To my relief, when my dad answered the phone a few days ago he sounded like his old self. Strong, determined, alert, almost impatient to continue with his ceaseless activities.

When I was growing up my parents put up pickles each year---and jelly. My favorite pickles were from the crock and each day I’d beg to try one. Even when no one else thought they were ready, they were just right for me. To this day, I still prefer the “half sour” pickles in any good deli.

In today’s edition you will find our annual Graduation Section. I’m not quite sure if this year’s graduating seniors had it easier or harder than last year’s seniors, but it definitely is wonderful that they get to walk this year. A special thank you to all our advertisers who made this section possible. We could not do this type of thing without you.

The number of traffic accidents decreased in 2020, but the number of Texans killed while not wearing a seat belt increased by 16%, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2020, 1,073 fatalities were attributed to not wearing seat belts, up from 926 fatalities in 2019.

On Mother’s Day, many people post pictures on social media and write lovely things about their moms. I never wanted to share such deeply personal feelings with the world--- until yesterday. In the spirit of honoring my mother, I finally posted a picture this year--- of my parents cutting their wedding cake in the 1940s. I wrote simply that she was the sweetest, kindest, bravest, most courageous woman I ever knew. Because she willingly risked her life to give me mine. And that is true.

It is a near certainty that Texans will be allowed to carry handguns without a license in the near future as House Bill 1927 passed both chambers and heads to a conference committee to hash out amendments added in the Senate version.

Take home the cash or take home the cows! In its third year, Beef on the Brazos is a unique opportunity for a chance to own a herd of cattle. Until June 30, $50 raffle tickets are available and only 2000 will be sold to win 20 F1 Braford heifers with an estimated value near $20,000, subject to market price at the time of the sale.

Fully inoculated, I finally flew to visit my daughter and family for the first time in 15 months. Zack must have been deliriously happy with some time to himself--- at least for the first few days. My original plan had been to fly to Utah to visit my son first, then accompany him to Moab and another national park--- on our way to visit his sister. It seemed like a great idea, more of a vacation for me than the usual visit to see granddaughters. But man plans and God laughs. My son’s girlfriend tested positive for COVID. Big bummer. So I was forced to avoid their house, and my son had to avoid his little nieces. Disappointed, I changed my plans and hope to see both my son and the parks another time, hopefully soon. He’s received two COVID jabs--- weeks ago now- -- never tested positive, never developed symptoms. I feel cheated. Damn this virus, the restrictions and fear. We’ve all lost over a year of our lives and I’m starting to wonder about things we accepted as true. The “experts” haven’t always been right.

Texas stands to gain two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after results of the 2020 census released last week show the state had the largest numerical gain of any state since the 2010 census