By Jim Nichols The return address on the envelope read “National Funeral Directors Association” and it arrived at my home address in about 1983. It contained eight brief pamphlets concerning funerals including costs, related professional services, pre-arranging, what to say or not at a funeral, children at funerals — it was a veritable gold mine of information. The arrival of
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My friend Rex Tackett, as community-minded as anyone I’ve ever known, is admired for always taking the high road, and–when necessary–the high wire as well. He takes life on with cheer, always confident of sunrise tomorrow, no matter how many clouds–dark as they may be–fluff up the sky today. He and his wife, Mariann, are
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A new survey by the Pew Research Center takes a look at who the “nones” and what they believe. The survey delves into how atheists, agnostics and those who describe their religion as “nothing in particular” see God, religion, morality, science and more. Are they opposed to religion? What are their views about science? Is their growth good or bad
Read moreBy David Wray Marilyn always wished for more discipline in her life. Failed diets, inadequate exercise, procrastination, and impulsive purchases constantly discouraged her. On New Year’s Eve 2023, she joined about one-third of Americans making resolutions. Marilyn committed to eating better, regular work outs, saving more, and reducing screen time. Unfortunately, she abandoned the resolutions after only a few weeks
Read moreBy Danny Minton I’m not a biologist or an astronomer, but both are fascinating fields to study. Over the years, I came across a couple of interesting finds that made me stop and think about the universe in which we live. Our bodies contain a protein called “Laminins.” The definition I found states, “Laminins are major proteins in the basal lamina,
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By Jim Nichols I am interested in efficiency, as, perhaps, you are. It serves us well as functioning Americans at least if we have the resources. We are taught early in life at home and school to consider the options, make a plan, and conduct the plan. We were taught to be goal oriented. Admittedly, there were some more artistic
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Several years ago, a wise guy–or perhaps a wise gal–sent an email that latched on and won’t let go. It read: “In your column today, I discovered several dozen well-chosen words.” Oh, that it could have been left at that, without a second sentence: “Unfortunately, they were intermingled among 600 that weren’t.” Ouch! Such could
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Most Americans are spiritual or religious in some way and many also say their spirituality and level of religiosity have changed over time. But Americans are far more likely to say they have become more spiritual than to say they have become more religious, according to a new analysis of a 2023 Pew Research Center survey. Click here to read article.
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“Father, forgive them.” He could say that while dying; can we, while living? Glenn Dromgoole is a former editor of the Abilene Reporter-News and the author of numerous books. He and his wife, Carol, own Texas Star Trading Company.
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Spirit Of Abilene 