September 10, 2024 - In the late 1940s my dad installed a new composition roof on our house. For some reason he selected a dark blue color instead of the usual brown. Little did he know at the time that this decision may have saved a life.

I was in elementary school around 1944 and our family was eating breakfast that morning. Dad would be going to his job at the courthouse and Mom to her beauty shop. They would drop me off at the grammar school for a day of education. Just a routine day before us.

August 2, 2024 - When we were married in 1958 Clara knew nothing about cooking. Since I knew a lot about eating she made it her mission to learn all about preparing food fit for a king. I knew she must have thought of me as a king because she was always presenting me with burnt offerings. My, how things have changed over the years. I no longer receive burnt offerings from her as she has become a great cook.

July 8, 2024 - I have been thinking recently about the disappearance of barbershops in our town. I can recall that during the 1930’s and 1940’s there were three barbershops in our small town, perhaps even into the 1950’s.

The first barbershop of record in San Augustine was the Lockhart Barber Shop located at 112 North Harrison. In a three story building, the facility was also a tailor shop and a storage house for furniture owned by C. J. Childers. The building was owned by city mayor Lamar Blount, and was a total loss when it burned in October of 1919.

June 10, 2024 - You may be like me and enjoy puns. They are short and to the point, and sometimes require a bit of thinking in order to get the point of the pun. What is a pun, anyway? Going way back in time we find an Italian word “puntiglio” which means “a fine point.” It is hence a verbal quibble, and is most likely the source of the English word “punctilious.”

May 3, 2024 - It seems that children see things regarding church through kid’s eyes, and they don’t always hear it right. One of my earliest memories is that of being in church with my father, Cecil. I recall that I kept trying to talk out loud during the service and Dad would tell me to be quiet. After church Dad was holding me in his arms when Bro. Russell Smith walked up and asked me how I liked the service. I replied, “Well, I didn’t like it.” Bro. Smith inquired as to why I didn’t. I told him, “Because nobody gets to say anything but you.”