The Voucher Numbers Are In. Rural Texas Isn’t Surprised.

I’ve spent two decades in and around the Texas Capitol, working with Republican officeholders who believed in school choice as part of a larger accountability system. That’s exactly why the first numbers on Texas’ billion-dollar voucher program should trouble conservatives, not just critics.

A CAREGIVER’S GUIDE TO MEDICARE

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m taking care of my elderly father who recently had a stroke and have a lot of questions about how Medicare works and what it covers. He’s enrolled in original Medicare. Can you help me?

WHAT A WATER SKIER

When Dave Wright of Fritch was growing up, he got to spend summers with his grandparents who loved to be on water.”I had a set of grandparents that taught me it was ok to grow gills,” says Dave. “And it was ok to keep those gills wet.

Faces & Places

“There's an energy to these autumn nights that touches something primal inside of me. Something from long ago. From my childhood in Western Iowa. I think of high school football games and the stadium lights blazing down on the players. I smell ripening apples.

RAIN PRAYERS AND HOMECOMING PLANS

OG RAIN PRAYERS AND HOMECOMING PLANSAnother week and still no rain. I saw on Facebook that Abilene got some rain and we did not know there was a cloud anywhere. I don't know what the problem is around here, but it seems it is allergic to rain clouds.

SMARTPHONES MADE SIMPLE FOR SENIORS

Dear Savvy Senior, My 79-year-old mom just upgraded from a flip phone to a smartphone, but she’s having trouble figuring it out. Is there a way to make it easier for her to use?- Only Daughter Dear Only, Switching from a flip phone to a smartphone can be a big adjustment.

This World of Hurt: Travel Tips

My wife’s family is pretty close-knit, looking out for one another, caring, nurturing. I picture family trips with them were similar to a group of kids on their way to camp, singing fun songs, playing games, and telling jokes. My family is more loyal than what you would call close.

WITH SOCIAL SECURITY UNCERTAINTY, SHOULD YOU CLAIM BENEFITS EARLY?

Dear Savvy Senior, I turn 62 early next year and plan to retire soon after. Most advice says I should wait to claim Social Security because my monthly benefit will be higher.

THE SPEECH CHORUS

Years ago I directed a speech chorus for a church in Big Spring. It was composed of about 10 teenagers, most of them in high school. They were eager to do something different. We did some unusual presentations of Bible verses.These were top flight individuals. It was hard work.

Faces & Places

“A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” ~John Adams, Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife We have an election on the horizon in November of this year.