Issuu

inside

Experience

at work for you... 4 6 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 26 28 30 32 33 36 38 40 42 43 44 46 48 50 52 54 55 56 57 58 60 61 62 64 66

On the Cover Buckle Up Tight: Back What’s Right About the Cover From Us To You Spotlight Professional Directory I Use to Be a Normal Person Thank God for Old People I Will Never Be Divided Again Keep the Faith Caldwell Propane...Ready to Serve You Celebrating 175 Years Price of a Miracle Do You Know Where My Wife Is? Why Me, O, Why Me OPC The Place to Be 545 vs. 300,000,000 Poetry by Jim Wilson A Family Affair Buckle Up Tight...Back What’s Right Whole Baked Side of Salmon Vaccines In Preparation for the Journey Variety Pack Rush Limbaugh’s Final Warning Great Info to Know Finding Our Way Back The Gas Can An African Orphanage The Twice Stole Shotgun Shells Right to Bear Arms Interesting Take on Electric Cars Boiled or Buttered Jesus and the Fishing Pole Forbearance The Escape Doing What’s Right for You What’s Happened to the USA? Seatbelts Save Lives Conspiracy

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Buckle Up Tight; Back What’s Right! P

erception is an interesting thing. Webster defines it as a result of perceiving, an observation, a mental image or concept. Let this article be a gentle reminder that what is “right” can be perceived in many ways by many people. The perception of what is right has been pitting people against each other since the beginning of time. It’s caused confusion, angst, anger, wars, division in families, and divorce. Still, I agree you’ll need to buckle up tight because the road to right is often a rough and relentless one! How do you measure what is right? Over the last year, this country has seen some of its most significant divisions. I’m not going to pretend that it is over. We can say all day long, let’s move past “this,” whatever that may be for you. Unfortunately, it’s in those challenging moments that someone believes so strongly in what they think and perceive is right that they are willing to die for it. Soldiers and martyrs alike have been dying for what they perceive as right for years. Yet, someone on the opposing side had those same intentional thoughts and beliefs. I am pretty sure that in 1955 when Rosa Parks refused to vacate her seat on the bus, she believed (as did much of the country) that she was right. She wasn’t the first to resist bus segregation. However, those who arrested her for “civil disobedience” probably believed that they, too, were right. You see, I think we’re entitled to think what we want to think. We just are not entitled to act on it. This is the time it has an impact on others. That is where the civilized difference lies. When my mother was arrested because they thought she was illegal in 1964 in Lufkin, Texas, the officer believed he was right. However, his perception of this Hispanic woman with broken English (following a stroke) and a bad limp was just that, his perception. Forget about the two little girls that went with her to the station. You read that right, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars! (I borrowed that from Monopoly.) As my sister and I sat on the bench at the station where our feet would swing in unison, I’m sure my mother knew she was right, and she knew her rights. Now, here is where things get strange! Something can be accurate but not true. Another thing can be your right,

but that won’t necessarily make it right in the eyes of some. At the beginning of this article, I wasn’t sure how I would broach this subject. I was confident that it could go several ways. However, no matter where it went and what you perceive it is about, I knew exactly where I wanted to end this story about buckling up for a rough ride when you believe and back what is right. This story is about Grace. This story is about love. This story is about the next chapter, no matter where you are at this moment. No matter if you took the vaccine or did not. No matter if you voted red or voted blue. No matter if you want to wear a mask or do not. What’s evident is that we could all use a little Grace and a lot of love.

When I look back and think of how the media has covered many of the tragedies in our country the last year, I’m disheartened. Many times, I think the only people who win are those in the media. Indeed, not the lives that were forever changed by the spin the media put on any given subject. Let’s face the fact there will always be controversy. You can go Red, or you can go Blue simply by changing the channel for your news. I am trying to share that people who want to be right and believe they are right will find what they need to support their beliefs. Controversial or not with news and the internet, you could find something to support your decision even if it is wrong. Drink a beer after a workout, it’s got what you need to replenish your system. Carry a stick of butter in your purse to nibble on and you’ll lose weight! Seriously now, come on. Listen, we all need a break. What I believe is that this is the year for Grace. Give someone who is driving you crazy a little Grace. They probably really need it. Then give yourself a little Grace for being so irritated that you wish you could drop kick

that person! We’ve all been through something entirely different and quite impactful. Young people are impacted the most. I read recently that 25% of our population is under 21. This is the age of enjoying birthdays, graduation, or school and school activities like none other. Please give them a little Grace when their grades change or their attitudes stink. Give yourself some Grace because if you’d known you would be a homeschool teacher, you’d have run away. By the way, tell a teacher how much you appreciate her/him; it matters now more than ever. What I’d like to leave you with is this: I don’t know who arrested my mother, and I don’t hold a grudge. It’s too heavy to carry on this rough road. I’m not perfect, neither are you. I don’t know why Eve had to eat that apple; really, I don’t. However, I’ve forgiven her too. George Floyd was murdered, period. You and I cannot change that. We can, however, offer Grace and love. We can do this with our actions every day in our daily lives. One day, one step at a time. Thank goodness for cameras and cell phones today. This allows millions to bear witness to heinous crimes that can no longer go unnoticed or unpunished. In the next moment, they also allow us to witness amazing behavior from beautiful people. We are a humane society that must do our best to offer Grace to others and Grace to ourselves just as God provides it. I’ve continued to say through the entire Pandemic, #PrayLoveWins because I believe that is right!

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will be at peace.” -Bob Marley

JoAn Majors is a profes-

sional speaker and published author. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and the Global Speakers Network. She holds the designation as Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) held by less than 12% of 5,000+ speakers worldwide. It is the highest earned international measure of professional platform competence. She is also a Certified Virtual Presenter. In addition, she has been published in 30 plus newsletters, magazines, and online learning platforms. JoAn is the founder and content creation specialist of The Soft Skills Institute; she delivers keynotes, 3 and 6-hour presentations, and a 2-day deep dive experience in developing the soft skills it takes to create greater connection today in business and life. When not on the road, she functions as the Comprehensive Care Coordinator in their fourth and final practice, MajorSmiles in Bryan, Texas. To learn more or see JoAn in action, visit www.joanmajors.com.

Finding the way to

The Front Porch Pastor Rick Mitchell and L’dena Mitchell are the owners of the early 1900’s home on Buffalo Street. They have been residents of Caldwell since 1991, when they came because they knew Rick’s mother needed help. That same year Rick left his church in Woodson, Texas, to relocate here. but it wasn’t long before he was serving as interim at Calvary Baptist Church. Then he was called to a permanent pastorate in 1993. L’dena taught at First Baptist Church, beginning at the end of December of 1991. After that, L’dena took a job at Caldwell High School teaching Home Economics, which is her field. She stayed 23 years at CHS, then retired in 2018. Rick and L’dena have four children, Michael, Kristy, Daniel, and Stephen, all graduates of Caldwell High School. All are married and have given Rick and L’dena 10 precious grandchildren, five girls and five boys. They bring Rick and L’dena much joy. Their wonderful home at 503 Buffalo was bought by Redmond James Savage in the 1920’s and remodeled in the 1930’s, and the Mitchells uncovered a board during recent renovation with a name written on it along with the date 1924. A hotel had been behind the original house, close to the railroad tracks. Bill and Barbara Savage remodeled the house in the 70’s. And at one point, the structure had been a duplex, with one entrance facing Buffalo

Street and one entrance at the back of the house. When coming to Caldwell, Rick and L’dena rented the house from Byron and Elaine McAllister who’d purchased it. Later they bought it in 1994. It is believed that Dr. Savage, a dentist back in the day, had the home built, along with two others on either side of the Mitchell home. After the hail storm in the spring two years ago, the siding needed total replacement since the blue siding could not be matched. Chance Norman contracted the work, and did an excellent job of coordinating white, grey, and black. L’dena said Chance had poured love into the house, and done an excellent job! When asked, “Do you use the front porch much?” The answer was “Oh, yes, we do. We are always using the front porch.” Further comment was that it is the place to sit and visit, or relax alone, or maybe drink coffee. There they often watch grandchildren play at “Meme’s Park,” aka First Baptist Church Park which is located across the street. Another use during this time of Covid has been visiting and occasionally counsel. The porch is large and out of hearing of neighbors, so, it is not uncommon for a friend or church member or someone needing to talk to find his/her way to the front porch to do just that, and in the process hopefully to be uplifted

rom us to you Editors Note

Dear Readers, As April rolls around, and so very quickly I might add, we’ve already experienced much in the first months of 2021. Election fraud issues, Dominion Systems, the White House being breached…by whom? Excessive Executive Orders signed on the first day…and continuing, and failed impeachment. Then in the middle of February severe cold with snow and ice greeted over 70% the U S, including Texas. Even our fair city had several days of snow and temperatures getting down close to zero. I guess Mother Nature was getting in on the craziness of American life these days. So, what are we to do with all the issues of being governed and the weather? Live in fear, stayangry, hate those who are so adversely affecting our wonderful America, or give over to depression and withdraw. The answer is… (drum roll) NONE of the above! Though we may have been tempted in the last months to give in to some unproductive leanings, let’s not do that. Let’s do as our theme states, Buckle Up tight: Back What’s Right. Let’s stay strong; let’s keep our values in place; and let’s live fully. Perhaps we might even influence others to think and value what is right. Readers and Advertisers, we sincerely thank you for supporting the Front Porch Magazine. Maybe we’ll make another decade of publications together…and hit 30 years! Appreciating you, 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.

Daniel Junek

His Community Called...He Answered

Daniel Junek, our Spotlight person for this edition, is most deserving of this recognition. Daniel, the son of Rudolph and Milady Junek, grew up in the area, graduating from Snook High School and attending Texas A&M. He didn’t finish college, but had always thought he’d go back some day. In the early 70’s he began his career at a Safeway Store, starting as a stocker and worked his way up to store manager. He worked as assistant manager or manager at stores in Cameron, Houston, Bryan, and College Station. Manager days and hours are many, but he was grateful for the experience. Daniel’s work in banking began through his brother Rudy who contacted him about an opening at Citizen’s State Bank in Somerville. He applied, and Mr. Ervin B. Flencher, Sr. interviewed him. He was hired in January of 1982,

and began learning the banking business. He stayed in Somerville until 1990. Of course, he then came to Caldwell in July of 1990 and served Caldwell as Vice President and Branch Manager until January 2021, when his retirement began. Daniel and wife Elizabeth, who grew up in San Antonio, married in 1986. They and their five children have lived in the Birch Creek community over the years. Danny, Dwayne, Laura, David and Mark were involved students. Daniel has fond memories of his family participating in sports at early ages and then in high school competitions. From basketball, volleyball, football, baseball to track, they competed successfully. Daniel coached or assisted in the sports in their early playing years. He said as his role moved to being a spectator of his athletic family, he enjoyed that as well. Now his children are grown and have families of their own, and Daniel and Elizabeth enjoy three grandchildren: Colton, Lanie, and Dylan. Daniel’s involvements are many and varied. One close to his heart is his participation at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Caldwell. He and Elizabeth serve in the church as Lector or reader, in collections, on the finance committee, and teaching RCIA, which trains people coming into the membership. Daniel is a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus member. The KCs involve themselves in charity efforts. They help with graduating senior scholarships, coats for the needy, and sponsoring Seminarians of the faith. KCs help fund their efforts by selling many fried fish and other good dishes from the church area on OSR.

