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Musings by Marilou -- Collect Memories, Not Things

For as long as I can remember, my list of phobias have included dentists, snakes, and alligators. Almost two years ago, however, a new demon joined the team...the evil, ever-dreaded, and monstrous garbage truck.  Let me explain.

Thinking Out Loud: There’s More Than One Way to Burn a Book

After years of watching the teaching of American History fade to near irrelevance in public school classrooms across the country -- even disappearing from some school curricula, we've been treated to the further indignity of seeing our past whitewashed with the removal of all things related to the Confederacy.

Or perhaps more accurately, half the story of the Civil War.

In New Orleans a few weeks ago, I headed downtown to what was once a favorite spot to watch the Mardi Gras parades pass down St. Charles Avenue, at Lee Circle.

Leo's Lance: How Do You Plan Your Life?

How did you plan your life?

This question bothered me early in life, when I discovered I really had no plan. I don't remember sitting down with a pen and paper and outlining what I was going to do with my live, and where I was going to live.

I just assumed that would be taken care of.

You might take a look at my bank account and say: "It looks like he made a mess of things." But looking at things from another direction, I've had a pretty good life for an old country boy without a lot of education.

Tumbleweed Smith -- Blanche the Movie

Some years ago a man in a pickup was traveling on a ranch road south of Alpine.  The man’s dog riding in the bed of the pickup saw a chicken and decided to jump out and chase it.  The chicken outsmarted the dog and flew into a nearby tree.  That chicken flying incident was the inspiration for the new movie, Blanche, which will have its premiere at the State Theater in Austin on July 28.

Musings by Marilou -- ‘...What it’s All About’

It only took a short walk around the Gaines County Park on Saturday to have me thinking, “Yep, this is what America is all about.”

As most of us know, on July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on this date, also known as Independence Day, we celebrate our freedom.

Wright Words -- I Wonder What They Would Think?

I am proud to be an American.

I am proud of being able to live in a country where I am free to do what I wish, when I wish, and however I wish, within the boundaries of the laws of the land.

For over 240 years, the government our Founding Fathers laid forth for us continues to shine as a beacon of Democracy for the rest of the world.

Even though it may not look like it when you turn on your televisions to catch a glimpse of the nightly news.

Love -- Stronger Than Any Current

Grandma: Sit down by me for a minute or two for I have a story to tell. Grandson: Is it going to take long? Grandma: It may take a little time but I need to explain how deep my love is for you. Grandson: Then go ahead, Grandma. I have all the time in the world.

 

Wright Words -- A Victory for Area Farmers

West Texans scored a victory late last week with the U.S. House of Representative's passage of the proposed 2018 Farm Bill. Now with the U.S. Senate anticipated to take up a chamber vote on their version in the coming weeks, we appear to be moving one step closer to a favorable legislation for our area's producers. Especially those who -- like many here in Gaines County and the region do -- produce cotton. Last week's 213-211 victory came almost a month after members of the U.S. House failed to approve the measure in it's first vote.

Analysis: Texans’ Views on Several Topics Now Look More Like the Rest of Country’s

If Texas ever really played counterpoint to national political trends, it’s not doing it now. On many issues, the state is behaving a lot like the rest of the country, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.

Thinking Out Loud: A Shakeup On the Court

If you voted for Donald J. Trump, and your primary reason was a desire to end the grand imagineering on the Supreme Court, and increase the number of originalist judges on the bench, last week was a good week for you. With three substantial 5-4 rulings followed by the announcement of the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, all within a week, it was an ending lifted right out of a John Grisham novel.