Columns & Opinions

2020’s been a stinker

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2020’s been a stinker, and it’s only half over. I saw a meme the other day that said, “I need to ask Mom if that offer to kick me into next year’s still on the table”. We’ll be happy to see certain things about 2020 in the rear view mirror. So to recap some highlights, lest you forget--- and try to bring a few smiles to your day:

School year brings an Apple for students, too

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Students across Texas returned to campuses last week as schools and universities scrambled to put into place new lesson plans that best accommodate a pandemic. For many school districts, this meant greatly expanding the technological resources of their students to support a mix of in-person and online education.

First virtual criminal trial

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A Texan’s speeding ticket put her in the legal history books last week. To combat the backlog in criminal cases created by the pandemic, a Travis County justice of the peace conducted the nation’s first virtual criminal trial.

Still Social Distancing in August 2020

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It hasn’t been difficult for us to manage social distancing. Zack quips that he’s been working up to this for years, enjoying the life or a virtual hermit these days. He still visits the hardware store, but swears he wears at least a bandana--- even when I’m not there to nag. He also claims to clean his hands with the disinfectant I leave in the truck.

COVID-19 in August

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For a while now, most of my columns and comic strips have been Covid-19 related. Columns may be informative, but cartoons are comic relief. It’s been difficult to think of other things. The situation keeps changing, providing something new to write or draw.

Bosque born, raised

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Although I am a new voice to The Clifton Record, I am no stranger to this town. I was born and raised right here in Clifton.

Feral Hogs 2020

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Feral hogs, you’re not welcome here. For years we were sympathetic when friends and acquaintances told horror stories of marauding bands of feral hogs tearing up land, terrorizing animals and small children. One day we saw two big ol’ porkers running parallel to Highway 6--- in broad daylight. The traffic didn’t seem to concern them in the least.