Daniel has also been a member of many secular organizations. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served as president some years. He was also a member of the American Heart Association which Deanie Gold spearheaded. He is a Rotarian, having served as president twice here in Caldwell, and once in Somerville. Another involvement that means a lot to him is the Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum. He was one of the original organizers. Daniel served as president several times. He commented that Annie and Bennie Polasek donated the property for the Czech Heritage Museum building. When asked about his recent retirement from Citizens State Bank in Caldwell January 2021, he said it was time for him to make changes in his life. But he said he’d enjoyed being in banking over the years. He’d enjoyed the co-workers and commented that there is and has been a great environment at Citizens, and that their customers had become friends. He doesn’t miss being tied to the phone for so many hours of the day. He now has freedom to visit family and friends more often, and to care for his animals. Life changes, but they are good changes. In retirement, Daniel will have time to fish and hunt, his favorite hobbies. We wish Daniel the best in his new roles. Thank you for serving well.

professional directory Air Conditioning-Installation & Repair Reliant Mechanical 53 Weaver’s Refrigeration 27 Automobile Parts-Supplies-Repairs Bud Cross Ford 27 dBm Auto Repair 32 Automobile Sales-Detail Bud Cross Ford 27 Banks Citizens State Bank 23 Baseball Cards OPC 26 Beef - Local - All Natural Diamond A Ranch Beef 33 Burleson County Events Fair Association 41 Churches Church of Christ 53 First Baptist 44 City/Civic/Government Burleson County Republican Party 67 City of Caldwell 45 City of Somerville 43 Convenience Store Cat’s Pitt Stop 48 Construction C & H Building Construction 31 Roscoe Chief, LLC 40 The Farmhouse Twist 68 Dentistry Drgac Dental 21 MajorSmiles 2 Michael K. Reese 63 Dozer Services Hubert Hoyack 57 Feed Faust Farms 29 Homeyer Feed & Supply 37 Financials LPL Financial 15 Funeral Home Phillips & Luckey 54 Guns - License to Carry H&H Pawn & Guns 49 Providence Hill 5 Health Care Hope Pregnancy 47

Hunting Wild Boars of Texas 13 Insurance Germania Insurance 14 Internet Airplexus 61 Liquor Store King’s Liquor 65 Livestock Commission Caldwell Livestock Com. 22 Lumber Company Woodson’s Lumber Company 19 Oil & Gas Minerals Prairie Minerals 68 Pest Control Armstrong Pesticide Solutions 20 Propane Caldwell Propane 18 Printing & Copy Services ImageMaker Copy Center 7 Plumbing DP Plumbing 61 Real Estate Becky Schenk 61 Home & Ranch Real Estate 3 Polansky Realty 27 The Farmhouse Twist 68 Restaurants & Catering Branding Iron 17 Four Tines 32 Masfajitas Mexican Restaurant 41 Service Station Groce’s Service Station 64 Supplements Prime My Body 51 Tax Preparers & Advisors Danny Koerth 39 Taxidermy Palermo Taxidermy 12 Truck-Auto-Tires-Supplies Mitchell Tire Service 45 Veterinarian BVMVS 39 Vitamins Roots & Shoots 9 Water Well Drilling Loehr Drilling Co, Inc 25 Welding & Fabricating C&H Welding & Fabrication 51

Sandi Balcar & Scarlette Taylor publishers

sandi balcar

layout & design EDITOR

scarlette taylor advertising sales EDITOR

ida schuman

photographer contributing writers

neal beard EDWIN COOPER Sharon ann laffere Ehlert sheriff gene herme s am johnson Rev. dr. george klett tammy kubecka JOAN majors dr. jack Mckemie dvm KAVON NOVAK renita odstrcil charlie reese dEL rOGERS, sR. BECKY SCHENK John Taylor SCARLETTE Taylor POLLY WILLIAMs shannon firth williams jim wilson CHRIS VAUGHN - CONTRIBUTOR Phone 979.567.7871 979.567.6753 301 Hwy 21 E Caldwell, TX 77836 www.frontporchmagazine.com The contents of all articles do not represent the views of the Front Porch Magazine. The magazine claims no responsibility for the accuracy of information or content.

I Used to Be A Normal Person As a man, I used to think I was pretty much just a regular per-

son, but I was born white, into a two-parent household which now, whether I like it or not, makes me “Privileged,” a racist & responsible for slavery. I am a fiscal & moral conservative, which by today’s standards, makes me a fascist because I plan, budget & support myself. I went to high school, military, & have always held a job. But I now find out that I am not here because I earned it, but because I was “advantaged.” I am heterosexual, which according to “gay” folks, now makes me a homophobe. I am not a Muslim, which now labels me as an infidel. I believe in the 2nd Amendment, which makes me a defacto member of the “vast NRA gun lobby!” I am older than 60, making me a useless person who doesn’t understand Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. I think & I reason, and I doubt much of what the “main stream” media tells me, which makes me a “Right-wing conspiracy nut”. I am proud of my heritage & our inclusive American culture, making me a xenophobe. I believe in hard work, fair play, & fair compensation according to each individual’s merits, which today makes me an antisocialist. I believe our system guarantees freedom of effort - not freedom of outcome or subsidies which must make me a borderline sociopath. I believe in the defense & protection of America for & by all citizens, now making me a militant. I am proud of our flag, what it stands for and the many who died to let it fly, so I stand & salute during our National Anthem - so I must be a racist. Please help me come to terms with the new me because I’m just not sure who I am anymore! It all took place over the last few years of Socialist Political control; it’s time to get rid of these fools. And as if all this nonsense leftist-labeling me a privileged, advantaged, racist, fascist, homophobe, infidel, gun-nut, old, right-winger, xenophobic, anti-socialist, sociopath, militant, wasn’t enough to deal with, now I don’t even know which restroom to use… and I gotta go MUCH more FREQUENTLY!

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Think About It! The federal government, which has “Tomahawk” cruise missles and “Apache,” “Blackhawk,” “Kiowa,” and “Lakota” helicopters - and used the code name “Geronimo” in the attack that killed Osama bin Lade, officially objects to the name of the Washington redskins. Really? That’s Odd Four men are in the hospital waiting room because their wives are having babies. A nurse approaches the first guy and says, “Congratulations! You’re the father of twins.” “That’s odd,” answers the man. “I work for the Minnesota Twins!” A nurse then yells the second man, “Congratulations! You’re the father of triplets!” “That’s weird,” answers the second man. “I work for the 3M company!” A nurse goes up to the third man saying, “Congratulations! You’re the father of quadruplets.” “That’s strange,” he answers. “I work for the Four Seasons hotel!” The last man begins groaning and banging his head against the wall. “What’s wrong?” the others ask. “I work for 7 Up!”

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

Thank God for

Old People 1. Old People are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the National Anthem. Old People remove their caps and stand attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them. 2. Old People remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. 3. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing. They remember the 50 plus Peace-keeping Missions from 1945-2005, not to mention Vietnam. 4. If you bump into an Old Person on the sidewalk he will apologize. If you pass an Old Person on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old People trust strangers and are courtly to women. 5. Old People hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection. 6. Old People get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don’t like any filth or dirty language on TV or in movies. 7. Old People have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag unless it’s about their children or grandchildren. 8. It’s Old People who remove their hats while eating in a restaurant in respect for the ladies and guests. 9. It’s the Old People who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country. 10. This country needs Old People with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country and decent values.

We need them now more than ever. 14

I was visiting my daughter last night when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper. “This is the 21st century.” she said. “We don’t waste money on newspapers. Here use my iPad.” I can tell you this... that fly never knew what hit him...

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Senator Dies And Goes To Heaven

While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator (that may be redundant) was tragically hit by a car and died. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. “Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.” “No problem, just let me in,” says the Senator. “Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.” “Really? I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the Senator. “I’m sorry, but we have our rules.” And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dined on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, “Now it’s time to visit heaven... So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. “Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.” The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.” So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell...

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls to the ground. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders. “I don’t understand,” stammers the Senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?” The devil smiles at him and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted..”

I Will

Never

be divided again Let me start this article out by saying I was called to serve everyone. Doesn’t matter your past, your present. What matters is your future. Everyone reading this article has something that they need to fix in their life, but we run around trying to fix things that distract us from OUR PURPOSE. The big talk of the day is politics! Over the last year, life has been racial; it’s been health; it’s been business closings; and it’s been control at the highest level because we were slowed down and were able to research and figure out some of what’s going on. Some people took the time to read and research. Others used the time to gain weight and become more gluttonous. Some people actually got closer to family which is something I did. I went from being on a plane three days a week to being in the same bed with my wife for a whole year. Interesting how much closer you get when you are together more, and on the same page more. Some got closer to their creator. For me that’s Jesus. Life is busy, life is messy, life is full of things we don’t understand, but are we really here loving each other instead of hating one another? Some people say bucket up your seatbelts; I ask you if your spirit has been asleep for way too long; is it time to wake up the spirit that called for you to love more? Every major media outlet is dividing us. Not just one or two or three, but every media outlet is meaning to divide us. Each party in the democratic process is about division. I have my views; I have my vote; I have common sense, but too many of us take it to the far extremes. I have made a decision to love more and divide less. I don’t care what your party affiliation is; I care about your heart and how you’re serving others. WWJD… if you’re a Christian you know what that means, so ask yourself this question, ”Do I follow Him in how I communicate, how I treat my spouse, my kids, and people in my community? Now when it comes to college football, Aggies, I have a deep distaste for you because I am a Longhorn, but I still love you. My life is on the backend, and I look back at the time I wasted, but thank God I still have time to serve and love more. Vaccines (which by the way I won’t take) are another way of dividing. Your choices are yours, like mine are mine. Don’t judge me; just love me. I will love

you. I have learned in this moment in time that I am just called to be present and not called to be disruptive. I can educate, but I can’t change anyone’s mind, I can only disciple those who want more information. As I land the plane today, take a moment to look inside your own heart and see where your love gauge is. I grew up in Caldwell, Texas. I love every member of this community I grew up with. I didn’t get along with everyone back then, but I do love them. From the paddles stinging my behind from Mr Munstik, to Coach Goforth, to Coach Garland, to Coach Lewis, to an English paper I got an F on, I say, “Thanks, Mom. And to all the preachers and teachers and coaches and administrators, “Thank you.” Seeing Johnny Brewer recently was a joy. (By the way, he saved my life one night at a dance hall, but that was another time.) The two of us sat drinking a cup of coffee and talking about Jesus. It was a rich experience for me when I passed through town on 21. This community helped mold me into the human being I am today. My roots are strong because we didn’t divide; we just loved. I will not be divided anymore!!!!

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.

Keep the Faith By Sharon Laffere Ehlert

As I write this, the world seems more confusing than ever. I have no words of wisdom or predictions about the future. The only thing I know for sure is that I have learned to appreciate each day. I am thankful for those I love who love me in return. I am hopeful God’s goodness will prevail over evil and greed. During the challenging times of the past year, I have found comfort and solace in the beauty of nature. Hiking and gardening have been stress relievers for me. I am sharing a photo of the beauties in my garden that constantly remind me of the wonders of God’s handiwork. I pray for everyone’s health and wish you all moments of peace and serenity amidst the uncertainty.

I AM TOO OLD TO LIVE UNDER SOCIALISM. i AM ADDICTED TO LUXURIES LIKE TOILET PAPER, ELECTRICITY, FOOD, CLEAN WATER AND SHOES.

Caldwell Propane is ALWAYS

Ready to SERVE YOU Caldwell Propane, located at 908 Old San Antonio Road, is the business of James Urbanosky. The propane business is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays he’ll service your butane needs by appointment; just call for the appointment at 979.224.1291. James’ father, James Urbanosky, Sr., ran the business from 1984 till his death in 2020. Now Caldwell Propane still has the same great service. Whether you need to refill BBQ bottles, travel trailer cylinders, R V tanks, or fork lift cylinders, you’ll have your propane needs met. And you can refill your exchange bottles, as well. During the freeze and snows in mid-February, James was able to service those who needed propane, mostly for heating. It was a busy time, even into the late hours of the night, with people coming in from as far away as Franklin, Texas. The Franklin man told James that there was no propane available in Hearne or Bryan. He, obviously, was happy to find propane for his needs. And James was pleased to be able to help out. Water was another issue for people, and Caldwell Propane provided people with water. James added that they gladly work with Caldwell Christian Care, accepting propane fuel vouchers. People can get a credit slip at Christian Care, and take it to Caldwell Propane for their propane needs. When asked what any future plans for the business were, James laughingly said, “I’ll be here till the end.” Be sure and go to our local supplier to get your propane, whether it is for heating, cooking, or using during entertainment. Caldwell Propane is ready to serve you.

Imagine A Day Without Fuel 18

Whenever my wife uses the phrase “I was thinking.” That means I either have to move, build, paint, or buy something.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers During an impassioned sermon about death and final judgement, the pastor said forcefully, “Each member of this church is going to die and face judgement.” Glancing down at the front pew, he noticed a man with a big smile on his face. The minister repeated his point louder. “Each member of this church is going to die and face judgement!” The man nodded and smiled even more. This really got the preacher wound up. He pounded the pulpit emphatically when he came to the ultimatum: “Each member of this church is going to die and face judgement!!!” Though everyone else in the congregation was looking somber, the man in front continued to smile. Finally the preacher stepped off the platform, stood in front of the man and shouted, “I said each member of this church is going to die!” The man grinned from ear to ear. After the service was over, the preacher made a beeline for the man. “I don’t get it,” the preacher said in frustration. “Whenever I said, ‘Each member of this church is going to die,’ your smile got bigger. Why?” “I’m not a member of this church,” the man replied.

IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, SET IT FREE. IF IT COMES BACK, IT’S YOURS. IF IT DOESN’T, IT NEVER WAS. AND IF IT JUST SITS THERE ON THE SOFA, WATCHING TV, UNAWARE THAT IT’S BEEN SET FREE, YOU PROBABLY MARRIED IT OR GAVE BIRTH TO IT!

