Lifestyle

Baylor University celebrated more than 7,500 graduates of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 during six in-person commencement ceremonies May 6-8 at McLane Stadium on the banks of the Brazos River.

PRICES go up and up! Is that INFLATION, or is it Natural PROGRESSION? The definition of “inflation” is as follows: the sustained decline of purchasing power of a given currency over time, as opposed to “deflation,” which occurs when the sustained purchasing power of money increases. Moderate inflation typically accompanies economic growth. So, as long as “average wages” grow at the same rates as “average inflation,” not much changes!

Summer is a season to relax and enjoy the warm weather. Basking in the summer sun is a great way to relax, but only when the temperatures are safe. Summer heat waves can compromise the health of human beings as well as their pets. Gardening enthusiasts also may need to go the extra mile to keep their plants and gardens from wilting under harsh summer sun.

Obesity is a significant threat to public health. The World Health Organization says global obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975. There are now more than one billion overweight adults across the globe, and at least 300 million people are classified as clinically obese.

From damage to color fade, to dry-out and breakage caused by styling and seasonal activities like swimming, summer can wreak havoc on your hair -- if you let it. Here’s a bit about the science of your hair’s structure, as well as what to know to keep your locks looking their best all season long.

Probably you, just as I, have been guilty of singing along with songs on the radio, at church, in an eating place, or blaring from a loudspeaker and not quite knowing all the words and just doing your best to give voice to what you THINK you have heard or always known. Or, maybe you have heard your child or friend or acquaintance do so. Take a look at some of the following admitted mistakes!

A WEEKEND Some folks only hunt during the cold weather months and I totally understand the reasons. It’s obviously cooler during the fall and winter, a more comfortable time to be in the woods and once the meat is harvested, much easier to keep it chilled. But for many years, I have enjoyed summer hog hunting and have devised some ways to not only be successful but comfortable as well. If you are hunting where there is a walk in cooler to keep harvested game chilled, meat care is much easier but most of us don’t always have this luxury. I hunted with my good friend Jeff Rice on his place near Lake Fork this past week end. The two of us spend a lot of time hunting hogs year round and we have devised a plan that is perfectly suited to summer hog hunting.

Part Three

*When I said I would print photos of “old Kaufman County Schools” that I could find, I did not realize how many there might be available, but now I know—and this is going to take a while! But, I am not going to quit until I am finished and will try to add a few interesting tid-bits about some! Keep in mind that while I am finding one or two photos to use, many communities had up to three or four or five buildings before the final town schools took over.*

Back in the spring, I remarked that I would be writing periodically about the RENAISSANCE, but it is the “Harlem Renaissance” and was one of my favorite periods of literature to teach!

Nearly 3,130 students completed degree requirements from Kansas State University in spring 2021. The graduates are from 101 Kansas counties, 44 states and 44 countries.

Nine students attending the Honors Band Camp at Northwestern State University of Louisiana received specialized training from Associate Professor of Trumpet Galindo Rodriguez while attending the camp. Rodriguez worked with the camp as applied trumpet coach. He conducted sessions on solo trumpet literature encompassing standard works from the classical through the 20th Century. Rodriguez presented masterclasses dealing with subjects pertinent to professional preparation: mental study, physical preparation, fundamentals of brass and repertoire. Participating students were, left to right, Aiden Finnerud of Nacogdoches, Texas, Caden Stehlik of Forney, Texas, Jackson Ocampo of Leander, Texas, Evan Martin of Paris, Texas, Camden Young of Sulphur, Jordan Curley of Haughton, Isaac Kim of Lafayette, Nicholas Willy of Lake Charles and Piper Smith of Ball.

Ask anyone worthy of the title of herbalist to vote on most drool worthy cinematic kitchen, and we’ll all chime in with the same answer. Did you like how I did that? Yeah, so I’m no herbalist. True, I did recently locate my copy of Odena’s Texas Herb Book from Odena Brannam’s Lavender Hill Herb Farm in Pleasant Grove. If you weren’t fortunate enough to accidentally trip upon Ms. Brannam’s home on Quinn Drive in the early 90’s, you really missed a whole mood. From the surprise appearances of her hilariously witty septuagenarian roommate/brother, Audrey, to a passel of odd stray cats, to a black snake deemed both welcome and friendly, all sorts of crazy things happened on the farm with its front room serving as equal parts cash register and apothecary. Like I said, it was a whole mood. But, we’ll devote another column on another day to Odena’s place. We’re here to talk about dream kitchens for those of us who love random tree branches resting on upper cabinets where bundles of herbs and roses hang to dry. Because, if you know your way around a good peppermint tincture and your favorite doctor is named Bombay, there’s only one kitchen you want to stock with your limes to put in your coconuts. It’s gotta be the kitchen from the iconic Practical Magic house.