And what a show it was.

From the first boom and then flash of color to the very last sizzle of smoke, it was mesmerizing.

The park, Wal-Mart parking lot and the high school parking lot were full of cars and people who had come to enjoy a Fourth of July tradition. The residents of Cuero Nursing and Rehab lined up along the edge of their parking lot to enjoy the show.

Life seemed to stand still for a brief 30 minutes as the sky filled with vivid reds, blues, gold, purples and greens.

For a brief time the problems of the world went away. The importance of family and friends was brought into focus and the meaning of the celebration was forefront.

For 232 years we have been a nation of leaders and followers, of thinkers and doers, of good people and bad, of writers and readers, of players and spectators. We have been a brave country in times of disaster and destruction. We have helped many countries fight to remain free or to regain their freedom. We have won some of those battles and lost some.

We don’t always agree with the decisions of our elected officials, and we have the right and freedom to voice our opinions and work to change those decisions.

We have learned that we can get more accomplished if we work as a team and not as an individual.

We in small towns can have just as big a voice as those in the mega-cities.

And as we show time and time again, we in the small towns can make big things happen by pulling together and working with a common goal.

We are very fortunate to live in the USA - the land of many opportunities and where dreams do come true. Don’t let them pass you by.

I hope you all have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Take a few minutes to relax, enjoy family and friends and be thankful to all the people who have fought for us over the past 232 years to have the freedoms that we have today.

if you are traveling, please be careful. Get plenty of rest before you start out on a long trip; watch out for hazards along the roadway and make sure your car is in good running condition.

If you drink don't drive, have a designated driver in your party.

The DPS will be out in full force this weekend patrolling the highways. Please behave and give them a very uneventful weekend.

And remember -- the life you save could be your own.

Talk to you soon.

Becky

$3.92 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

if you have seen cheaper gas prices anyhwere else, please let us know.

If you are driving, be careful.

Happy 4th!!

 Becky

$3.92 - Whistle Stop, 8501 N. Navarro St.

If you have seen cheaper gas prices anywhere please let us know.