It’s trance time again; here are my predictions

It’s trance time — three days in a row with dreary, cold, semi-foggy misty days with the old boy, make that the sun, only partially peeping through a weak spot in the clouds a couple of times. That’s trance time. Where did he go?

I remember a little fellow piping that question many years ago. Alright … I’ll admit … I was that little feller and, although I cannot remember the answer I received, it showed how little fellers and sweethearts can sometimes cause lots of stuttering, pausing, err-erring, and other head scratching to find the right answers to very profound and important questions. Why? How? When? Who? Why not?, etc., etc., etc. Parents, take time with the kids; those inquisitive minds need education at schools but, honestly, don’t they receive their best answers to important questions from Mom and Dad, and don’t forget Grandpa and Ma.

This brings us to an important question, “Whatta ya mean, Trance?” The answer is quite simple. Trance time is when that old gray matter is either all clogged up or has run out of juice for awhile. Personally,

it’s when it is so foggy in there (between the ears) there is nothing that pops to the surface for a ‘cuff … especially for predictions for the future. Every year it becomes a little more foggy but then, somewhere back in the darkness, a tiny light begins to shine. Before it can be extinguished, those eyes, ears and noses burst out of oblivion and reality at least tries to take charge. So … here goes.

The first prediction is one that has been made annually for more years than I want to admit:

Postal rates will increase. It almost always does, yet postal service is the one, if not the most important, bargain. There … I’ll bet I’m already batting a thousand. I oughta stop right now … but … Spavinaw Creek will get out of his/ her banks again within the next two months. Hmmmm, maybe that’s batting at least five hundred. The road and street departments, I’m sure, want a no-winner.

Here are a few more gems to look forward to: I recall a prediction a few years ago. A meteorite will land somewhere in what is Eagle Observer territory and specimens scattered around will draw crowds attempting to find a piece of that heavenly surprise. Advice to the rural property owner where it landed: Put up some “no trespassing” signs, except for yeold meteorite hunter so he can take a look at the site. Then call the experts who will try to find answers as to why and how and when everything from toadstools to the northern lights came and come into being. Have fun.

The temp will hit the present record 114-degree mark a couple of times during the summer, but there will be plenty of moisture to help make the truck farms successful. I hope my postage stamp plot will yield a no-gasguzzling Chevy or Ford … or at least will bear a few tomatoes and quite a few ears of corn. Make that Kandy Korn. I’m not hard to please?

Growth in the two “G” towns, Gentry and Gravette, will continue at a good pace. As an aside, these predictions will depend on every citizen answering census questions when the count gets underway soon. It’s important that every resident — make that EVERY RESIDENT — is counted. How about some predictions of your own to compare with official results announced sometime next year … that is, unless the computer system is hacked and totals are messed up. Hopefully, upcoming elections will not be affected. Just get counted.

Here are my predictions (give or take a few — gotta have some leeway): Gentry, 4,444; Decatur, 2, 296; Gravette, 3,985; Sulphur Springs, 609; Centerton, 13,384; Highfill, 913; Springtown, 188; Bentonville, 50,025 and Benton County, 267,031 (you’re the one). There … the trance capsized leaving me with one prediction: Even though the mess in D.C. should soon be over, it will be followed by many messes during the months until the election in November. Just be part of future elections; get registered and VOTE!

Now let’s move on to another topic: Answering questions. Why haven’t you reported the total rainfall during last year? The total was a recordbreaker: 85.35 inches during the twelve months of 2019. Just for information, since 1926, the wettest year was 1973 when the total moisture was 71.91 inches, followed by 2008 when the total was 71.28; 1935 was 64.03; 2015 was 63.55. Whoops, I left out 2015 with 63.55 inches. The driest years were 1963 with 21.66 inches, 1936 with 23.94 inches, 1980 with 29.04 inches, 1953 with 32.12 and 2012 when total precip was 33.17 inches.

Another question asked a couple of times during the past few months, “Why didn’t you tell us what gave you a black eye?” Just a simple, unexpected little accident, a slip on some steps and down I went, landed on my knees with my nose against the edge of a table. Fortunately, the glasses didn’t break and the nose … well, I still have it. ‘Nuff said. Fortunately it didn’t break anything else. Of course, I looked around to see if I had an audience … and, of course, the brain was … let’s not get into that.

P.S. Did the groundhog see his shadow? He’s smart, of course, but I’ll bet even he can’t spell his full name — just Phil. Till next time?