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Great news for the citizens of Alva
Last Monday at the city council meeting, along with the other incumbents, I was sworn in as city marshal for another four years. I hope this term is as trouble-free as the last one. I stayed until the swimming pool conversations. It's gonna cost a lo...
It's Friday.
Good Friday Greetings. On this most somber day of the year, I'll endeavor to briefly bring a word of hope for us, but before we begin there's some scripture reading I'd like you to do. It's not...
Spiritually Speaking
From this preacher’s perspective, Easter Sunday is a mixed bag of blessings. There is, of course, the hope that attendance will increase as “two timers” (those who only attend services on Christmas and Easter) reclaim their connections to the...
Play
Tiger Woods won The Master’s and The Oklahoma City Thunder is in the NBA Playoffs. These are highly-paid professionals who are paid to play. Play is important to all of us; entertainment at its...
Random Thoughts
A few weeks ago, I drove from Alva to Kentucky. Back in the day when I took such a long trip, I would put my trusty road atlas on the front seat next to me. Road atlases are just one more thing that...
Fighting new healthcare fee
I was considering a different topic for this column when J. Herning brought in a letter to the editor and a related article. He addresses a new healthcare issue, one that can affect anyone who seeks m...
The Coffee House Philosopher
The women gamblers discussed in this series were initially discovered when Patti and I made a day trip from Angel Fire, New Mexico, to Trinidad, Colorado, and surrounding towns. Being somewhat frugal and opportunistic, I happened to spot a free...
What a party
Lots of Dad's friends showed up to wish him happy birthday, share stories and have refreshments. A couple of guys mentioned how rare it was that I gave rather than received free food. My cousins,...
Do I need God?
After pastoring for 26 years, I have gained an interesting perspective on humanity. I have seen good and bad. I have seen prosperity and poverty. I have seen joy and sorrow. I have seen gracious and selfish. Ask anyone who works in customer service...
Spiritually Speaking
Life has been going by rather quickly as of late. Friends of mine, more senior than myself, assure me that time speeds up as we age. Forgive me, but I’m not sure how that makes any sense. Perhaps it has something to do with how long it takes to...
Apocalypse
“Everyone, deep in their heart, is waiting for the end of the world to come.” –Haruki Murakami, 1284 Constant worry is responsible for debilitating headaches, mood swings, insomnia, depression...
Random Thoughts
While my wife and I were watching television recently, I casually mentioned that radio and television stations west of the Mississippi River have call letters that start with “K” while those east...
Nothing to do in Alva?
When I hear people say there’s nothing to do in Alva, I think they must not be paying attention. Last week I attended the Chocolate Fantasy put on by Friends of the Alva Public Library. The...
Bambi watch out
Yesterday was Dad's birthday party. Thanks to all who attended. Tuesday is the big day for the knee replacement. We have an early start time, so Bambi watch out. We hope this goes smoother than the...
Is your homeowners insurance up-to-date?
April is Financial Literacy Month. This is the time each year consumers are reminded to reflect on their financial well-being and consider possible changes to their behavior. Insurance is designed to...
The Coffee House Philosopher
In the late 1950s, my family particularly enjoyed watching the TV show “Maverick,” starring James Garner (a native Oklahoman) on Sunday evenings. In the show, Garner played a light-hearted professional poker player who had several antagonists,...
Spiritually Speaking
Part of this morning’s lecture in Ethics rotated around the teachings of Confucius, the 6th century BC scholar who wanted to bring China up from the brink of ruin. While we were discussing Confucius’ ideas on “the morally superior person” we...
Helmets
You know from football injuries that concussion often can’t be prevented even with a helmet. The KTH Royal Research Institute in Stockholm claims that the blame for at least two-thirds of head...
Random Thoughts
As I mentioned last week, my wife and I recently had a conversation about radio and television call letters. I realize that that might not sound like an interesting topic of discussion. Hopefully, I...
Carl's Capitol Comments
This is the time in the legislative session when bills are being heard by committees in their opposite chamber – House bills in the Senate committees and vice versa. Once bills pass through committee, they are eligible to be considered by the full...
Your Social Security number has been suspended
Last week I had a visit from an Alva resident concerned about the latest scam phone call. He received two calls from someone claiming to be from Social Security telling him his Social Security number...
The Coffee House Philosopher
Two powder puff poker players of the late 1800s were anything but delicate in both countenance and deed. The women were not particularly attractive, but were strong physically, they liked to win at cards, and they did not like to be cheated. One of...
Enough is enough
I saw where there was talk of not funding Special Olympics and cutting autism funding. I think they have been taken off the chopping block, but why were they ever there? We just finished two years of...
The Christian life is meant to be easy
In the 11th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls....
Spiritually Speaking
I’ve started over on my exercise routine. For months, I’ve been finding a reason every day at 3 not to go across the street to the Wellness Center and invest in my future health. As a result, my back hurts from carrying my front. So, Monday,...