Burleson County Celebrating 175 Years! by Tammy Kubecka

Happy Birthday Burleson County! We’re turning 175 years old on March 24, 2021. It’s quite a milestone for a rural area of Texas, settled by a lot of people from a lot of different places. Born on the Camino Real, Burleson County is the midway point between the Mexico border and Natchitoches, Louisiana. It’s a tiny fact, but not unknown by travelers who used the route for several hundred years. Expeditions by French, Spanish, Mexican and American explorers, missionaries and military traveled through what is now Burleson County, often camping at Arroyo Nuncio. A Place of Rest at a Creek is a simplified translation, but we know it as Davidson Creek at Caldwell. The Brazos River boasted several river crossings, and there is evidence that a Mexican military outpost was located at one crossing. Not to be confused with the later Mexican Fort Tenoxtitlán of the early 1830s, the “Guarda” shows up around 1795. An official ferry crossing wasn’t established until the 1840s. The Camino route was formed by following animal trails, and hunting routes of early Native Americans. Archeological evidence dates artifacts here from the Archaic Period (ca. 7000 b.c.- 500 a.d.), and we know Tonkawa Indians, and related tribes, inhabited the area well into the 1850s. There is prehistoric evidence of inhabitation some 13,000 years ago. This area didn’t produce major cities or industry, but has remained a quite farmland county through the years. Settlers came for the opportunity to own land and make an independent living. Burleson County didn’t really start growing until the 1840s, after Texas’ Independence, with a greater population surge in the 1860s, after the Civil War. The county was formed for judicial purposes in January 1842, but a few weeks later all judicial centers were declared unconstitutional. At the time, our county included the NW portion of Lee County. The official formation of the county happened in March 1846. We’re named for General Edward Burleson, noted figure Texas’ Independence. Another population surge came in the later 1800s, with the arrival of Czech, German and Italian immigrants. Looking through old newspapers, you’d expect to find past celebrations for notable birthdays. A huge Centennial celebration for the State of Texas was held in 1936 at “Old Washington,” with dignitaries attending from all over the world. The Caldwell newspaper declared that hundreds of Burleson County resi-

dents would be traveling there for the celebration. When Burleson County turned a hundred years old, in 1946, there was no mention of the milestone. Emerging from World War II, the county news still centered on buying war bonds, news of our military men getting discharges and coming home, and Caldwell making an agreement with Lone Star Gas to provide a pipeline system in town to provide natural gas to city residents. During our March birthday week, the Matsonian Theater was showing “Hold That Blonde,” starring Eddie Bracken and Veronica Lake…..and a bottled Pepsi Cola cost 5 cents. Unfortunately, with a Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the world, our 175th Birthday will be another quiet celebration. The Burleson County Historical Commission will be working on a Time Capsule this spring, to be opened in another 25 years for our 200th Birthday. In the meantime, let’s all leave our own trails…. family trees, photos with names written on the back, written histories and stories you can pass on to your grandkids. Here’s to 175 years of beautiful Burleson County!! Mark your calendars for March 24, 2046!! We’re hoping there will be a major party!! You’re all invited!

I never thought I’d be the kind of person who’d wake up early in the morning to exercise... And I was right!

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Women Bookseller conducting a market survey asked a woman: “Which book has helped you most in your life?” The woman replied, “My husband’s cheque book!!” ****** A prospective husband in a book store: “Do you have a book called ‘Husband – the Master of the House?’” Sales girl: “Sir, fiction and comics are on the 1st floor!” ****** Someone asked an old man: “Even after 70 years, you still call your wife – darling, honey, luv. What’s the secret?" Old man: “I forgot her name and I’m scared to ask her." ****** Pharmacist to customer: “Sir, please understand, to buy an anti-depression pill you need a proper prescription ... Simply showing marriage certificate and wife’s picture is not enough!” ****** For MEN.....and WOMEN with a bit of humour ?? There are 3 kinds of men in this world. Some remain single and make wonders happen. Some have girlfriends and see wonders happen. The rest get married and wonder what happened! ****** Wives are magicians. They can change anything into an argument. ****** Why do women live a Better, Longer & Peaceful Life, compared to men? A very INTELLIGENT student replied: "Because Women don't have a wife!" ******

A lady says to her doctor: "My husband has a habit of talking in his sleep! What should I give him to cure it?" The doctor replies: "Give him an opportunity to speak when he's awake! "

Price of a Miracle

A little girl ran to her bedroom and pulled out her piggy bank from a secret drawer in her closet. She broke the piggy bank and took the change and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total has to be exactly perfect as there shouldn’t be any chance for mistake here. She carefully placed the coins in a jar and twisted on the cap. She took the jar full of coin and slipped out of the back door. She made her way six blocks to a drug store. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy attending other customers at that moment. She tried several times to get his attention, but she wasn’t successful. Finally, she took a quarter from her jar and banged on the glass counter , which was finally able to get her some attention. “ And what do you want little miss ?” the pharmacist asked the tiny girl in the front of his counter. “My brother is really, really sick… and I want to buy a miracle,” the girl answered back. “I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist. “My brother is really sick and my daddy says only a miracle can cure him now. So, I want to get a miracle for him. how much does a miracle cost?” “I’m sorry but I can’t help you, We don’t sell miracles here, little girl.” the pharmacist said, softening a little. “Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get more. Just tell me how much it costs.” Next to the little girl was a tall well-dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?” “I don’t know,” the girl replied with her eyes filled with tears. “I just know he is very sick and has something bad growing inside his head. Doctor says he needs an operation. But daddy can’t pay for it, so we need a miracle to save him now. I can use all my money to save my brother .” “How much do you have?” asked the man. “One dollar and twelve cents, it’s all the money I have now, but I can get some more if needed,” the girl answered barely audibly. “Well, what a coincidence,” smiled the man. “A dollar and twelve cents, that is the exact price of a miracle for

little brothers. He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he softly holded her hand and said “Take me to your brother. I want to meet your parents and see your brother. Let’s see if I have the miracle your brother needs.” The man was a reputed Nuero surgeon. He was just the right person needed to save the little boy’s life. The operation was completed without any charges and it wasn’t long until the little girl’s brother was home again and doing well. Mommy and daddy were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this happy place. “That surgery,”her Mommy whispered, “it was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?” The little girl smiled as she knew exactly how much a miracle costs. One dollar and twelve cents, plus the faith of a little child.

Do You Know Where Pretty Amazing! My Wife Is? The other day, I was out grocery shopping at my local supermarket around 6:30 pm when an older man turned a corner into the pasta aisle and put his hands on my shoulder. I jumped up. My first instinct was to get angry and ask him to please not touch me. Then I noticed something. The man was crying. He looked distraught and confused. Suddenly, he asked, ‘Do you know where my wife is? I’ve been looking for her.’ I told him I didn’t know and suggested maybe he ask the store front for help finding her. I was thinking maybe he lost her in the aisles. Hasn’t everyone lost someone this way? I was wrong. He proceeded to ask, ‘Where is my wife? She was right here.’ Tears welled up in his eyes. I told him once again that I was not sure and gestured to walk with him to the customer service counter where they could use the overhead speaker service to make an announcement for her. He obliged. There, the woman asked for a name. He looked to me in confusion, as if I had the answer for him. The woman half rolled her eyes and turned to me. ‘Miss. Do you have THE NAME?’ I explained he was a stranger and I had no other information than she did. “Is this a joke?” she asked. By then, it became really clear to me that this man was very confused. Not just regular confused, but Alzheimer’s confused. Having had a grandpa with this condition, I knew it all too well. I took him to the food court and we sat down. He was now shaking and crying softly. “Where is my love?” I held his hands and I asked him if he had a cell phone. My heart was breaking for him. He said he wasn’t sure, so I asked if I could search his pockets. He obliged. I was careful. In it, I found a small flippy phone. I searched through his contacts and found one that read ‘Daughter Krissy.’ I immediately called her. She answers in seconds. Hello?’ she said, her voice already sounding frantic. I explained that I was with an older man who I assumed was her father. That we were at the supermarket on Lane St and he was very distraught and upset. ‘On my way,” she said. “Can you make sure he doesn’t wander off?” She continued, “Thank you, thank you. I’m coming.” For 20-something minutes, I sat with a crying stranger. I held his hands. I wiped his tears. When he shivered, I layed my jacket down in his lap. I gave

him answers he needed to hear in the moment. I kept him from trailing off. Because that’s the least I could have done. Suddenly, in walks this tall young woman who looked about 28 or 29. Long black hair and green eyes. We locked eyes and she came rushing over. “Thank you. THANK YOU,” she said. “I had to leave for just an hour, and this happens. I knew I shouldn’t have left him. I’m SO sorry.” She explained that he sometimes runs off and looks for his wife. That he lost her 13 years ago, but he never stops trying. She proceeded to help him out of his chair and thanked me once again. On their way out, I heard him say once more, “Where is my wife?” My heart hurt, but I was so happy to see him with his family again. I share this not only because this man touched my heart, but to say this: The majority of this world are strangers to you. I know that. But never forget that we all share this world together, and in it we can share kindness. That is the only thing that can keep us going. If you see something, do something. You never know how big your impact can be on someone else’s life. I don’t care that the shopping cart I accidentally left in the pasta aisle during the frenzy of this situation was unloaded and put away. That I had to re-find everything. I don’t care that I ate dinner a little later that night. That I went home and cried my eyes out in the kitchen for this sweet, poor man. Kindness costs nothing. Kindness...it costs nothing, but can mean the world to someone today.

Why Me, O, Why Me? by Scarlette Taylor

She bowed low to scoop the crystal, clear water into her hand. Standing, she drew the water from her palm, holding it a moment in her mouth. The water was invigorating and soothing, and entirely satisfying. As she swallowed, she felt the water leave her throat and pass through her esophagus. It was if she felt it enter her entire body. But it was more than physical refreshment. Pleased and amazed, she moved from the water’s edge. But soon realized her vision was keenly sharp. Sights were vivid, radiant: the sun brighter, the flowers bursting in color, the long grasses swaying in verdant grace. She beheld beauty as never before. How wonderful was this state-of-being. An unusual, slight sound came to her- the flight of a butterfly, then the movement of a caterpillar nearby. Such slight sounds were hers. Other new sounds came; she felt splendidly alive. Time passed as she tried to grasp the experiences. She walked along the path, the one she’d always safely taken, but now it differed, the repetitive became sublime. Suddenly, she was engulfed with aromas. What were these fragrances? These sweet-scented, earthy attars? These perfumes, floral and earthy, brought a smile to her face; each so rich and distinct. How can life be any fuller she thought. How am I so richly consecrated? Why? Toying with ideas, she walked on in her sensory world. She thought nothing else could influence her so. However, her hand brushed the tall grass, and the sensation awoke her in a different way, a relational way. She then reached tentatively for the petal of a flower, the bark of a tree, the twigs of a low built bird nest. Each gave out its individual message. And she knew the message. Why, O why me? Who am I to be so gifted? Her mind raced through thoughts she’d been taught to trust: self, authority, man, position, acceptance. None calculated. None satisfied. And in an instant, she knew why. He was there.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers The Magic Number I was walking down the street the other day when I saw my best friend Jeff. I walked up to him and mentioned that I had the craziest dream the other night. Jeff listened as I told him that the dream consisted of just one thing. A huge glowing number “5.” It was made of gold and sparkled with shiny diamonds. Jeff ’s curiosity was piqued. I went on to say that the first thing that I did in the morning was to grab the daily racing digest and look up the 5th race. Jeff raised an eyebrow. I told him that the #5 horse in the 5th race was named “The 5th Element.” Jeff started grinning. Then I told him point-by-point what I did that entire day. I ate 5 bowls of cereal for breakfast and drank 5 cups of coffee, I went for a 5 mile jog to clear my head, I took a 5 minute shower to rinse off, I dressed in the 5th suit I found in my closet, I sat in my car for 5 minutes before starting it, I drove to the racetrack and parked in the 5th stall in the 5th row, I entered through the 5th admissions gate, I bought 5 programs, I went to the 5th betting window and bet $555 on the 5th horse in the 5th race, I went and sat in the 5th row of the bleachers making sure there were 5 people sitting on both sides of me. Then I settled in and waited for the race to start. “Well?” said Jeff. “Did your horse win?” I frowned at Jeff and said, “Stupid horse came in 5th.”

OPC The Place To Be

Tom Salem, owner of OPC Baseball Cards, has been involved with cards for over 35 years. Tom is a man of experience and energy. If you think his new store is a “Mom and Pop,” you are wrong. His operation involves travel, throughout the U. S. and Canada. He contacts and is contacted by businesses large and small. His store front, located at 409 North Stone, Caldwell, Texas, is a place to go for your trading card needs. OPC is open to the public on Sunday-Noon to 6:00 pm; Monday, 9 am to 6pm; Tuesday-Friday Noon-6 pm; Saturday-closed. Tom Salem travels extensively purchasing cards as well as running the operation. And he has employees who work 9-3 daily taking orders and shipping them. As you can imagine, OPC’s supply is vast. The business has been open a year here and offers baseball, basketball, football, and even non-sport cards such as Star Wars and Batman. Tom has had a website for 8 years, and has felt established, but recently realized he needed a storefront. About a year ago, he opened his small store. Now, he is in process of adding on 1,500 square feet for storage and more area for customer accessibility. It will be a wide-open concept including a big screen TV. When asked the purpose of his business, Tom said that he’s enjoyed cards since he was a young kid. The opening of packs and boxes always brought joy. As a boy, he acquired so many cards that he began to sell them on the side. Now, he is able to see young people enjoy the same things…the buying and collecting of cards. As an adult, Tom still loves cards, boxed and singles, and the buying and selling of cards. In fact, he commented that he has customers from as far as Austin, Waco, and Houston, to name a few. He buys big and small…truck loads, and small collections. Be sure to go to 409 North Stone, the fenced building, or call 774.573.1731, or you can go to his website www.opcbaseball. com for your sports card needs. He’ll be happy to see you. Welcome to the business community in Caldwell, Tom Salem. You are adding value to kids’ lives.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers KETCHUP A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. “Mommy can’t come to the phone to talk to you right now. She’s hitting the bottle.” YMCA A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women’s locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, “What’s the matter, haven’t you ever seen a little boy before?” POLICE # 1 While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, “Are you a cop?” “Yes,” I answered and continued writing the report. “My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?” “Yes, that’s right,” I told her. “Well, then,” she said as she extended her foot toward me, “would you please tie my shoe?” POLICE # 2 It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me “Is that a dog you got back there?” he asked. “It sure is,” I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, “What’d he do?”

