Issuu

inside

Experience

at work for you... 4 On the Cover 6 What Drives Our Choices 8 About the Cover 9 From Us To You 10 Spotlight 11 Professional Directory 12 Angels Explained by Children 14 License to Carry 16 What’s More Important? 17 Fall Favorites 18 Home, Life, Auto & All Things Health 20 A Salute to the Veterans 22 Abortion in Texas 23 The Sad Truth 24 What Do You Know About Angels 28 Is There a W in Christmas? 29 Critical Race Theory 32 Poetry by Jim Wilson 33 American at the Crossroads 36 How Long Do We Have? 38 Animal Cross Roads 40 Fire Ants and a Leaf Blower 42 Caring for Aging Parents 43 Sundown at Coffing rock 48 Great Info to Know 50 Gaslighting 52 From Tragedy to Triump 54 Don’t Take Your Eyes Off the Road 56 No One Says Your Name Like Jesus 57 The Strange With Whom I Grew Up 58 Choose to Live 60 WC Fields on Friendship 61 If the Shoe Fits, Wear It 62 The Plan to Escape Medical Tyranny 64 Tribute to Police Officers 66 M/D

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What Drives Our Choices at The Crossroads in Life? What drives your choices when you think of being at a crossroads and having to make a significant decision? What are the filters that you run a decision or choice through? Some people can make snap decisions. In contrast, others will contemplate the many outcomes and often find themselves incapacitated, making a slow decision or even no decision. By the way, making no decision is actually the decision. Today our country is at a crossroads in many aspects. Let’s explore what I believe are two particularly hard to ignore reasons behind choices when a person is at a crossroads. Two factors exist that most don’t completely understand or might not ever had hear of, much less referenced. However, you have likely read or heard something that referenced “the choice between good and evil.” It’s even used an example with the definition of the word choice. Although this sounds straightforward, I’d like to share that it can often be altered by one of two filters for choices that I will cover in this piece. We’re going to discover how one topic that can divide a family, the church, or even a country could be altered with two filters that are hard to ignore once you’ve thought of any decision this way. A while back, I read one of those cute little signs that folks hang on a wall outside or on a special place for funny or even philosophical words of wisdom. It read, “To become old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.” Interesting, really. I want you to think about Life Stage vs. Life Age. Read it again if you need to because these are the two filters that I’m going to evaluate which could alter someone’s choices at a crossroad decision. I want you to keep in mind that these samples I’ll discuss are NOT my actual opinions in most cases. They are merely suggestions of how we might view someone else’s choice with civility and understanding. I’m not suggesting you agree or change your mind. I’m suggesting that we make decisions daily and are often driven by life stage or life age. Let’s take something simple like the excessive speed at which someone drives through my neighborhood. There is a life age that this absent-minded teen could have been me. Yet, at the life stage when my children were small and could have quickly darted out into the street to get a ball or runaway

skateboard, I was appalled at these kids speeding through our quiet little neighborhood. Stay with me for a few minutes to fifteen years later. Now, an officer stops one of my children to reinforce the memory of the speed limit in our neighborhood. He shares the danger of driving even five miles an hour over the speed limit with children playing near the streets. America is at a crossroads on many issues. Some have been debated for years, while others are just recycled concerns with a new twist. For example, I don’t remember being concerned about the benefits offered at a job I had when I was in my early 20’s—a thought driven by my life age. Yet, today, with some previous issues and health scares, the benefits I have available to me are examined closely because of my life stage. On some of the concerns that I’ll pose in this story, keep in mind the age of our country’s population. What age group is growing the fastest, and what is the minority of age groups? I believe you’ll see some cycles in our decisions that have surfaced and been debated before. When you consider the great debate over Roe V Wade, it’s important to remember that some faiths believe life begins at conception while others believe life begins at birth. I have a friend who is strongly opposed to abortion today. Most people don’t know that at one point in her life (at a very young, unmarried -life age) she chose to discontinue a pregnancy. Now, with her multiple children, she is adamantly opposed and says once she understood (life stage) and had a family, it was crystal clear to her what was right. While many are raised in homes where this is discussed and are taught the consequences of abortion versus adoption, there are still those who don’t have this faith-built upbringing. This is not my debate. If you look closely at many of these crossroad decisions made, I’m attempting to share that they are often driven by the largest groups in a particular life stage or age group. It isn’t always the same, but it can be. As an older mother when my son was born, I found myself carpooling, going to school events, and socializing with many moms younger than I was. It never really crossed my mind that we wouldn’t be lifelong friends. I found that although these were special relationships, they were driven by the life stage that often put us

tin the same social events. After we became empty nesters, we were already grandparents from our older children. Now, this is our life stage. I’m not as concerned that I’ll miss something local happening if it means I can get to a game or event to see my grands participate. Many of my long-term friendships are those in my profession, the friends I see on the road or at a speaking event. These are still “current” events for me, so I often see these individuals more than those moms I shared time with early on. Life stage and life age will help filter decisions when you find yourself at a crossroads in life. Recently, I lost my mother-in-law. She lived an amazing and full life, indeed. On the same day, almost within the same hour she was buried, our community lost an exceptionally sweet, spirited soul. Although it was hard for our family to say goodbye to the matriarch of the Majors family, we found peace in her passing with the life she had lived and her many memories made. At age 96, her life age made it easier to accept. With the sudden loss of Martha Martinez, both her life age and life stage made it hard to accept. She was a young 60, my exact age. She still had so much to offer the young children she spent her days with and the church family she had spent her life with—still so much life to live and memories to be made. Yet, we must find the same peace in both losses: a peace that only He can provide. A peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that can help drive your decisions when you find yourself at a crossroads. When my husband was told in the summer of 2020 that his hands were not getting better and that only a surgery that would require six months recovery for each hand separately might help, he knew that at his life stage, he should be preparing for what was next. He was told to cut back to 2 or 3 days but pushed on. It’s what he has always done. He knows how to work and does work that he loves— still taking courses in April, June, and July of this year, learning how to serve at a higher level and be a master dentist. On September 8th, when he was told his hands had progressed beyond repair, it was devasting just the same. His life age might support retirement, but his mind and life stage do not. Although he is considered disabled from clinical dentistry, he is ready for what’s next. He never really considered “disability” as an option because of his life stage. Physically healthy, strong and committed to learning even at his life age, he in his life stage is about keeping his hands and mind busy for what is good, continuing to give back, and doing the work that he can. How would our family have navigated these last several weeks with my mother-in-law’s many needs and now preparing her many lifelong treasures for their final home? I share this only to say, life age and life stage can help you with meaningful choices when you at the crossroads in your life. We now believe He is doing this for us, not to us. This belief is also a choice. In the 2020 census, the largest group of our population was those 18-44, the ages many would consider childbearing ages. This could be a reason for more debate about Pro-Life than in some years or some elections in the past. This might always be a subject the population wants a candidate to weigh in on. If you follow the voices and the votes, you’ll often see a correlation of life age and life stage. In addition, you’ll see an age group that might once have been con-

sidered free-spirited is now considered to be an ultra-conservative generation. When you look at the population numbers, you’ll discover another startling fact about age demographics in our country. America is aging, and with increased life expectancy and the boomer population, we will have significant issues to debate with our assistance programs for these seniors. It is projected that by 2030 when all boomers will be over the age of 65, one in five Americans will be older adults. Where do you think the crossroad decisions will be moving knowing this trend? America and her people are at a crossroads. Many decisions made now will impact our children and grandchildren more than ever in the past. Today’s decisions will drive tomorrow’s technology and jobs. Today’s decisions will matter most based on beliefs, life stage, and life age. Will we be a nation of generosity at the expense of our own? Will we be a nation of love and compassion? Will you be driven by facts controlled by social media, or will you do your research and dig deeper for greater understanding and better decisions? If we take our eyes off Him, we could be driven by misleading choices and propaganda that will not serve humanity well in the future. I’m going to ask that you look deep into these significant decisions you must make and consider that prayer will heal our nation, our families, and will give us greater guidance and decision-making tools. Perhaps next time you can’t understand how someone could choose so differently than you, you’ll consider the life stage or life age. Then seek to understand what might be driving the decisions of others at crossroads in life.

JoAn Majors

is a professional speaker and published author. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, Global Speakers Network, Speaking and Consulting Network, and other professional organizations. She holds a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation held by less than 12% of professional speakers worldwide. It is the highest earned international measure of professional platform competence. She is also a Certified Virtual Presenter. In addition to her four books, she has been published in 30 plus newsletters and magazines. JoAn is co-founder, content, and curriculum creation specialist for The Soft Skills Institute. She delivers keynotes, 3- and 6-hour seminars, and workshops training trainers to have a more significant impact and retention with adult learning techniques. Today some of her favorite work is coaching new and veteran speakers who want to move their audiences, large or small. To learn more or see her in action, visit www.joanmajors.com.

It’s A Good

Life

As you looked at the cover of the Front Porch Magazine this edition, you, as a long time resident of the area, may have thought that you didn’t know these people. And, the truth is that you most likely do not know them. The Sawyers are new to the Caldwell, Texas, area, and we are happy to give this new family an opportunity to be seen, and to become involved in our fair city. Kendall Sawyers and Lauren Renz-Sawyers found the home they wanted on County Road 324 in April, 2021, after a year of searching for land with a home for their family of five, including two children, Brody Bellg 13, a Caldwell Middle School student who participates in band and football, and Jamie Sawyers 5. The Sawyers both have roots in ranching families, hers from East Texas and Wyoming, and his from the Austin area, so they just wanted to get back to the way of life they love. Kendall trains horses and is enjoying having room to work with them at home while Lauren’s interest has always been in small herd, pasture raised beef. However, the Sawyers quickly add that what really drew them to the Caldwell area is the town itself. They feel it is nice to have a few amenities close by and a school system that seems to care about the students. Both work outside of the home, as well. Kendall is an electrical contractor and owns his own business, Sawyers Electric. He does electrical work for residential and commercial remodels, service calls, and electri-

cal projects for the film industry. Lauren is a landscape architect and works as a freelance designer, currently working on high end restaurants in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Their house on CR 324 is a Colonial style brick home built some 10 years ago. The Sawyers really appreciate the thought that was put into the building of the home: the brickwork in the kitchen and the extra room in the master bath make the home so very livable. But, again, what they really love is the land, secluded land with open pasture and forested area. Of course, their house has a porch. In fact, their porch runs the length of the house and is sheltered by a high roof which they love. Lauren says of their heritages that both of their grandparents started and ended the day with time on the porch, and that they too find that the stresses of the work day are significantly reduced with a little time outside. In their last home, they had a quite small porch but still spent time on it watching the kids play and visiting with neighbors. They are happy to have found a home with a porch where they enjoy watching sunsets and spending time together away from the TV and other distractions. As they look out from their spacious porch, they see their pastures where there is always a cow or two, or a horse, that stops by to say hello and remind them that they could feed them a treat. It’s the good life.

rom us to you Editors Note

Dear Readers,

As this October edition of the Front Porch Magazine, 2021, is about to be sent to the publisher, we want to say thank you and tell you again how we value you readers of our magazine. This time of life in America is unprecedented. We have never had such a blatant push for Socialism, such disregard for the rights we Americans have valued, the destruction of our monuments, the hatred for any different thought, the mandates for VAXS, the uncontrolled opening of our borders, the open hostility toward our Christian faith...and the offenses go on and on. It is our hope that we can inform you with the TRUTH, which seems to be in such short supply today. We must know the TRUTH and be desirous to do what we can to keep TRUTH foremost. We as individuals can do far more than we realize, and only one individual may be the catalyst of good, of TRUTH. Let’s Stand firm! Let’s not forget that we Americans love our freedom. We’ve been blessed by our Creator to have had abundant freedoms for over 200 years. Let’s be thankful and find ways to benefit each other, our town, county, state, country, and our God. Again, thank you for supporting us by being our readers...and hopefully our TRUTH seekers. Appreciatively, Sandi & Scarlette

potlight

Burleson County’s

Unique Heritage

People in all walks of life influence those around them. In this column, we will be featuring those who have made an impact in our small towns.

Nathan Bryan

Researcher . Developer . Humanitarian . Family Man

Normally, in the Front Porch Spotlight article, we recognize an individual who has benefitted our city or area in various ways; however, in this article we will spotlight a young man who has helped people all over the world: our own Nathan Bryan. Nathan’s education and research pursuits include Caldwell High School graduate 1992; UT Austin, BS Biochemistry 1997; LSU School of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy Molecular and Cellular Physiology 2004; and Boston University School of Medicine, Cardiovascular fellowship 2003-2005. “I’ve always had an interest in science and medicine,” Nathan comments, but adds when he became a student at UT Austin, his interest became more apparent. There, he began to do undergraduate research in biochemisty

during a time when protein overexpression in bacteria was revolutionizing science and medicine. Purification of protein was beginning, and then study of its activity and function led to gaining a better understanding of what may go wrong in many diseases. The next 3 years Nathan worked as a chemist. In 2000 at LSU, he was introduced to the science of nitric oxide. Just 2 years earlier, 1998, 3 U.S. scientists discovered nitric oxide. After meeting one of the Nobel Prize winners, Nathan realized the importance of research in this area…that there was much to learn. His first challenge was to develop a method to detect this nitric oxide gas which was in such low levels in biological systems. Nathan was able to accomplish this within a year, providing the field an incredible tool to use to measure nitric oxide in many different diseases. He published over half a dozen original papers, and completed his Ph.D. Later, at Boston U School of Medicine, he continued nitric oxide research. There they published many discoveries around nitric oxide, and at UT Health Sciences Houston, Nobel Prize winner Ferid Murad, Ph. D. recruited Nathan. There he worked on developing oxide based therapies for different human diseases. Over the next few years, his patents were issued, and today he has over 2 dozen US and International patents. Endeavors to commercialize his discoveries began in 2009, with HumanN, Inc www. HumanN.com; they developed an over-thecounter nitric oxide lozenge Neo40, and brought it to market in 2010. Another product, BeetElite was for sports performance. In 2015, a consumer brand of nitric oxide based energy product called Superbeets was made available. Today these three products are responsible for over $500 million in revenue and provides more than 40% of the total licensing revenue to the University of Texas Health Sciences Center Houston. His patents

are some of the most successful in the history of the University. In 2018 Nitric Oxide Innovations www.nitricoxideinnovations.com was started, which involved developing nitric oxide drugs for a number of human diseases. Today they have a nitric oxide drug for COVID-19, called NOviricid that is in phrase 3 clinical trial. Hopefully, the FDA will complete study and a drug available by 2022, first quarter. 2019 and later brought Pneuma Nitric Oxide, LLC. And earlier this year, a new company Bryan Nitriceuticals, LLC brought their NO2U lozenge www.no2u.com for better health for patients. In 2015, Nathan retired from full time Academia and has focused on building a portfolio of companies to provide safe and effective nitric oxide products in every major product category worldwide. Nathan feels blessed beyond measure to have done all he has been able to accomplish. Recently his company donated $800,000 worth of nitric oxide products to Nepal to help with their COVID relief. He also gives 5% of profits to humanitarian efforts worldwide. Nathan still travels, lectures and trains on nitric oxide, but he often finds time to spend at home at their ranch, working with Braford calves, team roping, or just riding horses. He always finds time for family, and one enjoyment is going to his boys’ sporting events. With the loss of son Grant in 2018, the family is constantly reminded how precious each minute of life is. Nathan’s parents, Ronnie W. Bryan and Tresha L Morton, and wife Kristen A. Young Bryan, along with sons the late Grant Perimann, Lincoln Bryan, and Conley Bryan make up the recent legacy of Nathan Bryan. Nathan, congratulations on the successes you’ve been a part of. We are very proud to say you are a man who has accomplished much for so many. Thank you.

