Opinion

Two weeks ago, I was living in a yellow haze. The sky was gray… sort of West Texas dust storm gray.

h IghlIghts The Texas House last Thursday passed two education-related bills, one that allocates $4.5 billion for teacher pay raises and another to increase the annual per-student base funding from $6,160 to $6,300 – a 2.3% increase. The Austin American-Statesman reported the bill would create minimum salaries for teachers ranging from $35,000 to $63,000 depending on experience and level of education.

It would be daunting for researchers half his age, but it didn’t stop Dr. Ray Van Cleef from reconnecting with his baseball players from six decades ago.

About a week ago, I changed the winter clothes in my closet for the spring and summer clothes which have been in the back bedroom all winter. Because we live in Texas where summer clothes can be worn with a jacket in the winter and the winter clothes are light weight, I shouldn’t have to change out the clothing. But I don’t have room in my “active” closet for everything. So, choices must be made.

A I’m sure Will Rogers was a friendly guy, even if the quote usually attributed to him has been taken out of context. During an interview, he mentioned prominent men he’d met, all of whom he liked.

The Texas Senate unanimously approved a $308 billion twoyear budget last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The next step is to reconcile that budget with one passed earlier by the Texas House.

I’m not really upset about Meagan Markel not attending the Coronation of Charles III. I’m not upset that the guest list has been limited or the fact that the ceremony will last only one hour. I am, in fact, really upset about the tiara situation.

A Way back when, I agreed to serve as judge of pageants held annually in Fort Stockton and DeLeon. I--and another couple of judges--were to select queens of the Water Festival and the Peach and Melon Festival, respectively.

Now that I’m not working full-time, I have found myself copying teenagers. I eat too many snacks, watch too much television, and spend an inordinate amount of time watching videos on my phone. I started out just watching kittens and babies, moved on to comedians and musicians trying to make a name for themselves, and lately, I’ve gotten hooked on people who buy thrift store items and “sell them for a profit.” That’s the phrase they use.

The Texas House passed a bill promising $17 billion in tax relief, a measure that is at odds with the Senate’s tax break plan, according to the Austin American- Statesman. The House bill would lower by half a home’s cap on appraisal increases.