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Idle American

Tears of millions of Americans have scarcely dried since the tragic mid-air collision of a passenger airliner with a military helicopter on January 29 in the icy waters of the Potomac River in …

My aged Uncle Mort admitted the other day that he feels like it’s time for him to re-enter the stock market, and this time, “brimming with confidence.” He swore off trying to …

Relax. This is NOT going to be another one of those “promise pieces” about helpful resolutions that might elevate life for me in 2025. I leave that to others. In fact, were I to make …

To most Texans, the name “Rambo” may mean little, but to Todd Compton it evokes memories from his childhood, when kinfolk spoke of 17th century ancestors who lived in what is now …

If my ancient Uncle Mort could somehow “saddle up” the University of Texas’ mascot, and then lean forward, he’d literally be close to the center of BEVO’s horns. As …

“Spell Check” -— first thought to be a handy computer feature to help us use the correct letters in the proper order for word formation--often goes haywire. Like oft-discussed …

It’s seasonal for most of us, of course. Our memories kick into overdrive, dredging up details of long-ago holidays.   In my case, Christmas Days of yore were as predictable as the …

I have never been a superstitious person---not until the recent Friday the Thirteenth. Truth is, I’ve chuckled at others who won’t walk under ladders, change routes when black cats …

The song has been a staple in Christian hymnals for more than a century, underscoring deeply held beliefs. “The Way of the Cross Leads Home”--written in 1906--might be in the running for …

They are a lovable couple--Dr. Chris Liebrum and his wife, Cindy--known for quickly-triggered smiles, positive attitudes, deep faith and commitment to close-knit families. Married for 52 years, …

Errors committed when speaking sometimes, sadly, result in word entanglements that are simply beyond repair. None of us is immune. And, getting out of verbal messes can be as difficult as …

Here comes another “Mother Hubbard” column.   That’s how preachers sometimes describe their sermons--comparable to “Mother Hubbard” dresses.   They …

Now that the election is over, my ancient Uncle Mort and his domino-playing buddies down in the thicket can resume their usual mostly-minutia confabs that too often lack authenticity. This …

Carl Sandburg--his poetry collections winning three Pulitzer Prizes--warmed the hearts of Americans with his beautiful description of how tides roll in, “on little cat feet.” He …

The deeper dive one takes into life’s hourglass of time, the more likely it is to ponder nuggets of health news that might affect longevity. One jumped out at me the other day when a …

Bob Hope, beloved humanitarian, comedian and patriot, may have been America’s best ambassador of international goodwill--ever. He was able to “localize” his jokes and stories no …

Names of luminaries met at intersections along our pathway keep popping up as corner posts in life's fence row.   They are not remembered as being Republican or Democrat, rural or urban, …

If we weren’t totally “away from it all,” we were on the outskirts, kind of like the characters in the delightful 1953 Broadway musical “Brigadoon.” Only the long …

The arrival of the football-playing Coleman triplets at the University of Texas in Austin for 2025’s fall semester may break several records before they even meet BEVO, the Longhorns’ …

I have probably made this claim previously, but most friends know that my respect for redundancy has never been more than trivial. So, here I go again, certain that there finally are but two groups …

Stephen Cox is not an imposing figure. Still, he has the countenance and features to be a Clark Kent look-alike, even if considerably smaller in stature. You remember Clark, right? He’s …

Uncle Mort had never heard of “support parrots,” but admits that he shouldn’t have been surprised. “Seems like way too many of my friends are either sued or getting sued, …

It was the slowest of hot, muggy days in the thicket. Mercury in the thermometer bulged and lodged in three-digit territory. Someone said he saw a dog chasing a rabbit, and both creatures were …

Critics swear that the French successfully smeared “lipstick on a pig” for a big chunk of the 2024 Olympic Games. The French, though, are used to sloughing off jokes and insults. …

I’m not sure who the TV weather guy was, which city he served or exactly what he said, but if his observation passed down through the ages is even close to accurate, it still has wide …

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