At this time of Thanksgiving, I want to take time to thank George Smith who works at Bosque County Recycling. He is such a helpful, pleasant worker there and the facility is the best-kept and organized since it came into existence.

I’ve been trying for a couple of weeks to write this in my head, and I still haven’t come up with anything I really want to put down on paper. But deadlines don’t wait, so write I must.

Shinto has been the dominant religion of Japan for two millennia. Emerging from pre-historic folk religions, the name literally means “the way of the gods.” And those gods are called “kami.” Shinto embraces millions of kami.

Look how cool, I am--- about to use an abbreviation that isn’t over 50 years old: I’m LMAO about all this “virtue signaling” <--- cool again using new lingo invented by whoever makes this stuff up for the media and directs them to pass it all along to us. Apparently we need new lingo for the weird times in which we now find ourselves.

I appreciate the excellent November 16 Veterans Day supplement to The Clifton Record and Meridian Tribune. I hope all of us have dedicated time to read the content of the Veterans Day supplement. It features “ads” of tributes to veterans by businesses and loving family members. There are articles about events honoring our veterans under the leadership of various local organizations. Please don’t overlook the article, “Battle of Coral Sea,” based on the true account of area WWII veteran David Everett.

I’ve mentioned my resurrected weaving activities in a couple of previous columns. I’m using small looms makes this a portable endeavor ---like taking a sketchbook and drawing comic strips while waiting for appointments. It’s not as if I often lug around pounds of clay and sculpting tools--- or oils, easel, palette, brushes and all that goes with painting--- to keep my hands busy in situations where I’d otherwise be bored to distraction. Taking a couple of little looms, material to weave and a few small tools is more akin to carrying knitting, crochet or other needle arts “equipment” along for the ride. Some of us just can’t bear to sit and do nothing--- which may be why smart phones were invented.

Sikhism emerged in the Punjab province of northwest India in the 1500s. It was founded by Guru Nanak who was raised Hindu but schooled in Islam.

Voter turnout in the midterm elections again dropped statewide, with just over 45% of registered voters either casting ballots early or at the polls on Nov. 8. Republican candidates continued to hold a hammerlock on statewide positions, with incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott handily winning a third term over challenger Beto O’ Rourke.

Meridian Tribune Technology will destroy us. Or maybe not.

Taoism emerged in central China 2,500 years ago. It began as a merger of folk religions and evolved into a philosophy when the legendary Lao Tse first produced a written record of the beliefs in a small, two-part book.