I'm just a constituent

I took this photo in Mitchell County yesterday. I thought, "Oh, Schlumpy!" I've never seen a windmill looking like it had wilted.

I listened to the GOP's candidates for Texas Governor the other night. I kind of liked Medina. I gotta tell ya, I get sick of hearing discussions about these three subjects: abortion, gay marriage, health care. It makes me want to cut my wrists the minute these topics come up. I wish they would quit smelling up the room with those dead horses. Those carcasses are so squooshy, they're liquefied.

I can appreciate a discussion about TxDOT, though. Hutchison talked about revamping this brontosaurus of an institution and complained about lane miles not being added.

TxDOT is always revamping. Now, if she was REALLY talking about overhauling at the executive level, then get on it. Usually what happens, though, is the re-do takes place at the blue collar level, then they burn out before reaching any higher.

The working man sector of TxDOT has been cut to the bone and some counties are working with a deficit of employees. I wonder if they have compared the cost of using contract labor against the cost of using the TxDOT county employees. Used to, the local employees did the mowing and replacing of guardrail. These things are done by contractors, now. That's why sometimes you see a piece of guardrail sit damaged for months. The contractor may feel like they can afford to take the monetary penalty of not working within the contract guidelines and not feel inclined to get the project done right away (they get charged by the day if they go over the time allowed in the contract; sometimes what they make way overshadows any tariff, so they can afford to take a big hit).

If the local TxDOT guys were allowed to do the job, it would get done much faster. So, you're talking about solving safety and aesthetic issues quicker. If things keep on the way they have been, our roadways will look like some of those other local states', I don't want to mention names, New Mexico.

I don't know, maybe it's an issue of liability or cost of equipment. I think a comparison report is called for.

As for lane miles, think about your county. Do you need more roadway or do you need more maintenance? You're probably thinking maintenance. That costs a lot a money. Maintenance includes not only the roadway itself, but ditches, signs and guardrail.

I know in bigger cities they're all hepped up on more highway, but I don't care about the cities. I don't live there. I don't feel bad about saying I don't care, because it's a reciprocal feeling. It seems we're always getting blanket laws slapped on us that don't really pertain to us, but since big politics is in the city, our country society is often not considered in legislation. Unless it's agricultural legislation, but that's behind a whole 'nother gate.

I don't claim to be a member of any political party, so don't be thinking I'm republican just because I watched the GOP debate. With so many variables, I don't see how anyone can dedicate themselves to one political group. To quote my mom, "I was never much of a joiner." I prefer to make my own decisions.

Okay, enough of all that.

If you are working on a project or book that requires Texas historical resources such as permanent records, newspapers, journals, books, manuscripts, photographs, or historical maps, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds a veritable cornucopia of information. It is possible to get microfilm records on loan through your local library.

I came across the website for the local Lion's Club, of which Fredda Buckner is the District Governor. Buckner is also CEO and General Manager of Big Country Electric.

I've got to go do some rat-killing, so I'll wish you all a good Sunday and warn you that garden planning should be going on now because spring is just around the corner. Time to get those Gurney's out!

The book is always better

I recently watched The Last Picture Show for the first (and only) time. Guess what? Yeah, like I said above. The star-gazing was great, with Florence Henderson, Ellen Burstyn, Randy Quaid, etc. It's just that McMurtry describes details, minute details on the page that give the story form. The film was very flat compared to the book.

I may have told ya'll this before, I'm notorious for repeating myself, but when I can't find anything to read at the library, one of my old stand-by sets is The Last Picture Show trilogy, which includes the aforementioned book, also Texasville and Duane's Depressed. Sometimes they make me laugh and sometimes they bring me down, but I know I can depend on them to be engaging.

My other favorite stand-bys are John Irving's Hotel New Hampshire, The World According to Garp, and The Cider House Rules; Richard Russo's Nobody's Fool and Straight Man; and Annie Proulx's The Shipping News.

I think McMurtry, Irving and Russo have similar writing styles, because they can give every detail of a scene without boring you to death. Have you ever read Jane Eyre? It's a good story, but after a page and a half of going on and on about some feeling Jane is having, I'm like "Hey, Charlotte Bronte, enough, already, I get it!"