Angels explained by children

Everybody’s got it all wrong. Angels don’t wear halos anymore. I forget why, but scientists are working on it. --Olive, age 9 It’s not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to Heaven, and then there’s still the flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes. --Matthew, age 9 My guardian angel helps me with math, but he’s not much good for science. --Henry, age 8 Angels don’t eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!! --Jack, age 6 Angels talk all the way while they’re flying you up to heaven. The main subject is where you went wrong before you got dead. --Daniel, age 9 When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath again, somewhere there’s a tornado. --Reagan, age 10 Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go south for the winter. --Sara, age 6 Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who’s a very good carpenter. --Jared, age 8 All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn’t go for it. --Antonio, age 9 Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don’t make the animals get better, they help the child get over it. -- Vicki, age 8

What I don’t get about angels is, why when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them. --Sarah, age 7

What’s more

Important So, I recently moved back to central Texas, Dripping Springs, specifically. Coming back to Central Texas has been refreshing, to say the least. However, there still is a common theme: Same problems same issues: the VAX versus the UNVAXXED, the Republicans versus the Democrats are alive and well in central Texas. The State of Texas fighting against abortion. “My body my choice” seems to scream louder than ever now. Vaccine passports for people to dine and to travel seem to be on the horizon. The world seems to be on fire daily, doesn’t it? If you turn on the tv, you almost lose your mind. So, I don’t. I have allowed myself to talk to people more than ever lately. I do ask opinions of what people think, and yes, I voice my unhappiness with others when asked. Sometimes my social media will give you clues on how I feel @Jt.mrallin, Instagram, and Facebook. No, I am not getting the jab. My body my choice. Yes, I am conservative by nature. I love Jesus. I love people. I asked a Bishop friend of mine, “Why all this chaos today?” He said that God is using a lot of evil so his people will lean in on him. That’s the thing that we should all be doing… Not fighting with one another or disagreeing but loving on one another. I don’t need to tell you what to do with your body, neither do you me… Who to vote for? Nope, not my job. Both parties have taken hundreds of trillions of dollars overseas. It’s called money laundering, but that’s not “gonna” sit well with everyone. You may be asked, “Was 911 an attack or was it here on our own country by our own military?” Or, “Is there a group called Q?” Or “Is cnn right or fox?” Doesn’t matter… big money has bought them all anyway? You may read this and say, “Oh, my goodness!” or you may say that he has an opinion. Agree or disagree, it’s okay, but the big truth that needs to be dealt with is do we love each other today? See, loving is where we need to be. Love our neighbor like we love ourselves. Here’s the issue. If we don’t love ourselves, then we can’t love our neighbors. One challenge to you today is to check your forgiveness meter and see if you have let some things go. A bigger challenge for you today is to deal with the man or woman in the mirror so you can find that happiness. The world’s problems have been here since the

beginning of time, and many are because we don’t deal with our own Issues. I am “gonna” lean in on love. 51 years have taught me that I can’t fix anything. I have to lean on my Creator. I suggest you do, too!!! In this time more than ever, we need LOVE AND JESUS. If you haven’t figured that out yet, the front porch light is on and no one is home, as they say. Have a Blessed Day!

John Taylor is an Influencer in Direct Sales/a lead marketer for Prime My Body. John, wife Sandra, and daughters Addison and Avery live in Houston, Texas, with Rocky and Dixie May their beloved rescue dog and Lab. Mr. Allin is his business identity.

Personal Commercial Home Life Auto

All Things Health

Rob Ellington is the agent for Rollo Insurance, one of the new businesses in Caldwell, Texas. The Ellingtons are pleased to have chosen the perfect location for work and family. Rollo Insurance is headquartered in College Station; however, here in Caldwell, Rob Ellington is located at 209 East Fawn Street inside the Burns, Reyes-Burns new building. Wanting a better place to live than Houston, Rob and wife Brandy began considering smaller cities to relocate. Rob had spent years in the oil and gas industry and believed the time was right for him to make a change. Since he’d been in sales, Rob considered real estate and insurance, and determined that Rollo Insurance was the best fit for him and the family. In March, Rob, wife Brandy, who grew up in Somerville, and children moved to Caldwell. Brandy joined the hairdressers at The Cottage. Daughter Mary, their 12 year old, and Nathan, 5, their adopted nephew made up part of the family. Their older children are Paul, a graduate of Tarleton State, and daughter Katie, a Baylor Bear, playing catcher, #45, for the softball team. Rob had the pleasure of coaching Katie during those formative years. Ellington wanted a company with a team behind him. And he has found that in Rollo Insurance. He sells insurances, personal and commercial, which means home, life, auto, and all things health. He has insurance for the individual as well as for businesses. As an independent agent, Rob shops multiple carriers, not just one, and finds the best offer he can provide each client. Ellington wants to say that his officing with Jeff and Lina Burns has been a great benefit. They have been most helpful in so many ways. When asked what his future plans are, he immediately said, “Here! This is my future, my permanent move. We plan to live here the rest of our life.” Rob and Brandy had wanted their children to have roots in a small town. They have many relatives in College Station, but they saw it as larger than they wanted. They love the small town, Caldwell, where people participate in each other’s

lives, support one other, and go to church with each other. They believe they are living out their future plans now. Be sure to welcome the Ellingtons, and consider Rob Ellington for your insurance needs. You may contact him by phone or email, as well as by meeting him at the office Mondays through Fridays 8 am-5pm. However, he says he’s available 24/7 for his clients. His phone numbers are 979.661.6912, personal, and 979.431.5219 for the office or fax. His email is rob.ellington@rolloinsurance.com. Welcome, Ellingtons. We are happy you are located in Caldwell.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers The Wedding Ceremony The wedding ceremony came to the point where the minister asked if anyone had anything to say concerning the union of the bride and groom. The moment of utter silence was broken when a beautiful young woman carrying a child stood up. She starts walking slowly towards the minister. The congregation was aghast - you could almost hear a pin drop. The groom’s jaw dropped as he stared in disbelief at the approaching young woman and child. Chaos ensued. The bride threw the bouquet into the air and burst out crying. Then the groom’s mother fainted. The best men started giving each other looks and wondering how to save the situation. The minister asked the woman, “Can you tell us, why you came forward? What do you have to say?” There was absolute silence in the church. The woman replied, “We can’t hear you in the back.” And that, my friend, illustrates what happens when people are considered guilty until proven innocent.

A Salute to the

Veterans & Enlisted of Burleson County by Tammy Kubecka

When our military men and women return to Burleson County, they are changed people compared to the kids who leave the county to serve our country in times of war and peace. The concept of comradeship for fellow veterans in past years, lead to the formation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion posts. To further pay tribute to their military service, the posts bear the names of local veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The first VFWs were formed out of veterans’ groups in Ohio and Colorado in 1899, following the Spanish-American War and campaigns in Cuba and the Philippines. The VFW offers rehabilitation for disabled and needy veterans, and assists their families as well. Becoming more prevalent after World War II, the VFW continues to educate their local communities on patriotism and Americanism. Caldwell VFW Post was organized in a dual ceremony with Milam County on September 15, 1945, at the Burleson County Courthouse. Edward Struwe was elected Commander, along with Vice-Commander Darden Rowland, Junior Vice-Commander James R. Pillow, Adjutant James P. Hill and Quartermaster Charles W. Holik. It was named the Campbell-Williams VFW Post #4458, honoring two local servicemen who perished during WWII. Stamps Campbell, Jr was born in Somerville in 1919, to parents Stamps Sr. and Adelaide LaNelle Brodnax Campbell. There were five children in the Campbell family, and Stamps had a twin sister who had died at birth. He finished high school and married Bess Jack, and no doubt to earn an extra dollar, he’d joined the National Guard unit in Caldwell. Oliver Duncan Williams was also born in 1919 and raised around Chriesman, the son of Houston and Hallie Ethel Morris Williams. His younger brother was country music’s “Perk” Williams. When the United States joined allies in WWII, Oliver, who was living in El Campo at the time, and Stamps Campbell, Jr, were called to action and both became members of Company E, 143rd Infantry, 36th Division, and bound for Italy. Storming the beach at Salerno, Italy on September 9, 1943, Company E was trying to establish a beachhead to repel encroaching German troops. Under heavy fire, the Burleson County boys managed to accomplish most of their mission, but Sgt. Campbell, age 23, and SSgt. Williams, age 24, were killed in the battle. Many from Company E were taken as prisoners of war. The remains of these brave men were not returned to Burleson County for burial until July and August, 1948. The American Legion was established on March 15, 1919 in Paris, France by representatives from units of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) of World War I. It was followed by a

similar meeting in May, in St. Louis, Missouri. One of the men who initiated the American Legion was Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. The organization was to be a support system for WWI veterans. American Legion Post #451 in Caldwell was established February 8, 1928, with the election officers; Commander Col. B.F. Delamater, Vice Commander Capt. A.T. Autrey, Post Adjutant M.F. Broaddus, Finance Officer J.W. Ripple, Post Historian J. J. Haisler, Chaplain A.S. Broaddus, Service Officer W. J. Alexander, and Sergeant at Arms John J. Veiss. The Post was named the Deutsch-Houston Post in memory of John Deutsch and T. C. Houston, two of the first Burleson County casualties from World War I. John Deutsch was born in 1897, the son of Fred Adolph and Mary Krenek Deutsch. He was a gunner in HQ Co, 141st Regiment of the 36th Division. Sgt. Deutsch was killed in France on October 9, 1918, at age 21. He is buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne, France. Thomas Cherry Houston was quite well-known around Caldwell as the Assistant Manager of the Burleson County Ledger and News-Chronicle newspaper. Tall and slender with dark hair, T.C. was one of several printers belonging to the Temple Typesetters Union that volunteered for duty in WWI. He was already a member of National Guard Company I, 2 INF of Texas. Active duty made him yet another local member of Co B, 141 Inf, 36th Division. He had just turned 24 when he lost his life in France on October 9, 1918 and is buried in Romagne, France. The American Legion Post #455 in Somerville is named for Private Marion Mays, born in Somerville in 1895. Married to Mary Mays, Marion was only 22 when he died at Saint-Etienne, Champagne-Ardeene, France on October, 1918. He was also part of the 141st Infantry of the 36th Division. He’s buried at Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville. Disabled Veterans (DAV 86) also has an active organization in Burleson County. Information about these organizations, or services available to veterans and their families, can be obtained from the Burleson County Veterans Service Officer at 979-5676360. The office is open Thursday and Friday mornings. The Somerville Memorial Post #8578 of the VFW was established on December 7, 1971, but became inactive in January 1994. We all know that Burleson County has contributed more than their fair share during every war this nation has faced, and the names on these county posts are a great tribute to those we lost. We also know that all our veterans, who served during wartime and peace, are the pride of our county, and country. A salute to the veterans, and enlisted, of Burleson County!

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Only In This Stupid World ......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the Front. Only In This Stupid World .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet Coke. Only In This Stupid World .....do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the Counters.. Only In This Stupid World ......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the Garage. Only In This Stupid World ........... do we buy hot dogs in packages Of ten and buns in Packages of Eight.. Only In This Stupid World .....do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

Abortion in Texas Under the Heartbeat Act I’ll be honest: I never saw this coming. Sure, we knew that abolishing abortion was one of the top eight priorities the Republican Party of Texas chose for the 87th Texas Legislature. And, sure, we knew a slew of pro-life bills were headed to the governor’s desk; we even knew he’d sign them. But we sure did not expect one of the strongest pro-life bills ever proposed in the United States of America since January 22, 1973, when the United States Supreme Court issued their infamous decision on Roe v. Wade, and its companion, Doe v. Bolton, to make it past legal challenges and actually go into effect as scheduled! How – HOW - did that happen? Now, I’m not a lawyer. I started off my career as a music therapist, moved into case management, then clinic management, and now am blessed by God with the humbling responsibility of leading a non-profit, pro-life ministry. So, not a lawyer, by any stretch. For that reason, I don’t want to get too deep and technical in my response to that question. SB8 – Texas’ Heartbeat Act – prohibits abortion when a heartbeat can be detected, which is usually about six weeks into the pregnancy. Usually, a law has criminal penalties for breaking it, but this law does not. It allows a civil suit to be brought against anyone who aids and abets an abortion in Texas of a baby with a heartbeat, with a potential award of $10,000. The mother who seeks the abortion cannot be sued. However, someone who performs the abortion, pays for the abortion, or drives the mother to get the abortion (for example), can be. Abortion providers in Texas are required to perform a sonogram 24 hours prior to the administration of an abortion – whether surgical or chemical (“the abortion pill”). As of September 1, 2021, when the Heartbeat Act went into effect, if the abortion provider detects a heartbeat in that sonogram, they cannot perform the abortion. The provider must document the method used to detect a heartbeat and the results of their findings. For all practical purposes, the impact of this bill has been to stop surgical abortions in Texas. The abortion pill is still being used, however (as long as there is no fetal heartbeat detected). Let me warn, you, parts of this paragraph are a little graphic and may be hard to read, so skip over it if you don’t want to understand how the abortion pill process works. The abortion pill is actually two pills, the first causing the death of the baby, and the second, which is actually several pills and is taken 24 hours later, causes the woman to go into labor and expel the child from her body. There are two very important things to note about the abortion pill. One is that, for many women, it is much harder on their bodies and souls than a surgical abortion. There is cramping and bleeding, which can be severe and prolonged, even up to several weeks. The woman often winds up having her baby in the toilet. She is often alone at the time, and there can be a great deal of blood loss at this time. I heard a woman say recently that, after

going through the abortion pill process, she feels sick every time she has to go to the bathroom, remembering what she went through in that room. The other thing you should know about the abortion pill is that the process can be reversed. If a woman takes the first pill and then regrets her decision to abort, if she and her physician act quickly, the process can sometimes be reversed. She can go to www.abortionpillreversal.com or call 877-558-0333 for assistance in beginning the reversal process. The sooner the process begins, the greater the likelihood of preserving the pregnancy. One concern about the impact of the Heartbeat Act is that women may seek an out-of-state abortion, yet it is crucial that the medical provider be easily accessible in the event the woman experiences complications such as hemorrhaging, infection, etc. It is also imperative that she returns to the same abortion provider for any followup appointments to ensure the abortion is complete. (Please note that I am not a licensed medical professional. All of these decisions should be discussed between a woman and her personal physician.) We at Hope Pregnancy Center in College Station are available to help at any stage of this process. We provide pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, options consultation, parenting classes, material support, and abortion recovery care for women and men regretting their abortion decision. Because of the expected impact of the Heartbeat Act on the needs of our clients, we are adding a new program called Next Step, in which a Life Coach will provide oneon-one mentorship for women facing more difficult challenges as a result of their life decision. Our services have always been provided in complete confidentiality, and will continue to be so. In no way do we profit from whatever decision our clients make. All of our services are provided completely free of charge to our clients, for no other reason than because we care. We are here to provide compassion and help, as we have been for the past thirty-six years. All of our funding comes from private donations – from people who care as deeply about mothers, fathers, lives, and babies as we do. No one has to walk through this decision alone. We truly are here to help, and we look forward to doing so. BIO: Carol Dodds became the Executive Director of Hope Pregnancy Center in College

Station in November 2017, after serving almost seven years as Executive Director of a pregnancy clinic in Northern California. Previously, she spent 25 years working with developmentally disabled adults as a music therapist, case manager and clinic manager. Carol lives in Bryan with her mother Jeana and, occasionally, her son Travis, a senior at Oklahoma Christian University. About Hope: Hope Pregnancy Centers of the Brazos Valley is a faith-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing a safe and confidential refuge for those in crisis. Services (all of which are free) include pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, peer counseling, parenting and life skills classes, and material aid based on an “earn while you learn” system. More information may be found at www.partnerwithhope.org.