I still have a landline. Or as I like to call it, “A Cell Phone Finder.”

545 vs 300,000,000 People by Charlie Reese

Charlie Reese’s final column for the Orlando Sentinel. Charlie has been a journalist for 49 years and when retiring, this is the LAST COLUMN HE WROTE.

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican nor democrat. It has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It’s a relatively short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering! Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits? Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes? You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The President does. You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations, The House of Representatives does. You and I don’t write the tax code, Congress does. You and I don’t set fiscal policy, Congress does. You and I don’t control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does. One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank. I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator’s responsibility to determine how he votes. Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House now ? He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to. It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist. If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red. If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it’s because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan .. If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way. There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do. Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses, provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees... We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess! What you do with this article now that you have read it... is up to you. This might be funny if it weren’t so true. Be sure to read all the way to the end: Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table, at which he’s fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes are the rule. Tax his work, Tax his pay, he works for peanuts anyway!

545 vs. 300,000,000 People (Cont’d) Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat. Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt. Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he tries to think. Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries tax his tears. Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways to tax his ass. Tax all he has, then let him know that you won’t be done till he has no dough. When he screams and hollers; then tax him some more, tax him till he’s good and sore. Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod into which he’s laid... Put these words upon his tomb, “Taxes drove me to my doom...” When he’s gone, do not relax, it’s time to apply, the Inheritance tax. Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CDL license Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon) Gross Receipts Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax) Liquor Tax Luxury Taxes Marriage License Tax Medicare Tax

Personal Property Tax Property Tax Real Estate Tax Service Charge Tax Social Security Tax Road Usage Tax Recreational Vehicle Tax Sales Tax School Tax State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax Telephone State and Local Tax Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax Vehicle Sales Tax Watercraft Registration Tax Well Permit Tax Workers Compensation Tax STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom , if agreed, stayed home to raise the kids. What in the heck happened? Can you spell ‘politicians?’ I hope this goes around THE USA at least 545 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!! GO AHEAD. . . BE AN AMERICAN!!

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.

Values

Concealed Concern

I can’t always tell Right from wrong At a glance.

I saw him today. The Audie Murphy of Abilene, Texas. Old, broken down, bad back, bad foot, still in fatigues. Forgotten by his country. Avoided by his neighbors.

I can’t always tell Good from bad Without a context. I sure can’t tell Pure from impure Without a doctrine. But I can tell the innocence Of a child, The love in an eye And The Whisper Of God Saying, “You love---and I’ll be the judge.”

This is because the Lord is our judge. The Lord makes our laws. The Lord Is our King. He will save us. Isa, 33L22 (NCV)

At least five major, ribboned medals boxed on the wall. No chance to even discretely examine. Afraid to ask. I don’t know if he shot Krauts or Japs. He may have been the one who shot up the neighborhood last year. I can’t help him. I’m scared of him. He’s not all there. Wonder where he left it? Wonder if anyone’s helped him look for it? I’ll just vaccinate his dog and go. I doubt that he’ll give me a medal for that, but I hope his back gets better. I feel for him, but I don’t dare reach him. Kind of a empty feeling to be carrying a concealed concern. How do I get the safety off this organism?

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers

A FARM KID JOINS THE MARINES

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the Places are filled. I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 5 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there’s warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It’s no wonder these city boys can’t walk much.

I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I’m only 5’6” and 130 pounds and he’s 6’8” and near 300 pounds dry. Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in. Your loving daughter, Alice

Give a man a fish and you will feed him for the day. - Teach a man to fish and he’s going to spend a fortune on gear he’ll only be using twice a year.

We go on “route marches,” which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it’s not my place to tell him different. A “route march” is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and Colonels just ride around and frown. They don’t bother you none. This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don’t know why. The bullseye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don’t move, and it ain’t shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don’t even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes. They we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain’t like fighting with that ole bull at home. I’m about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake.

Family A

Affair

Brian Broaddus and Bill Sprouse, along with wives Jennifer and Kimberly, opened the Four Tines at the Surrey on February 1, 2021, at 403 East Highway 21. Bill comes to the restaurant with 25 years of experience in the field, and together Bill and Brian have provided catering to Caldwell and the area for a few years. Bill had thought of opening a restaurant over the years. Although he and Brian had cooked together from time to time, the partnership didn’t become a reality until their cooking of steaks took off. People from as far away as Houston were asking for catering of their steaks. Soon their business grew too large for home distribution. The Surrey Restaurant then came on the market. It was the perfect opportunity for them. They felt that Caldwell would be open to a restaurant that offers what they as a family enjoy eating. They believed if they liked the food, others would too. Things worked out, and they began the process of opening Four Tines at the Surrey. After the business purchase, the restaurant was de-cluttered and deep cleaned. The lighting was changed inside and out. The buffet area was re-covered. New kitchen equipment was added, as was new cooling. And they bought a char-griller, fryers, and a new flat top grill. The owners are proud of their food and work hard to offer the best to you, the customer. They cut their own meat, even grind the hamburger meat, and make their own salad dressings, Ranch, Thousand Island, and Honey Mustard, as well as whipping their own butter and whip cream for desserts.

Four Tines is open Monday-Thursday 11-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11:00-9:00 p.m. Sundays 11-2:00 pm. The restaurant offers a buffet 11:00-2:00 daily. Full menu is available all day. The variety of foods on the menu includes grilled steaks; chicken fried steaks; shrimp, grilled and fried; crawfish, oysters in season; fried porkchops; and burgers w/ wo cheese. And they have a great chef salad. The buffet offers four proteins, which always includes chicken fried steak and fried fish, as well as a salad bar and assorted veggies. Rolls, as well as dessert choices of cakes, cobblers, and puddings complete the items. We all know that restaurant ownership is demanding. “It’s hard work with preparing, cooking, serving, cleaning…but it is rewarding work,” Brian says. He enjoys people, and they are happy to be providing them with delicious food. The restaurant is a family affair. Bill’s children, Preston, Payton, and Ashlynn, as well as Brian’s son Ryan are employees. And Brian’s daughter Riley helps too. They’re keeping it in the family. Be sure that you drive down Hwy 21 and pull off at the Four Tines at the Surrey…you won’t be sorry you did.

Buckle Up Tight... Back What’s Right Buckle Up Tight and Back What’s Right is our theme and our center fold message. I feel certain that many, if not most, of you are wanting to do just that: Stay prepared or buckled up, and do, believe, think, and act on what is right. However, these are not easy things to do in many instances today. We face Executive Orders, mandates, and regulations or deregulations on issues of all kinds…abortion, open borders, dismissal of the Keystone XL Pipeline jobs, Supreme Court Justices refusing to hear cases revealing the illegality of the Presidential election, and on and on. And so many actions are done seemingly without concern for the people, and without input from many who were elected to govern this wonderful nation of ours. So, what is a small-town person to do? What can we do? One thing is to stay informed. That may seem hard to do. The truth is that it does take some effort. But, isn’t our nation, our way of life worth the effort? Whoever is in office, we need to listen to the proposed laws, the regulations, or the plans that are being proposed, and look at the truth, or lack of, when considering the facts. Read and discuss with people you know to be informed, reasonable, wise. And if you are the parent of teens or younger children, talk with them about the truths about issues you know to be wrong: abortion, lawlessness, deception; and discuss with them the issues that are right: following what the Constitution states, loving our nation that so many have sacrificed their lives to keep for us. This is one thing we can do. We can stay informed. We can consider what is right or wrong and stand for the right. Another thing to do is get involved. Write your Congressman or Congresswoman, and know what they are voting on and voting for. If you disagree, text or email them what you believe is right and why. Speak out in control with wisdom and knowledge. And stay involved in the affairs of your own city and state, and in the affairs of our country. Don’t adopt an “I can’t do anything anyway” attitude!

Oh, the deception some elected officials are trying to perpetuate: open borders with no restraint, abortion to the 9th month, gun control by the Federal government, increased taxes, transgender female athletes competing against female athletes, and controlling our Churches, deciding when they can be open, and how many can enter. And, another paramount problem: human trafficking, children and women disregarded. Let’s all buckle up and back what is right! We can do it. We can seek to be wise in every way we can!!!!

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers Are you a Democrat, a Republican, or a Southerner? Here is a little test that will help you decide. The answer can be found by posing the following question: You’re walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, a Terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, raises the knife, and charges at you... You are carrying a Kimber 1911 cal. 45 ACP, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do? THINK CAREFULLY Democrat’s Answer: What is a Kimber 1911 cal. 45 ACP? Does the man look poor or oppressed? Is he really a terrorist? Am I guilty of profiling? Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack? Could we run away? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? What does the law say about this situation? Does the pistol have appropriate safety built into it? Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children? Is it possible he’d be happy with just killing me? Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me? If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me?

Should I call 9-1-1? Why is this street so deserted? We need to raise taxes, have paint & weed day. Can we make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior? I need to debate this with some friends for a few days and try to come to a consensus. This is all so confusing! Republican’s Answer: BANG! Southerner’s Answer: BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG ! BANG! BANG! BANG! Click..... (Sounds of reloading) BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Click

TELL OUR ADVERTISERS YOU SAW THEM IN THE FRONT PORCH MAGAZINE to advertise in the front porch magazine call 979-567-6753 or 979-567-7871

Vaccines

Old, New and What Can We Do?

Howdy, today we are going to buckle down and discuss what is the most efficacious and safest types of vaccines. Due to the limits of my medical license, I cannot recommend or advise human application’s. I will, however, apply veterinarian principles to the current Chinese Virus (COVID-19) vaccines available and under clinical trials. Finally, I will conclude with a brief look back at 2020 and what we can do in 2021 to make it better. The purpose of a vaccine is to precipitate a response by the host’s body and produce a targeted immune response to protect the host against an infectious disease. An ideal vaccine should provide long term and broad-spectrum protection against a biological pathogen and their continued mutations. Furthermore, vaccines should have minimal side effects or serious adverse reactions after administration. In the past hundred plus years, vaccines have evolved exponentially. I have found that scientific advancements have both positive and negative impacts on their patient’s health. Researching this article, I placed vaccines in three broad categories. The first one is a killed or inactivated biological pathogen injected into the body. This technology is the oldest and has the most historical data base. The killed vaccines have evolved significantly over time and typically cause an immuno-response without causing serious illness. The inactivated vaccines will need an adjuvant to boost this response. Adjuvants are chemical substances added to the vaccine in order to enhance and slow the host absorption of the vaccine. The slower and more complete uptake by the host immune-system will produce a safe long-term immunity. An example of the human inactivated vaccine is the influenza virus. If you are familiar with the flu vaccine, then you will realize that it has poor protection against mutations. Therefore, the vaccine must be reformulated every year to provide the most up-to-date protection. Inactivated Chinese virus vaccines currently in clinical trials are the Sinovac and the Sinopharm. The second category are the modified live or attenuated vaccines. These are biological pathogens that have been purified from toxins and modified in order to not cause clinical illness. The body recognizes the impudent pathogens and forms immunity. Typically, these vaccines are the most efficacious, least invasive and protective even if mutations to the pathogen occur. Since they are live pathogens, extensive testing and development are required, thus, taking the longest time and cost to develop. An example of a failed attenuated vaccine is the pet rabies virus. The first rabies vaccine was a modified live vaccine; however, it caused multiple cases of iatrogenic rabies infections and was removed from the market. The killed rabies vaccine we use today replaced it. Examples of attenuated vaccines in humans are the oral polio vaccine and the codagenix (still in clinical trials) for the Chinese virus.

