AN ICEBOUND DAY

When Winter grips North Texas in a strangle hold, she often gifts us with a solid sheet of ice covering every surface. On those icebound days we stay busy with indoor activities and avoid the streets and highways.

What shall we do on an icebound day? Watch the icicles form on the trees' shivering limbs? Enjoy the cardinals' investigations of the bird feeder? Watch the birds skating on the former birdbath that is now a rock-solid ice rink?

I chose to curl up in my favorite chair wearing heavy socks and bundled in a warm acrylic throw while reading Jan Caron's novel, Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good. Twenty years ago Caron began her Mitford series, and this is her 10th and newest book. The beloved Father Tim Kavanaugh and his wife, Cynthia, have returned from an extended trip to Ireland when they learn that Mitford's newspaper has questioned whether the town's citizens are still concerned about those less fortunate.

Father Tim is busy dealing with troubled youth, police involvement and town gossip. There are also tears, divorce, adultery, death, illnesses, an arthritic dog and attempted suicide. But he still finds time to motivate and guide the townspeople to prove that the community can indeed take care of its own.

The hilarious Christmas celebration in downtown Mitford (pp. 448 t0 conclusion) is a splendid commotion in which the citizens demonstrate, through their generosity and love, that they still take of all family, friends, neighbors and Mitfordians.

If you haven't read these treasures by Jan Caron, I recommend that you begin with At Home in Mitford and read all the way through Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good. Then an icebound day will feel like springtime on the Big Island.

Quote of the day: When you base your life on principles, most of your decisions are already made before you encounter them. ~ Shared by Chuck from Phoenix

TELL IT LIKE IT IS

The English language is complex, confusing and fascinating. I love its cadence, inflections, twists and turns and double meanings. The tiny word "in" placed in front of familiar words changes the meaning and tickles the funny bone.

Regarding chocolate, I'm in Satiable. I prefer milk chocolate with nuts, but I enjoy all varieties.

People who are in Considerate upset me. I prefer polite kindness.

I've been in many places, but I've never been in Kahoots. You can't go alone - someone has to be in Kahoots with you.

I've never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

However, I have been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven, and I've been there several times.

I've also been in Doubt. It's a sad place and I try not to visit there often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense. I head straight for that section in the library.

I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country I was in.

I try not to be in Tolerant. You can lose friends there.

I was in Consolable when the Cowboys lost to the Packers, but then I said, "We'll take 'em next year."

Another fun activity is making a list of ordinary words preceded by "en." You'll be en Grossed for a long time.

Quote for the day: To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. ~ Thomas Acquinas

PET PEEVES

I have several, but the one I'm steamed about today is the irresponsible action of people who forget, refuse, or never learned to use their vehicle's turn signal.

Every time I'm out and about, whether in a small town or large city, I see this lazy behavior. How hard can it be to flip the lever? It happened again today. 

I was returning from a 10-mile drive out of town when a large vehicle pulled out of a side road in front of me. It was one of those heavy pick-up trucks with huge tires much loved by Texas cowboys and sportsmen. Traffic was light, and I had no trouble observing the driver's driving habits from one side of town to the other. We drove on a county road, an interstate highway, city streets and through residential areas. He faithfully stopped for red lights and stop signs, but NOT ONE TIME did he use a turn signal-- neither left nor right. And he had at least 12 opportunities. I lost count after that. Why? Does anyone know why?

Between the gun rack in the rear window and his Stetson, I couldn't see his face well, but he appeared well-barbered and clean-shaven -- sober, capable and competent. No tats or piercings were visible. He was so thoughtful and well-mannered that when he tossed his Styrofoam cup full of chewing tobacco juice out the window, he made sure it hit the pavement then bounced on out into the ditch. He tipped his hat to people in cars who passed him. Evidently his mama did a good job instilling proper consideration of others.

So how did she miss the turn signal instruction?

Quote for the day: Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

A $4 MILLION DOLLAR TEXAS PARTY

That's the price tag for the Inauguration shindig in Austin when Greg Abbott accepted the governor's reins from Rick Perry. Folks in my area who attended are still talking about it.

