IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury We called prized possessions “gen-u-wine” back in the day. That’s not the correct spelling, of course, but when the word fell from our lips, we emphasized each syllable to make sure hearers clearly understood that our claims were 100 percent true. “Genuine” back then was about as far away from “fake” as the east
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury When the prospect of military service popped up, I didn’t know the National Guard from a cattle guard. Generally speaking, that’s still the case, despite my having “served” in the Texas Army National Guard for nine years, not too long after muskets had been cast aside in favor of more effective firearms. More
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Ever come across a situation–however minor–that activates curiosity? Responding to minutia I often uncovered in youthful years, my old mother often said, “It don’t amount to a hill of beans.” Such moments, insignificant as they may have been, are like puppy love. They matter to puppies, and to us as well, particularly when they
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IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Ray Hildebrand, who wrote and sang “Hey, Paula” with college classmate Jill Jackson in 1963, admits to being “older than dirt,” but quickly adds that he’s still “kicking up dust,” despite entering his 80th year a few weeks hence. In fact, he’s “on track” to exceed the longevity of another “Ray”– this one named
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury We’ve longbeen led to believe that we “can’t know the players without a program.” However, it’s generally agreed that they are needed for sports purists who want to identify all of the players, from the “stars to the scrubs.” At the State Fair of Texas in Dallas–where they feature three football games annually
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Coaches whotake their teams on the road to face storied football opponents usually tip-toe into town, feeling that the less said, the better. This is particularly true when they’re fortunate enough to win, and doubly so if they’re scheduled to meet the same foes the next year at “their place.” A prime example
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury As might be expected, my Uncle Mort thought he had heard every birthday-related joke in the book. At his 107th party a few weeks ago, he got a real birthday surprise. They rolled out three large gifts. When he tore away the wrapping on the first one, there was a birthday cake adorned by
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury A majority of us have drawn lines in the dirt, emphasizing the point beyond which we simply will not be pushed by pesky, ever-encroaching technology. Most of us gradually fold, however. In retreat mode, we still draw lines, but they are evermore faint, each drawn with diminishing enthusiasm. I was a stubborn hold-out when
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Mickey Eddins didn’t want folks to make a “big to-do” about him or his western accessory business, but that’s simply too bad. “If he hadn’t wanted a ‘big to-do’ made about what he’s done, he shouldn’t a’done ‘em,” said one of the 400-plus guests crowded into the M&F showroom recently to honor him
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Spirit Of Abilene 