The Sad TruthPretty Amazing! From Billy Graham’s Son

Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Franklin Graham was speaking at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville , Florida , when he said America will not come back. He wrote: “The American dream ended.” The first term of Joe Biden has been the final nail in the coffin for the legacy of the white Christian males who discovered, explored, pioneered, settled and developed the greatest republic in the history of mankind. A coalition of blacks, Latinos, feminists, gays, government workers, union members, environmental extremists, the media, Hollywood , uninformed young people, the “forever needy,” the chronically unemployed that do not want to work , illegal aliens and other “fellow travelers” have ended.........Norman Rockwell’s America. You will never again out-vote these people. It will take individual acts of defiance and massive displays of civil disobedience to get back the rights we have allowed them to take away. It will take zealots, not moderates and shy, not reach-across-the-aisle RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) to right this ship and restore our beloved country to its former status. People like me are completely politically irrelevant, and I will probably never again be able to legally comment on or concern myself with the aforementioned coalition which has surrendered our culture, our heritage and our traditions without a shot being fired. The Cocker spaniel is off the front porch, the pit bull is in the back yard, the American Constitution has been replaced with Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” and the likes of Chicago shyster David Axelrod along with international socialist George Soros have been pulling the strings on their beige puppet and have brought us Act 2 of the New World Order. The curtain will come down but the damage has been done, the story has been told. Those who come after us will once again have to risk their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to bring back the Republic that this generation has timidly frittered away due to white guilt and political correctness..” IN GOD WE TRUST

What Do You Know About

Angels

Angels are beings who bring thoughts of mystery and wonder, right? So many angels, so much misunderstanding! With that point in mind, let’s delve into Scripture and see what God’s Word, His inerrant Word, has to say about these beings, these angels. But first, let’s consider what you already know as truth: The number of angels? The communication of angels? Their humanity or inhumanity? The goodness of angels? The workers for God? Involvement with angels? Now, let’s consider some truths Scripture records about angels. 3 First, let’s consider their number. Jesus, when being taken captive before His crucifixion, said after Peter had just cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” The twelve legions Jesus spoke of would have amounted to over 200,000 angels. However, this is a tiny portion of the totality of angels. In Hebrews, there is a discussion of the company of people having come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels… An innumerable number means that the number is so great that it can’t be numbered, that there are so many angels it is beyond our ability to count them all. 4 Another truth is that angels are not flesh and blood; they are created beings. “God made angels Spirits and called them ministers, flames of fire.” Angels were even at creation to rejoice when God created the world, before man, or human, was created. Also, Hebrews records, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” In many instances, they are also presented as strong. One of David’s Psalms tells of angels who excel in strength, who do God’s commandments, and harken to His Word. As we can see, angels are supernatural, super human beings of God. 5 Angels do appear to humans, and they do so because God sends them to do His will. Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Elijah, Jesus, Peter, Paul, Mary, and Samson’s mother were people who had involvement with angels. Elijah, the prophet of God, opposed evil King Ahab and Queen Jezebel who threatened his life. Fearful, he fled from them. Finally, exhausted, he fell asleep. An angel went to him, awakened him, and said, “…eat and drink.” Later the angel appeared to assist him a second time. God’s angels do His bidding, helping God’s people carry out His missions or helping to oppose Satan. When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, the lions’ mouths were shut by God’s angels. Daniel said, “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me…” Also, an angel appeared to Paul when the ship he and other men had boarded was about to sink. The angel told Paul that all would be spared. Angles also appeared to Jesus after He had been the Wilderness and had

by Scarlette Taylor

gone without water or food for 40 days and nights, and was being tempted by Satan. After the temptations, “The devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Jesus.” Angels do God’s will. 6 Other things we can learn of angels are: Angels behold the face of God. Jesus says, “Take heed that you do not despise these little ones, for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” And …although the angels in heaven who stand in the presence of the Lord, and are far greater in power and strength than these false teachers, they never speak out disrespectfully against these evil ones.” They do what God sends them to accomplish, and do not go further than instructed. Angels are interested in the events of man. The apostle Peter said …” To them (angels) it was revealed that not to themselves, but to us, that they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you…” Peter was talking about preaching the gospel through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These were “things which angels desire to look into.” Also, God determined that angels are to be involved in the end times events, when Jesus returns. Jesus says, “And I shall send forth my angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they shall gather my chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.” Jesus also said if anyone is ashamed of Him and His message in these days of unbelief and sin, He will be ashamed of them “when I return in the glory of my Father, with the Holy Angles” 15). 7 The Bible reveals that angels chose either to be obedient to God or to be disobedient; thus, they were labeled good or evil. Satan, the most beautiful angel, chose against God, and Jesus said of him in Luke, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Revelation 12 tells us, “Then there was in heaven Michael and the angels under his command who fought the Dragon (Satan) and his hosts of fallen angels. And the Dragon lost the battle and was forced from heaven.” The good angels will be those who are obedient. Michael and Gabriel are two of the obedient ones named in Scripture. Angels in God’s kingdom are fascinating, but they are not to be worshipped or held in esteem like unto our reverence and worship our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These are obedient, created beings doing the bidding of God; they are powerful but desiring to do good, and are involved in and interested in events of time, ours and God’s. Paragraph 3: Matthew 26:53/Hebrews 12:22 Paragraph 4: Psalms 148:5/ Psalms 104:4 /Job 38:4-7/ Hebrews 1:14/ Psalms 103:20-21 Paragraph 5: 1Kings 19:5-7/Daniel 6:21-22/ Matthew 4:11 Paragraph 6: Matt 18:10 /II Peter 2:11 /Matthew 13:49/ Matthew 24:31 / Mark 8:38/ Matthew 16: 27 Paragraph 7: Luke 10:18/ Revelation 12:7-9/ Philippians 2:9-11/ 1 Peter 3:22

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers EVER WONDER Why Don’t you ever see the headline ‘Psychic Wins Lottery’? Why Is ‘abbreviated’ such a long word? Why Is it that Doctors call what they do ‘practice’? Why Is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons? Why Is the man who invests all your money called a Broker? Why Is the time of Day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? Why Isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food? Why Isn’t there cat flavored Dog Food? Why Didn’t Noah swat those two Mosquitoes? Why Do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

No ordinary American cares about Constitutional Rights ~Joe Biden (2015)~

You Know that indestructible black box that is used on Airplanes? Why don’t they make the whole plane out of that Stuff?! Why Don’t sheep shrink when it rains? If Con is the opposite of Pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?

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Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers ELDERLY While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, “The tooth fairy will never believe this!” ************ DEATH While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister’s son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: “Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goes.”

REMEMBER THIS QUOTE “To conquer a nation, first disarm its citizens” ~Adolph Hitler~

Is There a

in Christmas? Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations...extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he’d been memorizing songs for his school’s “Winter Pageant.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there’d be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas,” I didn’t expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment...songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son’s

class rose to sing, “Christmas Love,” I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing “C is for Christmas,” a child would hold up the letter C. Then, “H is for Happy,” and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, “Christmas Love.” The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside down - totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W”. The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one’s mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her “W”. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: “CHRISTWAS LOVE” And, I believe, He still is!! God certainly does work in mysterious ways!!

Eight Big Reasons

is Terrible for Dealing with Racism James Lindsay offers eight reasons that Critical Race Theory (CRT) is terrible…for dealing with racism and for American relationships. His article presents some overarching statements, i.e. bullet-point summaries. They, at the least, reveal that CRT’s meaning of racism is not what mainstream America has traditionally viewed as racist, and that CRT is confusing and divisive. 1. CRT believes racism is present in every aspect of life, every relationship, and every interaction…therefore it has its advocates look for it everywhere. 2. CRT relies on interest convergence (white people only give black people opportunities and freedoms when it is also in their own interests), thus CTR doesn’t trust any attempt to make racism better. 3. CRT is against free societies and wants to dismantle them and replace them with something its advocates control. 4. CRT only treats race issues as “socially constructed groups,” so there are no individuals in Critical Race Theory. 5. CRT believes that science, reason, and evidence are a “White” way of knowing, and that storytelling and lived experience are a “Black” alternative, which hurts everyone, especially black people. 6. CRT rejects all potential alternatives, like colorblindness, as forms of racism.

and reasoning the concepts are. Who believes that racism, their definition of it, is in every aspect of life, in every relationship, and in every interaction? And then consider that those who advocate their idea of racism and it being all-consuming believe that it should be looked for EVERYWHERE! Mindboggling!! And it has been carried out. We’ve seen it pointed out in a variety of areas: Dr. Seuss’ writings, cartoons like Elmer Fudd and even classical works like Gone with the Wind have been labeled racist. Now they are out for Cracker Barrell, opposing Southern food (and lifestyle) by saying, “When you walk in, you get a whiff of Jim Crow and biscuits.” And what about “interest convergence” as far as CRT sees it? Critical Race Theory tells us that Whites give Blacks opportunities and freedoms when it is also in their own interests, according to James Lindsay, author, mathematician, and political commentator. CRT is saying that Whites only do things for themselves. How sad that a whole race of people is labeled as totally insensitive, self-seeking, uncaring. It doesn’t stand up. All people, Whites included, are not totally motivated by “what’s in it for me?” Is that a mentality you believe totally permeates our America? CRT is not a liberal idea. It is, in fact, critical of liberal societies, against the idea of freedom to its core. CRT sees a free society as a way to structure and maintain inequalities…especially by telling minorities not to want to do radical identity politics. This dogma, this CRT, only treats race issues as “socially constructed groups,” so there are no individuals in CRT. Also, it Continued on Page 30

7. CRT acts like anyone who disagrees with it must do so for racist and white supremacist reasons, even if those people are black. 8. CRT cannot be satisfied. After reading each of these eight points of the Critical Race Theory, what do you Mr/Mrs Average American see that you could in any way espouse, or believe in? Then look at the ideas and see how they are generally presented. Do you believe you could identify with/hold to/ support a single one of them? A reading shows us how far away from normalcy of thought

Critical Race Theory Continued

doesn’t even believe individuals meaningfully exist at all! Every person has to be understood in terms of the social groups they are said to inhabit, and these are determined by their identity, including race. And they believe that races are categories that society invents. People are not seen as equal before the law and meant to be judged upon the contents of their character and merits of their work. CRT believes science, reason, and evidence are a “white” way of knowing, and that storytelling and lived experience are a “black” alternative. CRT proposes that the power and politics of cultural groups make their way intrinsically into everything that culture produces. So, science is just politics by other means. And, of course modern science was predominantly produced by white, Western men, so CRT believes whites dominate and thus science isn’t really fitting for black people. Obviously, a horrible sentiment. There is no objectivity in their beliefs. CRT is against the fact that race becomes less socially relevant, and believes racism is therefore diminished by not focusing on race all the time. It sees the idea of colorblindness as one of the most racist things possible because they believe it hides the real racism from view. They see colorblindness as problematic. And Critical Race Theory acts like anyone who disagrees with the ideology must do so for racist and white supremacist reasons, even if those people are black. They judge individual people based on how well they support CRT, even if they are black. Creator of the 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, tweeted and then deleted. “there is ‘Racially blac’ on the one hand, and Politically black on the other.” CRT is only interested in the identity politics associated with being Politically Black, and anyone who disagrees with CRT, even if racially black, does not qualify. And they phrase this by saying, “They are “not really Black.”

Last of all, CRT cannot be satisfied. It can’t be disagreed with. It rejects all alternatives. It is like a black hole. No matter how much you give to it, it cannot be filled and only gets stronger—and it will tear apart anything that gets too close to it. If your workplace takes up CRT, eventually activists will start to make demands and will threaten to make trouble if they do not get their way. (And they usually do not ask). Giving in to them does not satisfy them. (Because, remember that CRT cannot be satisfied). You should know that before you do anything, it will be done wrong because of your racism…you did it out of “interest convergence,” to make yourself look good because of your racism. You didn’t do it sooner, you didn’t do it faster, you didn’t do it better because of your racism. No matter what you do, the result must contain racism, and the CRT activist’s job is to find it and hold you to account. If you do give into their demands, they will then continue to come and to escalate matters. Countless examples of this have been seen across the corporate world recently. And if you step down from your job and give it to activists, even that won’t satisfy them. And if any venture fails as a result of all this disruption, racism was the cause of that failure, too.

Did You Know

President Donald J. Trump, while in office, launched an attack against Critical Race Theory om two related fronts: 1. His Constitution Day announcement of a 1776 Commission to encounter the leftist indoctrination of school children. 2. His instruction to the Office of Management and Budget to ban so-called “anti-racism trainings” from the federal workforce. On September 22, Trump extended the ban to contractors doing business with the federal government.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Billy Graham and the Limo

Recently, the world famous evangelist, Billy Graham, dis-

embarked from an airplane, and walked toward his ride to the hotel. The limousine driver seemed friendly enough, so Billy made an unusual request. “I’ve always wanted to drive a limousine,” he said. “I’m in my 90s now, but I’m still a pretty good driver. Would you please let me drive the limousine back to my hotel?” The driver paused thoughtfully for a moment, and then replied: “I guess it wouldn’t hurt anything. There’s not much traffic on the road since it’s so late at night.” Thrilled, Billy took his place in the driver’s seat while the chauffeur made himself comfortable in the back seat. The ride was going smoothly enough, until Billy heard a siren and saw flashing lights in his rear view mirror. He slowed to a stop. “Is there a problem, officer?” he said to the young looking cop who sauntered up to his car window. “Well, yes,” said the rookie officer. “Let me see your license and registration, please. Were you aware that you were going 70 in a 55 mph zone?” “No, sir, I wasn’t aware of that”, responded Billy Graham. When the cop saw the registration and license, he excused himself and made a quick call to his superior. “Look”, he said. “I know we’re supposed to uphold the law and all, but can’t we make exceptions sometimes for REALLY important people?” “Do you have someone like that?” the supervisor asked. “Well, yes.” the cop responded. “Is he as important as the governor?” the supervisor questioned. “Oh, he’s more important than the governor.” “Is he a Congressman then?” “No, he’s more important than a congressman.” “You don’t mean to tell me he’s the president??” “No,” the cop said. “He’s even more important than the president!” “Whatever can you mean?” said the supervisor. “Well,” said the cop, “I think he might be Jesus ‘cause Billy Graham is the chauffeur!”

