IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury It is a good thing that we have memories to sort through while we shelter in place. Grammarians or not, we’re given to making the present tense, and the past, perfect. As we take stock of what used to be–while greatly shaken by “what is”–we think back on happenings faced hurriedly the first
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Lanes don’t get slower than those to which we’ve all been assigned. Thoroughly “slowed down,” I am reminded of the old duffer stopped numerous times on the freeway who refused to accelerate to minimum speed. Finally, the officer said, “If you don’t start moving faster, I’m going to strongly suggest that you sign
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury It’s a challenge my 106-year-old Uncle Mort hasn’t faced–not ever–and the same is true for the rest of us. The world teeters on a fulcrum of fear, much of it unknown. Enough is known, though, to shiver the strongest timbers and shake boots previously used for putting “get-along” in little “dogies” (pronounced “dough”’-gees),
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury My Uncle Mort, who lives so far out in the country that nobody passes his house going to town, called the other day. “I’m going to shock you, nephew,” he said. “’Cause I’m planning a ‘give-away’ that folks won’t be able to refuse.” He had my attention. I felt flushness in the face–sure
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury There was “people-watching” at its best recently when Texans gathered at polling places to exercise their voting preferences in primary elections. Yep, it was a foretaste of the “Big One” in November. They showed up in attire ranging from the serious sloppy to “after five,” with a few of the latter adorned as
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Gawkers gathered to gaze at a gigantic “goof” of an implosion attempt gone bad. Thus was the origin of the “leaning tower of Dallas.” The demolition company’s failed effort to take down an 11-story office tower could make Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition shift gears into construction rather than destruction. The former Affiliated Computer
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury The season of spring–God bless it–wears many faces. It has inspired poets to greatness, encouraged the downhearted, confounded meteorologists and induced weeping by throngs of spouses who don’t care for yard work. I am one of those, ashamed that I’m far south of my wife’s expectations, rarely carrying “my part of the mulch.”
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Locals already were “big-eyed” by massive oil discoveries in the Wichita Falls area about a century ago. Money flowed, and for many folks, life was good, might near the land-of-milk-and-honey status. For the oil people, it was even better. If they wanted milk and honey, they could yawn while signing checks to buy
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury The tale unleashed in this space this day is difficult to categorize. Some will say it is typical of “fake news”; others will insist that it best “fits” somewhere in the dizzy, digital world of social media. This column reminds me of the line TV’s long-running series, Hee Haw, tossed at viewers regularly:
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 