Opinion

I have always been proud of being a Texan. Most of us who were born in Texas feel that way. Of course, there have been a few scoundrels who brought some shame on the name, but that only seems to enhance the mystique. Like having a member of the family who robbed banks with Bonnie and Clyde or was arrested for some noble act of civil disobedience. The weight of the shame lessens if three generations have past, or you’ve crossed three rivers. Being a Texan makes up for it.

For years, I’ve stayed up late at night watching television shows which I recorded so I would not have to admit watching. I didn’t want anyone to know that my time could be taken up folding huge mounds of butter into dough, overlapping, and then rolling out again… over and over. I’ve been hooked on baking done by adult amateurs, professional pastry chefs, home bakers, and owners of cupcake shops around the world.

More than three-fourths of Texas teachers say they have seriously considered quitting the profession largely because of a perceived lack of respect and support, according to a new survey by the Charles Butt Foundation. Excessive workload and inadequate pay were other major reasons that teachers are considering leaving, The Dallas Morning News and other media outlets reported.

Residents in the East Texas thicket where my Uncle Mort hangs out almost never leave, so welcoming a new family is quite a topic of conversation.

Beth Beggs

“Doting” is an adjective often used to describe grandparents. In the case of Rick and Becky Cadden, however, “pranking” might be a better fit.

Theirs is a family whose members are on perpetual look-out for ways to get a leg up in the prankster department, and grandchildren are not off limits.

The Texas Department of Transportation has adopted a 10-year statewide roadway construction plan with a record $85 billion price tag, officials announced last week. The Unified Transportation Plan authorizes the distribution of construction money that is expected to be available during the next decade. Within that framework, Tx-DOT works with elected officials and local planning organizations, as well as the public, to pick and fund the state’s highest priority transportation projects.

Beth Beggs

the Idle A

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