Columns/Opinions

It’s been over a week since my trip to Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville and the memories of that day are still with me. Though the drive was long (three hours to be exact!) the day at camp made be realize how proud I am to be an Edna Lion.
I joined the organization because it was a mandate through work to be involved in a civic group, and at first, I didn’t want to. But in retrospect, I was dealing with huge health issues/food digestion problems at the time and felt uncomfortable eating in front of people I didn’t know.
Some months passed and I had to stop going to Lions Club meetings because I was given the Tuesday out-of-town paper route delivering Cuero and Yorktown their paper that we insert here. It kept me out of the office from nine in the morning until 1:30 or 2 p.m.

By Kate McCarrell, columnist
Several weeks ago – on a Saturday to be exact, I was in a bad (emotional) way. I wanted to just crawl back in bed, throw the covers over my head and sleep off all that was going on in my life with the unrealistic hopes that it had been a bad dream. We were in town around lunchtime and I had not fed the boys yet. Knowing that I just didn't have it in me to throw something together quickly, I took the easy route and slid into a local fast-food drive-thru.
The boys were unusually wild. Wait, who am I kidding, they were normal. Like crying, fighting, car rocking “normal.” I ordered, paid, and by the time I pulled up to the window to get the food, I was in tears. I was just overwhelmed with life, my feelings were hurt and the kids were not helping the situation. I thought I was hiding behind my sunglasses pretty well but judging by the look on the gentleman's face when he opened the window to hand me our drinks, I knew I had been caught.

By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer

Pieces of crumpled metal and shattered plastic lay peppered across the highway. A highway sign had been knocked into the ditch by the red pickup that now sat alongside it. All I could hear was the pounding of my own heart in my ears and my daughter, aged 8, screaming.

When the world came back into focus, I reached instinctively for my daughter Georgia. I looked up, and saw that my Kia Soul was resting in the median of Highway 59. It felt like we’d been spinning forever, but in hindsight I don't actually know if we even made a complete 360.

We would not be making it to the zoo that day.

By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer
To the absolute horror of everybody except me, I bought a motorcycle.

I grew up often hanging tightly onto my dad as we flew down the road on his Honda Shadow, and I remember the freedom I felt. My husband has one, too.

I am not someone who achieves inner peace easily. I am what one might call “high strung. This is a surprise to exactly no one who has spent more than 14 seconds in my presence. If you asked my doctor, he would say “I can’t give you that information because of doctor/patient confidentiality.”

But if he could give you that information he would tell you that I have problems sleeping because I wake up worrying at night. Even the tiniest of inconveniences is the end of the world at 3 a.m. I have problems focusing, and problems not assuming everything will come out as the worst case scenario.

You’re Using It Wrong
Dear Dave,
I take classes online at a public university that is several hours from my home. I tried to pay for my classes the other day, and my Visa debit card was not accepted. I got a message saying credit cards and cash were the only payment options. How can I take care of this without wasting an entire day driving to campus to pay with cash?
Amy
Dear Amy,
Don’t worry, there’s no need for you to drive all the way to campus and back just to pay for your classes. You can run a debit card like it’s a credit card, and they will accept it. The machines don’t recognize the difference, whether you type in a credit card number or a debit card number.

By Jill Koop, guest columnist
Recently, one of our kids said this to me in the car after school: "Mommy, student 'a' and student 'b' are my friends. They don't like student 'c'. I like c, but I just pretend that I don't when I'm around a and b, because they won't be my friends anymore if I don't."
Needless to say, we had a good talk about this predicament. Initially, I wanted to jump all over my kid for even acting for a second like they 'didn't like' someone. But instead, I tried to lovingly explain why that was wrong.
I'm a parent, and I'm also an educator. Bullying is a huge problem in school – it always has been, and probably always will be. We have all kinds of anti-bullying lessons, protocol, and awareness programs in public schools today. I think those are great things to have! But. Our kids have got to be taught this at home too, from an early age. That is where their foundation has to be laid.

By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer
My husband is a saint. If you see Brian Coleman around town, shake his hand, because he lives with me, and I am difficult. Actually, he’s also kind of an introvert, so he probably doesn’t really want you to shake his hand, and I’ve, again, made his life difficult (Love you, Babe!).
Recently, I became obsessed with goats. I’d watch videos of bouncing baby goats on YouTube, and text him photos of goats - all day, sometimes 20 in a day. He would call, and instead of “hello,” I would say “goats!”
I whispered “goats. We need goats. You love goats. They are your favorite animal.” while he was falling asleep at night. I bugged the crap out of him, is what I’m saying, but in my defense, have you met baby goats? They’re the cutest thing ever.

Compressor station concerns   

 I am writing concerning the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGP) proposed gas compressor station planned for the immediate Northwest side of Edna, just off Navidad Road, (822).     

Most  citizens are unaware of the planned compressor station, its location and the adverse industrial environment it will promote.         

Compressor stations emit particulate contaminates into the air, the noise from the 20,500 HP gas turbine/compressor is constant, and the building entry, outdoor walk, work stations and security lights will be illuminated throughout the dark hours.       

By Jessica Coleman 
Staff Writer
    In wildlife rescue, I see a lot of critters. In my home right now, I have a white wing dove, a grackle, a box turtle, some baby squirrels, two adult opossums and a whole bunch of baby opossums. 
    At one point this summer I had over 20 opossums.
    I adore them all, but I especially adore the opossums. I’ve always kind of liked the critters that other people find creepy – I have pet rats and grew up with pythons – but my beloved opossums are so misunderstood. 
    They’re fascinating creatures, and North America’s only marsupial. They’re useful, especially if you don’t like ticks, which they eat (helping to prevent lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses). They will also grub out on the bugs in your yard. You haven’t seen happiness until you’ve given an opossum a June bug. 

By Ed Sterling
Texas Press Association

   AUSTIN — A women's health program is in effect and ready to deliver more care to more women statewide who are 15 to 44 years old and whose income is up to 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines.

    Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Charles Smith, in a joint announcement on July 25, said they expect the “new and improved” Healthy Texas Women program to serve some 300,000 women, while earlier programs served 270,000 women. Participation for minors will require parental consent.