Opinions

While the rest of heaven and nature was singing about the glad tidings of Christmas, my backyard cardinals went on strike. Here they are, dressed like Christmas for 12 months of the year and when the days on the calendar draw ever closer to the 25th of December, the cardinals and their red suits take a leave of absence.

My nephew, Beau, keeps me on my toes. Keeping on my toes is a good way to develop balance and agility. It is also a good way to fall on my face and embarrass myself. But since I don’t spend a lot of time with teenagers -- and not nearly enough with Beau -- I am trying. Right now, he’s trying to convince me that I need a mechanical keyboard for my computer. I am old enough to remember typing class in high school. The “thunk, thunk, thunk!” sound of hitting keys is not a pleasant memory. My parents gave me a state-of-the-art typewriter when I left for college, and it had (wonder of wonders!) a self-correcting function, which was a huge improvement over the machines from high school, but it was still messy and time-consuming. Then I didn’t write anything for years and, by the time I wrote again, I was using a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse with a great big monitor. Now, when I see typewriters, rather than experiencing a pleasant nostalgia, I feel something closer to dread. But Beau is trying to tell me that a mechanical keyboard is the way to go, and I am trying to keep an open mind. “It’s really easy to use,” he assures me. “And it will last much longer than a membrane keyboard.”

It’s the New Year and everyone is celebrating a fresh start and making resolutions. However, simply wishing that our lives would change for the better, is nothing more than a fantasy or whim that will not just magically happen. It is said that over eighty percent of resolutions fail within the first month. Why? We must develop a strong vision of what we desire to be and vow that nothing will keep us from accomplishing our goals. Asking God to help us is the key as He also wants the best for us.

TV show, The Bachelor, is a romance reality series where a handsome bachelor searches for a soulmate among bachelorettes, and it has a current parallel. Similar to the 25-years of dating drama, it’s the quest to find a political partner for Donald Trump.

January places you squarely before a brand new calendar, prompting you to remember the events of the previous year and notate the anniversaries of the coming one. Eighteen years have passed since my Mother’s death, and in that time, I have spent a few days--here and there, every few months-in the closets of the home which holds my childhood within its walls.

It is unfortunate that our State Representative, Brian Harrison, and Governor Greg Abbott have chosen to push the agenda of providing vouchers to students so vehemently to the point of shaming public school teachers as well as risking the safety of campuses statewide.

I preach against cynicism during the Christmas season. And then, shortly thereafter, I fall victim to it. After receiving more than my fair share of Christmas cards this year--which is such a delight--I must confess that I am completely opposed to the computer generated, one-size-fits-all Christmas letters which tell of the tremendous successes of every family you ever met.

I preach against cynicism during the Christmas season. And then, shortly thereafter, I fall victim to it. After receiving more than my fair share of Christmas cards this year--which is such a delight--I must confess that I am completely opposed to the computer generated, one-size-fits-all Christmas letters which tell of the tremendous successes of every family you ever met.

The author of this story is unknown and it has been told by many people throughout the years. The gentleman to whom I’m going to introduce was not a scrooge, but a kind, decent man and generous to his family and upright in his dealings with other people. He just could not understand how or why Jesus came to earth to save us from our sin. It did not make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. “I’m truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, “but I’m not going with you and the kids to church this Christmas Eve.” He went on to say, he would feel like a hypocrite and this year he would much rather stay home. He would just wait up and read until they returned. And so, he stayed behind as the family went to the candlelight service.