I discovered an old quilt piece years ago at a quilt show.  At one of the sales booths, a quilter was selling quilt pieces, cut from old quilts.  She salvaged what was good and provided them for quilters to finish or use in new quilts.
I was fascinated by the four stylish ladies with umbrellas and brought them home from Texas with me.  Each is signed by the name of the quilter.  However, I’ve not discovered just what I should do with them.  I hesitate to cut them apart.  So I pin them to the wall and ponder.
Perhaps I should write a story …read more

Not many people think of going to prison as a vacation, but the Texas Prison Museum is hoping to change your mind.  The city of Huntsville, Texas is famous for its local prisons (there are 6 of them), and so it turned the lawlessness of the city into an attraction.  The museum features exhibits that give you a look at life in the prison — what is was like to be an inmate at the prison, as well as what it was like to work there, two obviously differing points of view.
The most popular exhibit is Old Sparky, an old …read more

How about the school district in Arlington, Texas. It refused to allow students the opportunity to hear President Obama’s speech to students Tuesday because it didn’t want to interfere with lessons. Yet the same school district sees no problem in interrupting classes to bus 500 of its students to attend a Super Bowl-related event later this month where former president George W. Bush will speak. Sound like a double standard to you?
The school makes this distinction: “…it’s a field trip that parents have to grant permission for students to attend.”
Let’s see, current president Obama spoke about the importance of education …read more

On July 20th, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and Neil Armstrong announced, “Houston.  Tranquility Base here.  The Eagle has landed.” And Houston celebrated.
Forty years later, Houston, home to Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, celebrates again, with a variety of events, attractions and exhibitions  commemorating the lunar landing and our fascination with space.

Discovery Green:  Spacefest – The downtown park partners with NASA and Rice University to host activities that celebrate the historic lunar landing.  Exhibits and films are designed for education and for fun.  July 17-20th.  FREE.
Houston Astros – For the July 20th game, the Astros will wear …read more

If some Texas lawmakers have their way, teens will have to show proof of age before entering a tanning bed.
A new law has been proposed, banning tanning beds for use if you’re under 18 years old. The idea is much like the ban on tobacco, to prevent exposure to a known cancer-causing agent, in this case, the ultraviolet rays.
The state already has some tanning-regulatory laws in place. Parents must accompany their child if the child is under 16, and if the teen is 16 or older, but under 18, he or she must have parental permission. A doctor’s note will …read more

These two recent bills from the Diagnostic Clinic are indicative of why I am voting for a candidate with a healthcare plan.
 
My daughter smashed her thumb in the car door. It got infected and bled into itself. The only way to release the pressure was for the doctor to cut open her thumb. I went during office hours so I, of course, thought I’d be paying the office visit copay. The bill I received says my insurance company didn’t pay enough. They want me to pay an extra $128.50 for a “I&D Cyst/Abcess, Simple.” I should have just performed the …read more