A typical lunch-break conversation

ME: Hey, could you stop by Walgreens on your way home and see if they sell fake beards and mustaches?SHE: Excuse me? And why do you need that? ME: Preferably silver-ish. But brown would do in a pinch, if they have any.SHE: Are you wanting to go incognito for the summer?ME: Hey, wait a minute.

Texas writer creates Conan the Barbarian

The instant Robert Ervin Howard learned his comatose mother was not long for this world, the fantasy writer decided Jun. 11, 1936 would be his last day on earth.Bob Howard was born in 1906 at Peaster but left the wide-spot-in-the-road while still in diapers.

Once can sometimes be enough

Breakin’ rocks in the hot sun I fought the law, and the law won.— Song lyrics by Sonny Curtis, a 1966 top ten hit for the Bobby Fuller Four ----- Got to thinking last week about my long-standing association with courthouses. Halls of Justice for defining those who “fought the law.

Welcome to Summer 2024

I’m not sure how kids these days spend their summer vacation. I haven’t kept up with the trends. I don’t know what’s “in” and what’s “out.” I wouldn’t know the difference between something that’s dope and lit over something that’s sus and vanilla.

Wheeler-dealer mastered D.C. corruption

The nation hardly noticed when Bobby Baker, the poster boy for political corruption, got out of prison on Jun. 2, 1972.The Washington insider the press nicknamed “Lyndon’s boy” did not hail from Texas, as many misinformed Americans presumed, but from South Carolina.

I knew what happened to my patience

“The rise of powerful AI will either be the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity.”— Stephen Hawking (1942 – 2018), English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author---- All I needed was a thingy-ma-bob for my computer.

What if Billy Joel had been a gardener?

I am so sorry. I’ve got a song-bug in my ear. No matter what I’m doing, where I’m going, who I’m talking to, I hear Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.” Looking for avocados in the produce section? Piano Man. Taking the dog out for its morning walk? Piano Man. Washing the dishes? Piano Man.

Signs of our time

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.” — Sam Ewing, Former American baseball player for the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. ----- Now Hiring. Help wanted. Positions Open. Signs of our time.

“Mr. Cub” never played in World Series

Playing in his first full season for the Chicago Cubs, a skinny shortstop from Texas drove in the winning run with an 11th inning double on May 23, 1954 to beat the Dodgers. Halfway through the twentieth century baseball had yet to live up to its national pastime boast.

To the graduates:

I’m sorry, but I have no sage advice or words of wisdom to share with the graduating class of 2024. Except maybe this: BE KIND. BE KIND to your parents, no matter if they were awesome or rarely in the picture. They gave you life.