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It can be called……March! The Month of the
Skunk. I don’t know about everyone else, but it seemed
everywhere I went there was the scent of skunk early in
March. It was apparent they were on the move by the
number of them that didn’t make it across the highways.
Good Grief!
But, my closet encounter was at my kid’s house.
They have a huge store room in back and one took up
residence. I never saw it, but every time the building was
approached, you knew it was in there. And, I just happened
to have some supplies stored in the back.
One early morning, I really needed to get in
there. I was looking all over for the skunk. I called my
son, Jesse, to help and explained the dilemma. He told
me that he would stand up for me in any situation. He
would fight to the death for me. But, if I was going up
against a skunk…….I was on my own.
Now, my son is not a small man. He’s about 6’2.
And, if a skunk could ‘whip’ him with just the thought of
getting sprayed, I wanted to know more about my enemy
before I violated his territory.
My main concern was……..once a skunk
sprays, can they immediately spray again?
YEP! The glands that produce the chemical hold
enough for five or six full-powered sprays that can be
accurate up to about 14 feet. (I didn’t even know they
‘aimed’!)
Late February/early March is their mating season
and that explains why we saw so many of them out
running around, or at least the results.
Most skunks will have their babies in May…..
usually 4 to seven each!
They stay in the den with the mother for about
8 weeks.
They give a warning before they spray by
stomping their feet and they chatter their teeth.
If you or a pet is sprayed, bathe in tomato juice
and/or diluted vinegar.
Now, that I have researched skunks, it’ll be June/early
July before I’m getting my things out of storage!

24/7 Heating and Air is asking for your help!!!!
We are looking for that one unique individual/
family that seems to reach out to others yet their needs go
unmet.
We are asking the public to help us find that one
family, that really needs their home comfort needs met.
Was their home cold, yet kept giving to someone else.
Will they go without A/C during the middle of the sweltering
summer?
Have they fallen on hard times yet keep giving?
We @ 24/7 Heating and Air are blessed each day
in so many ways. Please help us pass that blessing on. We
are asking you to send us your written nominations in
for the family /individual that does so much for others
yet their home comfort needs go unmet. Tell us why they
are so deserving, share with us their story so we may help
them. We are accepting nominations beginning now until
May 1st 2011 for a complete system.
Please mail your written letters in to:
24/7 Heating and Air
PO BOX 247
Caddo Mills TX 75135
Please include your contact information should
your nominated person be chosen, so we may include you
when we inform the recipient.
Criteria: Home should be HVAC ready; must
own home and not be used for rental or rental income
generating purpose; Home must not be up for sale, or
been up for sale in the last year.
24/7 Heating and Air is an Authorized Carrier
Dealer.
www.247heatandair.com

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt
before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of
a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing
our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the
pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares
was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was
labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the
challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday
life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest
holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such
squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other
tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues
of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth
together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be
displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The
others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So
filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and
nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.
I hadn’t had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my
life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness
and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my
world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often
struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow
muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent
many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and
guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule,
which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the
Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath
the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged
me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was
what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of
my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around
at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face
of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth
and love in His eyes. He said, ‘Every time you gave over
your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My
struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you
stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was
more of Me than there was of you.’