DID YOU KNOW The pilot and co-pilot of a flight never eat the same meals in case one causes food poisoning.

Poetry by Jim Wilson Jim Wilson grew up 12 miles south of Van Horn, Texas, later graduated from TAMU Vet school in 1973. He practiced 42 years in Abilene. In 2015, he and his wife moved to Burton, the place he began writing poetry, which he sees as observation and intuition “given” to record a message. He’s published 6 poetry books and won several awards and recognitions. If interested in more of his poetry, contact Marposa Press, 3401 South Treadway Blvd, Abilene, TX 79602.

Opportunity Knocks Now

Empathy

Praise the Progress

These are the best of times as far as I know.

When you are cold can you feel the chill of all the winter homeless.

At any given time under most circumstances I think I am doing the best I can regardless of what it looks like.

When in pain the hurt of all the sick and injured.

If I am trying just a little bit it will look better tomorrow.

Do what I can. Help others. Don’t miss a turn. Don’t complain. Someday times may be really bad. I may not be able to do or help. It will be consolation to know, that when I could have—I did. These are the best of times as far as I know. We must not become tired of doing good. We will Receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if We do not give up. When we have the opportunity To help anyone, we should do it. Gal 6:9-19a NCV

Did You Know?

Cows have best friends & get stressed when they are separated.

When sad the tears of all the crying. If you can use your blessing and reach out. I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave ee something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you Invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me Something to wear. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison And you visited me. Matt 25:35-36 (NCV)

Please come back and check. Maybe praise the progress. But beware—what you say could be positively motivational.

well defines the state we find our beloved country in. That is if you have eyes to see and ears to heard truth, if you have a thinking and pro-knowledge approach to life, and if you evaluate what is being said and what is being demanded of us freedom loving people. What are the crossroads you might consider? They are many, for sure. I believe the cross roads we are encountering are those involving control in/of our nation: Control over our fuel industry, control (or lack of) over our borders, control over the news media, control over our elections, control over our medical personnel, control over gun ownership, control (or lack of) over governmental spending, control over “vaccine” administering, …and the list goes on and on. These are many of the major issues that we can see so readily, if we are trying to stay informed and help get our nation back to some normalcy. In truth, many think today that there is no normalcy at this point with the craziness of a national leadership gone wild. So, Mr. and Mrs. America, now that you are facing, living through the issues of our nation, our states, our localities, what are you willing, hopefully wanting, to do to make a difference? Will you be sheep or lions? Will you stand for right when wrong faces you head on? Whether we want to take or don’t want to take the vaccine is a big issue with the government today. Truth is, as an American, we have the right to speak up, to determine what we do. We have been a free people, with freedoms to say yes or no to what happens to our bodies. What if the government requires everyone to get a vaccination, and we don’t want to take a shot because there are issues with the safeness of the vaccine? Will we cave in and take a vaccination though there are issues with its safety? What if your child goes to public school, and the school makes

your child go through training that you do not believe in? Will you be informed enough to know what is being taught? And if you are informed, will you go to the school and require that your child not be taught CRT or lack of respect toward others because a child is labeled for some reason? Will you be pro-active for your precious one? And, as Texans, we know about the horrible situation at the border. Illegals are crossing into our state at an unbelievable rate. Governor Abbott has been leading out in helping our state by approving funding to complete the wall in order to secure our border; he’s authorized Texas law enforcement agencies to arrest and confine anyone trespassing on private property; and he’s allowed jail capacity to be expanded for illegal immigrants arrested for criminal activities. So, we Texans should consider how we can help our state with this border issue. Donations are one good way to help, since it’s difficult to physically go there and be directly involved. Too, we can vote, and we must be informed when we vote. There is a point for discussing these rights of vaccinating, for asking about involvement in your child’s education, and for asking you to help in Texas issues. The point is we must be prepared, be ready, and we must be willing to stand strong for our rights. We cannot be sheep; we must be lions who are ready to oppose evil when it rears its ugly head. We must be strong whether united with others, or when standing alone.

HOW LONG DO WE HAVE? This is the most interesting thing I’ve read in a long time. The sad thing about it, you can see it coming. I have always heard about this democracy countdown. It is interesting to see it in print. God help us, not that we deserve it. About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier: ‘A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.’ ‘A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.’ ‘From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.’ ‘The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years.’ ‘During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence: 1. from bondage to spiritual faith; 2. from spiritual faith to great courage; 3. from courage to liberty; 4. from liberty to abundance; 5. from abundance to complacency; 6. from complacency to apathy; 7. from apathy to dependence; 8. from dependence back into bondage’

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Because I’m a Man Because I’m a man, when I lock my keys in the car I will fiddle with a wire clothes hanger and ignore your suggestions that we call a road service until long after hypothermia has set in. Because I’m a man, when the car isn’t running very well, I will pop the hood and stare at the engine as if I know what I’m looking at. If another man shows up, one of us will say to the other, “I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn’t know where to start.” We will then drink beer. Because I’m a man, when I catch a cold I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan. You never get as sick as I do, so for you this isn’t an issue. Because I’m a man, I can be relied upon to purchase basic groceries at the store, like milk or bread. I cannot be expected to find exotic items like “Cumin” or “Tofu”. For all I know these are the same thing. And never, under any circumstances, expect me to pick up anything for which “feminine hygiene product” is a euphemism. Because I’m a man, when one of our appliances stops working I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair person gets here and has to put it back together. Because I’m a man, I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV. If the thing has been misplaced, I may miss a whole show looking for it (though one time I was able to survive by holding a calculator). Because I’m a man, I don’t think we’re all that lost, and no, I don’t think we should stop and ask someone. Why would you listen to a complete stranger -- I mean, how the heck could he know where we’re going?

Because I’m a man, you don’t have to ask me if I liked the movie. Chances are, if you’re crying at the end of it, I didn’t. Because I’m a man, yes, I have to turn up the radio when Bruce Springsteen or The Doors comes on, and then, yes, I have to tell you every single time about how Bruce had his picture on the cover of Time and Newsweek the same day, or how Jim Morrison is buried in Paris and everyone visits his grave. Please do not behave as if you do not find this fascinating. Because I’m a man, I think what you’re wearing is fine. I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine. With the belt or without it looks fine. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can we just go now? Because I’m a man, and this is, after all, the 21st Century, I will share equally in the housework. You just do the laundry, the cooking, the gardening, the cleaning, and the dishes. I’ll do the rest. THIS HAS BEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FOR WOMEN, TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MALE ANIMAL.

animal Cross Roads Taking the High Road vs the Low Road of Animal Care

The older I get the more I realize that every day we have cross roads to navigate. This article will be a review of general animal husbandry, focusing on taking the high roads versus the low roads of animal care. Animals, whether they are commercial or family pets, deserve kindness and consideration of their welfare. God did not make humans the largest or strongest animal on the planet, but he did give us the cognitive function of morality! Let’s join together and make a pact to provide the most humane, medically sound, and best living environment for all animals. Life always has a beginning and that is birth. The husbandry of neonates is critical. Case and point are the people who cared for their pets and livestock during the deep freeze of February. This was a very dangerous and difficult time for man and beast. Those who rose to the occasion and took the high road are reaping both financial and personal benefits. Shelter is paramount during the neonate’s life. Animals, be them puppies, kittens, lambs, kids, calves or other, must be kept warm and dry. Maternal interaction and nursing should also be monitored closely in the neonate phase. As young animals grow and progress, there are other considerations. Once ruminant start grazing and small animals open their eyes, deworming is key. Each species will need a specific type of anthelmintic (deworming). The next phase for young animals is the vaccination stage. Equine, bovine and small ruminant should have at least two core vaccines one month apart starting at four months of age. Small animals should have their core vaccines starting at seven to eight weeks of age. The small animals should have at least three vaccines spaced one month apart. Flea, heartworm preventative and regular deworming should be instituted. Ruminants should be started on forage and processed diets. Small animals should have free access of dry diets and fed actually two to three times daily of a high-quality diet for a growing pet. Do not take the low road for nutrition for any animal. Garbage in, garbage out…period. Feeding cheap, raw and inappropriate diets accounts for a very large proportion of medical issues with pets and livestock. Socialization is a key ingredient in successful husbandry of both large and small animals. Goats, calves, kids and lambs should be accustomed to human interaction at a young age. This will make them less fearful and easier to handle as they mature to adults. Small animals should have daily social interaction starting at weaning. This should include grooming and obedience training. Small animals imprint and are the most trainable during the two to six months of age. This is important to understand; however, the last advice with small animals is this, pick or keep a pet that will match your lifestyle. Please DO NOT PICK A PET because of popularity or social media. Some of the biggest mistakes I have seen are people who choose

inappropriate breeds of pets given their current life styles! As your pet or livestock matures to adulthood, their requirements will change. Livestock will need daily assessment for ample forage and water. If livestock is to give birth, then more frequent surveillance will be needed. Pets will also need human interaction at least two times daily, however, the more times, the closer bonded to you they will become. Livestock will need close monitoring of available forage and be supplemented with hay and feed as needed. Small animals will need a high-quality maintenance diet offered twice a day. No free feeding buffets, that only leads to a fat and finicky pet. Absolutely no table food should be offered to pets. Obesity in small animals is one of the most common causes of health problems and is exacerbated by free feeding poor quality diets and allowing pets to eat human foods. Daily activity or exercise is also essential for your small animal’s emotional and physical health. Both livestock and pets will need yearly vaccinations and deworming during their adult years. Small animals will also benefit with monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. I see dramatic increase in pets’ quality of life, longevity and a decrease in allergy issues if their owner does year around flea, tick and heartworm control. Meat providing livestock should be monitored closely for rate of gain and pregnancy rates in reproductive livestock accessed to assure optimal results. Pets and livestock are social animals and do well with daily interaction with their human care takers, buffered with food/treat incentives. As animals age, their nutritional, behavioral and overall health will change. Livestock will lose condition and wean fewer and less heavy offspring. Small animals will become cranky, less active and obese typically. It is our task as guardians to recognize the progression to a geriatric life stage and make the appropriate adjustments. With livestock, additional nutrition coupled with early weaning and deworming are key. Pets typically require less nutrition, medications for arthritis or other ailments and social interactions. Minimal vaccinations are typical during this phase of life, but more frequent physical exams, bloodwork and dentals are common. The older livestock and pets get, the more maintenance they will need. God gave humans the ability to logically access and reasonably solve problems. It is our task at the cross roads of life we face every day to take the high road. Treating both pets and livestock humanely, with love and respect as you would like to be treated, is the way I see it. Good luck and happy ranching. Jack F McKemie DVM

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Texas Builds It larger A Texan, while visiting, found himself in the back seat of a taxi cab on the way to his hotel. Passing by the Royal York, the Texan asked the cab driver “What’s that building there?” “That’s the Royal York Hotel,” replied the cabbie. “The Royal York? How long did it take to build that?” asked the Texan. “About 12years,” replid the cabbie.” “12 years? We build ’em twice as high, twice as wide and four ttmes as long down in Texas, and we do that in six months.” A while later the cab driver make his way past the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre. “What’s that building over there?” asked the Texan. “That’s the Metro-Toronto Convenion Centre” replied the cabbie. “Convention Centre?” How long’d it take to build that?” asked the Texas. “About three years,” replied the cabbie. “Three years? We build ’em twice as high, twice as wide and four tmes as long down in Texas, and it only takes us about two weeks.” Shortly thereafter the cabbie drives past the CN Tower. “What’s that building there?” asks the Texas, pointing at the bower. “Danged if I know,” replied the cabbie. “It wasn’t there when I drove by yesterday.”

Fire Ants & A Leaf Blower

Rusty Walton is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but has been a proud Texan for more than forty years. He and his wife, Brenda, currently make their home in Conroe, Texas, after serving as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Conroe for nearly fifteen years. In retirement, Rusty has served seven Texas churches as an Intentional Interim pastor, assisting those churches to prepare for a successful newly “installed” minister. Additionally, Rusty and Brenda enjoy their two children, son and daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren, one of whom is a proud Texas Aggie. (Whoop!)

Some people say Baptists aren’t supposed to dance. Don’t believe it.

I was using my leaf blower last week when I noticed a colony of fire ants had built a nest on top of the flagstone patio I recently added to my back porch. I’ve had an unpleasant relationship with fire ants for a number of years, and the leaf blower was roaring in my hands. “I’ll get rid of these fire ants and have some fun, too,” I thought. This type of leaf blower produces 150 mph winds, so when I pointed the business end toward the fresh mound of dirt I chuckled, “Here comes a little hurricane, boys and girls.” Have you ever done anything really dumb? When I was a youngster I used to poke fire ant nests with a stick, get them all angry and stirred up, then run off to enjoy the rest of my day, sort of like some people do at a church business meeting. Well, when I pointed my leaf blower at the nest, the ants finally got their revenge. I still don’t know what I was thinking when I tried to blow those fire ants off my porch, but I do know it was something I soon regretted. As the nozzle of the leaf blower got close to the mound the entire nest blew up in my face. Fire ants were in my hair, under my shirt, and on my legs and “elsewhere.” I began an awkward jumping, hopping, contorted, gyrating dance, pulling off my blue jean shorts and golf shirt while slapping at the biting, stinging insects. In the shower I washed dirt and ants down the drain with gusto. I didn’t stop flailing until I got out of the shower and took two allergy pills. I still do not know exactly what happened, but it started with a leaf blower on one end and bad judgement on the other. Have you noticed that some things appear to be a good idea, but aren’t? I’m not a theologian, but I think the Bible says there is a way

that seems right but actually leads to a bad end. I can give testimony to that, and so can at least one of my neighbors who watched the whole thing happen. My father, like yours, used to say, “Measure twice and cut once.” The same principle holds true for all of life’s choices. Fire ants are bad, and a careless decision makes them even worse. Sometimes we don’t understand consequences until we are curled up on the couch in the fetal position with a handful of Benadryl capsules, crying, “What was I thinking?” Thanks for reading. Pastor Charles “Rusty” Walton Hope you have a great day, and remember that the living is good where the people are good. And the people are good in Burleson County.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers

Childhood Sweethearts

An elderly couple were celebrating their 60th anniversary. They had married as childhood sweethearts and moved back to their old neighbourhood after they retired. Holding hands, they walked back to their old school. It was not locked, so they entered and found the old desk they’d shared, where Jerry had carved the words ‘I love you, Sally’. On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armoured car, practically landing at their feet. Sally quickly picked it up and, not sure what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money and found that it was $50,000! Jerry said: “We’ve got to give it back.” But Sally put the money back in the bag, hid it in their attic and said: “Finders keepers.” The next day, two police officers were canvassing the neighbourhood looking for the money and knocked on their door. The officer said: “Pardon me, did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armoured car yesterday?” Sally shook her head. Jerry said: “She’s lying. She hid it up in the attic.” Sally said: “Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile.” The agents turned to Jerry and began to question him. One said: “Tell us the story from the beginning.” Jerry said: “Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday.” The first police officer turned to his partner and said: “We’re outta here!”