The final category of vaccines is what I would describe as molecular engineered biologicals. The three main types are viral vector, protein and genetic of subunit vaccines. These modern biologicals have several things in common. All of them have either genetic material or proteins extracted from the pathogen virus and their true efficacy and safety are not well documented. Viral vector vaccines use a harmless virus as a host. DNA or RNA from the pathogen is injected into the vector virus. Because it is a modified live viral vector, it generates a very strong immune response by the host and thus good immunity. Current viral vector vaccines in human use are the Ebola and the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Protein vaccines are comprised of surface molecules normally found on the outer covering of the pathogen. Because these proteins are unique to the pathogen, they cause antibodies to be formed to target the BAD pathogen and consequently the destruction of the pathogenic agent by the host immune system. The genetic vaccines are basically benign small strands of DNA or RNA of the pathogen that after injection into the host, force the host immune cells to make the proteins unique to the BAD agent. Those proteins are used to form antibodies and therefore immunity. Current human examples of genetic/subunit vaccines are the Pfizer/BioTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. In the veterinary field there are several examples of genetically engineered biologicals. Currently, Merial produces a genetically engineered biological for feline rabies, leukemia and canine distemper diseases. The information above is very broad and general. I hope it will stimulate a further investigation of these new types of vaccines before you blindly trust the federal government and big Pharm. Because of naivety of the new vaccination science, the type of immuno-protection along with its intermediate and long-term effects are unknown in the human host. The veterinary biologics have been

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Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers My Favorite Animal Our teacher asked us what our favorite animal was, and I said, “Fried chicken.” She said I wasn’t funny, but she couldn’t have been right, because everyone else in the class laughed. My parents told me to always be truthful and honest, and I am. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much. I do, too. Especially chicken, pork, and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal’s office. I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again. The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. She asked me why. I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken. She sent me back to the principal’s office again. He laughed, and told me not to do it again. I don’t understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn’t like it when I am. Today, my teacher asked us to tell her what famous person we admire most. I told her, “Colonel Sanders.” Guess where I am now ...

Submitted by Rev. Dr. George Klett, on behalf of the First Presbyterian Church, 600 West Buck Street, in Caldwell, TX, offering a Bible-based, traditional service of worship every Sunday morning at 10:00. We are a small but friendly and warm-welcoming church family, so feel free to come as you are - - no reservations needed!!

Since 1907 the universal Scout Motto has been “Be Prepared,” sage advice for everyday usage! A teacher prepares with a lesson plan; an attorney with an agenda; a pilot with a preflight check-list; a farmer with seeds; a rancher with a saddle; a football player with a game plan; a plumber with a wrench; a carpenter with a hammer; a minister with a sermon - - and so on! And as we all stand on the thresh-hold of a tomorrow, it serves us well to prepare and equip ourselves for our journey into tomorrow’s “unchartered and unknown wilderness.” This personal trek can be laden with the dismay of ill-health, financial woes, strained relationships, along with the stress of political turmoil, environmental contamination, climate change, natural calamities, etc. The concerns and threats are many, and seem to be unending and without remedy. Nothing new!

In Preparation for the Journey Into Tomorrow! About 3,300 years ago both Moses and Joshua faced their personal journey into a threatening future. But God offered to equip them in preparation for their stormy entry into the shadowed unknown with a strong promise: “Be strong and of good courage! Do not be afraid or dismayed, for I am the Lord your God, with you wherever you go. I will not fail you nor forsake you!” This dependable promise from our Lord as recorded in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:9 is worthy to be boldly claimed and leaned upon as we too face our unchartered tomorrows and enter into their unknown and dark wilderness! Good preparation using “good equipment!” Free for the asking! The Rev. Dr. George Klett First Presbyterian Church, Caldwell located at 600 Buck Street Offering traditional Bible-based worship services at 10:00 every Sunday morning. All are welcomed, so feel free to “come as you are!”

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers An elderly man stood respectfully and sorrowfully at the graveside. His departed wife’s service was just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, “Well, she’s there.” ************

On the way back from a Cub Scout meeting, my grandson innocently said to my son, “Dad, I know babies come from mommies’ tummies, but how do they get there in the first place?” After my son hemmed and hawed awhile, my grandson finally spoke up in disgust, “You don’t have to make up something, Dad. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer.” ************

Out bicycling one day with my eight-year-old granddaughter, Carolyn, I got a little wistful. “In ten years,” I said, “you’ll want to be with your friends and you won’t go walking, biking, and swimming with me like you do now. Carolyn shrugged, “In ten years you’ll be too old to do all those things anyway.” OUCH!

Variety Pack Asset allocation funds

Kavon Novak is a registered Investment Consultant with LPL Financial. He holds Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 licenses. Kavon has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry and is a member of the Financial Services Institute and the Burleson County Chamber of Commerce. He is a multi-year “Outstanding Client Service” award recipient and a Fightin’ Texas Aggie ’91. For more information please call 979-255-8796.

Asset allocation funds also offer diversification, professional management and monitoring within a single basket of investments. Within this category are risk-based funds (also known as lifestyle funds) that allocate the money in your retirement account among investment options aligned to your comfort with risk. Age-based funds (also known as target-date or lifecycle funds) correspond with the year you expect to retire and automatically invest more conservatively over time as the date approaches.

Managed account or advice services

Some plans offer a professionally managed investment advice service that is personalized for each participant. This may appeal to some participants, especially those who would prefer that someone make investment decisions and selections for them. Most investment advice services provide a customized investment strategy, based on your own unique time horizon, risk tolerance and other financial goals. In addition, they automatically rebalance your investments on a regular basis so that your asset allocation strategy (the percentage of your money that’s divided up among stock, bonds and cash asset classes) remains in place according to your wishes — especially important during either a market downturn or rebound.

Maintaining a diversified portfolio can help you feel more in control during uncertain economic times The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly tested the resolve of even the most seasoned investors. To help regain some confidence and sense of empowerment, it may be helpful to review a fundamental principle of investing: diversification. Diversification is spreading your retirement savings and contributions among a variety of investments (e.g., stocks, bonds and cash) to help manage your risk of Dollar-cost averaging through your investment fund over-concentration in a specific investment or asset class. The investment funds offered in your retirement plan also offer Diversification opportunities in your workplace another potential benefit: dollar-cost averaging. Dollar-cost averagretirement plan Although diversification doesn’t ensure a profit or prevent a loss ing means investing the same amount of money at regular intervals, in a declining market, taking advantage of the range of investment no matter how the market is doing. This approach is built into your options offered by your workplace retirement plan may help guard retirement plan — each pay period you automatically invest the your account against major market swings. You don’t need to invest same contribution amount, whether the market is up or down. in a whole lot of options; just enough to ensure you have a good mix When prices are low, you end up buying more shares of the fund. When prices are high, you buy fewer shares with the same amount. of different investment types. Over time, the average price you pay for each share is typically low Many retirement plans offer investment options that include built-in diversification opportunities. We have summarized a few er than the average market price. Keep in mind that dollar-cost averaging does not guarantee a profof these below. it or protect against a loss in a declining market. You should make Mutual funds Think of a mutual fund as a basket that contains many different sure that your risk tolerance allows you to continue contributing investments — that all have something in common — be it compa- during down markets. But it’s a practical and efficient approach to nies that together make up a market index, a particular asset class investing that may help give you a sense of control during uncertain (such as stocks or bonds, international or domestic) or a specific times. sector (such as companies in the energy, construction, manufactur- This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal or investment advice. If you are seeking investment ing, transportation or technology industries). There are also mutual advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own funds that invest solely in companies that adhere to certain ethi- separate from this educational material. cal or environmental principles (also known as socially responsible Kmotion, Inc., 412 Beavercreek Road, Suite 611, Oregon City, OR 97045; www.kmofunds). You should be aware that most mutual funds are diversified tion.com ©2020 Kmotion, Inc. This newsletter is a publication of Kmotion, Inc., whose role for one purpose or objective, and are not considered a diversified is solely that of publisher. The articles and opinions in this newsletter are those of portfolio. Kmotion. The articles and opinions are for general information only and are not in What’s nice about mutual funds is that investors are able to pur- tended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Nothing in chase collection of investments that are professionally managed. It’s this publication shall be construed as providing investment counseling or directing employees to participate in any investment program in any way. Please consult your instant, easy diversification that lets you avoid researching and buy- financial advisor or other appropriate professional for further assistance with regard ing stocks or other types of investments one by one. to your individual situation. LPL Tracking #1-05020682 (Exp. 05/21)

Rush Limbaugh had a final warning about America and the danger we now face . . . Dear Reader,

Before he left this world, Rush Limbaugh had a warning to America. He announced this dire warning on his radio show. Rush said that if America did not stop the far left and their plan to implement socialism, they would destroy America. Rush posted the message on his website with this powerful headline: “It’s Time to Rise Up and Defeat the Socialist Left.” Rush began his warning about socialism talking about abortion. For years, Rush complained that liberals and even some Republicans “have approached me and told me that I have to get the party to stop talking about abortion, that it’s killing us [the Republican Party].” Rush continued: “Now, don’t have a knee-jerk reaction and tune out here. This has a point. They would tell me, ‘We’re losing elections because we have a Christian or Religious Right position on abortion, and we’re targeting ourselves. We just have to forget it. We are fiscal conservatives, but we’ve got to stop this conservative social issue stuff because it’s killing us.’” So what did abortion have to do with socialism? Rush explained: “This is about the fundamental thing we all only have one of, and it’s a life, and we have a political party which is pushing every day for the right to kill whoever they think is inconvenient — and they’re gonna do it one way or the other. They’re gonna do it with law. They’re gonna do it with healthcare, and every time I would point this out, they would pooh-pooh me and say that I was being paranoid and irrational, and abortion was a standalone issue that didn’t have any growth features. It just was what it was. “I could not find a way to get through to them and tell them that this was not just about babies and women’s rights to choose and all this. It was about what kind of country we were eventually gonna have. If these people who revel, who celebrate the right to kill little children . . . if those people continue to gain power and don’t pay a price for that . . . But I got nowhere . . . “They didn’t want to hear about any culture war . . . They didn’t understand that Democrats were liberals, were socialists, were communists, budding communists. “They didn’t understand that,” Rush said, slapping his desk, the sound echoing from radio speakers across America. And then Rush made clear that socialism “is what the Democrat Party stands for.”

He urged his listeners not to fall for the media spin about the Democrats’ agenda, but to beware of their real plans. “That’s what Joe Biden wants to do. Biden, Pelosi, all these Democrats — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whoever you think — Crazy Bernie,” Rush said with a sigh. Rush is right. America is at a crossroads. One book tells the real story of the Biden-Pelosi-AOC agenda that Barack Obama started and now he wants to complete it with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. You need to read “Socialists Don’t Sleep: Christians Must Rise or America Will Fall.” It’s written by famed Washington Times editor Cheryl Chumley and tells the real story of what Rush Limbaugh warned about. It’s already a number one bestseller. Find out why Rush was really worried. Find out how we can heed Rush’s final warning. “Socialists Don’t Sleep” is available on Amazon and bookstores everywhere. Under the guise of a “Green New Deal,” they aim to slap massive regulations on companies across America — causing job losses and economic depression. Joe Biden himself said he wanted to end the oil and gas business in the United States! Chumley says radical left socialists are now swarming the United States, plotting to crush the patriotic, freedom-loving and moral ideals we cherish. They’re using the pandemic to control schools and businesses, as they move to close down churches and restrict our most basic freedoms. How did this happen? In Socialists Don’t Sleep, Chumley shows how the far left took over the Democratic Party using sly means, pretending to be progressives, social justice warriors, and populists who care for the working class. They’ve also done it by smearing and assassinating characters and reputations thanks to their willing accomplices in the media. But just like the climate change treaty and NAFTA, their plan CAN be stopped. Rush has warned us. Let’s be bold and viligant and wise in the days and months ahead. Don’t forget to vote in 2022 and choose your Congressmen and Senators CAREFULLY.

GREAT info to know!

90# on your telephone I dialed ‘0’ to check this out, and the operator confirmed that this was correct, so please pass it on.. (l also checked out snopes.com and truthorfiction.com. This is true, and also applies to cell phones!) I received a telephone call last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service Technician (could also be Telus) who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up. Luckily, I was suspicious and refused. Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number. I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons. DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE.. After checking with Verizon they also said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone !!!!!

Tell our Advertisers You Saw Them in the Front Porch Magazine

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers While I sat in the reception area of my doctor’s office, a woman rolled an elderly man in a wheelchair into the room. As she went to the receptionist’s desk, the man sat there, alone and silent. Just as I was thinking I should make small talk with him, a little boy slipped off his mother’s lap and walked over to the wheelchair. Placing his hand on the man’s hand, he said, “I know how you feel. My Mom makes me ride in the stroller too.” ************ Working as a pediatric nurse, I had the difficult assignment of giving immunization shots to children. One day, I entered the examining room to give four-year-old Lizzie her injection. “No, no, no!” she screamed.

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

“Lizzie,” scolded by her mother, “that’s not polite behavior.” With that, the girl yelled even louder, “No, thank you! No, thank you! No, thank you!”

