It has finally come to pass. Gatsby, our rescue Cavapoo pup, has been certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He can legitimately wear his therapy dog vest and volunteer in classrooms, nursing homes and other public places.
The entire training process took a little more than a year. When we adopted Gatsby from Texas Star Rescue here in Longview, he had spent the first nine months of his life as a puppy mill dog, locked up in a crate for almost his life. He was afraid of everything, spent hours hiding in corners and under couches. Our hearts nearly broke watching him trying to figure out how to run in our backyard....
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Since this is the off weekend before Super Bowl LVIII (58 in English), it seems a perfect time to weigh in on the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance that has dominated sports news for months. For the 12 people in America who are unaware, Taylor Swift — the dominant figure in popular music — and Travis Kelce — the superb tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are heading to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in six years, are an item. Sightings of her in a luxury box with Kelce’s mom, Patrick Mahomes’ wife and others, spike television ratings to atmospheric heights.
Unsurprisingly,...
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The New Hampshire primary election concluded with the winners being no surprise to anyone who keeps up with such matters. As always, I enjoyed seeing familiar scenes from my native state in the news broadcasts, even if I was not exactly thrilled with the election result.
The 2024 primary brought back memories of a more consequential primary held on March 12, 1968. At the time, our family lived in Allenstown, N.H., a small town about 10 miles southeast of Concord, the state’s capital and my birthplace. Allenstown now boasts almost 5,000 residents. In 1968, that number was more like 1,000. The public...
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My morning walk on MLK day was much quieter than usual. U.S. Hwy. 259 is normally a busy road filled with folks heading to work in Longview, from Diana and Ore City and points beyond. That highway is three-fourths of a mile east of our farm. The constant hum of traffic on 259 is the aural backdrop to my three-mile walk up and down Mustang Drive most days.
But not today. A wintry mix began falling late yesterday afternoon and continued through the night. By the time I headed out the door, it was 21 degrees and flurries continued to fall. I was bundled up like the Michelin Man, wearing a beanie,...
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“Decluttering” is a word one hears often as the new year arrives. Books are written providing advice. Videos are made, lists created of how to tackle the often-daunting task of getting rid of stuff. My Beautiful Mystery Companion and daughter Abbie have been busily decluttering over the past few weeks – before the semester began, and we all had to return to academia. I was primarily the designated driver to Hope’s Closet, which received several contractor bags worth of stuff. I also got rid of a bunch of clothes and shoes. There is more to be done as always.
We have a three-car garage...
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A new year lies in front of us, a blank slate upon which we can write, I don’t know, graffiti? My brother Scott texted his two siblings on Jan. 1: Happy New Year! It’s going to be a great one! That’s the spirit! I am going to do my utmost to adopt his attitude. Sincerely.
As a rule, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. They are too easily broken, leaving one feeling shamefaced and scolding oneself on the lack of resolve and willpower. Better to fashion achievable but vague goals, such as being grateful every day for good health, family, friends, and the continued ability to consume...
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As the year draws to a close, all the presents unwrapped and the refrigerator filled with enough leftovers to get us into 2024, I once again am awash in books. This is an excellent position to find myself in, even if it means I am likely going to be purchasing another bookcase. My ambition to build a bookcase waned as the farm duties grew, and I found the perfect-sized bookcase online for less than $200. It is beginning to look like another purchase is going to be needed. The new bookcase is filled, and the built-ins behind my desk are stacked nearly completely. Christmas was indeed kind to me, to all of us.
Joining...
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Suddenly, it is Christmas.
As usual in this season of my life, the year passes in a blur, hard as I try to relish every day. There is little to be done about the speed in which days go by, except be grateful for all our blessings and try to be kind. And take time to relish the small beauties of this world — frost glistening on tall grass along my morning walk, leaves skittering across the asphalt as the hardwood trees become dormant skeletons.
During this three-week break between semesters, I am working on Three Geese Farm as weather allows. A couple of fierce thunderstorms during late...
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AUSTIN — The Harry Ransom Center on the University of Texas campus is one of the best bargains in this increasingly expensive city since admission is free. Competing for the Best Bargain prize is walking the trail at Lady Bird Lake, again free. I did both recently to get my A-Town fix as well as breaking bread with longtime friends and my brother Scott.
It was downright chilly when I walked the trail where it adjoins Rainey Street, once a home of modest frame homes now completely transformed into a forest of high-rise condos. I remember the old joke when I was in graduate school here in 1980...
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My near-total hiatus from watching sports has ended. It began during the pandemic, when seasons were truncated, games played in nearly empty stadiums or arenas, and watching highly paid sports figures seemed beside the point, as our world turned upside down. Now I am back to avidly watching the Texas Longhorns who are having a stellar season, rooting for the Rangers during the World Series, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs to see if Taylor Swift is sitting with tight end Travis Kelce’s mom in a luxury box. I even watched the last quarter of two Boston Celtics matches recently. (I learned long...
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