My sister recently posted a photo on Facebook of me, my brothers — Gary and Randy — and our dad. The photo was taken in 1984.
When the “world famous” Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Feb. 2, who could know we were in for a such a cold snap? Although I never put much stock in a groundhog weather report, it does seem like it was pretty accurate this year.
“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…” [Psalm 23:6]
When the “world famous” Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Feb. 2, who could know we were in for a such a cold snap? Although I never put much stock in a groundhog weather report, it does seem like it was pretty accurate this year.
“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…” [Psalm 23:6]
Each time we have a significant weather event, it seems to turn into a contest for storytelling. Each person tries to top the current weather with a story of another weather incident they lived through that was far worse.
Well, hasn’t the past week or so been one for the books? The blizzard of 2021! I can’t remember living in that much snow at one time with temps as cold as they were. We were home all week and that gives one a lot of time to think. Of course, I loved growing up in the 70s, so my mind always g…
ERCOT, the state-controlled electric grid operator taking most of the initial blame for widespread blackouts and for all of the attendant misery over the last week, answers to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Harrison County Extension Service would like to hear from you! What are the strengths and needs of the residents in Harrison County?
Have you signed up for the Harrison Family & Community Health Annual Heart Healthy Seminar? The event will be today at the Harrison County Extension Office, 102 West Houston, Marshall, TX. Seating is limited.
Warmer temperatures over the weekend and continuing this week melted most of the snow from the state’s roadways and roofs. But Texans are still dealing with broken pipes that flooded homes and businesses, damaged municipal water systems, and continued power outages in scattered areas, mainly…
Job 28:22a says, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?”
You may have seen this acronym, “K.I.S.S.” It stands for “Keep It Simple, Stupid”. When I heard a motivational speaker present this lesson, my first thought was “Don’t call me stupid.” But the longer he talked, the more sensible he sounded. We do tend to complicate so much of our life to the…
I like snow. Actually, I think I can safely say that phrase in the past tense. I liked snow.
Most of us have a box or other container where we keep items we feel are important enough to carry with us throughout our lives. Mine is a cardboard box. It includes things that might not mean much to others, but do to me.
This past Sunday was Valentine’s Day. Ah, love! Countless songs have been written about it; thousands of poems speak about it and everyone, in some form or fashion, has lived it.
A couple of years ago, after President Trump backed out of the Paris Climate Treaty and the Iran Nuclear Deal, I wrote a column for “Historically Speaking,” justifying his actions because those deals had been made by executive orders so could legally be overturned by executive order.
You probably wouldn’t buy an unfamiliar food product without looking at the label, or take a new prescription without reading the instructions and warnings first. The same care should be exercised when using pesticides, because the label is the law, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Exte…
Snacking is an excellent way to fill in nutritional gaps and boost energy without causing weight-gain worries. Here is a checklist for heart healthy snacking:
Note: This is the second in an occasional series of columns spotlighting East Texans trying to make our little corner of the world a better place. I call it the “Good Guys Win” campaign. To nominate someone for consideration, send a name and a way to contact that person to the email at the e…
“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send …
The 2012 party primary elections in Texas were held May 29 instead of March 6 that year — the result of litigation over new political maps drawn to fit the 2010 census.
This Valentine’s Day will be unusually cold for our part of the country. The weather folks are referring to something called a Polar Vortex. This is an arctic blast with a capital ‘B’!
Note: In a previous column, I requested recipes for homemade biscuits. Boy, did I get them. Thank you to everyone who shared their recipes. Some dated back over 100 years to great grandmothers, while others came from the packaging of flour bags. At the end of today’s column, I’ve included on…
God made us to think. That is why He gave us minds and bodies with which to relate to the world in which He placed us and where He wants to meet us. Thinking is good for the soul; it is good for society and the many elements it involves—groups, institutions, organizations, families, schools …
I started piano lessons when I was six years old. In my opinion, that’s a bit young but the reason I started so young was the fact that my mom knew there was some “natural, God-given ability” there.
Pre Spring to do list
Do you think it is time have a talk with a love one regarding their heart health? According to the American Heart Association, fewer Americans are dying from heart disease and stroke, but deaths caused by high blood pressure are on the rise. Several Americans have high blood pressure and do …
I hope many of you were able to catch Governor Abbott’s State of the State address last week. Gov. Abbott laid out five emergency items for the Legislature to begin addressing. These emergency items are (1) expanding broadband internet access, (2) ending the practice of defunding the police,…
A letter to my neighbor, who celebrated her first birthday this past weekend:
Do you remember your first Valentine?
A few years ago, this pastor was sitting outside of a large grocery store on Valentine’s evening near closing time.
“The butterfly has long symbolized a renewal of life. The caterpillar signifies life here on earth; the cocoon signifies death; and the butterfly signifies the emergence of the dead into a new, beautiful and more liberated existence. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross movingly tells of seeing butterflies…
My father would load my sister and me into his ‘52 Chevy truck, and he’d steer down the gravel road leading to the homestead where my mom was raised.
For the past week and a half, Jerry and I have been at home, with Covid. Both of us. Fun times. So far, I’ve had the lighter case of it, mainly a headache and fatigue. Jerry has the fever, cough, etc. Daddy Jack has Covid as well. His medicine of choice seems to be a daily milkshake brought …
I had recently turned eight back in 1974 when Hank Aaron hammered a pitch from Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers into the bullpen at Atlanta Stadium to become Major League Baseball’s home run king.
“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:3-4]
Please forgive me, for I have become biscuit backslidden.
I grew up with a mom and grandmother who could sew like nobody’s business. I think I’ve shared before that my “back to school” shopping consisted of going to stores that we knew we couldn’t afford to shop in, look at the newest fashion trends and then mom would go home and make outfits based…
Twice I have appeared in the Congressional Record which is the official published record of the public proceedings of both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.
We recently started the 87th Legislature. Like many things this past year, the swearing-in ceremony was far different than past years and saw the legislative session open with less pageantry. Regardless of the circumstances, I am always honored to represent East Texas in the Legislature and …
Chris Cobler
You can enjoy your food, but practice moderation. Try filling half of your plate with fruit and vegetables. The United States Department of Agriculture and Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion recommends the following ten tips to enjoying your meals:
The Harrison County Master Gardeners Association will offer free trees at its annual Tree Give-Away starting at 9 a.m. Saturday Feb. 6, until trees are gone.
The texts started arriving early Thursday morning.
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David,”
Nixon was in the White House and Scooby Doo was on our school lunch boxes. It was 1969. For a kid, life was good.
It was summer 1970. I was busy helping my mom in the garden and, of course, spending time with Mongoes. We kept seeing a commercial about a soap opera called “All My Children.”
Chris Cobler
If you would like helpful answers and practical solutions for a successful and healthy lawn and landscape, plan on attending the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service online East Texas Turf and Landscape Conference Thursday, Feb. 4.
The Harrison County 4-H Virtual Food Show will be offered virtually this year due to the coronivirus.