Finding Our Way Back by Sam Johnson

The Journey to meet the Great Oz took Dorothy in many fantastic directions only to discover in the end that the power to get back to Kansas was within her reach the whole time. For many Americans, we too are looking for answers to get back to a more peaceful time that feels more familiar than the dystopian here and now. It seems that there are enemies fiercer than the feared flying monkeys in Oz and evil more despicable than the Wicked Witch of the West all around us. However, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, the journey reveals not only her strengths, but friends to help her along the way. Those who forge ahead in the face of great adversity are the ones that succeed in uncovering the hidden truths that will empower them. For many last year was a disaster in so many ways. Many lived in fear for a better part of the year from things real and manufactured. Jobs, lives and trust were destroyed and lost. Americans gave up many freedoms due to fear of an unknown, unquantified enemy. Family, friends and communities were divided as never before by these fears. Cities saw “peaceful protests” turn into raging riots. The sudden aloneness of life was also a battle for many. Whatever struggles we might face, the most important thing is not to waste the lessons hidden along the way. To learn from adversity is to grow as a person and get stronger. As Dorothy learned to stand up to the evil witch, she got stronger and overcame her. Her newly made friends also grew as they overcame the personal fears each had. Together they made an unbeatable team. In our own community, we all have friends that have many different fears and obstacles they must overcome. We are all like Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Lion and Tinman in many ways. Each had a personal fear that prevented them from being the person they were meant

to be. As well as unsubstantiated fears, there are obstacles along the way to overcome. These might be those trying to deceive us through lies and hidden theft. Only revealing truth and shining a light on these deceptions can render them powerless. Sharing our concerns with trusted friends helps us discern truth from fiction. We need to bond together to help one another discover our strengths and share the truth about any deceptions we discover. Everyone lend a hand, not only to a friend, but also a stranger. Locally, we must focus on sharing our time and strengths throughout the community. Frequent local shops and hire local tradesmen. Join a service club or church. Only then do we become unbeatable as a community and stronger individually as well. In the end, we discover that the old familiar world we seek does not come from some “Great Oz” in a faraway place. It is here and now if we chose to wake up and make it real.

The

Gas Can by Shannon Firth Williams

“I was fourteen. My family was on the way home from a weekend of camping. Because of the nice weather Dad suggested that we take the longer but more picturesque route over a mountain pass. As we started up the pass, the gate was pulled closed. ‘That must be a prank,’ said Dad, noting that the temperature was approaching a hundred degrees. He opened the gate and off we went. A half hour later we noticed the winter snows had not completely melted. We laughed about it. Soon there was more snow on the road itself, and it became a problem. About that time we were running low on gas, but Dad said we’d gone too far to retrace our steps.

We came to a fork in the road. One path was up a steep incline. The other was blocked by trees. We started up the hill but soon our van was stuck in the snow. The more Dad gunned the engine the more fuel was being used up. We were in trouble. And not sure what to do. It was late afternoon and the night was sure to be freezing. Nobody would be coming to help. Our food was gone. And there was only one match left in the packet. I got out of the van and decided to take a walk back down to the fork. As I walked I wondered how far it was to the nearest telephone or assistance and whether I could hike that far. But truth be known, I was scared. I said a prayer. At the fork I looked in every direction. That’s when a glint caught my eye. I walked toward it. About twenty-five feet off to the side of the road was a shiny red red five-gallon gas can. I lifted it up. It was full! The can had been sitting under a pine tree, yet there was not one pine needle on it. Not one water spot. Nor any dirt! I ran back to my father and mother and told them what I’d found. They ran down the road and were amazed as well! We filled the gas tank on the van, got unstuck, turned around, and headed back the way we came. On the way, we tried to figure it out. Was the gas can put there by someone in the forestry department? Maybe ... but, given its

If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.

Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm

AN AFRICA ORPHANAGE MISSION TRIP FOR CHRIST THAT BROUGHT SMILES TO HUNDREDS

Dr. Ryan M. Jouett, DDS, LVIM, FICOI, is known for his selfless walk with Christ as a Christian book author on relationships, in his tireless work for Young Life, and in his outreach and mission work. When an opportunity arose for Dr. Jouettt and his wife Amanda to go to Uganda on a church medical mission team, he knew it was his opportunity to witness God’s word, and simultaneously help bring healthy smiles to a population in need. As with most medical missions, the medical team served as the ‘attraction’ to get people to come and hear about Jesus. The trip lasted seven days, but will forever be seared into the collective memory of the team for a lifetime. The setting was remote and rural, the language different, but Dr. Jouett immediately bonded with all those he met over the universal language of Christ’s love, and the worldly common denominator that mankind shares in the wants and desires for safe and happy lives. The team headquartered near the local sponsoring church and related orphanage. Word quickly spread in advance of the team’s arrival to the neighboring villages, so that upon arrival, Dr. Jouett found lines of patients in the hundreds awaiting their turn to be seen by him. Nurse practitioners, ER physicians, and family medicine doctors set up their pop-up shelters and folding lawn chairs alongside Dr. Jouett’s makeshift dental office, which was also under a 10’ X 10’ tailgate tent. Of an average of 200 patients per day, approximately 75 to 100 were there for dental needs. Translation was courtesy of the staff of the local church, and the long lines served as a fitting opportunity to share the word of Christ to those as they waited to be seen. Showing the lengths that the people of Uganda would go to in order to receive quality care, one committed mother traveled a great distance down a red clay dirt road through the jungle with her 28 year oldhandicapped daughter on the back of her moped so she could have her daughter’s wisdom tooth removed by Dr. Jouett. The operation was done using a picnic table as a makeshift operating table, while Dr.Jouett and a medical team administered anesthesia.

The week went by fast, and the work was exhausting with the lines of patients extending seemingly forever, but everybody was seen, people were brought to the Lord, and the medicalteam felt uplifted over work well done. When asked what he recommends to others wanting to do missionary work, Dr. Jouett said he has found that by doing local outreach missions yearly, and global missions once every 5 to 10 years, most people can strike a balance between their work life and our spiritual responsibilities to joyfully spread the word of Christ. To learn more about medical mission trips, and Dr. Jouett’s journey, you can contact him at 979.846.6515.

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers

How to Frighten the New Generation Put them in a room with a rotary phone, an analog watch and a TV with no remote. Then leave directions on how to use in cursive.

guys, I need your help. I’m in the middle of an argument with my wife and she just told me that i am right. what the heck do i do next?! 51

In the spring of 1837 Nathaniel Hawthorne published Twice Told Tales, a short story collection in two volumes. They were from previously published periodicals. Unlike Hawthorne’s tales, mine is pristine; it has never been published; it has rarely been told. It’s a true account of twice stole shells. There used to be a fellow in Bill Arp who had a reputation for having sticky fingers. “I’ll use the fictitious name of Floyd in referring to him.” He would steal when the right opportunity presented itself. Floyd bought his gas, groceries, and necessities, such as BC headache powders, at Mr. Bart Dukes store. He sometimes took his meals at the store. He would dine on sardines, potted meat, or Vienna sausages and soda crackers. An R.C. Cola “belly washer” was his drink of choice. One day a friend of mine, whom I’ll call Jack, was in the back of the store and saw Floyd come in. He sauntered over to the counter where the sardines, potted meat, and Vienna sausages were shelved. Across the aisle, against the wall was a shelf where Mr. Bart stocked shot gun shells and 22 rifle bullets. Floyd looked around, thought no one was looking, and slid a box of 16 gauge shot gun shells under his floppy denim jacket. He paid for his snack and left with the shells still nestled under his coat. This theft occurred at a time when there had been a death in the community. In those days it was customary for the undertaker to prepare the body and return it home. Friends and family would sit up around the clock until the funeral. Ladies would bring loads of food and the wake would usually turn into a time of eating, fellowship, and tale telling. Some of the folks seemed glad, in a sad way, when there was a death. It was like an all day singing with “dinner on the grounds.” People got a chance to eat the best vittles prepared by the best cooks in the county.

Though it never seemed respectful to me that they had a good time at these “settin’ups,” as most people called them. Funny stores, jokes, yarns of all descriptions, and teasing were common fare at these events. Floyd never missed a “settin’ up.” Floyd lived alone so the “settin’ up” food was a monumental improvement over his own fare, and it afforded him an opportunity to socialize. One night during the wake Jack went to take a turn “settin’ up.” Among the eight or ten vehicles there he spotted Floyd’s rusty old truck. He decided to search the truck to see if the stolen shotgun shells might be in it. He slid his hand under the seat on the driver’s side and felt the box of shells. He put them in his car and went in the house. The next day Jack went to Mr. Bart’s store with the box of shells secreted under his coat. He strolled around to the shell shelf and placed them back in their place. The shells were stolen, re-solen, returned and Mr. Bart never knew they had been on vacation. A man who worked with Floyd later told about him coming to work one morning later in the week and complaining about someone stealing a box of shotgun shells right out of his truck. He said Floyd gave the thief a real good cussin’ and went on for a while about how bad the world’s getting.

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 Help With The Garden An old Italian man lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was very hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days. Love, Papa A few days later he received a letter from his son. Dear Papa, Don’t dig up that garden. That’s where the bodies are buried. Love, Vinnie At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son. Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That’s the best I could do under the circumstances. Love you, Vinnie

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

With so much concern over the right to bear arms in recent days, you should realize that U. S. history holds true to the idea that bearing arms refers to the citizenry of the United States. Evidences are stated below. Hold tight to the rights our Constitution gives us.

Civilian usage meaning In United States v. Cruikshank (1876), the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that the right to arms preexisted the Constitution and in that case and in Presser v. Illinois (1886) recognized that the Second Amendment protected the right from being infringed by Congress. In United States v. Miller (1939), the Court again recognized that the right to arms is individually held and, citing the Tennessee case of Aymette v State, indicated that it protected the right to keep and bear arms that are “part of the ordinary military equipment” or the use of which could “contribute to the common defense.” Its first opportunity to rule specifically on whose right the Second Amendment protects. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the Court ruled that the amendment protects an individual right “to keep and carry arms in case of confrontation,” not contingent on service in a militia, while indicating, in dicta, that restrictions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill. In the 2010 case of McDonald v. Chicago, the Court applied incorporation doctrine to extend the Second Amendment’s protections nationwide. The people’s right to have their own arms for their defense is described in the philosophical and political writings of Aristotle, Cicero, John Locke, Machiavelli, the English Whigs. Though possessing arms appears to be distinct from “bearing” them, the possession of arms is recognized as necessary for and a logical precursor to the bearing of arms. In commentary written by Judge Garwood in United States v. Emerson, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit concluded in 2001 that: ... there are numerous instances of the phrase ‘bear arms’ being used to describe a civilian’s carrying of arms. Early constitutional provisions or declarations of rights in at least some ten different states speak of the right of the ‘people’ [or ‘citizen’ or ‘citizens’] ‘to bear arms in defense of themselves [or ‘himself ’] and the state,’ or equivalent words, thus indisputably reflecting that under common usage ‘bear arms’ was in no sense restricted to bearing arms in military service. See Bliss v. Commonwealth, 13 Am. Dec. 251, 12 Ky. 90 (Ky. 1822). Likewise, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), No. 07-290, that “[t]he Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.”

VACCINES Cont’d from Page 38 used for 10 plus years and have an effective and safe track record. We will all be exposed to the Chinese virus at some point in time, maybe these biologicals will help but I doubt that they will totally prevent infection of this terrible disease the Chinese released on the world. Now, my monologue for What Can We Do? The past year undoubtedly was very troubling and 2021 is not looking any better. I sit here in the dark and cold waiting for my allotment of fifteen minutes of electricity mandated by ERCOT. A non-elected bureaucrat of the state has decided that most rural Texans should have their power limited due to the cold weather. Never mind that the reason our power grid failure is not the weather, it is because ERCOT failed to prepare for disaster and relied on frozen wind turbines and solar panels that do NOT work in inclement weather. I have contacted my Governor, State Representative and Senator to let my opinion be known. I further ponder the national election and its ramifications. OUR president did not get a fair shake. I thank him for his service and pray for him to return in some form to Make American Great again. We must buckle down and fight for what is right. That means to me not to accept the globalist/socialist agenda of the Democrat’s, RINO-Republicans and the swamp. I encourage you to contact legislators not only at the state level but the local and federal governments. Let your opinion be heard. Reform of the national elections system is paramount if conservatism and the middle class will ever rise again and keep America a sovereign, free nation. Jack F McKemie, DVM

Chicago is gun free. Over 1550 shot already this year. Maine can carry concealed firearms without a permit. 4 years later, Maine is the safest state in the Union! Tell me again how Gun C ontrol works!

Interesting Take on Electric Cars This could make you turn green! Or maybe turn your savings from green to red . Electric Cars - Are they great or what? As an engineer I love the electric vehicle technology. However, I have been troubled for a longtime by the fact that the electrical energy to keep the batteries charged has to come from the grid and that means more power generation and a huge increase in the distribution infrastructure Whether generated from coal, gas, oil, wind or sun, installed generation capacity is limited A friend sent me the following that says it very well. You should all take a look at this short article. IF ELECTRIC CARS DO NOT USE GASOLINE, THEY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN PAYING A GASOLINE TAX ON EVERY GALLON THAT IS SOLD FOR AUTOMOBILES, WHICH WAS ENACTED SOME YEARS AGO TO HELP TO MAINTAIN OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES. THEY WILL USE THE ROADS, BUT WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR MAINTENANCE! In case you were thinking of buying hybrid or an electric car: Ever since the advent of electric cars, the REAL cost per mile of those things has never been discussed. All you ever heard was the mpg in terms of gasoline, with nary a mention of the cost of electricity to run it. This is the first article I’ve ever seen and tells the story pretty much as I expected it to. Electricity has to be one of the least efficient ways to power things, yet they’re being shoved down our throats. Glad somebody finally put engineering and math to paper. At a neighborhood BBQ I was talking to a neighbor, a BC Hydro Executive. I asked him how that renewable thing was doing. He laughed, then got serious. If you really intend to adopt electric vehicles, he pointed out, you had to face certain realities. For example, a home charging system for a Tesla requires 75 amp service. The average house is equipped with 100 amp service. On our small street (approximately 25 homes), the electrical infrastructure would be unable to carry more than three houses with a single Tesla, each. For even half the homes to have electric vehicles, the system would be wildly over-loaded. This is the elephant in the room with electric vehicles.

