Opinions

The Circus and The Book

My Auntie Jo gave me a beautiful pair of gloves yesterday. They are elegant, with embroidery on the top, and I immediately did what I usually do -- I put them away for safekeeping.

On the morning of Oct. 31, 1938, American newspapers coast-to-coast ran headlines describing the mass panic resulting from a CBS radio broadcast the previous night. Terrified listen ers, believing the dramatized play to be real, thought they were witnessing an alien invasion and subsequent attack on the small town of Grover’s Mill, New Jersey. Phone calls to radio stations, newspaper offices, and the police convinced many that the broadcast caused a national hysteria. A story too silly to be taken seriously was, and the resulting panic became national news. In all of pop culture history, this is one of the most fascinating and bizarre stories you will ever hear.

Agricultural producers and landowners have chosen conservation on more than 23 million acres of private land nationwide

Gov. Gregg Abbott and the Texas House are at loggerheads over which will come first – vouchers for parents to pay for private school tuition, or funneling more money to public schools, The Dallas Morning News reported.

“Kissing a man with a beard is a lot like going to a picnic. You don’t mind going through a little bush to get there!” Minnie Pearl

I have always loved Halloween, and I love it now more than ever.

The Union Church of La Grange

WEIMAR – The Friends of the Weimar Public Library on Friday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. will present author Elaine Thomas, who will share tips and techniques for recording the stories of older relatives, friends, and neighbors.

Early voting is now underway for the Nov. 7 general election. Voters will decide the fate of 14 proposed amendments, including measures to provide property tax relief and raise the homestead exemption to $100,000.

Y’all, we need to stay serious about water conservation.

Gov. Greg Abbott, just hours after the Senate initially approved a school voucher measure, said he would add teacher raises and increased public school funding to the ongoing special session agenda if the Texas Legislature passes his voucher plan, the Texas Tribune reported.

As I sit at my typewriter this morning and pound out these words, I am enjoying a good cup of coffee. In a world apparently gone mad, coffee provides some degree of comfort. Coffee seems almost a supernatural beverage, imbued with mystic qualities. It’s like peace in a cup. No wonder that over one billion people around the globe enjoy coffee every day. In the words of Jerry Seinfeld, “this liquid is taking over the world!”

“Talking to Dogs”

AUSTIN – Fall and winter months bring shorter days and less light, making it harder for drivers to see–and safely avoid–pedestrians. October saw the highest number of pedestrian crashes in 2022. That’s why Tx-DOT is using National Pedestrian Safety Month to continue its “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign and remind Texans that pedestrians are our most vulnerable road users.

For the 30th consecutive month Texas showed job growth, reaching just under 14 million jobs and outpacing the nation in its annual rate of employment growth, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

I’ve been thinking about forgiveness

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a letter to legislative leaders indicating a special session will begin on Oct. 9 dealing with what he has called “school choice” but is more widely known as vouchers.

Gov. Greg Abbott has called a third special session, this time about school choice, for next month. He is promising retribution for lawmakers who oppose his move to enact school vouchers in Texas, the Texas Tribune reported.

September is Suicide Awareness Month. Suicide is frightening, whether you are thinking about it for yourself, or know someone who is. Suicide is final, the end. A life is lost – the hopes and dreams, the talents and gifts, the plans and expectations -- all gone! And this life had meaning; the person mattered. But somehow, someway this person couldn’t see this, couldn’t see continuing into the future.

I got anxious again today.