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Columns

This: Do not pet snakes

I heard about copperhead snakes for the first time when I was about 10 years old. The babysitter I loved, Mrs. Prickett, would sometimes entertain me with stories from her past.

One day, she shared the saga of her run-in with a copperhead. She had gone down to the basement to retrieve a box, and when she moved it – surprise! There was the snake.

It was surprised, too, and it opened its jaws and spat five little baby snakes at Mrs. Prickett, one at a time, one right after the other.

Mrs. P. rocketed upstairs and threw a hysterical fit.

How to make Chip and Joanna Gaines flee

Whenever the Bride and I are in a hotel room, I know what the TV will be tuned to without fail: Home and Garden Television (HGTV). (We have never had

The weekly challenge

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job each week is this column. It is the one spot where – as long as I keep it relatively tame –

A (sometimes) funny character in a bad movie

It’s fun to see a new character on film. And sad to see s/he fade away. AboUt thE FILM The world can thank Oprah Winfrey for Tyler Perry. Depressed and

Dragon trilogy reaches it high-flying end

Trilogies are big in motion pictures and another one has just come to its conclusion. AbouT THe film How to Train Your Dragon is based on a series of young

Texas House Democratic caucus declares legislative priorities for public education

The Texas House Democratic Caucus on Feb. 21 announced its “Texas Kids First” education-funding package that would include all-day pre-kindergarten, teacher raises and retirement and property tax reform. “We hope

How is your soul?

One of my absolute favorite hymns is “It is Well with My Soul.” This morning I read those words again and hit on this phrase: “Whatever my lot, Thou hast

Dear salesperson: No means no...really

Icould never be a salesperson. It is just not something I’m cut out for, and that is due to the fact that I don’t like it when I believe that

Committee starts work on property tax reform

Voters would have the power to prevent their local governmental bodies from increasing property taxes by more than 2.5 percent per year under legislation introduced in the Texas Senate and

Warning! Shameless plug under this headline!

On Sept. 20, 2007, I shut down Ol’ Pinky – our, then-new, laptop – put on my running shoes and padded down the Port Aransas beach for a few miles,