By David Wall Our spring/summers for several years have given us heavy spring rains followed by flash droughts starting in June or July, and many yards are now in drought stratus even though it’s winter. Current patterns indicate a similar drought can be expected in this summer. While we tryContinue Reading
From Joey Romano, Edward Jones This year, you have until April 18 to file your taxes. So, you may want to meet with your tax professional soon to discuss changes that could affect you. For starters, if you took a coronavirus-related withdrawal from your 401(k) or IRA in 2020, youContinue Reading
To the editor, If Democrats wonder why they are likely to be pulverized the next couple weeks of midterm elections…think about some recent policy decisions…In New York the D.A. from Manhattan Alvin Bragg announced last week jail time for the most egregious crimes…making robberies and assaults, go free…all this goingContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer A round 1755 BCE, the Babylonian King Hammurabi proclaimed a law code. For thousands of years it lay hidden in the ruins of Susa in modern Iran. It revealed the ancient origins of government. The text on the granite stele began with a preamble. Hammurabi claimed theContinue Reading
By David Wall Most people looking for trees want something that will quickly grow very fast, get very big & wide, and provide a lot of shade. Yet there are those of us who might like something smaller but yet could provide shade on a smaller scale. Well, there isContinue Reading
To the editor, Two or three years ago my wife, Pam, and I revisited Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park. We were totally enthralled by thre new see-through glass panels along the walking path upon which were etched the old townsite buildings and streets in their original locations. Where no town exists, theContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell couldn’t have been any clearer about Jan. 6. “It was a violent insurrection with the purpose of trying to prevent a peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election. … That’s what it was.” McConnell made this statement in response toContinue Reading
By David Wall Garden stones allow butterflies to get warm so they can fly. A few copper pennies prevent algae from forming in your bird bath. Good old corn meal. Dump a small box into a bowl of water and let it soak. Then drain and spray the liquid onContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer In Matthew Chapter 13, Jesus told a parable about a sower. Since farming was a common occupation, it wasn’t hard to understand. Seeds, like words, require fertile soil to grow. Teachers can only do so much. Anyone familiar with growing plants knows, however, that with a littleContinue Reading
By David Wall You all know of the arch at St Louis, Missouri. Have you ever considered such an arch or arbor, albeit, just a teensy bit smaller, for the entrance to your flower or vegetable garden? Well, a simple or fancy plant you can use is the climbing rose,Continue Reading
Consider these types of tax-smart contributions This year’s tax-filing deadline of April 18 is not that far off, but you still have time to make some moves that could favorably affect your tax returns. So, you may want to consider some tax-smart contributions. For starters, you have until the AprilContinue Reading
By Glenn Melancon Some of the most tragic war stories involve friendly fire. There is nothing friendly about guns firing during war. The adjective friendly is added to indicate that the bullet hit an ally instead of an enemy. During the last legislative session, Republicans crafted one of the mostContinue Reading
Editorial Do you know how to read the news? We don’t just mean reading, but do you know how to discern what is legitimate news and what is not? Do you know the difference between news stories and opinions? Is this even important? To answer our own question, yes, it’sContinue Reading
By Austin Lewter William Faulkner has often been cited as one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century. He was born Sept. 25, 1897, in New Albany, Mississippi. His publishing career began in 1919, but he was most prolific in the 1920s and 1930s. Faulkner was awarded theContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer Just over a year ago, I took a call from my cardiologist, Nikhil Joshi. My general practitioner had referred me to this heart specialist because I had a couple of unexplained fainting spells. I thought that I was healthy, but I still decided listened to my doctor.Continue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer Growing up, we often had large family gatherings. When an unexpected member of the family showed up, Momma would say with a smile, “Look what the cat dragged in.” After Jackie and I moved to Texas, those large family gatherings grew less frequent. We did, however, startContinue Reading