Proulx's book is just plain good. I have not seen the movies of any of these books (except the one), but I understand that the people in The Shipping News were attractive. The characters in the book are not, it's integral to the story that they are not.

I think the only movie that has been true to the book is Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. When Mayella, played by Collin Wilcox Paxton, bats her eyes maniacally while being questioned in the courtroom, it's utter magic.

See, I do love the movies as well as books. I am mystified and in awe when they seem to do just the right thing on film, or have just the right actor to portray a certain character.

I've always wanted to work on a movie set, just doing something like handing out water or putting donuts on trays. I really want to see the working part of the movies. It seems like that would be a story in itself.

You will have to lay in the bed that you made

You will reap what you sow, what comes around goes around, and, as Earl says, "Maybe Karma's behind this whole thing."

And if such beliefs hold true for malicious people, then they should hold true for the good ones as well.

There are probably some of you good folks that feel like Karma, good fortune, the bountiful fruits of life, are not bestowing gifts on you in return for following the rules, paying your taxes and doing unto others.

I recall a conversation I had with my dad one time when I was trying to read Exodus (couldn't get past the girding of loins while eating mutton or whose fault it is if the neighbor's donkey falls in a hole your servant dug). I was going on and on about how gripey those people (Israelites) were even though Moses was trying to help out. "They just complain and complain," I said. "First of all, he's leading them to their freedom. They say they're thirsty, he scrounges them water (with some help, ha, ha). They're hungry, he provides food (more help). Still, they kvetched and moaned. "I mean, what's up with that?" I asked, and I remember my dad's answer was like someone suddenly hitting a gong. "People still do that today."

I wish I could convey how powerful a message that was as it came to me that day. If I could draw a picture, I would have a lightning bolt striking my head. We still do it today.

I'm not much for being put on a guilt trip, so that's not what this is. This is what is sounds like when I talk to myself. I say, "Self, you are a good person for the most part, and you do have a good life. Just because you're a little put out by the weather or someone going slow in front of you (or perhaps more serious offenses) doesn't mean you are not reaping the fruits of life. Hey, Self, remember, you have a warm house, a fine husband, beautiful, smart kids, healthy, too. You have lots of friends and family that love you. And you got one heckuva dog in Sue. Yep, it's really not so bad. Not bad at all."

Then I pull out my list and mark Joy off. Okay, I thought that was pretty funny, but if you don't watch "My Name is Earl", you have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm not recommending it, either, because I'm sure some might find it offensive. I just think it's funny, sometimes. The basic message is good.

Anyway, I want to thank you all for coming to the sermon today, and if you could just leave a little money in the plate as you leave, I'll be able to meet you at Dairy Queen for lunch.

In the lane, the snow is glistening

See, here we are in Hobbs, the day after the big snow and the charming cottages and chalets were shining in the morning sun...oh, okay, it's Norway, not Hobbs, Texas or even the U.S. We have no darling pathway, except where a cow might roam. This photo was sent to us by our Nordic friend Joe Duncan. He says they're having a record winter with temps sitting at 0. I'm still jealous of Joe because he has a fjord and they seem to have a fantastical existence over there in Lillesand. Perhaps it's the grass is greener effect, but I always need a place to dream of going to. The last place I fantasized about was North Carolina. Go figure.

It seems that we are having our very own cold winter this season. We are re-establishing our relationship with Gray Fuel and have become very close. I can feel the propane burning. We're having to use the gas heater in tandem with the fireplace. Now that's cold, folks.

If you've ever wondered what YouTube is, but never knew what to look for, get a start by perusing Ricky Niell's videos. Then from there you can look at his friends and followers, or just search for what you want to see. Put in Fisher County, Roby, anything you can think of. It's really entertaining.

I'm going to close now because I keep having to run back and forth between the computer and the heater, and with the temp hanging in the 20's, the heater is winning. I hope the New Year will be good to you all. I've learned a lot in 2009, not all of which I can appreciate but which will, in the long run, increase my wisdom. Unless I forget, and that's always possible. Happy NY and Happy Birthday to my dad tomorrow!