Columns & Opinions

A little history

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F olks often want to know how I came to live here –a question I often ask others. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that everyone has a story.

Religiosity

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I f you think that Islam is mostly Arab terrorists, you are probably like most Americans. Most the information we get from the media certainly re-enforces that image.

Reality check for the well-heeled

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I seem to be surrounded by several dear friends and relatives who’ve done quite well for themselves financially. Some inherited it. Some married it. A few divorced it and got half. Some worked very hard for it and are still doing so. In truth, perhaps they all worked hard for it, one way or another. I’m delighted for them. A few others have had a good bit of experience spending OPM –other people’s money. I’ve found that they’re often those who spend the most!

Abbott lays out seven top priorities

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Gov. Greg Abbott, in a State of the State address last Thursday, outlined his seven top priorities for the ongoing legislative session before an invitation-only audience at a manufacturing facility in San Marcos, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Those priorities include $4 billion for border security, property tax relief and more school choice for parents, which he called “education freedom.” He avoided use of the word “vouchers.’

Abbott issues disaster declaration, seeks fed’s help

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G ov. Greg Abbot has issued a disaster declaration for Texas counties affected by the early February ice storm and is seeking a federal declaration as well for areas in Southeast Texas affected by rare January tornadoes. The ice storm caused considerable damage to property and power outages in the affected areas. The declaration for ice-storm damaged counties includes Denton, Hays, Henderson, Milam, Smith, Travis and Williamson counties.

From coyotes to cowboys

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W e were happy to be included in a story in the Bosque River Run publication, a quarterly magazine published by this newspaper. I enjoy reading the stories about the people who call our county home. Everyone has an interesting story, some quite unique, and others certainly surprising. There are diverse talents and personalities in Central Texas.

Religiosity

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squashed. Passover (April 5-13) celebrates God’s sparing of the first-born sons of Hebrew slaves in Egypt.

Ice storm wreaks havoc across Texas

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R esidents in Central and Northeast Texas are still cleaning up after a winter storm last week snapped power lines and tree limbs, causing widespread power outages, canceled flights and damage to homes and vehicles.

Dogs, Cats, and Critters

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A Facebook friend of mine who’s in my weaving group posts a daily picture of her dog on her personal page. Sometimes “The Daily Harry” features both her dogs, although Harry’s more photogenic. His expressions crack me up, and are often disturbingly human. So are those of our own dogs, but I don’t photograph them daily.