By Nancy Patrick People who have known me only as an adult express surprise when I tell them that I was one of the quietest students in all my classes. Because of my extreme shyness, I sometimes felt intimidated by more outgoing children who seemed confident and self-assured. One of my elementary school teachers actually told my mother during a
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By Jim Nichols It appears to be a child’s toy, small pieces that seem to relate a story that you get to make up as you play. “Invented” in the 1890s in Japan, they were adopted by Russian society soon and are often known as “Russian dolls” or “Matryoshka dolls” today; a more descriptive term is “nesting dolls.” Originally made
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Everyday Ministry shines the spotlight on those who try to stay out of it. They’re the ones who stay in the background, quietly doing the small things that make life better for others. They’re all around you. To nominate someone for an Everyday Ministry feature, please send information to editor@spiritofabilene.com. Include the name of the person being nominated, contact info, and the reason
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The head of eHealth, an online independent health insurance advisor, will kick off the second year of the Fletcher Lecture Series at Hardin-Simmons University. Derrick Duke, chief executive officer and member of the board of directors of eHealth since September 2025, will present the first lecture of the fall semester at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 8 in the Houston-Lantrip Center, located
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By Glenn Dromgoole The Lord is my encourager. He gets me to let go of my fears and inhibitions.He gives me love.He gives me hope.He gives me strength.He gives me courage.He gives me grace.He gives me heart.He gives me joy.He suggests that I be thankful for all that I have and not worry so much.But, rather, focus on all the good
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By Danny Minton One of my favorite things growing up was when we would go to downtown Dallas and look at the Christmas displays in the department store windows. The windows would be sprinkled with fake snow, and through the flakes you could view animated characters around a tree, in a sled, or helping Santa. They were windows into another
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By Jim Nichols Several months ago, I recounted here an unusual experience that occurred in my backyard. It was somewhat of a wildlife fantasy and involved the simultaneous presence of two visitors, a squirrel and a hawk. It featured a device referred to by the seller as a “wildlife language translator.” The instructions were not too clear as to whether
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By Danny Minton Many of you may remember a comedian, actor, and singer who was popular in Vaudeville in the 1920s, radio broadcasts in the 1930s and 1940s, and in movies and TV in the 1950s and 1960s, with his own TV show from 1954-56. His name was Jimmy Durante, known for his gravelly voice and, as he called it,
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By Loretta Fulton Next week will be a busy one on Abilene’s college campuses as Abilene Christian, McMurry, and Hardin-Simmons universities start classes on Monday, Aug. 24. The opening of the fall semester always brings a lot of ceremony as students are greeted for the first time or as they return to class. ACU will kick things off with its
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