Columns & Opinions

Humans, an enterprising bunch

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Humans are a very enterprising bunch. Everywhere I turn, there’s an ad for some new or re-purposed product available for sale that in some way is connected to remaining safe from COVID-19. Masks seem to be center stage. Guess we have a new, must have fashion category. The styles range from neck gaiters like skiiers wear to basic paper masks to homemade versions with wild patterns to svelte, black or white knit jobs. There are ties and elastic, and various choices there too.

COVID and clothes

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Zack and I both had appointments with our ophthalmologist, so we masked up and headed to Waco for the first time in quite a while. Seems like doctors’ appointments have been one of the only reasons these last few months to don anything but work clothes. Otherwise, who’s dressing up these days?

Researcher spotlights ‘invisible incentives’

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The Texas Enterprise Fund took a hit for lack of transparency in a new research paper from the National Freedom of Information Coalition. The paper by journalist Steve Miller is titled “Invisible Incentives: How Secrecy Impedes Evaluation and Accountability of Economic Development Subsidies.” Part of the paper spotlights the Texas Enterprise Fund, which the Legislature created in 2003 to provide taxpayer money to companies in exchange for the promise of jobs.

Learning new skills

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When I obtain a new appliance or machine, I may stare at it a few weeks until I get up the nerve/courage--- and find the time--- to even open the box. It seems a whole new skill set’s required for each additional purchase. Especially when they don’t include clear--- or any---instructions that can be viewed without a microscope. Intuitive these days, I’m apparently not.

Post election and ranch work

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There’s plenty of work to keep us busy post-election--- as things still hang in the balance and tempers remain high. The country is, if anything, more divided than ever. I can’t remember this kind of hatred in my lifetime. I hoped the election would end the anxiety so many have felt for the last weeks, but that hasn’t happened. Deep down, I expected this. Some people are happy, and others not so much. Eventually we’ll deal with whatever comes and hope that proposed changes will improve our lives rather than the opposite.

One for all

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During a recent morning visit to Clifton, and after my habitual cappuccino at Corner Drug Café, I went by the Lutheran Sunset Ministries campus to pay a visit to some of the people who work there and are responsible for the extraordinary care that LSM has been providing to seniors in the area for 65 years.