Our residential infrastructure cannot bear the load. So as our genius elected officials promote this nonsense, not only are we being urged to buy these things and replace our reliable, cheap generating systems with expensive, new windmills and solar cells, but we will also have to renovate our entire delivery system! This latter “investment” will not be revealed until we’re so far down this dead end road that it will be presented with an ‘OOPS...!’ and a shrug. If you want to argue with a green person over cars that are eco friendly, just read the following. Note: If you ARE a green person, read it anyway. It’s enlightening. Eric test drove the Chevy Volt at the invitation of General Motors and he writes, “For four days in a row, the fully charged battery lasted only 25 miles before the Volt switched to the reserve gasoline engine. “Eric calculated the car got 30 mpg including the 25 miles it ran on the battery. So, the range including the 9-gallon gas tank and the 16 kwh battery is approximately 270 miles. It will take you 4.5 hours to drive 270 miles at 60 mph. Then add 10 hours to charge the battery and you have a total trip time of 14.5 hours. In a typical road trip your average speed (including charging time) would be 20 mph. According to General Motors, the Volt battery holds 16 kwh of electricity. It takes a full 10 hours to charge a drained battery. The cost for the electricity to charge the Volt is never mentioned, so I looked up what I pay for electricity. I pay approximately (it varies with amount used and the seasons) $1.16 per kwh. 16 kwh x $1.16 per kwh = $18.56 to charge the battery. $18.56 per charge divided by 25 miles = $0.74 per mile to operate the Volt using the battery. Compare this to a similar size car with a gasoline engine that gets only 32 mpg. $3.19 per gallon divided by 32 Mpg = $0.10 per mile. The gasoline powered car costs about $25,000 while the Volt costs $46,000 plus. So the Canadian Government wants loyal Canadians not to do the math, but simply pay twice as much for a car, that costs more than seven times as much to run, and takes three times longer to drive across the country.

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!! 55

BOILED

If those who are trying to change America had tried years ago to do what they are doing now – all at once we would have jumped out of the HOT water like the frog. But they knew that would not work. (They probably read my paper.) So, they did a little here and a little there – some of it even seemed all right, so we relaxed and dozed off. Once in 2016, we woke up a little but then we got complacent and dozed off again until November 3-4, 2020, we realized that we should have reacted sooner but then January 20, 2021, came and we realized that we were “BOILED”. The boiling process took years and along the line we got complacent or just plain lazy or gave up (“I can’t make a difference”), and lost control of our country. By-the-way, if I had thumped the pan anytime before it got real hot, the frog would have awakened and jumped out. I thought that TRUMP was the THUMP, but we relaxed again and those who wanted to take control of our country and change it, did not relax, so we find that Edmund Burke’s comment over 200 years ago is just as true today. He said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.” BUTTERED?

or Buttered? About 40-45 years ago I wrote a couple of articles for a Christian Magazine. They were appropriate for what the Church was going through then. I believe they are appropriate for what America is going through now. So here are a couple of stories from those articles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . My high school science teacher, Mr. Adams, challenged me to do an experiment as my class project. I accepted the assignment. The project involved my Mom’s kitchen burner, a pan of water and the hard part, a cooperative frog. I heated the pan of water and dropped the frog in it. He jumped out very fast. And, by the way, he was harder to catch the next time. Then I poured out the hot water and added some warm water. (Ok, I know, conservatism would tell me I should have just let the hot water cool down – but remember I was a 9th grader.) So after I caught the frog – who by now tried a little harder to avoid capture. But I got him and gently placed him in the pan of warm water. He liked it. In fact, if he could have talked, he would probably have thanked me. Soon he relaxed and dozed off to sleep. Then I increased the heat very slowly. He woke up once, but the water was warm and he was comfortable and went back to sleep. I kept increasing the heat (remember this was a scientific experiment) and the water finally boiled and so did the frog. I made an “A” on the paper even though I felt bad for the frog. Question: Is there a parallel to where we are today in America? We did not get to where we are overnight with some of our cherished freedoms slipping away.

How about another frog experiment? My Grandmother, Nancy MaMa, told me this one over 75 years ago. She said, “Two frogs fell into a bucket of cream. The sides were too high for them to jump out and try as they might they could not get out. “They swam; they kicked; they jumped to no avail. They could not get out of the thick cream. “Soon, one of the frogs said, “I can’t do it. I can’t keep going” and he quit and slowly sank to the bottom of the bucket. “But the other frog said, ‘I will not quit; I will not give up; I will survive,’ and he kept swimming and kicking. Suddenly, his foot hit something more solid than before and he kept trying and his footing got more solid as the cream turned to butter – solid enough for him to jump out.” I’m sure that Nancy MaMa was trying to teach me a lesson about not giving up. I think that she would try to teach the same thing to conservatives in America today. BOILED or BUTTERED: which will it be America?

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.

Howard County Sheriff Jerry Marr got a disturbing call one Saturday afternoon a few months ago. His 6-year-old grandson, Mikey, had been hit by a car while fishing in Greentown with his dad. The father and son were near a bridge by the Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph. Sheriff Marr had seen the results of accidents like this and feared the worst.When he got to Saint Joseph Hospital, he rushed through the emergency room to find Mikey conscious and in fairly good spirits. ‘Mikey, what happened?’ Sheriff Marr asked. Mikey replied, ‘Well, Papaw, I was fishin’ with Dad, and some lady runned me over. I flew into a mud puddle, and broke my fishin’ pole and I didn’t get to catch no fish!’ As it turned out, the impact propelled Mikey about 500 feet, over a few trees and an embankment and into the middle of a mud puddle. His only injuries were to his right femur bone, which had broken in two places. Mikey had surgery to place pins in his leg. Otherwise the boy is fine. Since all the boy could talk about was that his fishing pole was broken, the Sheriff went out to Wal-Mart and bought him a new one while he was in surgery so he could have it when he came out.The next day the Sheriff sat with Mikey to keep him company in the hospital. Mikey was enjoying his new fishing pole and talked about when he could go fishing again as he cast into the trash can.

When they were alone Mikey, just as matter-of-fact, said, ‘Papaw, did you know Jesus is real?’ ‘ Well,’ the Sheriff replied, a little startled, ‘Yes, Jesus is real to all who believe in him and love him in their hearts.’ ‘No,’ said Mikey. ‘I mean Jesus is REALLY real.’ ‘What do you mean?’ asked the Sheriff. ‘I know he’s real ‘cause I saw him,’ said Mikey, still casting into the trash can. ‘You did?’ said the Sheriff. ‘Yep,’ said Mikey. ‘When that lady runned me over and broke my fishing pole, Jesus caught me in his arms and laid me down in the mud puddle.’

Forbearance Forgive Them Anyway

Forbearance. Is this a word you are familiar with? Generally speaking, hopefully it is, but maybe not so much if it is in relation to the economic effects of the current Covid pandemic. It would then mean, perhaps, that you have fallen on hard times and had to seek help with your mortgage or other loan obligations. Although forbearance is meant to ease those hard times, it is a temporary fix, it does not release you from your obligations. Forbearance though has a much broader meaning and is not just related to loan obligations. Forbearance and its meaning is not a word that I gave much thought to until recently. Its general definition means to have tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation; to have patience. It is also the ability to deal with a situation or a difficult person without becoming angry. We all then should be able to understand what forbearance truly means. Forbearance is an act, or an obligation that we as individuals all need to practice. We have all most likely dealt with a difficult person or situation at some point in our lives. You can probably think of multiple times you felt you were mistreated or done wrong in life. Maybe you were denied a promotion that you deserved, perhaps you were cheated on by your partner or betrayed by a friend; it could be many different things. When you think back on a particular situation that made you feel mistreated or wronged, what was your initial reaction or response? Most likely, you felt pain and hurt. Maybe you felt angry and vengeful. If so, you are not alone. More times than not, these are probably the most typical reactions to these types of situations. Sometimes though, things may not always be as they initially seemed. This is where the importance of restraint from anger or overreacting to these types of different situations is vital. It may very well be that what we perceive as mistreatment or wrongdoing may instead be miscommunication. When we restrain ourselves from an initial out-burst, we are putting forbearance into action. If you think about it, the inability to have forbearance is in essence a result of the devil himself at work. II Corinthians 2:10-11 tells us, “Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes, in the presence of Christ, lest Satan take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” And Scripture also lets us know that forbearance is what gives us the ability to forgive. We see this in Colossians 3:13, “Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.” So now though, you may be thinking, “I really was done

wrong, why should I allow them to get away with it?” Why? Because it is not our place to judge or punish. As simple as this seems, I think this is what many of us struggle with when dealing with these kinds of situations. However, Scripture tells us that we are not to seek vengeance when we are wronged. The Lord alone will deal with our wrongs and the wrongs of others come judgment day. Again, when we encounter a situation where we are truly mistreated or done wrong, Scripture commands us to forgive. In Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Although I mentioned forbearance is a temporary fix when dealing with certain financial situations, it is not a temporary fix regarding our obligations as Christians and believers. We are obligated by Scripture to always practice forbearance and forgiveness. Doing so is not about letting the other person off the hook. It is about you and your obligation to do what Scripture commands you to do. Therefore, forbearance and forgiveness really have nothing to do with the other person. It is about us, our hearts, and doing what we are commanded to do. When we do our part, we can rest assured that our Lord and Savior will do his part. Trust in Him.

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

A generation which ignores history has no past -- and no future. Smart Cat A man absolutely hated his wife’s cat and decided to get rid of him one day by driving him 20 blocks from his home and leaving him at the park. As he was getting home, the cat was walking up the driveway. The next day he decided to drive the cat 40 blocks away. He put the beast out and headed home. Driving back up his driveway, there was the cat! He kept taking the cat further and further and the cat would always beat him home. At last he decided to drive a few miles away, turn right, then left, past the bridge, then right again and another right until he reached what he thought was a safe distance from his home and left the cat there. Hours later the man calls home to his wife: “Jen, is the cat there?” “Yes”, the wife answers, “why do you ask?” Frustrated, the man answered, “Put him on the phone, I’m lost and need directions!”

The

Escape from

Glynn Williams’ Pasture Edwin H. Cooper, writer of human interest stories and articles, has been published in many Texas magazines and newspapers, and is active in numerous civic and school organizations. His new book, 40 Years at Aggieland, was published in 2013.

“I am going out to the river pasture and hunt deer for a couple of hours tomorrow. Would you like to go along, Ed?” “Please be serious when you invite me hunting, Glenn. I never say no and I take a hunting invitation seriously. Of course, I’ll go, but I have to be back home by noon because we are off to the Cotton Bowl, leaving promptly at 2 pm.” Cotton Bowl games in our family life rank right up there with deer hunting, but, of course, are more expensive. Glynn and I met at The Kettle for breakfast and during the course of that meal exchanged enough past hunting tales (some exaggerated on his part) to leave for the hunt frothing with anticipation. We drove to the pasture on the river in separate pickups because he had business back in town at mid-morning, and I could stay until noon. As he situated me in the tree blind, he asked if I wanted the gate lock combination written down since he would be going before I left. It was a four digit number, and I flagged him away with a laugh. “See you later. Good luck.” At first light there in the tree blind, the world around me did not seem to focus properly. The reason was I had forgotten my

bifocals. With the four power scope on the rifle, however, who could possibly need bifocals? At 10:34 am, while perched on a single, narrow plank 30 feet above the hard ground with no foot rest, I heard a sound behind me and upon looking to my rear, spotted a very nice buck within easy range. It was so easy that I missed--- the angle of fire was impossible. After trudging through the woods in a fruitless search for the buck, I finally conceded defeat and headed for the truck, with a vision of the Cotton Bowl in mind as consolation prize. The small numbers on the combination gate lock proved to be just a metallic blur without my bifocals. The four little digital numbers appeared as ghosts of Christmas past. I quickly learned that Braille number-reading by the untrained thumb is hopeless. Making sure no vehicles were in sight on the dead end road, I stepped back several paces and attempted to spy the numbers through the rifle scope. This did not work-and I’m glad no one saw me trying. I do admit at this writing that temptation to shoot the lock with a .270 caliber lead tipped bullet did occur, but good judgment prevailed, though I was already late for the Cotton Bowl trip. My Pan-Am flight bag held the solution to my dilemma. It held pencils, tape, ammunition, rope, Northern tissue and a half pint bottle of vodka (for serious snake bites. I dropped to my knees at the gate with inspiration, and peered through the half pint of vodka. My first attempt to see the lock numbers through the bottle ended in failure. So, rather than waste the fluid, I consumed enough to leave only the two layers of glass between me and those numbers. This did not work, either. Being 30 minutes late and infuriated at the entire fiasco, I smashed the bottle against a brick, retrieved the largest piece of glass and used it successfully to magnify the lock numbers. East Berliners heading west through the Brandenburg Gate could not have been more ecstatic than I was when I finally made good my escape from Glynn Williams’ pasture. And now there is an extra pair of glasses in my Pam-Am bag. And another in my pickup glove compartment. And another in my suitcase. As the old song goes, “Don’t Fence Me In.”