Eddie Deen and his crew fed about 17,000 people after the inaugural festivities. This was Deen's sixth inauguration in a row, and the past experience came in handy as he and his staff prepared about 4 tons (8,000 pounds) of beef brisket, 170 gallons of barbeque sauce, 17,000 yeast rolls, 4,500 pounds of potato salad, 340 gallons of beans and 2,500 pounds of coleslaw. Also there was 1 ton of smoked chicken and 1,700 pies - half chocolate buttermilk and half vanilla buttermilk.

A crew of 150, which included 50 students from Carter High School in Dallas and 50 employees from the Travis County Sheriff's Department, served the food in about one hour. The servings were generous and the cost was $10.00 per person. All leftovers were taken to the homeless shelter in Austin.

Deen, from Terrell, Texas, has served his barbeque to tens of thousands including presidents, Olympians and Texans. "It's a lot of responsibility," he says. "But if you set the stage, it will unfold, and it's just a beautiful thing."

The tab was picked up by the taxpayers in Texas, but they believe they got their money's worth.

A TRUE GRIT GOVERNOR

New Texas governor, Greg Abbott, gets his chance to write Texas history his way, reflecting on the Lone Star State's past and redefining its future as he becomes our 48th governor since statehood.

Abbott, age 57, has a personal story of pain, sacrifice and determination like few others in American history.

Paralyzed from the waist down at age 26, Abbott not only continued his Houston law office career, but also won judgeships and eventually statewide office. As an American governor with disabilities, he is already an inspiration to thousands and will bring new hope to Texans every day.

Abbot's governing style will not include knee-jerk decisions. He is more deliberative and wants to hear the case for all sides before passing judgment.

He must deal with possible expansion of Medicare health care benefits, school finance and policies, illegal immigration and Texas' transportation needs. Abbot must face all this and more. Along the way he must inspire Texans to do the most they can with the abilities God has given them.

We don't know much yet about how he will govern. But we do know he will not give up.

Quote for the day: Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

INTO THE SUNSET

Don't expect Texas' ex-governor, Rick Perry, to drift quietly into obscurity.

The boy from the cotton fields of Haskell County, who set an unprecedented 14-year tenure as governor, has miles to go before he sleeps. His legacy of limited regulation, low taxes and business-friendly policies, which boosted the state's economic health during periods of uncertainty, will always be remembered. Under his leadership, scores of businesses moved into Texas, diversifying the economy and supplying decent-paying jobs to millions of Texans. Perry's love of and dedication to Texas are unquestioned.

His laser-like focus on economic growth was occasionally distracted by confrontation with the federal government over environmental regulations and immigration. His characteristic swagger and conservative views often eclipsed his ability to appear thoughtful. But in his departing speech, Perry said, "There is room for different voices, for disagreement. Compromise is not a dirty word if it moves Texas forward." He asked Texans "to dream boldly, to act boldly, to live boldly."

Rick Perry has learned many lessons during his governorship -- lessons he may apply to his own political future.  His future is unknown, but this is farewell, not goodbye.

APHORISMS

Words of wisdom from people with razor-sharp insights.

            If God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates.

                                                                        ~ Jay Leno ~

             The problem with political jokes is they get elected.

                                                                        ~ Henry Cate VII

             We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.

                                                                        ~ Aesop ~

             If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these State of the Union speeches, there wouldn’t be any inducement to go to heaven.

                                                                        ~ Will Rogers ~

             Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.                                                                  ~ Nikita Khrushchev ~

             When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it.                                                                         ~ Clarence Darrow ~

             Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your opponents will do it for you.                                                            ~ Author unknown ~

Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.                                                                   ~ John Quinton ~

            Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.

                                                                        ~ Oscar Ameringer ~

 

            I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.                                       ~ Adlai Stevenson ~

            A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.

                                                                        ~ Tex Guinan ~

 

            I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.                                                      ~ Charles de Gaulle ~

            Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.

                                                                        ~ Doug Larson ~

   

These wise words of wit and perception are offered with a sense of humor and a big smile, in the hope that some of them will bring a big smile to your face.