Caring for Aging Parents avoids having to maintain a second home and of course can be less expensive. If your parent has dementia or other health issues, adult day care can be helpful, as it allows them to socialize with other adults.

Kavon Novak, Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of ‘91, is a Registered Investment Consultant with LPL Financial. He holds a Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 license. Kavon has been in the financial industry since 1998 and is a multi-year “Outstanding Client Service” award recipient. He serves as a Caldwell City Alderman and is an active member on the Brazos Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors. In addition, he is involved with the Burleson County Chamber of Commerce and the Caldwell Men’s Lions Club. For a complementary financial consultation call 979-255-8796.

Assisted living If your parents are independent and can care for themselves, they may be eligible to enter a continuing-care retirement community, where they can rent (or purchase) an apartment and be eligible for nursing care, if it becomes necessary. Consider purchasing longterm care insurance, which can help pay for nursing home costs or the cost of an in-home aide.

Nursing home If your parents need more extensive care and require a nursing home, research the options extensively. You may need to reserve a There are important steps you can take to help your aging parents space far in advance, as waiting lists are often long at popular facilifind living and health care assistance, as well as to secure financing ties. The government provides limited financial assistance for families paying for nursing home care. Financing long-term care can be for the cost of the care. a tremendous challenge for many adults. Many adults have aging parents who are in need of living and health care assistance. There are a number of resources today that can help Financing long-term care them grow old gracefully, either in their existing home or in a facil- Medicare will only pay the full cost of professional help if a physician certifies that your parent requires nursing care and if the serity, along with multiple options for financing the cost of the care. vices are provided by a Medicare-certified home health care agency. However, Medicare will pay for nursing home care for the shortLiving options term only, with benefits restricted to low-income individuals with Living alone Depending on the independence of your parents, living alone in limited assets. their existing house may be an option. However, you may need to make several modifications — some of them expensive — to make You can offset some of these costs, as you can claim a federal tax their home environmentally safe and suitable for an aging person. credit up to $3,000 off the cost of in-home care or day care. For instance, important safety features such as a first-floor bathroom, grab bars in hallways in bathrooms, and an emergency re- You can use a flexible spending account, too, which helps your pay for a certain amount of covered expenses with pretax dollars. sponse system may be necessary. If your parent requires assistance with meals or chores, there are With the cost of elderly care continually on the rise, financial planseveral services which can provide support, such as Meals on ning can be an important step in providing adequate support for your parents’ future well-being. Wheels, which are free for anyone over 60. You can also consider an in-home aide if your parent needs additional personal assistance. Living with Family Some families choose to move an aging parent into their own home. If you can do this with minimal conflict, this can be beneficial as it

This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. This material was prepared by LPL Financial, LLC LPL Tracking #1-05144287Exp. 05/23)

Sundown at Coffin Rock by Raymond K. Paden

This work of fiction originally appeared in “The Blue Press” (a catalogue/magazine put out by Dillon Precision Products, Inc.)

As some of you may remember, we ran these stories in 2019 when the concerns about our Second Ammendment rights began to surface. Now that the issue is open, even being considered as legislation, we felt it is time to read them again. We should learn from our past as well as a possible glimpse into our future.

old man turned and pushed through the heavy brush beside the trail and the boy followed, wordlessly. The old man knew that Thomas was curious about their leaving the trail, but the boy had learned to move silently (well, almost) and that meant no talking. When they came to “Coffin Rock,” the old man sat down upon it and motioned for the boy to join him. “You see this rock, shaped like a casket?” the old man asked. “Yes sir.” The old man smiled. The boy was respectful and polite. He loved the outdoors, too. Everything a man could ask in a grandson ....or a son. “I want you to remember this place, and what I’m about to tell you. A lot of it isn’t going to make any sense to you, but it’s important and one day you’ll understand it well enough. The old man paused. Now that he was here, he didn’t really know where to start. “Before you were born,” he began at last, “this country was different. I’ve told you about hunting, about how everybody who obeyed the law could own guns. A man could speak out, anywhere, without worrying about whether he’d get back home or not. School was different, too. A man could send his kids to a church school, or a private school, or even teach them at home. But even in the public schools, they didn’t spend all their time trying to brainwash you like they do at yours now.” The old man paused, and was silent for many minutes. The boy was still, watching a chipmunk scavenging beside a fallen tree below them. “Things don’t ever happen all at once, boy. They just sort of sneak up on you. Sure, we knew guns were important; we just didn’t think it would ever happen in America. But we had to do something about crime, they said. It was a crisis. Everything was a crisis! It was a drug crisis, or a terrorism crisis, or street crime, or gang crime. Even a ‘health care’ crisis was an excuse to take away a little more of our rights.” The old man turned to look at his grandson. “They ever let you read a thing called the Constitution down there at your school?” The boy solemnly shook his head. “Well, the Fourth Amendment’s still in there. It says there won’t be any unreasonable searches and seizures. It says you’re safe in your own home.” The old man shrugged. “That had to go. It was a crisis! They could kick your door open any time, day or night, and come in with guns blazing if they thought you had drugs ...or later, guns.

The old man walked slowly through the dry, fallen leaves of autumn, his practiced eye automatically choosing the bare and stony places in the trail for his feet. There was scarcely a sound as he passed, though his left knee was stiff with scar tissue. He grunted occasionally as the tight sinews pulled. Damn chainsaw, he thought. Behind him, the boy shuffled along, trying to imitate his grandfather, but unable to mimic the silent motion that the old man had learned during countless winter days upon this wooded mountain in pursuit of game. He’s fifteen years old, the old man thought. Plenty old enough to be learning. But that was another time, another America. His mind drifted, and he saw himself, a fifteen-year-old boy following in the footsteps of his own grandfather, clutching a twelve gauge in his trembling hands as they tracked a wounded whitetail. The leg was hurting worse now, and he slowed his pace a bit. Plenty of time. It should have been my own son here with me now, the old man thought sadly. But Jason had no interest, no understanding. He cared for nothing but pounding on the keys of that damned computer terminal. He knew nothing about the woods, or where food came from...or freedom. And that’s my fault, isn’t it? The old man stopped and held up his hand, motioning for the boy to look. In the small clearing ahead, the deer stood motionless, watching them. It was a scraggly buck, underfed and sickly, but the boy’s eyes lit up with excitement. It had been many years since they had seen even a single whitetail here on the mountain. After the hunting had stopped, the population had exploded. The deer had eaten the mountain almost bare until erosion had become a serious problem in some places. That following winter, three starving does had wandered into the old man’s yard, trying to eat the bark off of his pecan trees, and he had wished the “animal rights” fanatics could have been there then. It was against the law, but old man knew a higher law, and he took an axe into the yard and killed the starving beasts. They did not have the strength to run. The buck finally turned and loped away, and they continued down the trail to the river. When they came to the “Big Oak,” the Continued on Page 44

Sundown at Coffin Rock

Continued

Oh, at first it was just registration -- to keep the guns out of the hands of criminals! But that didn’t work, of course, and then later when they wanted to take ‘em they knew where to look. They banned ‘assault rifles’, and then ‘sniper rifles’, and ‘Saturday night specials.’ Everything you saw on the TV or in the movies was against us. God knows the news people were! And the schools were teaching our kids that nobody needed guns anymore. We tried to take a stand, but we felt like the whole face of our country had changed and we were left outside.” “Me and a friend of mine, when we saw what was happening, we came and built a secret place up here on the mountain. A place where we could put our guns until we needed them. We figured some day Americans would remember what it was like to be free, and what kind of price we had to pay for that freedom. So we hid our guns instead of losing them.” “One fellow I knew disagreed. He said we ought to use our guns now and stand up to the government. Said that the colonists had fought for their freedom when the British tried to disarm them at Lexington and Concord. Well, he and a lot of others died in what your history books call the ‘Tax Revolt of 1998,’ but son, it wasn’t the revolt that caused the repeal of the Second Amendment like your history book says. The Second Amendment was already gone long before they ever repealed it. The rest of us thought we were doing the right thing by waiting. I hope to God we were right.” “You see, Thomas. It isn’t government that makes a man free. In the end, governments always do just the opposite. They gobble up freedom like hungry pigs. You have to have laws to keep the worst in men under control, but at the same time the people have to have guns, too, in order to keep the government itself under control. In our country, the people were supposed to be the final authority of the law, but that was a long time ago. Once the guns were gone, there was no reason for those who run the government to give a damn about laws and constitutional rights and such. They just did what they pleased and anyone who spoke out...well, I’m getting ahead of myself.” It took a long time to collect up all the millions of firearm that were in private hands. The government created a whole new agency to see to it. There were rewards for turning your friends in, too. Drug dealers and murderers were set free after two or three years in prison, but possession of a gun would get you mandatory life behind bars with no parole. “I don’t know how they found out about me, probably knew I’d been a hunter all those years, or maybe somebody turned me in. They picked me up on suspicion and took me down to the federal building.” “Son, those guys did everything they could think of to me. Kept me locked up in this little room for hours, no food, no water. They kept coming in, asking me where the guns were. ‘What guns?’ I said. Whenever I’d doze off, they’d come crashing in, yelling and hollering. I got to where I didn’t know which end was up. I’d say I wanted my lawyer and they’d laugh. ‘Lawyers are for criminals’, they said. ‘You’ll get a lawyer after we get the guns.’ What’s so funny is, I know they thought they were doing the right thing. They were fighting crime!” “When I got home I found Ruth sitting in the middle of the

living room floor, crying her eyes out. The house was a shambles. While I was down there, they’d come out and took our house apart. Didn’t need a search warrant, they said. National emergency! Gun crisis! Your grandma tried to call our preacher and they ripped the phone off the wall. Told her that they’d go easy on me if she just told them where I kept my guns.” The old man laughed. “She told them to go to hell.” He stared into the distance for a moment as his laughter faded. “They wouldn’t tell her about me, where I was or anything, that whole time. She said that she’d thought I was dead. She never got over that day, and she died the next December.” “They’ve been watching me ever since, off and on. I guess there’s not much for them to do anymore, now that all the guns are gone. Plenty of time to watch one foolish old man.” He paused. Beside him, the boy stared at the stone beneath his feet. “Anyway, I figure that, one day, America will come to her senses. Our men will need those guns and they’ll be ready. We cleaned them and sealed them up good; they’ll last for years. Maybe it won’t be in your lifetime, Thomas. Maybe one day you’ll be sitting here with your son or grandson. Tell him about me, boy. Tell him about the way I said America used to be.” The old man stood, his bad leg shaking unsteadily beneath him. “You see the way this stone points? You follow that line one hundred feet down the hill and you’ll find a big round rock. It looks like it’s buried solid, but one man with a good prybar can lift it, and there’s a concrete tunnel right under there that goes back into the hill.” The old man stood, watching as the sun eased toward the ridge, coloring the sky and the world red. Below them, the river still splashed among the stones, as it had for a million years. It’s still going, the old man thought. There’ll be someone left to carry on for me when I’m gone. It was harder to walk back. He felt old and purposeless now, and it would be easier, he knew, to give in to that aching heaviness in his left lung that had begun to trouble him more and more. Damn cigarettes, he thought. His leg hurt, and the boy silently came up beside him and supported him as they started down the last mile toward the house. How quiet he walks, the old man thought. He’s learned well. It was almost dark when the boy walked in. His father looked up from his paper. “Did you and your granddad have a nice walk?” “Yes,” the boy answered, opening the refrigerator. “You can call Agent Goodwin tomorrow. Gramps finally showed me where it is.”

Sundown at Coffin Rock The Sequel

by Raymond K. Paden This work of fiction originally appeared in “The Blue Press” (a catalogue/magazine put out by Dillon Precision Products, Inc.)

Thomas sat alone upon the cold stone, shivering slightly in the chilly pre-dawn air of this April morning. The flashlight was turned off, resting beside him on the bare granite of Coffin Rock, and involuntarily he strained his eyes in the gray non-light of the false dawn, trying to make out the shapes of the trees, and the mountains across the river. Below, he could hear the chuckling of the water as it crossed the polished stones. How many times had he fished here, his grandfather beside him? He tried to shrug away the memories, but why else had he come here except to remember? Perhaps to escape the inevitable confrontation with his mother. She would have to be told sooner or later, but Thomas infinitely preferred later. “Mom, I’ve been expelled from the university,” he said aloud in a conversational tone. Some small night animal, startled by the sudden sound, scurried away to the right. “I know this means you won’t get that upgrade to C-3, and they’ll probably turn you down for that surgery now. Gee, Mom, I’m sorry.” It sounded so stupid. “Why?” she would ask. “How?” How could he explain that? The endless arguments. The whispered warnings. The subtle threats. Dennis had told him to expect this. Dennis had lost his parents back in the First Purge back in 2004, and his bitter hatred of the state’s iron rule had failed to ruin him only because of his unique and accomplished abilities as an actor. Only with Thomas did he open up. Only with Thomas did he relate the things he had learned while in the Youth Re-education Camp near Charleston. Thomas shuddered. It was his own fault, he knew. He should have kept his mouthshut like Dennis told him. All his friends had come and shook his hand and pounded him on the back. “That’s telling them , Adams!” they said. But their voices were hushed and they glanced over their shoulders as they congratulated him. And later, when the “volunteers” of the Green Ribbon squad kicked his ass all over the shower room, they had stood by in nervous silence, their faces turned away, their eyes averted, and their tremulous voices silent. He sighed, Could he blame them? He’d been afraid too, when the squad walked up and surrounded him, and if he could have taken back those proud words, he would have. Anyone is afraid when they can’t fight back, he’d discovered. So they taught him a lesson, and he had expected it to end there. But then yesterday

had come the call to Dr. Morton’s office, and the brief hearing that had ended his career at the university. “Thomas,” Morton had intoned, “You owe everything to the State.” Thomas snorted. The light was growing now. He could see the pale, rain washed granite in the grayness as if it glowed. Coffin Rock was now a knob, a raised promintory that jutted up from a wide, unbroken arm of the mountain’s stony roots, its cover of soil pushed away. There were deep gouges scraped across the surface of the rock where the backhoe had tried, vainly, to force the mountain to reveal its secrets. He was too old to cry now, but Thomas Adams closed his eyes tightly as he relived those moments that had forever changed his life. Those shouts and angry accusations as the agents found no secret arms cache still seemed to ring in his ears. They had threatened him with arrest, and once he had thought the government agent named Goodwin would actually strike him. At last, though, they accepted defeat and turned down the mountain, following the gashed trail of the backhoe as it rumbled ahead through the woods. At home, he had found his mother and father standing, ashen faced, in the doorway. “They took your grandpa,” his father said in disbelief. “Just after you left, they put him in a van and took him.” “But they said they wouldn’t!” Thomas had shouted. He ran across the yard to the old man’s cottage. The door was standing open and he wandered from room to room, calling for the grandfather he would never see again. It was his heart, they said. Two days after they had taken him, someone called and tersely announced that the old man had died at the indigent clinic a few hours after his arrest “sorry.” the faceless voice had muttered. Thomas had wept at the funeral, but it was only in later years that he had come to understand the greatest tragedy of that day: that the old man had died alone, knowing that his own grandson had betrayed him. That grandson was Thomas Adams, and he was now too old to cry in the growing light of the cold mountain dawn, he did anyway. Thomas was certain that his father’s decertification six months later was due to the debacle in the forest. As much as anyone did these days, they had “owned” their home, but the Certification board would still have evicted them except for the intervention of Cousin Lou, who worked for the State Supervisor. As it was, they lost all privileges and, when his father came down with pneumonia the next autumn, medical treatment was denied. He had died three days after the first anniversary of grandpa’s death. Thomas had been sure that he would be turned down at the University, but once again his cousin had intervened and a slot Continued on Page 46