Doing What’s Right For You Is Not Selfish 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.

I’m watching you. Have you noticed? Someone is always watching. You, me, them. We all do it. We feel judged, we judge. And so depending on our maturity level or our age, our environment, our belief system or experiences, sometimes we let this impact our lives in negative ways. Then we overreact to relatively small nuances or we simply do not say anything and let that fester in our lives. Over time, this causes so much mental anguish and stress that it comes out in physical ailments or sore attitudes towards others. And you’re not that person, which causes even more anguish. At least that’s how I react. Maybe you do too. We are happy people. We want others to be happy. So how do we do that? And could it be coming from judging? Unfortunately, our judgment often comes from a negative place. You don’t really want that ugly feeling everyday, do you? Maybe we don’t know a person well (don’t judge a book by its cover), we can’t identify with his behavior, or that person somehow threatens how we perceive ourselves. I try hard not to judge, and have been doing so less and less, but I still have a ways to go. Do I still have your attention? This is where we decide together that the word “selfish” is not necessarily a bad word. You, as well as I, are going to decide that we are going to be selfish. Why? Because we need to take time for ourselves and learn to embrace ourselves as we truly are. We are going to be “selfish” with ourselves and figure out why self-love is so important and powerful. If we could learn to love ourselves, we could make our world a much more compassionate and much less judgemental place because we would no longer need a reason to put someone else down just to raise ourselves up. Would we still be so judgemental towards others? Would being judged bother us as much if we knew we had taken the time to be “selfish,” to love and appreciate who we are? Most likely not. No one said it will be easy. And make sure to give people time for them to be selfish. They may be looking inward too. We all have an opportunity to make an impact and inspire others by the way we live. We are all human and we can’t always be on cloud nine, but we can do our part and reach out to that person next in line. Share your happy thoughts. You never know who that might touch because you decided to be selfish and do the work on yourself first so you could be happy. Remember, you can always judge positively. Create the life you wish to live and live the way that feels best to you right now. There’s a trade off, for sure, but you’ll see how doing what’s right for you now can help lead you to amazing people and experiences later or even tomorrow. In the end, our lives are our lives, and we have to live with every decision we make. So go ahead and do what’s right and be selfish by preparing ourselves. “Doubt yourself and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to the sound of your own voice, you can rise above doubt and judgment. And you can see forever.” -Unknown .

People say 60 is the new 40. The cop who just pulled me over didn’t agree.

What’s Happened to the USA? A Call to “COMMON SENSE”

I never dreamed that I would have to face the prospect of not living in the United States of America, at least not the one I have known all my life. I have never wished to live anywhere else. This is my home and I was privileged to be born here. But today I woke up and as I have my morning coffee, I realized that everything is about to change. No matter how I vote, no matter what I say, something evil has invaded our nation, and our lives are never going to be the same. I have been confused by the hostility of family and friends. I look at people I have known all my life...so hate-filled that they agree with opinions they would never express as their own. I think that I may well have entered the Twilight Zone. You can’t justify this insanity. We have become a nation that has lost its collective mind! *If a guy pretends to be a woman, you are required to pretend with him. *Somehow, it’s un-American for the census to count how many Americans are in America. *Russians influencing our elections are bad, but illegals voting in our elections are good.

*Irish doctors and German engineers who want to immigrate to the US must go through a rigorous vetting process, but illiterate gang-bangers who jump the southern fence are welcome. *$5 billion for border security it too expensive , but $1.5 trillion for “free” health care is not. *If you cheat to get into college you go to prison, but if you cheat to get into the country you go to college for free. *People who say there is no such thing as gender are demanding a female President. *We see other countries going Socialist and collapsing, but it seems like a great plan for us. *Some people are held responsible for things that happened before they were born, and other people are not held responsible for what they are doing right now. *Criminals are caught-and-released to hurt more people, but stopping them is bad because it’s a violation of THEIR rights. *And pointing out all this hypocrisy somehow makes us “racists”?!

*Twenty is too young to drink a beer, but eighteen is old enough to vote.

Nothing makes sense anymore, no values, no morals, no civility and people are dying of a Chiinese virus, but it’s racist to refer to it as Chinese even though it began in China. We are clearly living in an upside-down world where right is wrong and wrong is right, where moral is immoral and immoral is moral, where good is evil and evil is good, where killing murderers is wrong, but killing innocent babies is right.

*People who have never owned slaves should pay slavery reparations to people who have never been slaves.

*It was cool for Joe Biden to “blackmail” the President of Ukraine, but it’s an impeachable offense if Donald Trump inquiries about it.

*People who have never been to college should pay the debts of college students who took out huge loans for their degrees. *Immigrants with tuberculosis and polio are welcome, but you’d better be able to prove you dog is vaccinated.

Wake up America, the great unsinkable ship Titanic America has hit an iceberg, is taking on water, and is sinking fast. The choice is yours to make. What will it be?

Time is short, make your choice wisely!

Truth

It’s the new hate speech? 62

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

Seatbelts Save Lives

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), buckling your seatbelt is one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make. In 2019, the national rate of use of seatbelts was 90.7%. In the year 2017, it was reported that 37,133 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, with 47% of those not wearing seatbelts. It is estimated that seatbelt use saved 14,955 lives. Proper use of a seatbelt is vital to ensuring the device works in the event of a motor vehicle crash. The lap and shoulder belt should be secured across the pelvis and rib cage, place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest, away from your neck, place the lap belt across your hips, not your stomach and never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm. (Source NHTSA website) Children should be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat. Texas law requires that all children younger than 8 years old, unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches, be secured in a child safety seat whenever they ride in a vehicle. Older children who have outgrown a booster seat must be buckled with a seat belt. Motor vehicle crashes are violent events. Unsecured items, including people, inside of the vehicle will remain in motion after impact, unless secured. Significant front impact crashes can result in ejection through the front windshield of a vehicle. Motor vehicle crashes resulting in rollovers often result in ejection through a side window as the vehicle rolls until its motion stops. Seatbelts are proven to be effective saving lives during these types of crashes. Furthermore, in slower speed or crashes from behind or the side seatbelts again are proven to reduce the risk of death and or serious bodily injury. When it comes to your life and the lives of your family members, it is important to buckle-up and to properly educate children and teen drivers on the use of seatbelts. Texas law does require the use of seatbelts by all passengers of a motor vehicle. Citations can be issued for failing to wear a seatbelt but this is

not the goal of law enforcement. Our goal is to educate drivers on the importance of using a seatbelt. Buckle Up Tight: Back What’s Right!

Contributed by Burleson County Sheriff ’s Department Gene Hermes, Sheriff

Chuckles, Giggles & Snickers New Orleans Lawyer

Part of rebuilding New Orleans caused residents often to be challenged with the task of tracing home titles back potentially hundreds of years. With a community rich with history stretching back over two centuries, houses have been passed along through generations of family, sometimes making it quite difficult to establish ownership. Here’s a great letter an attorney wrote to the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) on behalf of a client: He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove title to a parcel of property being By:satisfactory Marsha Kocurek and Tommy Ryan offered as collateral. The title to the property datedcomAlthough Deanville, TX is no longer a stop for any railroad back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months pany, the Deanville Depot has been restored as a testament to a to track down. After sending the information to the timeFHA, whenhe taking the train was a wayreply: of life. In the early 1900’s, received the following cotton was king in Deanville, and the way to ship it was by train. The“Upon Deanville Depot Cotton parts of review ofand your letterWarehouse adjoining were yourvital client’s the loan Deanville economy. At itsthe business in the 1930s, application, we note requestpeak is supported by the an Abstract Title.primarily While we theforable Deanville depot of served as compliment a freight depot cotton, in which have prepared cordmanner wood, lumber, andyou merchandise. Each and trainpresented usually had at the application, we must point out you have only least one passenger car. However, to ride the train the station cleared title to the proposed collateral property back agent had to flag the train to stop for passengers. to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin.” In 1913, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad built a line from Giddingsthe to Stone City through Burleson County, with deAnnoyed, lawyer responded as follows: pot stops in Dime Box, Deanville, Caldwell, and Cook’s Point. The line was later expanded to Hearne. Southern Pacific Rail-

“Your letter regarding title in Case No.189156 has been received. I note you wish to have title extended further than the 206 years covered by the present application. I was unaware any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know Louisiana was purchased by the United States from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France , which had acquired it by Right of Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right of Discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the Spanish monarch, Queen Isabella. The good Queen Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus ‘s expedition. Now the Pope, as I’m sure you may know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume God also made the part of the world called Louisiana . God; therefore, would be the owner of origin and His origins date back to before the beginning of time, the world as we know it, and the FHA. I hope you find God’s original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our loan?”I The loan was immediately approved.

by Polly Williams

“Are you Catherine?” I asked an elderly woman in the café. “Yes, and you are Polly?”, she answered. “Yes, how could you tell?” I asked. She said, “By your jowls.” So I sat down with the woman who babysat me as a high school student in 1941. “Before we start talking, Catherine, I need to know, did my mother love me?” I asked. “Yes, she replied, but did but she didn’t know how to show it. I asked, “How did you come to care for my brothers and me?” She said, “Your mother was unable to care for you; she was addicted to Heroin and your dad hired me for the week days. I could tell that over the weekends all hell broke loose. “How did she get addicted,” I queried. “Your mother couldn’t stand pain from her wisdom teeth or her monthly period. She’d keep your dad awake till 2:00 a.m. demanding something, and he’d give in and give her Heroin so he could sleep to be able to go to work.” “What about those early days?” I asked. “Well, the rumor was that town kids weren’t going to put up with you children since the kids of the doctor before your dad ran the town.” So, I began to understand the gossip and history of my brothers and me not being involved in school sports or band or other activities. We were left out. This was 1947. Mother would not let us go play with anyone because their ‘home wasn’t good enough.’ My brother often got into mischief. My oldest brother spent all his time with a pet calf. Dad was at the hospital, or on house calls, and very seldom home with us. Forward 90 years, my brother just committed suicide at 82. He hated all of his life as a doctor’s son; he hated the town; he hated that people thought he was rich because he worked at a major machine factory after returning from serving in Korea. Later, he was given little choice but to retire early. Because we had been reared in a home providing only basic needs, shelter, food, and clothing, we

did not get the emotional love we craved. It was a cycle: Father’d been raised with very poor German parents during the Depression, and he hadn’t gotten emotional love. So he had no love to pass on to his children, and we grew up wanting validation, acceptance, and to be needed. My mother would yell to neighbors to send brother home to get a spanking, which they knew he did not deserve. He’d get a whipping because Mother said so. How many times my brothers were razor strapped I don’t know but it was enough that when he became a parent to 4 children, the sons were whipped often. No affection, no hugs, no ‘I love you.’ Brother married a woman of Cherokee background who was obedient to him. During their marriage, brother had an affair, and she never forgave him. Her last words to me were a confession that she’d made a mistake and had paid for it the rest of her life. She’d been pregnant when she married Brother. In 2015, Brother’s wife was wheel-chair bound and needed full time help. Brother took care of her with the attitude of a saint. He acted as if he was sacrificing his life for her for the grueling 5 years. She died and he was alone. He changed, pushing his children away, pushing me away. He got very isolated. One day his son called and said Dad was moving to the town of his oldest son, being tired of living alone. They helped him pack and got a moving van. He went and I didn’t hear for him for a month. Then came the shock of his son calling, “Dad decided to move back to his home. He left after angry words. All of us kids are disappointed and have not heard from him for several days. Next came the call that my brother had driven home, the car was in the garage with it running, and he was found unresponsive. A note was left to deal with the house, burial. The final conspiracy: I contacted the publisher of the town paper to put an announcement in saying goodbye to my brother, but was unable to know how to say it. He said he’d help. I sent a picture and letter thanking him for listening to me and helping me with the writing. Imagine my shock when the letter sent Oct. 5 came back to me Oct 20 with a stamp stating it wasn’t able to forward to unknown address. The address was exactly what I’d been told. I feel continued snubbing. Because of the way he died, the publisher didn’t want to acknowledge any part of my brother’s death. How sad that the town didn’t get to know us individually, and we didn’t gt to know the town over our life time. I think the ploy of my brother was to get moved from the hometown so when there was an auction, no one from town could see what he had. He made his children mad by moving back. His suicide was an act of spite toward the town. Was I wrong? Had I had the wrong address for the paper? Perhaps any conspiracy died with my brother. Perhaps I make mountains out of molehills? In my mind, it is time for forgiveness and remembering the good. Polly Williams is a doctor’s daughter, pastor’s wife, mother of 3 sons, farmer’s wife and widow. At 40, she completed her R.N.. Her desire now is to write stories of her life to inspire others.