Opinions

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.

Ken Paxton has been reinstated as Texas Attorney General after the Texas Senate on Saturday acquitted him of charges of brib- ery and misuse of office. Only two Republican senators joined the 12 Democrats in voting to convict him of some of the 16 charges heard by the Senate, with four other charges dismissed by the Senate, The Dallas Morning News reported.

The first week of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment trial in the Senate ended with his for - mer lead law enforcement officer testifying an Austin developer alleged to have bribed Paxton constructed a "conspiracy theo - ry" that federal officials altered a search warrant for his property, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

A total of 774 new laws went into effect on Sept. 1, affecting Texans in many areas of their lives, the Austin American- Statesman reported. The new laws concern property taxes, registration fees and voting access, among other issues. Several have drawn court challenges from opponents.

AUSTIN – The star on the Texas flag somehow seems to shine a little brighter every year as more and more people move to Texas to find a thriving economy and a better quality of life. While that growth is wonderful to see, it does bring challenges to our transportation system.

“Apple Empanadas”

The Horse

The agency that operates the power grid for much of the state asked Texans to conserve energy use several times last week as the grid was beset with high demand and low wind-power generation, according to the Austin American- Statesman.

Christian Gotthelf Wertzner was born and raised near Wolkenstein, Saxony. In 1830, at the age of thirty, he immigrated to Texas and settled in Stephen F. Austin's colony where he worked as a merchant and tai- lor. He was one of the first German citizens to make the move to Texas and one of the first German immi grants to settle in present day Fayette County.

Texas public student scores in standardized testing continue to improve since the pandemic, but more than half of those taking the test still struggle with math and just under half read below grade-level, the Texas Tribune reported.

Forecasters for the National Weather Service are anticipating a more active hurricane season this year because of record-warm ocean surface temperatures, the Texas Tribune reported.

23rd Anniversary

In another life, I labored within the bowels of the California public school system for 17 years. This was a productive, though trying time for me, as evidenced in part by the following story… I spent the first two years of my teaching career at Liberty Elementary School in Riverside, California (Room 3 - 6th grade). The school was home to many colorful characters. We had Mr. Hernandez, the school principal (he was super cool - think Ricardo Montalban on Fantasy Island). He was always relaxed, no matter the crisis. I think his biggest concern was not spilling grape soda on his polyester golf slacks. Then there was Mrs. Phillian, next door (she was a battle-hardened classroom veteran). My friend Mr. Heath, from across the hall, was perhaps the funniest teacher I ever met. He could never walk past my classroom TV and VCR without reaching out his hand and feigning electrical shock. He got a reaction from me every time. And the students… Memorable was Billy Maruffo. He was the only kid in 6th grade who had to shave (I think he was 19). His favorite pastime was mooning the school bus every morning before boarding.

Back to school is a time of new beginnings for kids. Between classroom learning, extracurricular activities, sports and social- izing, fun and filling snacks can help kids have a moment away from school-year pressures while also encouraging all that excitement and learning.

So, I got a cold.

– Columbus has amenities for tourists and children but, sadly, not for its senior citizens. Several playgrounds with elaborate equipment have been built and maintained year after year.

An unprecedented number of child care centers are expected to close across the state as pandemic relief funding ends, the Texas Standard reported. A survey conducted by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children of about 1,600 child care programs indicated 44% were likely to close their doors without additional funding. Federal pandemic relief funds ended for most centers in June.

I see him painting every afternoon.

The risk for wildfires across the state has risen along with the hot and dry conditions, accord - ing to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Mama collected the lunch plates and ran hot water in the sink. One basin was soapy and the other was clear for rinsing. Daddy stood me on a chair and it was my job to rinse and dry dishes while he washed. The rinse water was blistering hot and I grabbed at knives, forks, plates, and tea glasses so as not to burn my little fingers. The scalding water didn’t bother Dad as he chattered with Mama. I put the silverware and glass into the drying rack and Mama put everything into the cabinets. Daddy helped me lift the bigger pots and pans and I perched them on the edge of the drain board, dried them, and then handed them over to be put away. Meanwhile, our ranch hand, Garland Nelson, was lounging under a tree in the front yard.