My child’s private Catholic elementary school recently welcomed a queer-promoting transgender advocate as part of its “antiracism” speaker series, declaring “diversity of identity and thought” is “a core characteristic of our Catholic faith.” The school insinuated the “transgender experience” and “defining ourselves for ourselves” can “result in more love,” and that such ideas are consistent with the sanctity of each individual as created in God’s image.

1. The federal government, in its infinite wisdom, has “Tomahawk” cruise missiles, “Apache”, “Blackhawk”, “Kiowa” and “Lakota” helicopters and the code name “Geronimo” was used in the attack that killed Osama bin Laden, officially objects to the name of the Washington Redskins football team.

Years ago I was involved in a meeting to plan a parenting seminar. As we discussed various topics I remember the look of desperation in one young mom’s voice and eyes as she lamented, “Let’s talk about child discipline! I really need help in that area!”

It has been said when arguing before a governmental body, if the law is on your side, pound the law; if the law is not on your side, pound the table. What I witnessed during the LIVE feed of the last city council meeting was table pounding at its finest.

Monday is Memorial Day. We must never forget that if it were not for our veterans, we would have no freedom.

Martha Johnson is not only one of our dearest friends, but also a lady that spreads joy everywhere she goes. You never see her without a smile. We always look forward to her visits….Had a good visit with David Paslay this past week. He told me his dad, Glen, is doing great! I still miss the Dairy Queen that Glen and Mary owned for many years. My wife worked for them and has said often that they were the best bosses she ever had…..For the first time in a very long time, I got to see my longtime friend Terry Carpenter. We not only went to school together but also ran around together and had a lot of fn. Terry was sports editor for the Holdenville Daily News for a long time and did a great job. Health problems keep him inside most of the time but I’m sure glad I got to see and visit with him. He is a special friend….I stopped by to see Rev. Jimmy Freeman and he looks great! As many of you know, he had stage 4 cancer, but is doing remarkable with one lump gone and the other shrinking. He pastors the Harvest Time Tabernacle, and that church is a praying church. Pastor Jimmy is a blessing to this community and we pray for his continued improvement…. Had a good visit with Jerry Baxter. He and Janice are doing good and plan on being in town for Memorial Day. We had the privilege of meeting Billy Don Tidmore at the homecoming service for Chuck Self this past week. Billy is the son of the late Don Tidmore, an HHS graduate and one of our outstanding athletes. His mother is Billie Gentry who was Miss HHS. We had a great visit and he told me that his dad was still playing basketball when he was 80 years old. Don’s brother, Elroy and I still visit once in a while and I always enjoy it. Elroy is a Korean War Veteran and I used to see him and Racheal at the Korean War Veterans Reunion. I really miss those gatherings. Those veterans are among the finest people I have ever known. Billy’s grandparents were the Knox Tidmores. Many of us “old timers” remember Knox well. He sold chickens, eggs and produce in downtown Holdenville for many years. He was a well-known and respected businessman and as a youngster I can still remember going into his business just to look at all the chickens. Both Billy and Elroy remember when they would candle the eggs for Knox. I really miss those home-owned businesses. As I said earlier, Billy and I were at the service for Chuck Self. Chuck, his wife Rhonda and mother-in-law Norma Hensley are dear friends, and their family is so special to ours. Our friendship with their family is four generations old. I also got to see Orcella Love and Joyce Hammock who I had not seen in a very long time. I really enjoyed seeing them. I told them it is so sad that the only time we get to see many of our friends is at a funeral. Both Chuck’s sister and granddaughter shared memories about Chuck and their words touched the hearts of everyone. God bless this family during this difficult time….My friend Maxie Carter sent us the following….As one of several Holdenville Daily newspaper boys in the fifties, we frequented the M & P store, which was located next to the paper office. The most popular snack was a Pepsi Cola filled with peanuts after the first swig was consumed. Wendell Harris came from Seminole to Holdenville as the manager of M&P during that time. Wendell catered to the paperboys, occasionally tempting them with new products and instructions to tell our parents to shop at his store.

My lifelong friend and classmate Barbara Glass Crawford came by the house this past week. Sadly, she was in town making arrangements for the funeral service of her husband, Alan.

I really don’t know how to begin this. I don’t even know what to call it, a letter or a statement but it is what is on my mind and my heart. I lived over half of my life in Holdenville and raised our family there. It hurts me to see so much bickering going on and it is all over Facebook. That is the only social media I am on other than Hughes County Tribune weekly. I have several subjects to express my thoughts about and I hope you make it a POSITIVE thing.

Many years ago, my wife and I decided to take a vacation to Red River, New Mexico and camp out in the mountains. This was no small adventure for Diane, whose idea of roughing it involves an air-conditioned motel with black and white television. But setting aside the normal conventions of life --and armed with the assurance we would spend at least a few nights in a respectable hotel-- we made plans to set off on our wilderness trek.

Recently, a friend shared the following with us and we thought you might enjoy it. It reminded me of my mother.........