Original Texans knew only how to lose

The Dallas Texans, first pro football team in the Southwest, proved their season opening defeat was no fluke by losing 37-14 to the San Francisco 49’ers on Oct. 5, 1952.Seventy-two years ago, the National Football League did not remotely resemble the sports spectacle of today.

Short stories for R&R

STORY No. 1: A couple of months ago, I complained to our trash service that our bin was broken, that the tire was almost off. They said they’d bring a new one in 5-7 days. A couple of weeks later, the tire fell off.

My trusted tool to slow life’s pace

“Uninvited, he sat down and opened up his mind, On old dogs and children, and watermelon wine. — song lyrics by Tom T. Hall----- Each of those finer things in life celebrated by the American singer-songwriter nicknamed “The Storyteller” admittedly possesses soothing powers.

To be human

“Years ago, famed anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student fully expected Mead to speak about fish-hooks, clay pots, grinding stones. But that was not the answer.

POW comes home to court-martial

The month long court-martial at Fort Sam Houston ended on the evening of Sep. 30, 1954. The fate of the lowly corporal accused of collaborating with his communist captors was in the hands of eight high ranking officers.

What’s the rush?

And just like that I became one of the slow-walking, carefully-shopping folk at Walmart, the same ones I’d zoom past and think, “Pick it up, old timer. Death is right behind us.” I guess surgery and hard times will do that to you. Doesn’t matter what kind. No need for details.

The almanac, guaranteed good reading

“When a friend deals with a friend, Let the bargain be clear and well penn’d, That they may continue friends to the end.”— Written by Benjamin Franklin (17061790) in Poor Richard’s Almanac under the alias of Richard Saunders. The publication appeared from 1732 to 1758.

Consider the source

Ican’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “what on earth is this country (or world) coming to?” I hear it everywhere I go. Now that we’re in election season, I also hear: “Can any candidate I vote for fix this mess?

Do you need to fear retirement?

If you’re planning to retire in a few years, are you looking forward to it? Or are you somewhat apprehensive? Are you asking yourself: “What sort of retirement can I afford?”It’s a good question — because the answer can make a big difference in your ability to enjoy life as a retiree.

We’ve come a long way since our cave dwelling days

We really shouldn’t count humanity as being a “technologically advanced” species. Sure, we have lawnmowers and smartphones and intercontinental ballistic missiles, but is having all that truly the definition of being “advanced”?