2.5.12
Too many choices. I am generally a very adventurous person.I like new things and challenges. Last week in Tyler, I was confronted by a huge new challenge. TCBY. (It’s a frozen yogurt place). It’s been years since I have been in one. We were celebrating my sister-in-law’s birthday, so she got to choose. We got there early and browsed while we were waiting. It was overwhelming. There were 14 different flavors of frozen yogurt. From mango to coffee. Then, there were 48 different dry toppings: brownies to gummy bears. Then, 6 different hot gooey toppings like hot fudge and...
Read More1.15.12
We pulled into the parking lot and the asphalt split open. The surface parted, buckled and rose into the air. It was not an earthquake, not an eruption, but a massive flock of blackbirds. I jumped out of the car to get a picture, but none did it justice. The seconds it took for me to frame the photo and push the button saw half of the flock wheel over my head and secure another section of the parking lot. Other cars were pulling up behind us, so I had to go without capturing the invasion on film. I reviewed my pictures with frustration. What is in my head is not in the image. I delete some,...
Read More12-25-11
No way home. The news reports of the blizzard about to hit the Texas Panhandle were dire, but there was not much we could do about it, but wait to see what would happen. On Monday the snow began to fall, by Tuesday morning the Interstate was closed and many of the roads through New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle were impassible. We got the call on Tuesday, the bus company didn’t think there was anyway we could leave on Tuesday afternoon as we had planned. We needed to make arrangements to spend an additional night and then leave at 6 AM on Wednesday. We were disappointed and concerned....
Read MoreStatement on the Nativity Controversy.
Statement on the Nativity Controversy. 1. Our county officials have followed our constitutional protections and legal precedent in affirming that the displays put up by Keep Athens Beautiful meet the standards of protected, secular speech and therefore are not a governmental support of religion. There has never been any realistic threat of removing the nativity from the courthouse lawn. Many people are spreading fear and misinformation and that must stop. Instead, we need to thank our elected officials for upholding the law. The County Judge, County Attorney and the County Commissioners are...
Read MoreDeflated
Driving into the parking lot I knew two things. One, school was back in session. Two, there was a sad group of kids on the playground. The forlorn ball was right in the middle of the driveway. I could see the whole story. Kids on playground. Foot kicks ball over the fence. Ball, seeing an opportunity for escape, races toward 175. Car, not seeing the ball, crushes the ball. Driver is surprised by the sudden sound of deflation. The ball’s defeated expression made me a little sad and I didn’t need any more sadness. I had started watching a number of specials about 9/11 as the 10th...
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