Many veterans struggle with substance use disorders. Addiction can easily develop during their time in the military or after they have finished serving. It’s a common problem; too many veterans lose their lives to substance use.
UT Health East Texas joins with thousands of health systems around the country to celebrate National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Hospital Week (May 7-13). It is a special time dedicated to recognizing the amazing people who work in America’s hospitals and health systems.
Federal funds directly support individuals and businesses across Texas. In 2022, nearly $277.6 billion was spent in the state by various agencies. That’s down from $349.7 billion in 2021 and $321.0 billion in 2020, when assorted COVID-19 stimulus packages were in place. The last year of pre-…
Today (Sunday) is Mother’s Day, and I was excited to have this outlet to publicly praise my own birthing person. I intended to heap on a healthy dose of fancy prose and sob-inducing sweetness, but for any of you that know me and my incubator...that’s not us.
Letters to the Editor
This week marked the deadline for first-year college applicants to many universities to decide about whether and where to enroll. It can be a very difficult choice involving a range of financial, educational, and emotional factors. Through high school, options are much more limited for most …
There is something wrong with the world today...
While it is widely known that Texas is a key producer of oil and natural gas, many are unaware that the state is also a leader in green energy. The installed capacity in renewables has been growing at a rapid pace, and, barring artificial obstacles, this pattern will likely continue.
Sitting here this morning in the bright sunshine, the events of a few days ago seem somewhat surreal.
It goes without saying that there’s a lot going on in the economy these days. The United States (and most of the rest of the world) is dealing with high (though moderating) inflation, rising interest rates, struggling industries and markets, geopolitical tensions, and a host of other uncerta…
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Texas. Statistically, the state has some of the lowest rates of cannabis use, with roughly 12% of the population aged 12 and older having used the drug.
The Texas House approved a $302 billion budget last week that included an amendment prohibiting the use of state money on private school tuition — a major setback to Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to establish a school voucher system. The Austin American-Statesman reported that more than 20 Republi…
Turn and face the strange...
Lent is that time we are supposed to examine our conscience to ready ourselves for our redemption with the death of Jesus Christ. A good way to do this examination is to reflect on the 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
I hate it here!
A prayer from the devotional I read every day seems very fitting for today’s problems, “Lord, Jesus, save us all from sinful ideas that are fool’s gold. Shower our nation and the world with Your abundant love. Amen.”
I had been feeling fine, until I got the worst pain I have ever experienced. A UTI. I know, my sweet wife says that is way too much information for the purpose of this column, but I had to start somewhere.
Long before the influence of my beloved conspiracy realist Sas, I had a tendency to steer toward the road less traveled.
On the morning of the painful 15th anniversary of my daughter’s death I made myself go to church. It did make the day a little better. Going to church usually does help me feel more joyous. Dealing with grief is a never-ending process and hearing the good news about Jesus does help. I know s…
God is such a showoff! And to this, we shall quickly return.
If my daughter had lived, she would be 30 years old. She died of a bowel obstruction caused by scoliosis almost 15 years ago. There were many health issues to deal with over the 15 years she resided on this earth, but I will never regret having her.
I go to my family doctor on a regular basis. At my age, I know I need at least annual checkup visits to my local physician.
My united family always celebrated Christmas together, crowded into my grandparents’ living room. We once celebrated every holiday this way, but Christmas hit differently.
I’m just an ole Cowboy at heart. My favorite movies are westerns. I never get tired of watching them, even the re-runs.
Before I get to the regular scheduled column, I must rant about something else besides our country being Sodom and Gomorrah, but I guess it is all and the same. I only go on this rant because six hoodlums attempted to steal my sister’s car. Fortunately, the neighbor caught them and scared th…
There is a Christmas song that is always popular during the holiday season titled, “Why Can’t Every Day Be Like Christmas.”
I got a copy of the newspaper of my last column for my Mom and I noticed the column underneath it was titled “Should we trust the government with our health?” My brain screamed “NO!” After these last two-plus years especially a resounding no.
During the mid-term election, there has been a lot of speculation about who will run for President in 2024. President Joe Biden says that he will announce his intentions soon. Let’s pray that the voters will have more wisdom this time than last time.
We will get back to queer gender studies debauchery later. The mental health issues of this country and the world have been going on for years. We will still be Sodom and Gomorrah until this world has a come-to-Jesus moment. I have a feeling it is coming sooner than many think.
Living where I do, I often stumble upon, step over, and drive past things that trigger some of the most random memories.
We have a massive mental health problem in this country, and nothing revealed that more than the emergence of Covid. The suicide rate in young people, mostly children, has skyrocketed and few are doing anything to change it.
I woke up Tuesday morning and it finally felt as if Fall had arrived. Indeed, it is Fall and I’m ready after experiencing an extended hot and dry Summer. I’m really looking forward to cooler weather, a warm fire in the fireplace, and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate as I relax in my favorite…
Across the state, Texans are keeping a closer eye on their government. They’re asking questions and demanding information. There’s a renewed awareness of our transparency laws.
I question everything.
I decided to pause the continued documentation of my journey to a healthier me because of this special occasion - Patriot Day. I think about this time of year throughout the year most of the time. It was a special time for me. The year before I had embarked on a new life with my daughter and…
