By Sherry Hopkins

Community Columnist

I had waited on a check for three weeks. It was a long wait and the check was enough (to us) to make a dent in our June budget.

Finally, the check arrived. I could scarcely wait to get it open and deposited in the bank. I walked to the kitchen trash can and stood over it to pull the perforated tabs off of each side. Just when I thought I had worked my way into the actual check I encountered some seams still glued shut. I fiddled with the check and finally blew into one side hoping to open it up and claim my prize.

Evidently, I blew a bit too hard, and the check flew right out of my hand and instantly disappeared under the refrigerator. No man’s land, a dark and mostly unexplored part of the world. An odd collection of dust, artificial sweetner packets and medications all gathered in their final resting spot. Geez.

I reached over and grabbed the yard stick, got down on my knees, and began to sweep the stick back and forth to bring that check into view and reach. No luck. And now I was down on the wood floor and I was not sure how I was going to get back up.

My knees were loudly complaining from the hard surface and the unnatural position I had thrust upon them. I was able, barely, to crawl over to the cabinet and throw rug, and pull myself up by gripping the counter top. It was ridiculous the sounds coming from me. Why one would have thought I was dying on that kitchen floor not merely trying to right myself.

I finally got up and fished out the flashlight, this time putting a pillow down to soften my position and pulling a chair close by. I laid down on the floor and took off the front grill. I shined the light and there amongst all the lost items and dust was my check.

Thankfully it had not gone into the drip pan that collects water. I again ran the yard stick to the exact location this time and brought the check right out. I continued to lie there as I held it in my hand relieved that this incident had taken a turn for the better.

I surveyed the ugliness under the fridge and decided if I could get up once again I would clean under there.

I was able to get up and I brought out the vacuum and sucked up every little piece I could reach. I must have looked something like a sniper lying on the floor with the vacuum hose and tube swaying back and forth as if  an enemy were encroaching on my domain.

While I was on the floor I also cleaned the cabinet doors and the baseboards, toe kicks and the refrigerator grill with 409.

Exhausted, but pleased that my little caper had gone unnoticed, I went to the den turned on the ceiling fan and napped. The check I had waited on for so long still tightly gripped in my hand. What a morning.

An update on Enid Lake: The Corp is trying to get the swim beach at Persimmon Hill open by this weekend. A lot of that depends on the weather this week. Check before you go. Most beaches are still closed and some campsites too.

As the water recedes, sites and beaches will open accordingly. The water as of today, Tuesday, is at 264.70 feet and normal is  250 ft., so there is still a way to go.

Also from Wildlife and Fisheries, Panola County is now a CWD county or Chronic Waste Disease. This means deer in this county have been confirmed to have this disease. It is illegal to feed the deer. Do not put anything out for them to eat that you have bought or made.

Deer are not pets they are wildlife and should be treated  as such.

Stay tuned.

Contact Sherry at 662.563.2525 or swhcsc@wildblue.net