Ads for masks--- another reason to perpetuate my ongoing love/hate relationship with Facebook. I suffer FB to keep up with distant friends and family. Occasional social media rants in my column are nothing new. I’ve had some Facebook “friends” with too much time on their hands, too many/ too frequent “exciting” posts--- like where they had coffee or what they cooked/ ate. Or posts like, “I just made muffins”! I just can’t un-see that one. I’m not insensitive--- but there’s not always time to care deeply. I don’t “unfriend” them. I “hide” them--- to avoid being inundated with a continuous stream of inane posts.

Gov. Greg Abbott on July 2 issued an executive order to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus while keeping Texas as open as possible for business.

I never thought I’d learn so much about toilet paper. An admitted toilet tissue snob, I was long ago a Northern Tissue kind of gal. Charmin was then a one-ply, lesser contender; and I turned up my nose, despite the cute commercials about squeezing. --- Which would likely be politically incorrect these days. At some point, the balance tipped. The Charmin folks wised up, stepped up, and upped their game with a second ply. I changed allegiance, no contest. I’ve remained faithful for years, not even tempted to stray. Well, once maybe with Sam’s Club brand, but it didn’t mean anything. Tempted, but caved at the last minute, grabbed the Charmin and ran.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the state to slow down the reopening process for bars and other venues as coronavirus-related infections, hospitalizations and deaths continued to increase in Texas last week.

My social life was pretty limited even before the whole quarantine/social-distancing thing. And that didn’t bother me much. After busy days on the ranch, we were tired. Going out didn’t hold much appeal. And we’ve grown too lazy (or smart) to drive to larger towns for entertainment.

While COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, case counts, hospitalizations and deaths increased last week, more and more Texans ventured out of their homes with the deadly coronavirus showing no sign of abatement.

Every summer, I’ve suggested we not purchase more new plants or trees. It’s too much work getting them established. All I wanted this year was a few flowers for hanging baskets and mulch for the beds. I’ve spent way too much of these last summers working outside--- hot, covered up against the sun and as protected as possible against chiggers--- trying to keep things going. Not fun.

Gov. Greg Abbott pledged to institute police reforms when he met with the Houston family of George Floyd, who was handcuffed and killed by police in front of a Minneapolis convenience store on May 25.