Sundown at Coffin Rock

Continued

had “opened” for him. But now that’s finished, he reflected. He would be unable to obtain any certification other than manual laborer. “Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut?” he asked the morning stillness. In a tree behind him, a mockingbird began to sing its ageless song, and as if in answer, the forest began to twitter and chirp with voices of other birds, greeting the new day. No, what he had said had been the truth and nothing could change that. The State was wrong. It was evil. It was unnatural for men to be slaves of their government, always skulking, always holding their tongues lest they anger the State. But there is no “State,” Thomas considered. There are only evil men, holding power over other men. And anyone who speaks out, who dares to challenge that power, is crushed. If only there was a way to fight back! Thomas shifted on the stone, hanging his feet off the downhill side. His feet had almost touched the grass that day, but now, although his legs were certainly longer, it was at least ten inches to the scarred rock surface below. As he kicked his heels back and forth, he could almost hear his grandfather speaking to him from long ago…”One day, America will come to her senses. Our men will need those guns and they’ll be ready. We cleaned them and sealed them up good; they’ll last for years. Maybe it won’t be in your lifetime, Thomas. Maybe one day you’ll be sitting here with your son or grandson. Tell him about me, boy. Tell him about the way I said America used to be. “You see the way this stone points?” the old man was saying. “You follow that line one hundred feet…” Thomas’ heels were suddenly still. For many minutes he did not move, playing those words over and over in his mind. “…Follow that line…” What hidden place in his brain had concealed those words all those years? How could the threats have failed to dislodge it? He stood upon shaky legs and climbed down from Coffin Rock. In his mind’s eye, he could see the old man pointing as he walked down the hill and through a clinging briar patch, counting off the paces. The round stone did seem solidly buried, but he scratched around near the base and found that the rock ended just an inch or so beneath the surface. “One man with a good bar can lift it,” Grandfather had said. Thomas forced his fingers beneath the stone and with all the strength of his 21-year-old body, he lifted it. The stone came up, and he slid it off to one side. Cool air drifted up from the dark opening in the mountain. Thomas looked to the right where the scars of the States’ frustrations ended, only 15 or 20 feet away. They had been that close. He squatted and stared into the darkness and he remembered his flashlight. In a moment he was back with it, probing into the darkness with the yellow beam. There was a small patch of moisture just inside, but then the tunnel climbed upwards toward the ridge. On hands and knees, he entered. It was uncomfortably close for the first twenty feet or so, then the cavern opened up around him. The men who had built this place, he saw, had taken a natural crevice in the granite rock, sealed it with masses of poured concrete, and then covered it

with earth. The main chamber was bigger than the living room of a house, and they had left an opening up near the peak of the vaulted roof where fresh air and a faint, filtered light entered. Wooden boxes and crates were stacked everywhere on concrete blocks, up off the floor, stenciled with legends like, RIFLE, CAL. 30 MI, 9MM PARA, M193 BALL, 7.62x39 MM, and 5.56MM. He pushed between them and crawled to the wall where he found cardboard boxes wrapped with plastic sheeting. They were imprinted with strange names like CCII, OLIN, WW748, BULLSEYE, RL550B. He did not know what the crates and boxes contained, and was afraid to break the seals, but near the center of the room he found a plastic wrapped carton labeled, OPEN THIS FIRST. With his penknife, he slit the heavy plastic wrapping. It contained books. These he saw with some disappointment. But he studied the titles and found that they were manuals on weapons and how to repair them, how to clean them, how to fire them, and ammunition…how to store it and how to upload it. And here was something unusual: A History of the United States. He lifted it from the carton and crawled back to the open air. Leaning against a stone, he tore open the heavy vinyl bag that enclosed the book and began to read at random, flipping the pages every few moments. On each page, something new met his eyes, contradicting everything he had ever been taught. Freedom is not won, he’d learned, by proud words and declarations. He remembered a quotation taught at the University: “Blood alone moves the wheels of history.” An Italian dictator named Musssolini had said that, but now Thomas read of a man named Patrick Henry who said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Mao was required reading at the University, too, and he now recalled this man-called a hero by the state-had once said, “Political power comes from the barrel of a gun.” Freedom is never granted, it is won. Won by men who are willing to die, willing to lose everything so that others may have the greatest possession of all, Liberty.” Mentally, he began to list those he could trust. Men who had been arrested for speaking out. Women whose husbands had been arrested and never returned. Friends who had been denied certification because of their father’s military records. The countryside seethed with anger and frustration. These were people who longed to be free, but who had no means to resist…until now. Thomas laid the book aside and then worked the stone back into position, carefully placing leaves and moss around the base to hide any evidence that it had been disturbed. He tucked the book under his arm and started for home with the rays of the rising sun warming his back. He imagined his grandfather’s touch in the heat. A forgiving touch. A long, hard struggle was coming, and he knew with a certainty that defied explanation, that he would not live to see the day America would once again be free. His blood, and that of many Patriots and tyrants would be spilled, but perhaps Amer-

ica’s tree of liberty would live and flourish again. There is a long line stretching through the history of this world: a line of those who valued freedom more than their lives. Thomas Adams now took his place at the end of that column as he determined that he would have liberty, or death. He would be in good company.

GREAT info to know!

I was driving around the other day and found myself looking at the decals on people’s cars... You know the cutout ones of the families, their pets, what sports they play, etc.? It got me thinking about what they SAY about you... ...but also what they TELL criminals about you. You see, I was sitting at a stoplight for a mere minute gazing at the van in front of me.

If you ever feel useless, remember it took 20 years, trillions of dollars and 4 US Presidents to replace the taliban with the Taliban.

And in that short time I learned: 1. This woman had lost her husband 2. She was likely a single mom 3. That she (or her kids) went to a certain college 4. How many people were in their home 5. And that she didn’t appear to have any animals either In that same timeframe, another nearby vehicle’s decals told me they had great danes, played rugby and were a military family. Do you see what I’m talking about here?

Vehicle #1 - Easy prey for a bad guy Vehicle #2 - Someone I’d think twice about messing with Although it’s a fun idea… Even though it’s a simple act… Any information we put out there has the ability to alert others of how safe (or unsafe) we truly are. And MANY of these situations could lead someone to think you’d be an easy target for a robbery, home invasion or carjacking. I can’t stress enough how important this is! Don’t give criminals free information. Bumper stickers, parking passes, decals … all of these have the potential to work for you or against you….

So rioters say country folk are next. You do realize country folk will sit 30 feet up in a tree all day just to kill something...

A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.

The term originates in the systematic psychological manipulation of a victim by her husband in Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 stage play Gas Light, and the film adaptations released in 1940 and 1944. In the story the husband attempts to convince his wife and others that she is insane by manipulating small elements of their environment and insisting that she is mistaken, remembering things incorrectly, or delusional when she points out these changes. The play’s title alludes to how the abusive husband slowly dims the gas lights in their home, while pretending nothing has changed, in an effort to make his wife doubt her own perceptions. The wife repeatedly asks her husband to confirm her perceptions about the dimming lights, but in defiance of reality, he keeps insisting that the lights are the same and instead it is she who is going insane. We are living in a perpetual state of gaslighting. The reality that we are being told by the media is at complete odds with what we are seeing with our own two eyes. And when we question the false reality that we are being presented, or we claim that what we see is that actual reality, we are vilified as racist or bigots or just plain crazy. You’re not racist. You’re not crazy. You’re being gaslighted. New York State has twice as many deaths from Covid-19 than any other state, and New York has accounted for one fifth of all Covid-19 deaths, but we are told that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has handled the pandemic better than any other governor. But if we support policies of Governors whose states had only a fraction of the infections and deaths as New York, we’re called antiscience and want people to die. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted. We see mobs of people looting stores, smashing windows, setting cars on fire and burning down buildings, but we are told that these demonstrations are peaceful protests And when we call this destruction of our cities, riots, we are called racists. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted. We see the major problem destroying many inner-cities is crime; murder, gang violence, drug dealing, drive-by shootings, armed robbery, but we are told that it is not crime, but the police that are the problem in the inner-cities.We are told we must defund the police and remove law enforcement from crime-riddled cities to make them safer But, if we advocate for more policing in cities overrun by crime, we are accused of being white supremacists and racists. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted. The United States of America accepts more immigrants than any other country in the world. The vast majority of the immigrants are “people of color,” and these immigrants are enjoying freedom

and economic opportunity not available to them in their country of origin, but we are told that the United States is the most racist and oppressive country on the planet, and if we disagree, we are called racist and xenophobic. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted. Capitalist countries are the most prosperous countries in the world The standard of living is the highest in capitalist countries. We see more poor people move up the economic ladder to the middle and even the wealthy class through their effort and ability in capitalist countries than any other economic system in the world, but we are told capitalism is an oppressive system designed to keep people down. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted. Communist countries killed over 100 million people in the 20th century. Communist countries strip their citizens of basic human rights, dictate every aspect of their lives, treat their citizens as slaves, and drive their economies into the ground, but we are told that Communism is the fairest, most equitable, freest, and most prosperous economic system in the world. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted. The most egregious example of gaslighting is the concept of “white fragility.” You spend your life trying to be a good person, trying to treat people fairly and with respect. You disavow racism and bigotry in all its forms. You judge people solely on the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. You don’t discriminate based on race or ethnicity. But you are told you are a racist, not because of something you did or said, but solely because of the color of your skin. You know instinctively that charging someone with racism because of their skin color is itself racist. You know that you are not racist, so you defend yourself and your character, but you are told that your defense of yourself is proof of your racism. So, we ask ourselves, am I crazy? No, you’re being gaslighted. Gaslighting has become one of the most pervasive and destructive tactics in American politics. It is the exact opposite of what our political system was meant to be. It deals in lies and psychological coercion, and not the truth and intellectual discourse. If you ever ask yourself if you’re crazy, you are not. Crazy people aren’t sane enough to ask themselves if they’re crazy. So, trust yourself, believe what’s in your heart. Trust your eyes over what you are told. Never listen to the people who tell you that you are crazy, because you are not, you’re being gaslighted. Sophocles said: “What people believe prevails over the truth.” And that’s what the media are trying to exploit.

Billion The next time you hear a politician use the Word ‘billion’ in a casual manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax money. `A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases. A - A billion seconds ago it was 1959. B - A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive. C - A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age . D - A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

I really think it is time to take the warnings off everything and let stupidity work itself out of the gene pool.

E - A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

If you think you are smarter than the previous generation.... 50 years ago the owners manual of a car showed you how to adjust the valves. Today it warns you not to drink the contents of the battery.

On Sunday evening, February 17, 1952, the service at Prays Mill Baptist Church was in progress when the lights flickered off and on four times. Each backout declared a death. Pastor Carl J. Buice was preaching when our next-door neighbor, Mr. Renzo Duren, exploded through the door and lunged down the aisle. One gallus on his overalls was fastened, the other bounced on his back. His house slippers slapped naked heels. His chin trembled and his voice cracked as he told us about the casualties. Four members of the Chapman family, our neighbors, had been electrocuted. Nine year old Ralph was the sole survivor. A field at the corner of Big A Road and Kilroy Lane had caught fire. The three Chapman boys, who lived nearby raced to extinguish the grass fire. They assumed a careless smoker had caused it. But a 6,900 volt line had slipped from its anchors and sagged into the field. It grazed the ground and started the fire. The circuit breaker failed. The wire was hot. Charles, the fifteen year-old, stumbled into the cable. Thirteen year-old Bryan tried to save his brother. Both were killed. Ralph attempted to pull Bryan off the wire. The power burned his hands but slammed him free. The father and mother, Tom and Esther, heard Ralph’s screams and rushed into the field. They were killed in a vain attempt to rescue the boys.

On Friday, Douglas County Sentinel writer, Marie Matthews wrote, “We trust time, love and sympathetic understanding will help him overcome the shock and grief experienced so early in childhood.” They didn’t. Ralph endured a family squabble over custody that had to be settled in court. The tornado of tragedy that swirled around the orphan embittered him toward God. He early sought solace in alcohol and drugs. By age thirteen he was an alcoholic. Trouble trailed Ralph into manhood. Demonic twins, alcohol and drugs, swindled him out of hope and happiness. He and his wife lost three babies in a row. He was sinking in a sea of sorrow. Then at age 30 a revolution reversed his life when he responded to a sermon entitled. “There’s Hope for the Hopeless.” Jesus Christ swept into his life. A surge of peace cleansed, calmed, and changed him. His testimony was that he never touched drugs, alcohol, or even said a swear word after that encounter. For over 30 years he was a busy minister in Carroll County. He served as chaplain for the county jail, the county prison, the sheriff ’s department and the board of commissioners. He was responsible for 16 services each week. Ralph identified with Psalm 40:2: He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. On Sunday October, 2008, Ralph was promoted to heaven where he worships by sight the one whom he loved and served by faith for so many years. The victim of tragedies became the victor over trials. “…thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The tornado of tradegy that swirled around the orphan... I went with my dad to the scene. The stifling smell of death hung over the field. Sheet shrouded bodies awaited J. Cowan Whitley, the undertaker. My eleven-year-old mind clouded with gloom. Life had never seemed so uncertain nor eternity so sure as they did that somber Sunday evening. On Wednesday, a throng, estimated at 2,000 assembled for the funeral at the Flint Hill Methodist Church. Most couldn’t get seats. Four caskets lined the front of the small auditorium. Reverends C.H. Smith, Selby Allsworth and Reuben Baxter read Scripture and tried to comfort friends and neighbors—and Ralph.

by Neal Beard, a retired pastor living in Douglasville, Georgia. He writes history / humor about the rural northwest Georgia community where he grew up in the 40s and 50s.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Fifty Bucks is Fifty Bucks Buddy and his wife, Edna, went to the state fair every year, and every year, Edna would say, “Buddy, I’d like to ride in that helicopter” Buddy always replied, “I know Honey, but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks.” One year Buddy and Edna went to the fair and Edna said ,”Buddy, I’m 85 years old and if I don’t ride that helicopter I might never get another chance.” To this, Buddy replied, “Edna, that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks.” The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word, I won’t charge you a penny! But if you say one word, it’s fifty dollars.” Buddy and Edna agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed the pilot turned to Edna and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed.” Edna replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Buddy fell out, but you know, fifty bucks is fifty bucks.”

