If history is an indicator, Texas voters will likely go to the polls on Nov. 2 in underwhelming numbers to decide the fate of eight proposed amendments to the state’s constitution. With no statewide races on the ballot, and a scattering of local elections for city council and school board, turnout typically is low. Nevertheless, early voting is now underway and continues until Oct. 29.

My family came over to America in 1640. They had already bought into the myth of “whiteness” and other races as well as the myth of Americans as the Chosen People. So the “whites” are the only ones deserving of power and privilege. It’s 2021, I do not

Don’t get me wrong, I love summer. Childhood Junes, Julys and Augusts were magic, if for no other reason than that there was no school. Even now, if I hear the word “vacation,” the first thing that comes to mind is the long period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The state climatologist recently predicted that Texas will continue to get hotter and for longer periods of time during the next 15 years. In “Assessment of Historic and Future Trends of Extreme Weather in Texas, 1900-2036,” John Nielsen-Gammon predicted the average annual temperature in Texas will be three degrees warmer than the average from 1950-1999, and the number of 100-degree days could nearly double compared to 2000-2018.

My last column was about mice and unwanted critters that can creep into old, country homes. People sometimes tell us the “Rat” in our Ranch Tails comic strips is their favorite cartoon character. Really a mouse, he materialized as if by magic years ago when I thought he’d be a good addition to our mental menagerie. Zack thinks he suggested it. I won’t split hairs.

Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the Texas Legislature to increase the penalty for illegal voting, adding the item to the third special session now underway. However, House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, quickly rejected the proposal, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

This column contains seemingly unrelated non-sequiturs that will hopefully come together in the end, despite my currently diminished mental state. Please bear with me. I’ve been writing in my head for the last few sleepless hours and have forgotten half my “great ideas” already--- mainly because I took an aspirin in hopes it would make me sleep. I’m such a lightweight that it should have worked. But not this morning. My rest has been rudely interrupted for three nights, and I’m feeling ragged. This will be reflected in a number of typos which I’ll hopefully be coherent enough to correct later. I usually sleep like a rock and wake refreshed. But not lately. We live in a little, 100-plusyear-old farmhouse made from two different old buildings slapped together decades ago. Not a right angle or plumb line here unless we made them. Nothing level unless we intervened. We love it anyway, like a patient parent with a difficult child. There have always been things people don’t like to disclose, although these days, many “come out” on social media and create Go Fund Me pages to help overcome all sorts of situations that might previously have been considered abnormal or taboo. But you know me. I’m all about transparency.

Promptly upon agreeing to a visit later that week, Mr. K took a red planner from his shirt pocket, quickly reached the corresponding date with the help of the tear-off corner tab, and literally penciled me in for Friday at 11 a.m. As he later explained to me, this tinniest of books had accompanied Mr. K daily through peace and war carrying his notations for, as he put it, appointments, obligations, bible verses and miscellaneous for at least the last 50 years stoically, though efficiently, resisting the advent of technology.

The grapevine tells me there are some who are under the impression that the only way to get coverage of a story or event is to purchase advertising in either The Clifton Record or Meridian Tribune. I’m not quite sure where this is coming from, but I wanted to clarify some things.

I’ve finally had enough. Hating controversy, I normally don’t make waves or become drawn into political, ethical or even religious arguments. I respect the right of every person to safely voice an opinion. Things have become nasty, rude and mean in the social media world, if you haven’t noticed. Maybe folks are monetizing their videos and posts. Money talks. Before I likely exit stage right from that ephemeral and now so strange venue, perhaps I needed a parting shot, and I took it. Not sure if I’m ashamed of myself or proud--- for finally letting loose, albeit tactfully--- without being rude, mean, preachy or judgmental.