Back in the 1940s, I lived on a farm just three miles from Bryan, TX. One Saturday there was going to be a grand parade and street party in Bryan, and my two friends Porkey and Bubba had spent Friday night with me so we could go into town on horseback and ride in the parade. We were riding on three green-broke horses, which means the horses were still in training and not quite experienced enough for anyone to ride or work them confidently. I had been working with them all summer, and both my dad and I both thought they were okay to ride in the parade.

Biblical and historical accounts have "King" Herod ruling over the Jewish population of Roman-occupied "Syria Palaestina" at the time of Jesus' birth.

Triskaidekaphobia is a strange word which means a fear of the number 13; some people are bothered by the number thirteen and others pay no attention to it. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle; it doesn't seem to bother me, but whenever I hear thirteen mentioned I think about all the controversy associated with that number.

"The IRS doesn't call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer," said Clay Sanford, an IRS spokesman. "Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes."

I agree with journalist Bee Wilson, who wrote recently in the Wall Street Journal that Thanksgiving is a time of year that inspires reflection. For some it is a moment to think about the meaning of family. But for her and me, there is a simpler message to take away: We should all enjoy desserts in our lives. (That's not to say we should receive our "just deserts" (things deserved).

We go about our daily lives in the United States of America. We read newspapers in the US and via internet we have access to myriad newspapers around the world. But how often do we stop and consider press freedom?

Citizens who have the concern, energy, and time to vote often ask themselves: "Which candidate would be best for me, my community, the USA and the world?"

Many people who use computers today talk about cut and paste, but years ago when I entered first grade cut and paste required some small blunt scissors and a bottle of paste. Basically today's cut and paste is a process on the computer or smartphone where you can copy a picture or text and make that part of a new document you are putting together. It's a totally different procedure from the way I learned when scissors and a bottle of paste were actually used.

Real or artificial Christmas tree decorated with lights, ornaments, and tinsel? Which is the right choice? It depends on switch side of the aluminum or wooden fence you are on. Ho-ho-holarious.

Nov. 30 marks the end of this year's hurricane season, and the amount of destruction caused has been enormous. In addition to 65 deaths in the Bahamas (Hurricane Dorian), repairing the property damage from all the year'' hurricanes will cost many billions of dollars.

The summer of 1980 was a character builder. If you were around then, I'm sure you remember it well. One hundred plus days with one hundred plus temperatures. The heat index went through the roof.

We must never forget that the most important part of every December is not shopping; it's to observe and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's been said that Jesus is the reason for the season. In reality he's the reason for any season. While there will be lots of sales and bargains galore this month, but those things should be way down the list from the real reason we celebrate December 25 every year. A few years ago a friend sent me an e-mail wishing me a Merry CHRISTmas, written that way we surely shouldn't forget the true meaning of what CHRISTmas is all about.