KILGOROUND

YOU CAN 'T beat the luck of some people, such as that of the late Dick Griffin. What reminded us of Dick was one of his photos displayed on a table during last week’s annual home tour. As usual, Dick was smiling.

+++

HE WAS smiling this time because he had just received a letter notifying him he had won either a Firebird or a motorcycle. He figured it also had to do with lake lots.

ALL HE HAD to do was go to Lake Palestine and pick up one of his prizes. And since he had to be in the area on another matter, he and his wife, Margaret, decided to check it out.

+++

DICK decided to go to the office the letter had mentioned. The lady didn't know what he was talking about. There wasn't any car or motorcycle for the Griffins. But they did have some nice lake lots to show them. Dick did get a prize certificate allowing him to buy a Honda scooter. They did have a nice visit as they passed up the other opportunities. And Dick was still smiling because he knew what the bottom line would be.

+++

MARVIN HALL III and his everlasting buddy, Mike Clements, have been rooting for the Texas Longhorns to do what they had to do to win the Big One. Now they have done it. They have met and conquered top-notch teams such as Ohio State and Michigan and several others that may come alive at any time. Hall and his friend Clements got their Rose Bowl tickets several weeks ago for themselves and their kin, including Clements' son, Michael, Jr., and nephew, Stoney Lake.

+++

WHY I and others have taken no more than a glance at headlines like these: Fired up Nowitzki torches Grizzlies; Uggs; Again? What last year's ‘It gift’ does for an encore; and: “Why it's risky to puff on a Hookah in Queens, N.Y.” When you've figured out what they mean, let us know. It may mean that the headline writer is too cool.

+++

THE REPORTS about January's rainfall the past two years are in and we'll let our unofficial weatherman, Bill Smylie, explain what happened. As everyone knows. This is 2005 vs. 2004 and is not an average over the years. Year 2004 was very wet and 2005 is very dry. Just look at the monthly comparisons.

THE year 2004, with some wet and dry months, were not all that dry. There were some good and bad months with a total of 59.50 inches. On the other hand there was a pitiful 29.16 total for the current year. It was too dry for East Texans to even talk about it.

+++

LEST you forgetThere are many things you probably have to remember, but don't forget that the first day of winter is on Dec.21. And Christmas Day, Dec. 25, falIs this year on a Sunday. This Christmas Day, naturally, will pose a question. Do I go to church as usual or stay at home with the rest of the family?

+++

A SIGN on the rear end of a new car: “Are you close enough to see me now?”

+++

BLOWING OUT CANDLES to day are Mack Clark, Stephen Phillips, Kirby L. Partley, Sam Adamson III, Jeff Mercer, Blake Welch, John W. Hunter, Scarlett Chitwood, Nathaniel Randall, Mrs. George Douglas, Jose Miguel Peralez, Kelly Owens, Sarah Tharp, Greg Thurmon, Shirley Wininger, Shirley Williams, Keith Smith, Ella R. Russell, Wanda Patterson, Mike Lockey, Betty Berryhill, Marilyn Chastain, Cora Elizabeth Davis, Baylee Allen Woods, Kaylen Works, Caden and Colby Noah.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gordon.

ANOTHER YEAR of wedded bliss today for Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gordon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Saturday to Kyle Kinlaw, James Mankins Jr., Barry Conway, Billie Fleming, Carolyn Wesson, Debbie Jones, Monica Taylor, Brian Hendrix, Brandon Compton, Anita Stovall, Mrs. Lawell Kimmell, N.S. Shipman, Jason Williams, Misty Davidson, Hazel Ledbetter, Annette Darlling, Molly McCreary, Austin Huckabee, Shirley Smallwood, Willard Gore.

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES Saturday are Garry and Robbie Nix, Steve and Kathy Richardson.