The difference between animals and humans? The animals would never allow the dumbest of the herd to lead them!

To Advertise in the Front Porch Magazine 979-567-7871

Don’tTake Your

Eyes

Off the Road It seems the news is mainly noise these days, mindless distractions along the path, diverting one from seeing obstacles and diversions that prevent truly finding one’s destiny in life. Ask yourself one question, “Am I prepared no matter what happens over the next few years?” If changing the world has any meaning, it must start with the person in the mirror first. Many people think it is their job to look after everyone else’s business, yet have not thought much about their own. Whether it is forgetting to use critical reasoning as it relates to any given topic or practicing long-term planning so that life’s unexpected emergencies don’t have quite the impact, most people seem either lost or scared these days. Things to practice daily to improve life include starting with an honest assessments and setting goals for where you want to be in the future. Define the obstacles and find solutions. If solutions seem impossible, ask others with skills needed that will help you. Though this might seem difficult at first, the problem solvers in society are usually excited to have problems to solve. This might seem odd at first; however, it really makes sense the more thought it is given. Realize that most of the people in the world really want the same thing. They want what they perceive is in the best interest for themselves and their families. The road to get what they want is the difference. Our job should be to explain why our system is a better way to achieve that goal for everyone. However, in seeking to explain things, understanding opposite points of view will strengthen our position if we are correct and allow ourselves to adjust if needed, because of any weaknesses in our theory. Just practicing and setting a good example for others to follow will suffice for most. The world today seeks to divide and segment everyone. As a contrarian, disrupting the plan gives a certain satisfaction that is hard to explain. In the last few years, we have seen things accelerate at a pace both unsettling and disturbing for most. Yet, within the rapid dissolution there is a seed from the past stirring as never before. Those who recognized the danger of the current mood have, as our ancestors in the past, started a mass migration to bring their families to safety in a more rural environment. This

turning away from urban decay should give many hope for the future. For the rural lifestyle to continue, energetic newcomers are needed to repopulate and renew. Many have additional talents and ideas that will add to the solutions needed locally to stay competitive in the future. The bottom line is that along the path there are many crossroads; however, if we take our eyes off the road, we get distracted and miss opportunities. If we don’t have goals, we won’t arrive at favorable destinations. If we forget that we share the road with others, conflicts hurt everyone involved. In the end, we are responsible to get where we want to be. No one will save us if we don’t make careful plans. This is a unique time to be alive. Let’s all rise to the challenges and work to make things better as they are finished. by Sam Johnson

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Do You Know Where You Are? Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to scream 'prejudice' these days... A customer asked, "In what aisle can I find the Polish sausage?" The clerk asks, "Are you Polish?" The guy, clearly offended, says, "Yes, I am. But let me ask you something. If I had asked for Italian sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian? Or if I had asked for German Bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German? Or if I asked for a kosher hot dog, would you ask me if I was Jewish? Or if I had asked for a Taco, would you ask if I was Mexican? Or if I asked for some Whiskey, would you ask if I was Irish?" The clerk says, "No, I probably wouldn't." The guy says, "Well then, because I asked for Polish sausage, why did you ask me if I'm Polish?" The clerk replied, "Because you're in Ace Hardware.

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. ~Abraham Lincoln~

The kids keep laughing about my memory. They won’t be laughing at Christmas when there’s no eggs under the tree! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!! 55

“My sheep know my voice and I call them by name.” John 10:3b Mary was sitting alone in the garden near where they had laid her Savior after He had died on the cross, but the tomb was empty now. Jesus was gone. He had been the only friend she had ever had. Others had ridiculed her, but not Jesus; He really cared. Now, He was dead, and they had taken His body away. She wept bitterly. Someone approached, and through her tears, she supposed it to be the gardener until He spoke softly, “Mary.” She knew His voice. It was the voice of her Savior because NO ONE SAID HER NAME LIKE JESUS. Jesus was going to Jericho and to Zacchaeus. Though he was a hated publican tax collector, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus also, but many others had the same idea and wanted to see the “miracle worker.” The crowd was too much for Zac to get through, and he was too short to see over them, so…he climbed a sycamore tree. As Jesus passed by, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down; I am having dinner with you tonight.” NO ONE SAID HIS NAME LIKE JESUS. Lazarus had been dead for 4 days when Jesus got to Bethany. Mary and Martha were upset that Jesus had not come sooner to heal their brother Lazarus. “You came too late,” He was told. But Jesus said, “If you believe you shall see the glory of God.” And then He called out to His friend, their brother, Lazarus, “Lazarus come forth!” And death could not hold him because NO ONE SAID HIS NAME LIKE JEUS. Jesus sent out 70 disciples across the countryside to preach the gospel, the good news. They came back excited about their miracles and healings. Jesus reminded them that what they’d experienced was great, but that it is greater still to rejoice that their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. “My sheep know my voice, and I call them by name.” My friend Derrick Johnson years ago told me about a young man, Jim. He had just become a believer, was new to the faith. He worked a construction job in a big city and found a church not far

from his job site. He found that it was open for prayer each day, so he slipped in the sanctuary each day on his lunch break. He never stayed long, generally less than a minute. He came in, kneeled down, closed his eyes, bowed his head, prayed, got up, and left. Day after day, he did this. The pastor stopped him one day, introduced himself, and asked “What do you pray for in less than a minute?” Jim thought for a moment; then he smiled and said, “I just come in and say, ‘Jesus, it’s Jim. I figure that’s enough to remind Jesus that He has a little boy down here who loves Him.” Jim explained that every day he’d come, kneel, bow his head, close his eyes, and pray, “Jesus, it’s Jim.” Then Jim he got up, nodded and smiled to the pastor as he left. One early morning the Pastor got a call. It was Jim’s wife; there had been a terrible accident. “Please hurry to the hospital,” she said. He got to the hospital in 15 minutes, praying for his friend all the way. When he arrived in the emergency room, no one needed to tell him that it was serious. One look at Jim told all. The pastor knew it wouldn’t be long. He knelt by the bed and said, “Jim, we may not have much more time together. I need to know… are you ready to go?” Jim’s lips moved a little and the pastor, through his own tears, drew closer and closer to Jim and said, “Jim, this is really important. When you step into the next life, are you prepared to meet your Savior?” Jim looked up at his friend and said, “Do you remember all those days when I would come into your church and pray, “Jesus, it’s Jim.” The pastor nodded; he remembered well. Jim struggled to smile past his pain, and said, “I just heard a sweet voice that said, “Jim, it’s Jesus.” NO ONE SAID HIS NAME LIKE JESUS.

Del Rogers, Sr., founder and CEO of Stewardship Enrichment is a recognized authority on successful fund raising for churches, ministries and personal stewardship growth for individual christians.

The Stranger With Whom

I Grew Up

A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our city. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on. As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger...he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries, and comedies. If I wanted to know anything about politics, history, or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present, and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first premiership game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn’t seem to mind. Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.) Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home - not from us, our friends, or any visitors. Our long-time visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush. My Dad didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing. I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked...and was NEVER asked to leave. More than seventy years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents’ den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him

draw his pictures. His name? * We just call him TV. - He has a wife now...we call her Computer. - Their first child is Cell Phone. - And their second child is Video Games. - By the way, they now have a wonderful grandchild. - She is a genius! She is fondly called WhatsApp. - She is nearly more popular than her mom. - Her older cousin is Facebook and her new baby cousins are Snapchat & Instagram. This Stranger and members of its family appear to have taken up permanent residence in our homes “and we seem powerless to check their excesses.”

Choose To

Live

previous article I wrote was about choosing to be happy. Today, I am writing about choosing to live. No, being alive doesn’t mean you are living. I believe some people may be alive and functioning, but they are not truly living. They are not living life to the fullest. I admit, I feel this way myself sometimes. I do have up and down days when I think about whether I’m really living this life I’ve been blessed with to the fullest, or merely functioning on auto pilot. I would be willing to bet, since we are all more alike than we are different, that sometimes many of you may feel the same way. And that’s okay; it’s normal to feel this way at times. Sadly, for some though, things go deeper. I say this because the number of people suffering from depression, anxiety, and many other mental health disorders has skyrocketed over the last 50 years or so. I won’t delve into the numbers, but if you look them up yourself, you will find that mental health disorders these days are in pandemic numbers. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has only increased these numbers as well. If you think about it, symptoms of depression and anxiety, etc. include feelings of fear, worry, and panic. All of these interfere with daily activities and living life to the fullest. The big question is “Why”? Why are there so many people suffering from mental health disorders? Of course, I’m sure there are as many different opinions as there are experts on the topic. And of course, I’m no expert, but I do have an opinion. I believe there may be imbalances in people’s brains that they have no control over. I also believe that many times these imbalances are what I’ll call “self-induced.” If you’ve ever read any self-improvement books or attended any self-improvement seminar, then most likely, power of the mind was mentioned. I am a firm believer in the power of the mind. I believe that many times we create our own problems by what we feed our minds. I also believe that we create many of our problems by trying to create a life that we think shows the outside world that we are successful. It’s a ‘keeping up with the Jones” mentality, along with an instant gratification mentality. Basically, it’s a mind trap. We think that we need what everyone else has or every new gadget that comes on the market. As soon as we get it and the novelty of newness wears off, we are dissatisfied again and start thinking we need something new again. We are stretching ourselves thin. We’re working long hours and sometimes two jobs to pay for the things we think we ‘need.’ Yet, at the same time, we are trying to squeeze family activities, our kids’ sports, and extracurricular activities into an already hectic day. Then we’re fussing and crying about how exhausted we are, yet we call this living. Is it really? No wonder so many people are anxious,

depressed, and stressed. My point is this, I understand mental health disorders are real and many people truly struggle with them. However, I feel it’s important for people to rationalize what is really at the core of any anxiety, depression or stress that they are feeling. Why is it, with all the new technology and inventions of modern things to make our lives easier, that we are more and more people feeling anxious, stressed and depressed? I’m not a doctor, scientist or statistician, so please don’t misinterpret my opinion as me stating a fact. I like to think of myself as a realist. Again, I understand that clinically diagnosed depression and anxiety, etc. is a serious issue these days. The point I’m trying to make is that so often, we create many of our problems, issues, hardships, stresses, anxiety and more. We do it to ourselves. We put these burdens and expectations on our own shoulders. Life is too short to be weighed down over the things we unnecessarily cause ourselves. Since there are enough things in life that we cannot control, we have to control the things we can, the things that affect our daily lives, the things that make us anxious or cause us stress. I’ve wrote about change before and believe me, I totally understand how hard change is, but sometimes you have to face change head on, maybe even force it, if it will mean getting your life back and truly living. I’m sure most you have heard the saying or quote, “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” I love quotes. They are my inspiration. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., once said, “If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do?” Life doesn’t have to be all stress and chaos. Make a change. Take a chance. Choose to live!

Renita Odstrcil is a licensed texas Realtor. She is a member of the National and Texas Association of Realtors, and the local B/CS Association of Realtors.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers ADVICE FOR ANYONE MOVING TO TEXAS 1. Save all manner of bacon grease. You will be instructed later how to use it. 2. Just because you can drive on snow and ice does not mean we can. Just stay home the two days of the year it snows. 3. If you do run your car into a ditch, don’t panic. Four men in the cab of a four wheel drive and a tow chain will be along shortly. Don’t try to help them. Just stay out of their way. This is what they live for. 4. Don’t be surprised to find movie rentals & bait in the same store. 5. Remember: “Y’all” is singular. “All y’all” is plural. “All y’all’s” is plural possessive. 6. Get used to hearing “You ain’t from around here, are you?” 7. If you are yelling at the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember, many folks learned to drive on a model of vehicle known as John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for that vehicle. 8. If you hear a redneck say, “Hey, y’all, watch this!” Stay out of his way, these are likely his last words ever. 9. Get used to the phrase “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”. And the collateral phrase “You call this hot? Wait’ll August.” 10. There are no delis. Don’t ask. 11. In conversation, never put your hand on a man’s shoulder when making a point. 12. Chili does NOT have beans in it. 13. Brisket is not ‘cooked’ in an oven. 14. Don’t tell us how you did it up there. Nobody cares. 15. If you think it’s too hot, don’t worry. It’ll cool down-in December. 16. We do TOO have 4 Seasons: December, January, February, and Summer. 17. A Mercedes-Benz is not a status symbol, a Chevy, Dodge, or Ford is. 21. If someone says they’re “fixin” to do something, that doesn’t mean anything’s broken. 23. If you don’t understand our passion for college and high school football just keep your mouth shut. 24. The value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but the availability of shade. 26. BBQ is a food group. It does NOT mean grilling burgers and hot dogs outdoors. 27. No matter what you’ve seen on TV, line dancing is not a popular weekend pastime. 28. “Tea” = Sweet Iced Tea. There is no other kind. 29. Everything is better with Ranch dressing.

Only in America will we stop a football game, drag out measuring chains and look at a play 15 times from 6 different angles to make sure we make the right call, but won’t verify the integrity of an election of the highest office in our nation!

W.C. Fields on

Friendship Edwin H. Cooper, writer of human interest stories and articles, has been published in many Texas magazines and newspapers, and prior to his death was active in numerous civic and school organizations. His book, 40 Years at Aggieland, was published in 2013.

There must be hundreds of ways to define the word “friendship.” Probably no two people in the world would describe it precisely the same way. And yet its meaning to each of us, should the truth be known, is probably exceeded in importance only by the word “love.” In a movie comedy scene way back there, W. C. Fields was engaged in a friendly game of eight ball with the local sheriff. As the game ended, the sheriff reached into a pool table pocket and came out with a couple of balls and a strange object which he held up to identify. Turns out it was a glass eye, brown in color. “Who do you suppose this eye belongs to?” the sheriff inquired. Fields said, “It probably belongs to old Seth Tatersall who was playing just before you. He’d had a few and probably doesn’t know it’s missing.” The sheriff put his cue stick back in the rack and left to track down old Seth. “There goes a real friend,” said Fields to the other players hanging around. “Who else do you know who would give up a game of pool just to give a drunk his glass eye back?” With no trouble at all, I’ll bet that you can recall many acts of friendship that have occurred in your life. Things that you just don’t forget—some humorous, some that will twang your heart-strings.

