Columns

I’m going to share a poem, though I truly hate bad poetry, at least, if it’s not great, this one is short: I have been accused of being easily amused but I contend I’m easily amazed! And I am often amazed. One thing that never fails to surprise me is when a hummingbird approaches the feeder on the front porch of my purple house.

Hmmm…evidently an often-thoughtabout and frequently asked question. Along with many other thought-provoking ones, like ‘If a baby dies, does that infant go to heaven automatically and will that child be that age for eternity?’

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that six of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the United States from 2022 to 2023 were in Texas.

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION Two wildfires that burned more than one million acres in the Panhandle were caused by downed power lines, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Juan Rodriguez, with the service, told the Texas Standard that its law enforcement investigators had concluded their probe into the source of the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce fires.

Ever suddenly been transported back in time by just a whiff of a lingering smell in the air? The sight of a house? A quick glimpse of a stranger’s profile who instantly reminds you of someone in your past? or the taste of a certain food that suddenly takes you back to Grandma’s kitchen.

A wildfire in the Texas Panhandle has consumed more than one million acres and as of Sunday was just 15 percent contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is the largest wildfire in Texas history.

For years, I have worn the title of “quirky” with pride. I used to tell folks, that, no, as a Preacher’s Kid (PK), I wasn’t the “black sheep” of the family – I was the purple one. I take pride in causing folks to say “Huh?!?”. For years, I said that the only tattoo I’d ever considering putting on my body would be a small purple pansy – just because they’re pretty, and the word “pansy” is not something folks typically associate with a 270 lb. powerlifter (so far, I’ve bench-pressed 470 lbs. and leg-pressed 1400 lbs.).

Have you ever watched a volleyball game and witnessed an entire team suddenly duck under the net and join the other team? Gasping for a breath of hope that isn’t there, they had finally thrown up their hands in despair and crossed to the other side of the net. Just gave up, gave in, and joined the enemy.