When we were growing up, it was not uncommon to judge a person by how many friends he/she had. This was not a kind thing to do, but we did it anyway—along with some other unkind things. I tried real hard to have lots of friends and succeeded fairly well. Along this line, Mother always got a kick out of a sign I posted on the back screen door after staying home from school one day on account of illness. The sign said, “To all my friends— Come on in—I have the measles—signed, Edwin.” Now that I think about it, I’m not sure my motive wasn’t self-indulgence rather than friendship. Anyway, they did come in and waited on me hand and foot, my being so sick and all. In more recent times we were staying with old friends in Temple while I was going through some serious testing at Scott and White Clinic. Having a friendly place to stay during such times was a morale booster in itself, as opposed to the cold confines of a motel room. I was told afterwards that while we went to the clinic for results of the most important test of all that my old friend sat down in his home polishing a worn-out pair of loafers I’d left behind, big tears rolling down his cheeks as he pondered my fate. Well, the tests turned out good, my friend was relieved, and I wore those old shoes several more years—with warm memories of a special friendship that had been rubbed into that brittle leather. One of the presidents of a very large school told me several times, as a bit of friendly advice, that a person can’t afford to have more than three or four really good friends. “To have a good friend is expensive,” he’d say. “Because to have a good friend you have to be one yourself. You do whatever it takes to keep him, no matter the cost. You need to share a lot of time together—when ties are good or when they are gloomy,” he would go on. “You maintain friendships during times of sickness and health—during times of good fortune and bad.” He made friendship sound like a serious affair. And I think he was right. Through all this experience and advice, when I see a good friend walking up, it makes me smile all over—inside and out. Whatever the price, it’s worth it. Maybe the words friendship and love are kin to each other.

If t he Shoe Fit s, Wear It Becky Schenk, wife to Raymond Schenk, was born and raised in Burleson County and is a mother of three children, Austin, Alyssa and Easton. She loves reading, listening to spiritual or motivational speakers, networking and volunteering. Becky is a Licensed Realtor at ORO Realty in Caldwell and may be reached at 979-587-0059 or becky@ororealtytx.com. Becky would love to hear from you and receive feedback on her writings.

Finding a real estate agent can be almost like finding a physician or dentist you feel comfortable with. If you’re a new home buyer, you’re about to make one of the biggest decisions of your life, and you want to be sure you have a confident agent able to walk you through the process. If you are an experienced buyer or seller, you have expectations or require certain criteria from an agent who will walk alongside you, and is able to answer the questions you may have. So how do you find your real estate agent? Do you go online and research every llicensed agent in your area? Do you ask your friends and family for a good referral? Besides the obvious skills a real estate agent should have like market knowledge and great reviews, here are 3 important skills relators call the Three P’s of Professionalism that can help you decide when you begin your search to “interview” an agent. The first one is punctuality. Punctuality is an etiquette. A person who is punctual shows respect for your time, and others as well. If the agent is going to be late, letting you know or letting the other agent know should be expected. Time is of the essence in real estate. Deadlines and coordinating schedules for title companies, home inspectors, lenders and other components in a transaction must be made on time, or your transaction will not go as smoothly. Make sure the agent calls when he/she says, or lets you know when you’ll be gotten back to. Presentation is the second one. You are of high value. So you want to work with someone who recognizes that, and works in a way that is suitable for your personality. This should be an easy engagement where you feel comfortable asking questions, and that he or she is able to present the answers to you, timely and respectfully. Make sure your real estate agent speaks clearly and has good knowledge of the current market. Your agent will need to know your needs as well. Presentation is not just about how the agent looks but also how one presents oneself in speech over the phone, in person and in emails. The realtor should be to the point, describing how to best work for you in helping with the sale of your property, searching for properties and negotiating. Realtors should want a smooth transaction from the start to the end. Third is the most important quality of a professional agent, perseverance. An agent will show that he/she will deliver the results promised by helping you with your real estate needs. Perhaps the agent was unable to focus on you when you first called. But were you told when you were called back at a certain time? Did the agent call when he/she said? Perseverance shows when the agent is dutifully and diligently showing extra hard work through emails, calls, and texts. These 3 P’s of Professionalism should be taken into account when you decide you need a professional to help with your real estate needs. Your experience should feel seamless, pleasant from beginning to end.

The Plan to Escape Medical Tyranny by Andrew Torba, CEO, Gab.com

Many of the people who received either one or two shots are beginning to wake up. They were told by the “experts” that they just needed to get the shot and things would get back to normal. Things are far from normal and now they are being told that they will likely need to get multiple booster shots and even a pill to treat Covid-19. Thankfully, many of them are taking a stand and fighting back. On September 10th it was reported that a New York hospital is going to pause baby deliveries after a “spate of resignations” by maternity unit workers who refused to inject an experimental substance into their bodies. Over the weekend, I received a direct message from a NASA engineer who informed me that “almost all the engineers here have all banded together and are forcing NASA admin to fire them (both vaccinated and unvaccinated alike). NASA is on a hiring freeze, so firing all these folks would essentially kill the Artemis mission.” Many people believed they were “fully vaccinated” after two shots. They trusted the system. They believed things would get “back to normal.” They took the shots, often reluctantly, with these things in mind and they are quickly finding out that they’ve been lied to. Now they are preparing to be labeled “unvaccinated” again if they refuse to get yet another shot. Look on the bright side: Moderna’s shares jumped 5% on news that they revealed a new single shot booster. Meanwhile tens of millions of Americans face being fired, kicked out of school, removed from our Military, refused medical care, and more for having faith in the immune system God gave them to overcome a virus with a 99%+ survival rate for the overwhelming majority of the population. This all comes after Pseudo-President Joe Biden declared war on 80 million (or likely way more) Americans who refused to participate in the biggest lab rat experiment in human history. I’ve been writing about concepts like the need for a parallel economy, a parallel internet, and a parallel society throughout all of 2021. But what does that actually look like? We are about to find out. If you’ve already been vaccinated you can join those of us who have not been by refusing to get any of these booster shots. At some point enough of us need to say enough is enough. The way this is going to work is even if you’ve received two shots already they are going to group you in with us “unvaccinated” people because without the booster you will no longer be “fully vaccinated.” So you might as well unite with the rest of us and start building something new. All of the best, most talented, and smartest people are critical

thinkers. They are builders. Doers. They are quickly leaving the existing system. What will be left is low quality talent. The “yes” men people who will shut up, do what they are told, and get their 15th booster shot to keep their job. My heart goes out to these people, but you all know exactly the type I’m talking about. The existing system will begin to collapse under a sea of “vaccinated” talent shortages, incompetence, and woke political nonsense. Hospitals won’t (and already can’t) find much needed nursing talent. NASA missions will be aborted. Schools won’t be able to find teachers. Businesses who are already having trouble filling open positions will be forced to compete with businesses who don’t pry into your healthcare privacy. You can’t just cut off 80 million people and not expect your business and country to suffer. The society of obedient regime sheep will chug along for a while, but inevitably it will succumb under the weight of market forces from a growing new parallel society. Companies without mandates will perform better and get all of the best talent. Doctors will start private practices. Families will begin to homeschool their children. Blue states and major cities will see a mass exodus unlike anything in American history. All we have to do is say no and start building a new society for ourselves. We need to take control of our own destiny here and do what needs to be done to protect our families and preserve our values and indeed our own humanity. I believe that God has a plan, as He always does, for what is unfolding on a global scale today. Now more than ever we must keep the faith and do as Christians have always done: survive and thrive. Do you think it was “easy” for the Pilgrims to set out for a new land and start building from scratch? Of course not, but they did it and ended up building the greatest country in the history of the world. Do you think it was “easy” for first century Christians to spread the Gospel? Of course not, but today billions of Christians know that Christ is on the throne because of their work and sacrifice. In a lot of ways, we are the modern Pilgrims of our time, seeking religious freedom and sovereignty to escape the rule of a tyrannical elite who hate us. Their blood runs in our veins, the spirit of their plight is in our hearts, and, most importantly, their God is our God. We can and must do this. Force their hand. Band together with other like-minded people at your school and work to say: no, we will not comply. Then start your pilgrimage to a new parallel society where Jesus is King, family values matter, and freedom rings.

Truth

It’s the new hate speech? 62

George Orwell - “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

Tribute to Police Officers by Paul Harvey

In light of what has happened to police officers across our nation over the last year or so, and more recently with the shooting of our own Chief Deputy John Pollock, and the death of Adam Sowders on December 19, 2013, want to recognize the servant officers around us by publishing Paul Harvey’s description of a police officer. We respect each of you, and are mindful of your many sacrifices for us. You are truly blessings to us.

Paul Harvey (1918-2009) was a radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He gave the “Policeman” speech on talk radio nearly 40 years ago, and it is known as one of his best speeches…. Mr. Harvey’s father inspired this speech…. He was a police officer who was shot and killed while doing what police officers do every day. A policeman is a composite of what all men are, I guess – a mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. Culled statistics wave the fan over stinkers, underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are “news.” What that really means is that they are exceptional; they are unusual; they are not commonplace. Buried under the froth is the fact: And the fact is that less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit that uniform. And that is a better average than you’d find among clergymen. What is a policeman? He, of all men, is at once the most needed… and the most wanted – a strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “pig” or worse behind his back. He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won. But… if a policeman is neat, he’s conceited. If he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s a flirt. If he’s not, he’s a grouch. He must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer. But… if he hurries, he’s careless. If he’s deliberate, he’s lazy. He must be first to an accident; infallible with a diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints – and above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp – or expect to be sued. The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit… where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men

twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal.” If you hit him, he’s a coward. If he hits you, he’s a bully. A policeman must know everything… and not tell. He must know where all of the sin is… and not partake. The policeman, from a single human hair, must be able to describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal, and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But… if he catches the criminal, he’s lucky. If he doesn’t, he’s a dunce. If he gets promoted, he has political pull. If he doesn’t, he’s a dullard. The policeman must chase bum leads to a dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen but refuses to remember. He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache to build a case against some felon who’ll get “dealed out” by a shameless shamus or an honorable who isn’t honorable. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy… and a gentle-man. And, of course, he’ll have to be genius, because he’ll have to feed a family… on a policeman’s salary. – end of transcript Are there officers who should not be in the Police force – of course; and those should be dealt with and removed. But as Paul Harvey said, the percentage of “bad officers” is less than even clergymen. But again, those within that percentage have no right wearing the police uniform and carrying a gun. What the media has done is to take the bad apples and present them as the norm. This is not true, but should we be surprised hearing this from the Left? Rhetorical question. I salute every hard-working, compassionate and caring police officer. We should be praying for these men and women who daily place their lives in jeopardy to protect the lives of others. Father, please protect our police force. Help those in positions of authority to spot the officers who should not be in the force, and weed them out according to their misdeeds. Help Americans to see that we must pray and stand up for the greater percentage of decent and courageous officers in our country. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Laws of Texas Are Upon You It used to be illegal to go to church in disguise.

MOLLIE'S MOJILIFE

In Clarendon, Texas, it is illegal to dust any public building with a feather duster. You must get permission before you eat out of your neighbor’s garbage. Unauthorized dumpster diving can land you in jail for trespassing and property theft. Before 1974 it was illegal to milk another person’s cow, punishable by a $10 fine from the Texas Penal Code.

JUST BECAUSE BY MOL

One of the few laws curtailing the use of firearms: it is still illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second floor of a hotel. However, shooting wild hogs from a hot air balloon is perfectly legal. recreation before getting drunk in any city park.

THANK YOU to all of my customers all over Texas for your loyalty and support over 62 years of work.

If you are planning on committing a crime in Texas you are required by law to provide your victim with 24 hours written or verbal notice. THE PAST IS A BLAST!

I appreciate you... H.L. Hoyack

M/D

The Mother-in-Law Myth Answered

was it easy just to love her off the bat after all the complaints I’d had? And then, as husbands and wives confide in each other over their upbringing and the sibling rivalry between brothers, how is it that this poor new daughter-in-law could possibly come to love MOTHERin-law! In my first marriage, 10 years passed before I wasn’t afraid of my M-I-L. Whew! She was perfecto to the max. I knew nothing of housekeeping or cooking or budgeting or crocheting or knitting or gardening. It took a long time for me to realize that she wasn’t criticizing me whenever she mentioned how things were different in my home or her home. I finally realized later that she was just comparing how things are different. Not right or wrong. I ought to have realized this was happening to me. But being in a new marriage myself, I found out that I was starting over in a new situation and that the old doesn’t necessarily fit. I ought to have been gentle with myself and my new D-I-Ls. The remedy is really simple. Yes, it is. Take any conflict to prayer and let God do with it what He wants. Remember to be thankful that these D-I-Ls found your sons to be loveable, kind, good looking, thoughtful, generous, humorous, financially responsible, and Godloving. And remember these sons have come from YOU. In silent wonder, the D-I-Ls have paid YOU the highest compliment by marrying your sons. Of course, the D-i-Ls won’t admit these thoughts. They probably don’t realize the conflicts some M-i-L’s go through. I know it takes time to have sons develop their homes and families, and at the same time distance themselves from their home ties. It isn’t easy. A lot of growth and understanding happen in life’s events. Now, that I have gotten this out of my head and onto paper, I will print this for my reading at the Writer’s Group, and perhaps, someday in going through my stuff, the sons and wives may come across this and read it and say, “Yeah, that’s true.” But in the meantime, being aware of this myself, I am responsible for actions in the best, the truest form to create harmony and goodwill, hopefully ending up in mutual love, respect, and new understanding. Is the Mother-in-Law/ Daughter-in-Law Myth true? I guess that’s up to you.

After a few months and years of being the “mother-in-law,” I have to be honest with myself. I am jealous. Yes, I am jealous BECAUSE they, meaning my three daughters -in-law, have the best of me! Of My 3 sons! Ugh. Doesn’t that sound downright horrible? Well, I think that I have finally figured out this whole dilemma of the why, of the silent battle between mothers -in-law and daughters-in-law, now referred throughout this writing as the M/D Myth. I became aware of the M/D Myth a few months ago after noticing a cooling period of affection between sons and me. Thinking it was something I had said, done, imagined or whatever, I, of course, prayed about it, and the little thoughts of you are jealous started slowly rising in my brain and working to come full front, and my having to admit it. Yes, I am jealous of the time my sons spend with their wives. Of their wives visiting with their mothers about all the little tidbits of the day that I will never hear from my sons, or their wives. Yes, I am jealous for all the little fixings my sons do in their homes and no longer take place in my home. I have to rely on my own resources and self-doing, or do without. I was spoiled with my three sons and me being together those years after their dad had died. I thought I was dealing with the ENS (Empty Nest Syndrome) normally, then I thought I was doing ok with sons getting married and being happy for their chosen wives. REALLY. And then with their settling in with their careers, homes, and now new families. During those transitions, I too, remarried. A totally different person than my first husband, and a totally new career/home environment. That took a tremendous adjustment on all our parts, the husbands, wives, sons, and me. I can just imagine if mother-in-lawing went anything like it did for me when I first remarried. I had all these complaints about my husband’s MOTHER! Why hadn’t she taught him this or that, or why is Polly Williams is a doctor’s daughter, pastor’s wife, mother of 3 sons, he doing this (anything) this way? Why does he mispronounce these farmer’s wife and widow. At 40, she completed her R.N.. Her desire now words, why, why, why? So then, when I met my husband’s mother, is to write stories of her life to inspire others.